ready to buy some mains

[jsanfilippo5]

Ok -

I purchased the x-sub from av123 - for my size room (very small) this works great. Now im looking to get some speakers for the front.

Here is what im tossed between. I never bought speakers without hearing them before, so im a little nervous, but maybe someone can push me in the right direction.

So far I have the xsub, and a yamaha htr-5960 reciever - the speakers I was looking at are:

Ascend Acoustics - cbm170se

mordaunt-short ms912

onix lx-s

axiom m3 v2

I read excellent things about all of them, which makes the decision even harder.

These will be used for 50% music 50% movies. I listen to all different tyopes of music from jazz, country, metal, rock, rap. everything. I can go up to 500 bucks so if anyone recommends any other bookshelves let me know. But from the reviews I have read these seem the way to go.

Right now im using 2 boston acoustics cr67 speakers which sound pretty good, but i noticed once I playsomething like a drum solo, and play it loud, everything sounds squashed, and the midrange seems to take over the whole speaker..

Giv eme some ideas.... I have also been contemplated using a pair of alesis monitor ones that I have, these were my main refernce monitors in my studio for a whil and they are doing nothing now.... any input from anyone on that?


Thanks in advance..

[Seth=L]

The squashed sound could be the receivers doing as well. What are the specs of your speakers.

None the less an upgrade can't hurt. What music do you listen too?

[j_garcia]

I think any of those would do very well. I'd lean towards the X-LS, or even the X-CS.

If it sounds normal at a normal listening level but when you push it and it sounds compressed it is likely the reciever straining, so I would avoid doing that repeatedly. How big is the room? You may need a more substantial speaker.

[emorphien]

Any of those would probably be fine, although I'm unfamiliar with the Mordaunt Shorts. I'm partial to the Axiom M3 because I own a pair, but the Ascends and the X-LS are supposedly very good as well.

[billy p]

Ok -

I purchased the x-sub from av123 - for my size room (very small) this works great. Now im looking to get some speakers for the front.

Here is what im tossed between. I never bought speakers without hearing them before, so im a little nervous, but maybe someone can push me in the right direction.

So far I have the xsub, and a yamaha htr-5960 reciever - the speakers I was looking at are:

Ascend Acoustics - cbm170se

mordaunt-short ms912

onix lx-s

axiom m3 v2

I read excellent things about all of them, which makes the decision even harder.

These will be used for 50% music 50% movies. I listen to all different tyopes of music from jazz, country, metal, rock, rap. everything. I can go up to 500 bucks so if anyone recommends any other bookshelves let me know. But from the reviews I have read these seem the way to go.

Right now im using 2 boston acoustics cr67 speakers which sound pretty good, but i noticed once I playsomething like a drum solo, and play it loud, everything sounds squashed, and the midrange seems to take over the whole speaker..

Giv eme some ideas.... I have also been contemplated using a pair of alesis monitor ones that I have, these were my main refernce monitors in my studio for a whil and they are doing nothing now.... any input from anyone on that?


Thanks in advance..


The above items are your most often recommended online candidates along with these IMO:
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

[jsanfilippo5]

Anyone in the long island area that has any of these speakers, maybe I can come by for a listen??

[billnchristy]

I am curious as to how the SVS bookshelfs would compare to the X-LS.

[billy p]

I am curious as to how the SVS bookshelfs would compare to the X-LS.

I've heard them and they are above my Athena's. Really though speakers are very subjective. I will say this, over at AVS lots of positive feedback and they managed well enough against both Ascend cbm 170 and the Onix xl-s.

[j_garcia]

The Ascend 170s are better than the SBS-01s, and I'm sure the X-LS are probably better than the SBSs as well. I like the SBSs, but they are not quite at the same level as the 170s, nor were they marketed or intended to be.

[jsanfilippo5]

from what i read the sbs dont fair well with music, I think i may have to buy the onix and the ascends and compare side by side.
When you guys were saying this could be my reciever - what would i do to fix that.... will that happen with any speaker hooked up? Sorry if my questions sound dumb....

[billy p]

The Ascend 170s are better than the SBS-01s, and I'm sure the X-LS are probably better than the SBSs as well. I like the SBSs, but they are not quite at the same level as the 170s, nor were they marketed or intended to be.

