HTD vs EMP vs JBL vs SVS

[shoo]

I know it bit crazy compare these many systems. I want to get something about $2500 range. These are the systems I'm looking at. Right now, none of has any sale or deal. So, very much confused. My roon size id about size about 3800 cubic feet (A great room with open entery to other rooms and kitchen on one side). Sorry for asking too many questions, please help me with your great knowledge.
Questions:

1. Which would you choose and why?
2. Why does JBL cost so much compare to HTD and EMP? JBL is about $700 more compare to HTD level three system. Why? Is it really worth to pay more and buy JBL?
3. EMP tower has 5 speakers and dome tweeter, but JBL 570 has only two speaker and a horn tweeter. How come JBL will be able to deliver better quality of audio than EMP tower with just two speaker?
4. I watch 65/35 is my movies and music watch ratio. How does it matter when I want to choose one of these?
5. I personally like clear, sharp music with very good base. Which one of these would be better for that?
6. If choose JBL, should better choose 530s ranther than tower. Does tower add any advantage here while using with sub like VTF3?

HTD Level THREE Tower - $800
HTD Level THREE Center - $209.
HTD Level THREE Bookshelf - $319
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $800
Cost: $2128

R55Ti - pair - $695.
R56Ci Center - $395
R55Wi Surround - - $445
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $800
Cost: $2335

SVS Prime Tower Package: $1550
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $800
Cost: $2350

JBL 570, 530, 520CBK - $2000
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $800
Cost: $2800

 

[markw]

Personally, I would be looking at the five speakers as one purchase and the sub as another purchase rather than bundled.

Speaker only manufacturers produce some very fine systems and you can always find a great sub from the sub manufacturers. They need not be from the same manufacturer to play well together.

 

[shoo]

Personally, I would be looking at the five speakers as one purchase and the sub as another purchase rather than bundled.

Speaker only manufacturers produce some very fine systems and you can always find a great sub from the sub manufacturers. They need not be from the same manufacturer to play well together.

Yes, I agree. I almost decided to go with HSU VTF3 MK5 for sub. I put same sub in all the options. The only reason I put it in all the option is to make it clear that I'm buying that sub in anyway. So, for sub, I'm clear. Only speakers I have a lot confusion. What do you think about speaker options I put?

 

[zieglj01]

Yes, the JBL Studio 5 series are good period.

However, speaker choice is up to you - and no one can guarantee
anything for your ears.

I would pick 2 options (front left and right only) from your list, and
audition in your home - send the loser back and then complete your
system, with the rest of the speakers.

Your option and call

 

[shadyJ]

From that list I would go with the JBLs. Really top notch engineering with excellent drivers. My second choice would be the EMP Tek speakers. The new VTF3 is an absolutely killer subwoofer, you are going to love it.

One question is, why tower speakers? I would just get bookshelf speakers. I would go with the JBL Studio 530s. The big advantage of tower speakers is bass extension, but since the subs take over the range above where bookshelf speakers play, that negates the chief advantage of tower speakers. I say, save the money and just go with bookshelf speakers.

 

[shoo]

One question is, why tower speakers? I would just get bookshelf speakers. I would go with the JBL Studio 530s. The big advantage of tower speakers is bass extension, but since the subs take over the range above where bookshelf speakers play, that negates the chief advantage of tower speakers. I say, save the money and just go with bookshelf speakers.

Yes, even I wonder weather I really need the towers while I'm anyway going to get VTF3. Some says no need of tower if you buy good sub like VTF3. Tower adds nothing when combined with great sub like VTF3.

But some says even if you get great sub like VTF3, if you get tower speaker it will still sound better especially for large room size like mine (3800 cubic feet). I would like to save money if this is not true and tower(JBL 570) adds nothing compared to bookshelf (JBL 530) when combined with VTF3. What do you think?

 

[shadyJ]

The Studio 570 towers will be able to cough up 6 more dB in the woofer's range. BUT if you are pushing the speakers that hard, I would be looking for higher output speakers in the first place. I think the Studio 530s will do fine, and the 570s do not have much of an advantage over them. If you are chasing after THX Reference level listening, you need to be looking at a different class of speaker.

 

[zieglj01]

But some says even if you get great sub like VTF3, if you get tower speaker it will still sound better especially for large room size like mine (3800 cubic feet). I would like to save money if this is not true and tower(JBL 570) adds nothing compared to bookshelf (JBL 530) when combined with VTF3. What do you think?

The Studio 530 is the better option, with your subwoofer - and it can play Loud
and clear in your room, and has good resolution for detail and definition.

The only advantage with the 570, will be 2 db more sensitivity - and a little better
distortion control - however when using a sub, it is not that big a deal. The 530 with
speaker stands, is an all around better deal.

As stated if you are looking for extreme volume levels, then you need to start a new
list for different speakers.

 

[markw]

Yes, I agree. I almost decided to go with HSU VTF3 MK5 for sub. I put same sub in all the options. The only reason I put it in all the option is to make it clear that I'm buying that sub in anyway. So, for sub, I'm clear. Only speakers I have a lot confusion. What do you think about speaker options I put?

Zeig said, in post 4, exactly what I was going to say.

I haven't heard any of them and probably many haven't heard all of them so a proper opinion (and that's all it would be) would be impossible. Even so, it would be only an opinion, not a fact.

Your ears, and your ears alone, are the only ones who can say what you like.

 

[shoo]

The Studio 530 is the better option, with your subwoofer - and it can play Loud
and clear in your room, and has good resolution for detail and definition.

