Hsu vs EMP

Hello,
I would really like to have sound in my kitchen. Don't laugh, I like to listen while I cook! I have been looking at the Hsu HB-1s with accompanying subwoofer and a Harman Kardon receiver. I am also looking at the EMP Tube Amplifier with the E-41B speakers. They both have wonderful reviews, but I am concerned about placement of the Hsu subwoofers in a tile environment- too bouncy. I'm concerned the room effects will be bad. Also, if I move, these may have to go into the living room, defeating my purpose. The EMP Tek setup seems a lot more suited to this environment, but the price seems close for these setups, so I thought I'd ask opinions. Which do you think will sound best?

kokeshi said:

Hello,
Which do you think will sound best?

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In a kitchen??? I doubt anyone could reasonably answer that.

In such a poor acoustic environment I wouldn't recommend anything hi-fi as it would be a waste of money and effort to get it to sound decent at best.

As far as something that would work well in a kitchen your best options would be a second zone set of inwall or multipurpose wall mountable speakers. If you don't want to have a multizone system because of the hassle of wiring through the walls I would suggest a desktop stereo system of some variety. My mother uses a JVC FS-1000 executive desktop stereo in her kitchen and she loves the thing. That would allow you to move the speakers around since they aren't fixed to the unit, however you can only buy this unit used. The executive systems like this typically range from $70-150 on eBay depending on their condition.

Here's a picture of a FS-7000, very similar to the FS-1000 aside from a slight difference in appearance in the head unit and better looking woodgrain speakers.



I've also been eyeing the the Panasonic SC-H30 desktop stereo. The speakers are attached but the sound is impressive for a unit this size and price. Given it's function I feel it offers a far better value than competing models and iPod/MP3 based stereo docks. It's an elegant system and not only supports a multitude of iPods, but it also has a CD player AM/FM tuner, and an auxilary input.

Judging from the specs, I can't believe that the EMPs would match the Hsus for performance. The Hsus weigh twice as much, and their woofers have almost twice the surface area of the EMPs. Also the acoustic problems present in a kitchen will affect each speaker similarly, I don't think the EMP's will suffer that much less. I can't understand how EMP is charging so much for such a small speaker, their E5Ti tower speakers cost only 100 more!

Judging from the specs, I can't believe that the EMPs would match the Hsus for performance. The Hsus weigh twice as much, and their woofers have almost twice the surface area of the EMPs. Also the acoustic problems present in a kitchen will affect each speaker similarly, I don't think the EMP's will suffer that much less. I can't understand how EMP is charging so much for such a small speaker, their E5Ti tower speakers cost only 100 more!

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I think a lot will be lost with either system, I'd urge you to explore more options unless you are dead set on one of these two.

Thanks so much!

Of course, I'm just beginning my research. Suggestions are very useful. I was considering the EMP because it was presented as a desktop setup and seemed to be great sounding. I would most likely put them on the counters and be within 11 feet of them. I don't think a subwoofer would be helpful because I really have nowhere to put it but across the room on the tile floor. A small subwoofer would be okay, but "small" and (good sounding) "subwoofer" don't exactly go in the same sentence!
I'm so tired bad-sounding "computer speakers."
I might just (eventually) buy the HB-1s and put them in my living room, but I still would like something that sounds great where I will be listening to them most of the time.

Thanks for the Panasonic system suggestion; I didn't know anything designed for players had decent sound. I've shopped and read about these systems for too long with no results.

kokeshi said:

Of course, I'm just beginning my research. Suggestions are very useful. I was considering the EMP because it was presented as a desktop setup and seemed to be great sounding. I would most likely put them on the counters and be within 11 feet of them. I don't think a subwoofer would be helpful because I really have nowhere to put it but across the room on the tile floor. A small subwoofer would be okay, but "small" and (good sounding) "subwoofer" don't exactly go in the same sentence!
I'm so tired bad-sounding "computer speakers."

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Seth=L had some good ideas. It's just hard to find a better non built in kitchen solution than an executive stereo system. Just don't expect audiophile quality. You might also consider Klipsch's Promedia 2.1 with your MP3 player. As long as you don't push the little 6.5" sub too hard they sound pretty good. They aren't your average computer speaker.

Judging from the specs, I can't believe that the EMPs would match the Hsus for performance. The Hsus weigh twice as much, and their woofers have almost twice the surface area of the EMPs. Also the acoustic problems present in a kitchen will affect each speaker similarly, I don't think the EMP's will suffer that much less. I can't understand how EMP is charging so much for such a small speaker, their E5Ti tower speakers cost only 100 more!

