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Monolith THX-365T Floorstanding Speaker Review

First Impressions

Appearance-wise, the Monolith THX-365T speaker looks good. Worthy mentions would be the magnetic grill and the build quality that screams ‘robust.’ It was packed well, and the thermal packaging was non-obvious and minimalist. There were no struggles with connectivity, thanks to the intuitive mechanism, and it took only a handful of seconds to get the sound running. The Size is somewhat deceptive, though, as it is significantly larger than it looks in the pictures, so double-check the dimensions before purchasing.

The Sound Quality

The bread and butter of any speaker review is, of course, the sound quality. In this arena, the Monolith THX-365T doesn’t back. The sound is smooth and clean, which adapts and fits perfectly with my existing 5.1 speakers, and there is a noticeable improvement in dialogue clarity. Some users have claimed they could hear sounds they had never heard and deformities they had seen countless times before, vouching for its remarkable audio clarity. It can handle Dolby Atmos, and the resulting experience can be significantly boosted when paired with a good receiver.

However, my experiences weren’t rainbows and sunshine. Although the speaker performed decently, I found no discernable improvement when comparing it to my old Definitive Technology clr 3000. Contrarily, I thought the Monolith sounded “thin” and” tha” the Def Tech. This is not a problem with the Monolith but is a testament to Def Tech’Tech’s performance. But this may be a red flag worth considering for someone looking to upgrade their existing speaker system, the Flip Side.

While the Monolith THX-365T speaker is exceptionally well-made, and the manufacturer has put substantial effort into securing it, my unit arrived with a damaged midrange speaker. The packaging was intact, implying it was damaged before shipping. This seemingly calls for an improvement in quality control before shipment.

Performance Beyond the Price

The Monolith THX-365T speaker performed impeccably for its price. It is dynamic, well-built, has excellent off-axis performance, images better than expected, and compares immensely favorably to its peers. It stands out even when I compare it to some other center channels I’ve had in the past, like Klipsch, JBL, Polk, Paradigm, and others. Its vocal clarity remains consistent, even off-axis, an issue in many traditional MTM speaker designs.

The Monolith THX-365T inevitably ticks a lot of boxes – dynamic, priced competitively, robust design, and, most importantly, superior sound clarity. However, if you are on a moderate receiver, you might look at the wrong speaker. This unit demands a high current power supply and runs best at 4 ohms, optimally, with an external amplifier.

Monolith THX-365T Speaker

Verdict

The Monolith THX-365T speaker is a worthy addition to anyone’s system. It has its perks and all but a few flaws. It offers excellent price to performance value. It’s Useful, high-quality, and has superb audio clarity. However, the lack of any significant upgrade over older speakers and the need for a high-power source does bring it down a notch. Still, for its price, the ups far outweigh the downs, and it just might be the speaker upgrade you are looking for.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

    • Exceptional sound clarity and dynamics
    • Robust and stylish design
    • Significant improvement in dialogue clarity
    • Excellent off-axis performance
    • Value for money

Cons:

    • Possibly nonexistent upgrade from older high-end speakers
    • Demands a high-power source
    • Quality control could be improved

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Monolith THX-365T is an outstanding performer in its price range. Its robust design, superior sound quality, and dynamic performance make it an excellent addition to any home theater setup. However, it’s free of limitations. From its large Size to power requirements, ensuring you have the correct setup to accommodate the 365C is crucial. Overall, the value delivered by the Monolith THX-365T is undeniable and would surely appease most audio enthusiasts looking for a robust center speaker on a budget.

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Bass Response
8
The bass response is generally praised by users, however the speaker seemed to perform 'thin' compared to some specific models with built-in subwoofers.
Treble Detail
8.5
The treble detail is commendable, providing a dynamic and flat frequency response. It allows users an option to boost higher frequencies within EQ settings and maintains clarity consistently.
Midrange Clarity
8.6
Clarity of dialogue and mid-range sounds is a strong point, especially after tinkering with the crossover fade. The clarity seems to blend well with other 5.1 speaker systems.
Design
8.1
The speaker is built well and looks good. However, some have had issues with receiving damaged units. The speaker is also quite large, so it's recommended to check dimensions before ordering.
Sound Quality
9.2
The overall quality of the sound is superb, consistently delivering a dynamic output with clean mids. The speaker system is powerful and throws sound across the room for full immersion.
Value for Money
8.7
We found the speakers to be extremely valuable considering their cost, performing much better even than expected. However, for some who already have high-standard speakers, this came out as no improvement despite the price.
8.5
Total Score
Rating Summary
In summary, the Monolith by Monoprice Center Channel Home Theater Speaker is a great purchase for anyone looking to increase their theater setup with quality audio options. Users found the speakers to be good value for the price, offering excellent sound quality, clarity and bass response. The speaker shines in its performance of clear dialogues and smooth mid-range sounds. Unfortunately, some found the bass 'thin' compared to models with built-in subwoofers and there were issues with receiving units in less than perfect condition. The unit itself is quite large and conspicuous with a simple yet solid design, which also makes it essential to check its dimensions for fitting purposes. As a side note, it's power-hungry and performs at its best when connected to an external high-current power supply. All in all, Monolith by Monoprice is a fine addition to your home theater setup if you're prioritizing superior sound quality.