The only advantage with the 570, will be 2 db more sensitivity - and a little better
distortion control - however when using a sub, it is not that big a deal. The 530 with
speaker stands, is an all around better deal.

As stated if you are looking for extreme volume levels, then you need to start a new
list for different speakers.

Okay. Make sense. Which speakers that you mean by I need to see a new set of speakers for extreame volume levels? What are those speakers?

 

[uncola]

If you watch movies 65% of the time, probably go with a 5.1 setup with nice sub like that hsu you chose. The EMP or HTD are good choices, I voted for EMP since emptek is made by RBH, a home speaker company and HTD is really an architectural/in wall type speaker company. The red burl finish on the emptek is great.

HTD is another good choice and if you like real wood their macassar ebony finish looks good.. also stronger midbass

 

[TheWarrior]

If this great room is open to others, likely is covered in windows, and may even have high 10'+ ceilings, you really need to factor in room acoustics first! No system will offer the WOW you are hoping for when the sound ends up coming at you from every reflective surface.

Walk around your listening space and just give a strong, singular clap'. And listen to what happens to that clap. Does it echo? Does is decay (go quiet) too quickly? Or is there a delay at certain places where the sound reaches your ears at different times? This is the beginning to understanding room acoustics.

I suggest a different approach, and that is to start with a 2.1 system, perhaps with bookshelves that will eventually make their way to the rear channels. Why? It will tell you how your room is going to affect the sound.

Companies like GIK Acoustics can offer great advice on selecting room treatments, and you may realize that is something essential in your space. And I personally would rather figure that out with only a couple speakers, rather than a whole theater's worth and be completely underwhelmed! (and by staggering your purchases, you might be able to provide a larger budget ;-)

That said, if you are sold on the Hsu sub, I voted for EMP. SVSound would be a close second, only because I would recommend purchasing a complete SVS system. They can play well with any sub, but they really shine, as I am finding with their Ultra bookshelves, with their own subs!

 

[zieglj01]

Okay. Make sense. Which speakers that you mean by I need to see a new set of speakers for extreame volume levels? What are those speakers?

I would look at 3.1 if you want to go big - and save for surrounds later.

Look at the Reaction Audio CX-10 with the nice Radian drivers - and use
3 across the front.
http://reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/speakers/products/cx-10?variant=823614953

You can even look at the Reaction Echo 15 subwoofer.
http://reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/subwoofers/products/echo-15?variant=1107662665

Or, go with the HSU that has been recommended

Save up for some surrounds later if budget is really tight

 

[shoo]

From that list I would go with the JBLs. Really top notch engineering with excellent drivers. The new VTF3 is an absolutely killer subwoofer, you are going to love it.

One question is, why tower speakers? I would just get bookshelf speakers. I would go with the JBL Studio 530s. The big advantage of tower speakers is bass extension, but since the subs take over the range above where bookshelf speakers play, that negates the chief advantage of tower speakers. I say, save the money and just go with bookshelf speakers.

Okay, I'm going to get JBL 530 4 speakers and 520CBK, VTF3 MK5. What amplifer I should get? Can Denon AVR-X2100W work for this? In Amazon JBL 530, it says recommended amp is 125 watts, but Denon AVR-X2100W is just 95 watts per channel. So, I think I need to get better one than Denon AVR-X2100W, is that correct?

What cable I should get 12AWG or 14 AWG 0r 16AWG?

 

[zieglj01]

Okay, I'm going to get JBL 530 4 speakers and 520CBK, VTF3 MK5. What amplifer I should get? Can Denon AVR-X2100W work for this? In Amazon JBL 530, it says recommended amp is 125 watts, but Denon AVR-X2100W is just 95 watts per channel. So, I think I need to get better one than Denon AVR-X2100W, is that correct?

What cable I should get 12AWG or 14 AWG 0r 16AWG?

If you can not swing for the Denon X4000 - then the X2100 will be fine.
The 125 watts is max on the JBL - it does not need 125 watts to play
the movie and music sounds.

If speaker distance is less than 50 ft between receiver and speaker,
then 14 awg wire is fine.

 

[shoo]

Is there aadvantage in Denon X4000 than X2100 in terms of watts for my setup? I see X4000 is 125 watts per channel.

 

[shadyJ]

The advantage with the X4000 isn't with the amp so much as it is the room correction equalization. The X4000 has Audyssey MultiEQ XT32 which has a higher resolution of equalization, and it can also equalize two subs as opposed to the X2100 which can only equalize one subwoofer. The dual sub equalization is probably its biggest advantage in terms of sound quality. Getting dual subs would be your best bet for an upgrade for the future, and the X4000 makes it easy to calibrate them. The X2100 would be better for streaming 4k UHD content, but it still won't be fully future proof for 4k stuff as it does not have HDCP 2.2 compatibility.

 

[zieglj01]

Is there aadvantage in Denon X4000 than X2100 in terms of watts for my setup? I see X4000 is 125 watts per channel.

The main difference would be a little more head-room for dynamic peaks
in movies and music. Plus, if one wanted the pre-outs and the frill options.

 

[shadyJ]

The main difference would be a little more head-room for dynamic peaks
in movies and music. Plus, if one wanted the pre-outs and the frill options.

The pre-outs are nice if you ever decide to get a separate, dedicated amplifier for the speakers. That can be beneficial by taking a load off of the AVR, thereby reducing heat which will help it last longer.

 

[agarwalro]

The X4000 has Audyssey MultiEQ XT32 which has a higher resolution of equalization, and it can also equalize two subs ... the X4000 makes it easy to calibrate them.

To clarify, the X4000 adjust the level, phase and distance of each sub independently, then applies one eq to the LFE channel.