Philharmonic AA setup vs. timber-matched Sony SSCS5 setup

[melolagniac]

Which of the below setups would you recommend? I know the AAs are supposed to have a better bass response, but if I got the Sonys, I could have a fully timber-matched setup. I will likely use these more often for music listening than HT listening, so it seems timber-matching (rear speakers included) would be especially important.

However, I also don't have a subwoofer right now, and am thinking about going without one until I can afford a good one. My understanding is that I might be able to get away with that with the AAs, but perhaps not the Sonys. Is that true? If so, can the Sonys bass be adequately supplemented (for the time being) with a <$100 subwoofer?

SETUP 1
Fronts and center: Philharmonic AAs with AA MTM Center
Surround: ~$50 cheapos (Dayton, Sound Appeal, etc)

SETUP 2
Fronts, center, and surround: all Sony SS-CS5s

 

[zieglj01]

The Sony will benefit with a decent sub -- as they will be lacking the deeper bass

I would buy the Philharmonic before putting a cheap $100 sub with the Sony

With the Sony I would not go for anything less than the Emotiva BasX S8 sub
https://emotiva.com/products/subwoofers/basx-s8

 

[NINaudio]

Do you have a large collection of music in surround format? If not, then you needn't worry about timbre-matching as much for the surrounds. If yes, why not get another set of AA bookshelfs for the rear?

 

[j_garcia]

Better speakers are always the better investment. Z says the Sonys are pretty good though, so you may not be losing out too much by going with them. That said, I am a fan of the AAs.

If you are going to matrix the rear surround as opposed to full multichannel audio, then I'd say timbre matching is even less important.

 

[rojo]

If you do plan to get a ~$100 sub, you probably won't do any better than a used Monoprice 9723 for that price range. See this review. Probably wouldn't be too much trouble to sell on Craigslist for $80 or so whenever you've saved enough for a Hsu, Rhythmik, Outlaw, SVS, or something similarly grown-up.

I'm casting another vote for the Philharmonic AA. You can get 5 of the monitors and they'll be perfectly timbre matched. If your budget does not allow for a complete set of 5, then you might enjoy the Fluance AVBP2 for your rear surrounds. I've been pretty pleased with mine for the money.

 

[melolagniac]

Thanks guys. It sounds like the AAs are the way to go, as I'm not planning on playing any surround format music right now.

That said, now I'm wondering - are the AAs and the AA center speaker actually considered timbre-matched, given they are modded from two different manufacturers' products (Dayton & Pioneer)?

 

[zieglj01]

That said, now I'm wondering - are the AAs and the AA center speaker actually considered timbre-matched, given they are modded from two different manufacturers' products (Dayton & Pioneer)?

With the work of Dennis they will be close enough and work.

 

[rojo]

Thanks guys. It sounds like the AAs are the way to go, as I'm not planning on playing any surround format music right now.

That said, now I'm wondering - are the AAs and the AA center speaker actually considered timbre-matched, given they are modded from two different manufacturers' products (Dayton & Pioneer)?

Well, they're both flat, at least on-axis. There could be some difference in response off-axis or when taking early reflections in-room into account, but that's true of any 2-way horizontal center channel. In any case, it's worth a shot. Dennis does some fine work. And you won't get any better within your budget unless you're willing to use three identical speakers all in identical orientation for your LCR.

I just happened to think of another alternative for your surrounds. You can get a pair of used NXG Pro 4.1 Satellites for < $75. I've heard they're pretty good for the money.

 

[j_garcia]

The Dennis version of the C-22 uses the same tweeter and the x-over was tweaked to handle it, so they should blend quite well actually. I gave my kids a normal C-22 and it blends surprisingly well with the AAs without the tweeter+mod.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

The Dennis version of the C-22 uses the same tweeter and the x-over was tweaked to handle it, so they should blend quite well actually. I gave my kids a normal C-22 and it blends surprisingly well with the AAs without the tweeter+mod.