I'm not going to disagree with you:). The ascend and the onix may in fact be better on their own. However in a H/T set up for which they were designed for, alongside a svs sub, I'm not so sure:D. Anyways I like them and you can't go wrong for that price.:)

[billnchristy]

I cant understand why you are getting serious compression with your reciever.

What level are you playing at to get this compression?

I am using a Yamaha HTR 5790 with my X-LS/X-CS/X-sub system and rarely go over -10dB or so, but that is in excess of 100dB.

[jsanfilippo5]

i think it is the speakers... my last reciever crapped out and someone on the forum told me that it could b ethe speakers....I dont really know though....i may orf\der the xls tomorrow, and then buy the ascends next week to do some testing.....

[j_garcia]

I heard the SBS-01 + PB-10 package and it sounded good. I heard the Ascends with a VTF-3 Mk2. Both were in about the same size room with receivers that were close in quality, and both used a lot of the same music (mostly music with both). Based on the sessions, I would pick the Ascends.

[jsanfilippo5]

since i already have the x sub - the xls might be a abetter option for me...

any of you guys experience iwth the boston cr67?

[billy p]

since i already have the x sub - the xls might be a abetter option for me...

any of you guys experience iwth the boston cr67?

By all means the Onix xl-s would serve you well!! Just remember the sub can be mated to any system the most important factor for your set up is timbre match the front sound stage.

[j_garcia]

since i already have the x sub - the xls might be a abetter option for me...

any of you guys experience iwth the boston cr67?

Since you already have the X-sub, you should get a "family" discount when ordering the X-LS and X-CS. Seems like a pretty simple choice to me.

[jsanfilippo5]

would they give a fanmily discount if i just bought the 2 channels for now?

[billnchristy]

X-systems dont get family discounts but if you talk to them who knows what you might cook up, it never hurts to ask as they are very accommodating.

[j_garcia]

No family love pricing for the X-series? I guess they are already pretty inexpensive as it is.

[jsanfilippo5]

I ordered the x-ls today.. i hope I didnt make am mistake - I am wondering if i should have bought the ascends....... Im having a rough time finding any comparisons on the two... I was hoping that I didnt have to buy both pairs - but i dont think i will be able to rest until i try them both out,....

[j_garcia]

Just try out the X-LS and see how you like them.

[wilkenboy]

I was in a similar dillema and went with the Ascends for their slightly lower extension, but the X-LSs were very tempting at that price point!

My suggestion would be to put a pair of 170s on order, side by side them, and then send back the loser. You get the satisfaction of knowing you made the right decision (kills the second guessing a year from now), and at most you're out a few hours of enjoyable auditioning and return shipping.

~Josh

[jsanfilippo5]

thats what i did today - i ordered the ascends... now i hav eone other quetsion.

I have been reading alot about buying all of your speakers from the same manufacturer for timbre matching, but the pfferings from both pof these companies are too big for me to use as rears. Any opinions on what I should do with that????? im getting a little ahead of myself since the fronts arent even here yet.. but the question will come up sooner than later....

Thanks

[Nick250]

I used Paradigm Atoms as surrounds for quite a while. Very pleased. ~ $200.


Nick

[Sheep]

thats what i did today - i ordered the ascends... now i hav eone other quetsion.

I have been reading alot about buying all of your speakers from the same manufacturer for timbre matching, but the pfferings from both pof these companies are too big for me to use as rears. Any opinions on what I should do with that????? im getting a little ahead of myself since the fronts arent even here yet.. but the question will come up sooner than later....

Thanks

Just get the 170s with the Omni mount for surrounds. Not to large at all.

SheepStars

[jsanfilippo5]

judging from the specs on the ascend website it looks like the 170's would be too big for me.

[jsanfilippo5]

I was in a similar dillema and went with the Ascends for their slightly lower extension, but the X-LSs were very tempting at that price point!

My suggestion would be to put a pair of 170s on order, side by side them, and then send back the loser. You get the satisfaction of knowing you made the right decision (kills the second guessing a year from now), and at most you're out a few hours of enjoyable auditioning and return shipping.

~Josh

looking at your sig your using the 170's with a yamaha - how do you like it for music and ht?