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In a small room or office the EMP 41-SEB's are the best sounding bookshelf speakers I've heard regardless of price. Under the RBH name they would sell for over $1k/pair b/c of the Beryllium woofers. Don't misjudge them b/c of size or price. They are true jems. Bigger and heavier does NOT equate to better sound for speakers. If that was the case, why not just buy a pair of Whitevan tower speakers?

That being said, as others have pointed it, this is not an ideal system for a kitchen. Lifestyle products are smaller and blend better into such an environment.

Thanks again!

Well, it sounds like the kitchen is a perfect place to enjoy my Beyerdynamic DT235S or my Yuin PK2s! With headphones, you don't have to worry about a bad room!
I am going to keep researching for a really nice system for a better room, thanks to your site.
One day, it'll be a dream come true.

If I were you I would do in ceiling speakers if you own your home.

Decisions, decisions!

Hello again. Thanks for all your suggestions.
I've decided to go ahead and get the EMP E 41-B speakers to go in my computer room; these will fit this room nicely. I am wondering whether to get the tube amp or the Harman Kardon HK 3390 receiver so I can more easily hook up a subwoofer. Which of these amplifiers/receivers would you recommend to make these speakers really shine?

kokeshi said:

Hello again. Thanks for all your suggestions.
I've decided to go ahead and get the EMP E 41-B speakers to go in my computer room; these will fit this room nicely. I am wondering whether to get the tube amp or the Harman Kardon HK 3390 receiver so I can more easily hook up a subwoofer. Which of these amplifiers/receivers would you recommend to make these speakers really shine?

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I'd get the receiver. The tube amp looks cool sitting on my desk with it's blue glowing tubes, but it doesn't have a decent line output for the subwoofer. You'll end up using the speaker level outputs to the sub like both Gene and I used.

But the EMP E41-B's are awesome little speakers. Very accurate and balanced. Add a decent 10" powered sub and you'll have an awesome sound system for a small listening area and an unbelievable system for a computer.

If you place them directly on top of you desk, you might want to add a layer of dense acoustic foam under them to get them up off the desk a little bit. Or set them on 4" or 5" stands.

Thanks!

Majorloser, thanks for the input. It's going to sound great when I get it all together.

Hello again. Thanks for all your suggestions.
I've decided to go ahead and get the EMP E 41-B speakers to go in my computer room; these will fit this room nicely. I am wondering whether to get the tube amp or the Harman Kardon HK 3390 receiver so I can more easily hook up a subwoofer. Which of these amplifiers/receivers would you recommend to make these speakers really shine?

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If you are in a really small office, the EMP tube amp will have enough power for your needs. If you want to play them really loud, definitely get the HK receiver. It has a much more robust and powerful amp section than the EMP amp.

Here is my review of the HK3490:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/hk-3490

Dimensions

The room is 8' X 11'. I'll either be very close to the speakers, sitting at my desk, or 4' away in the recliner. I don't think power is an issue here! Only, sub connectivity and how the amplifier/receiver makes the speakers sound. Thanks again.

Nice review, Gene!

Do you think the 3390 will have the internal DACs as well?

shadyJ said:

I can't understand how EMP is charging so much for such a small speaker, their E5Ti tower speakers cost only 100 more!

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The quality of the drivers is the big difference.
It is not too obvious from the spec sheet, but this is a better tweeter than the other EMP speakers use and, of course the woofer/mid is unique.
Assuming you would use a sub for the low end, I think these are superior to any speaker I've heard under $1200. The detail and quality of the high frequencies make this a special speaker.

Kokeshi,
Let us know how you like them. I think you'll be very happy.

Do you think the 3390 will have the internal DACs as well?

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No the HK 3490 is the only stereo receiver that I know of with internal DAC's. Its a true gem!

DACs

This is great! My computer won't sound so computer-ish. It'll be worth the extra $$ to get the HK 3490. Otherwise, I was just going to plug my player into the receiver to avoid the DAC issue altogether.
Thanks to everyone for your input; it has helped tremendously. I had so many questions. Now, I've got answers. I'll let you know how I like them, but it will take a little while to get them.

HK 3490 & E41-B wattage diff

Hi, not sure if anyone will read this, but I wanted a clarification on this recommended combination. The HK 3490 outputs 120W per channel while the E41-B is rate 30-100W per channel. Is this not a problem?