Actually, the tweeters aren't the same. The tweeter in the AA monitor is too large to fit in the routing for the C22. I use a Vifa unit in the center--the same one I used in the original AA monitor based on the Pioneer BS22. But I've equalized the response on the modded C22 to match the AA monitor closely.

 

[j_garcia]

Actually, the tweeters aren't the same. The tweeter in the AA monitor is too large to fit in the routing for the C22. I use a Vifa unit in the center--the same one I used in the original AA monitor based on the Pioneer BS22. But I've equalized the response on the modded C22 to match the AA monitor closely.

My mistake, they looked the same at a glance so I thought they were.

 

[melolagniac]

Got it, thanks for the input everyone.

 

[flashinm]

I've seen a couple mentions suggesting the matching Sony center channel isn't quite as good as the bookshelves. If I bought the SS-CS5's what center channel would you suggest? I have a sub and will be using this system for HT and music. Mostly interested in clarity for things like vocals and dialogue.

 

[zieglj01]

I've seen a couple mentions suggesting the matching Sony center channel isn't quite as good as the bookshelves. If I bought the SS-CS5's what center channel would you suggest? I have a sub and will be using this system for HT and music. Mostly interested in clarity for things like vocals and dialogue.

I would buy the Sony Center first -- test it with your Sony speakers in your set-up, if it does not work out for you, then return it. There have been some happy people with the Sony center.

 

[flashinm]

Thanks for the reply. I just went to check out the Sony's at a local best buy. They sounded good, but I wasn't really wowed. I just bought a pair of JBL Studio 220's last week, and I was hoping I could return them and go with something a little less expensive (Sony's are $120 on Amazon right now), but I don't think the Sony's are for me.

I tested a Bose Lifestyle V35 system, but comparing that to my JBL's made it obvious how much is missing from the Bose system in the mid to low range. I just love those crystal clear highs you get with Bose. The Klipsch R-15M was the closest I tested, but I could tell even listening in the store that ear fatigue was going to be an issue. Anything else I should consider?

I'm probably asking too much of this price range. So far the JBL's have sounded the best of the speakers I've tested (just not 100% the sound I'm looking for). I can't find much mention of them online. Is this because they are newish, or do people not really like JBL?

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for the reply. I just went to check out the Sony's at a local best buy. They sounded good, but I wasn't really wowed. I just bought a pair of JBL Studio 220's last week, and I was hoping I could return them and go with something a little less expensive (Sony's are $120 on Amazon right now), but I don't think the Sony's are for me.

I tested a Bose Lifestyle V35 system, but comparing that to my JBL's made it obvious how much is missing from the Bose system in the mid to low range. I just love those crystal clear highs you get with Bose. The Klipsch R-15M was the closest I tested, but I could tell even listening in the store that ear fatigue was going to be an issue. Anything else I should consider?

I'm probably asking too much of this price range. So far the JBL's have sounded the best of the speakers I've tested (just not 100% the sound I'm looking for). I can't find much mention of them online. Is this because they are newish, or do people not really like JBL?

The 220's have been around for a while -- it is the 230 that is more heavily marketed -- the store is not the best way to get the full grasp of the Sony.

If you want to check another budget speaker out, then the Q Acoustics 2020i speakers are decent for the price -- they will be somewhat vivid sounding, but not really harsh or sharp
https://www.amazon.com/Acoustics-2020i-Bookshelf-Speakers-Graphite/dp/B006GC7EXW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504557149&sr=8-1&keywords=q+acoustics+2020i

AC4L has the Cambridge SX50 -- however, there return policy is not as friendly as others
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx50bla/cambridge-audio-sx50-5.25-2-way-bookshelf-speakers-black-pair/1.html

 

[flashinm]

Ok, I just went ahead and ordered the Sony's. The price is too good not to investigate further. I figured Best Buy probably doesn't have the best setup for testing. I did notice the soundstage on the Sony's though.

 

[KEW]

With the Sony on sale at $120/pr. It is kind of a no-brainer, IMHO.