Upgrading from AV123 ELT525T's...

[exospire]

I recently upgraded from an Onkyo TX-SR707 to a Denon AVR-2312CI and was disappointed because I was expecting an increase in imaging, clarity, and SQ. Over the next week I began realizing that no matter how many times I compared the same song, or same movie passage between the Onkyo and Denon, they both sounded remarkably similar. And then I realized if I want better imaging, fidelity, clarity... I need to upgrade my speakers (and most likely return the Denon).

I'm still using AV123 ELT525 in my media room from the Black Friday sale they had when the entire 5.0 setup was about $800. I'm in an apartment now and haven't used the monitors for over a year, and just sold them today actually. I still have the AV123 ELT525T and ELT525C.

I love the ELT525T for music... nothing ever sounds fatiguing, I can listen for hours to what I perceive to be smooth sound. For movies, they have been pretty good to me, although I stopped using the ELT525C because I always founds the dialogue hard to understand.

I'm at a point where I want better sound. I don't know how the AV123 ELT525 series stacks up against competitors, but I have a feeling there are some gems out there waiting for me to hear.

I'm in college so I don't have a lot of money to spend. I'd like to start at $900 max for a pair of FRONTS. I have a couple speakers in mind, but I'm down for anything as long as they are far from fatiguing/harsh/bright/forward... whatever you want to call it.

For my budget, I'm wondering if I should be looking at monitors over towers.

So far the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 and Aperion Audio Verus Grand Bookshelves sound good. I've read reviews for both and they read very good.

I guess I'm looking for opinions and if these would truly be an upgrade from my AV123 ELT525T's.

[shadyJ]

I would take a look at the NHT Classic Three, which might be my first choice for a bookshelf speaker at that price point. The Sierras ought to be great too, but I think that the three-way NHTs with a larger woofer might be able to stay cleaner at louder levels. However, if you don't need loud volumes, that might be a moot point.

[exospire]

I've seen the Classic Three recommended before, I was just never sure if the aluminum tweeter would give me the smooth highs I crave. Reading reviews they do sound like a very neutral speaker though.

So there's the Sierra-1, Aperion Verus Grand Bookshelves, and the NHT Classic Three.

Am I right in assuming it would be better to invest $800-900 in bookshelves for fronts rather than $800-900 towers? (ignoring the used market).

And would any of the mentioned speakers be an upgrade to my AV123 ELT525 towers?

[zieglj01]

I've seen the Classic Three recommended before, I was just never sure if the aluminum tweeter would give me the smooth highs I crave. Reading reviews they do sound like a very neutral speaker though.
Am I right in assuming it would be better to invest $800-900 in bookshelves for fronts rather than $800-900 towers? (ignoring the used market).

There is no guarantee that a metal dome tweeter will be harsh sounding.
The speakers performace in general, will come down to their design and
engineering. I have owned metal tweeter speakers that are more smooth,
over other soft dome tweeter speakers. NHT does a good job, with their
metal tweeters.

On average, I will pick a good bookshelf over a tower speaker, with the
same list price.

[exospire]

Ah, good to know

I've been reading more about the Sierra-1, and I've uncovered reports of it being on the bright side, from 2007 and 2008... not sure if the current version is any different, and not sure if they were using the Nhr tweeter or not. One of the sources was some 20 person blind listening get together, where the Swan D2.1 I think it was, came out on top.

I wish there was an internet speaker database equivalence to IMDB for movies, where speakers were rated on a number of qualities including warmth/brightness.

Another thread said that there wasn't much of a night and day difference between the Sierra-1 and AV123 ELT525 towers, with the towers being smoother. Makes me go ARGH!

Here are some user quotes I found while googling ELT525 vs Ascend Sierra

I do have one criticism of the Sierra's so far...they are less forgiving than the ELT when it comes to poorly recorded source material. One thing that has been buggin the crap out of me with the Sierra's is sibilance during some movies or tv shows - it happens much more often with tv though. I never noticed this as much with the ELT setup...but I will admit that I was concerned the Sierra's might sound bright before I heard them...so it's possible I'm also paying more attention now.

The ELT towers were fuller sounding in the midrange, and have a nice smooth high end and respectable low end. Overall, they really are a nicely balanced speaker that is easy to listen to.

[theJman]

If you're looking for bookshelf speakers to use as the front left and right a few others that might be worth considering are:

• Source Loudspeakers 1.6 WC
• Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 65
• KEF iQ30 or Q300
• Martin Logan LX16
• Swan D1.1se

[exospire]

If you're looking for bookshelf speakers to use as the front left and right a few others that might be worth considering are:

• Source Loudspeakers 1.6 WC
• Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 65
• KEF iQ30 or Q300
• Martin Logan LX16
• Swan D1.1se

Is the Swan D2.1 an upgrade to the D1.1? Right now they are both the same price.

The Martin Logan's look very nice, I've never heard that kind of tweeter before, any idea how it would be for electronic/rock music? If anything, I prefer a laid back midrange/highs, but I don't want to sacrifice detail.

I emailed local dealers and here's what one quoted me: B&W 684 Towers for $1100. The Revel F12 Speakers at $1500.00, Revel’s smaller Bookshelf M12 speakers w/ Stands for a little less than $1000. And GoldenEar Aon 3 Bookshelf speakers for $1000. All of the dealers here also seem to carry Sunfire and Paradigm

[sholling]

I've been reading more about the Sierra-1, and I've uncovered reports of it being on the bright side, from 2007 and 2008... not sure if the current version is any different, and not sure if they were using the Nhr tweeter or not.

I wouldn't describe Sierra-1s as bright unless the listener is used to recessed or severely rolled off highs. I think a better description is very neutral with detailed but ever so slightly rolled off highs. I've heard the Sierra-1 and the the Sierra-1 NrT side by side and the NrT upgrade extends those highs but at least to my ear they aren't at all bright.

[Matt34]

I would also give the RBH MC-6Cs a look as well.

RBH Sound MC-6C Bookshelf Speaker Review — Reviews and News from Audioholics

[theJman]

Is the Swan D2.1 an upgrade to the D1.1? Right now they are both the same price.

I'm not sure actually. I happened to notice they were on sale, and the price seemed pretty reasonable for that level of quality.

The Martin Logan's look very nice, I've never heard that kind of tweeter before, any idea how it would be for electronic/rock music? If anything, I prefer a laid back midrange/highs, but I don't want to sacrifice detail.

Rarely will you hear someone describe a ribbon tweeter as 'laid back'. Most often words like 'airy', 'crisp', 'clear' etc. are what you'll hear mentioned. If you perfer highs a bit less prevalent then a ribbon may not be for you.