Home Theater Speaker Recommendations

[Jon Wheeler]

I have the recent "luck" of having my basement flooded which is allowing me to build the home theater I have wanted for years.
My big quandary is what speakers should I get on a budget of ~$2500-$3000 (front, rear and sub).

I will be building the theater in a room approximately 18x20. Looking at a 5.1.4 atmos set up.

Receiver is a Denon AVR X4300H.
Atmos add ons Elac Debut A4

I have done a little research and for subs and was leaning towards:
Hsu ULS 15, VTF 15H or VTF 3 or an SVS sub. Would welcome thoughts on these.

Taking the sub cost into consideration that should leave me with about $1500-$2000 for the speakers.

I've narrowed those down to 3 options:
1. Emptek Impression: R55Ti towers, E56Ci center and R5Bi bookshelf
2. Elac Unifi: UF5 towers, UB5 bookshelf and UC5 center
3. Acoustech: PL 980 towers, PL66 bookshelf and PL-28II center.

I realize asking for opinions on this is like asking what your favorite candy is and will get many varying opinions but really need guidance as all I know is what is said on the internet and that is of course a really reliable source of information (sarcasm).

I am open to other options as well if any care to share them.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Jon Wheeler]

A bit more expensive but any thoughts on mixing speakers such as:
Goldenear Triton 7 towers
SVS ultra center
Elac debut B6 or UB5 rear
Still thinking a Hsu sub
Was a recommendation but wasn't sure if mixing these would be an issue. Thanks!

 

[shadyJ]

The Impression series has been discontinued. Elac would probably be fine. I don't know about the BIC Acoustech stuff. The SVS Ultra stuff is good. I would skip tower speakers if you are going to get a killer sub like the Hsu. You don't need the bass extension that tower speakers have. Other speakers in your budget I would be looking at are Hsu CCB-8s or Ascend CMT-340s. You generally don't want to mix the front stage speakers, so keep the front left, right and center the same line of speakers, if not the same exact speaker (which would be the ideal).

 

[Audiosaur]

I would go for the Hsu package with sub and ccb-8s on that budget.

 

[lovinthehd]

Why do you want Atmos speakers of that "add-on" type and why the Elac model particularly? Can't do proper on or in-ceiling Atmos speakers?

Why would you consider both the sealed and the ported 15" Hsus? Which SVS sub?

 

[Jon Wheeler]

Thanks for the suggestions. THe Hsus and Ascends both look good and in budget.

Lovin, the Elac atmos speakers were some I already had and couldnt do a ceiling install. So seemed a waste to not use them and get a set of speakers that had them already built in.

For the sub, basic answer is that I am clueless as to which is better and the wife likes the ULS look better.

For SVS was thinking the PB2000.

Thanks for the help!

 

[lovinthehd]

I've been very happy with the various Ascend speakers I have, and even tho I don't have the 340SEs, I'd think they would be a good choice (perhaps with 170SEs or 200SEs for surrounds depending on your mounting needs). For a single sub in a room that size I'd tend to go ported for the better low end capability rather than sealed, but the ported sub will be larger and sealed will often have better WAF accordingly

 

[Jon Wheeler]

I had a chance to listen to the goldenear triton 3+ with the supercenter xl last night and really liked them. The wife liked the looks better than any I have looked at which is her primary concern. And she liked not having to have a separate sub sitting out. I'm looking for sound quality. Go figure.
Would be a bit out of my budget with some more affordable rears but could probably manage it. I know it will sound different in my room so came to the conclusion that the only way I am going to find what's right is to get some and test them out.

Will be testing:
1. Ascend 340s and 200s for rears
2. RSL CG4s
3. Hsu VTF 15 sub- still trying to justify if it's worth eating the shipping and return shipping on the full set up with the CCBs. The full set up is almost $400 shipping one way (ouch)

Will have to find some place to check out the Elacs.

Thanks all for your help and suggestions!

 

[KEW]

Jon,
Welcome to the forum!
You get kudos for recognizing the value of the in home audition. In some ways it is more hassle, but in others it is pretty convenient (delivered to your door( using ID companies!
If you happen to be anywhere near Los Angeles, this is a killer deal on the front 3 at $500:
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/emptek-r5tti-towers-and-r56ci-center-b-stock.107629/

Personally, I would avoid the Elac Debut series. I found them dull sounding which I would not wish on anyone! Here is my comparison of them against the Philharmonic AA's:
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/elac-b5-vs-philharmonic-affordable-accuracy-new-monitor.97171/
You also might check out the link in post #5 of the above linked thread. BClarke reviewed a lot of speakers and among the ones I have had/listened to, his impressions reflect my experiences.

The Elac UniFi's weren't my cup of tea, but I recognize this to be a matter of my subjective preference more than a major failing of the speaker. They are worth checking out, and Amazon Prime has an easy 30 day return policy! In the case of the B5's I know no one who likes a dull sounding speaker and the Philharmonic AA's are about as neutral as you can get, so it is not like they sounded dull as compared to an especially energetic speaker such as Klipsch!

3. Hsu VTF 15 sub- still trying to justify if it's worth eating the shipping and return shipping on the full set up with the CCBs. The full set up is almost $400 shipping one way (ouch)

I would never order the full setup unless I knew I was buying it!
Talk to Hsu, I'm sure they will let you order a pair and if you like them, get the remaining speakers discounted to the same net cost as if you had bought them all at the same time!

As you acknowledged, we all have our opinions about this stuff, but I would really rather see you going with very good speakers in front and go cheap for the surrounds!

I would do 3 SVS Ultra bookshelf speakers across the front ($1500/3 ea. - or $1200 if they have B-stock available when you buy) and a pair of Sony SS-CS5's for your surrounds ($120/pr. from BestBuy with 14 day returns or Amazon with 30 day return). These Sony's were Sony's response to the Andrew Jones Pioneers. They are better speakers than the Pioneers (and were priced accordingly, and fairly, at $240 for the first year or so). However, the Sony's did not have the A. Jones marketing phenom behind them and as long as they are selling for $120/pr. they are one of the best values out there! The Philharmonic AA's are the next great deal (IMHO, going up in price), but at 20 pounds each may not be you first choice for surrounds if you are mounting them using wall brackets.

Regardless, I would encourage you to spend a little bit of time listening to one of your favorite movies with only the surrounds connected to understand why you might consider "cheaping out" on the surrounds. IME, the content I hear from the surrounds does not require the absolute sound quality of the front 3 and the Sony's with their super tweeter have an expansive sound stage which will give a great presence to the pieces of glass falling all around you!

 

[KEW]

For subwoofers, how important is it to you to have really powerful and deep bass? I like to encourage dual subwoofers. The concern is if you get one and based on your comment about your wife not liking the idea of having it sitting out on its own you could have problems integrating it into your room. Subwoofer placement is critical and a single powerful sub in the wrong place will undermine he sound quality of your system. Adding a second sub reduces this issue and if you can use two smaller subs which are more easily tucked out of the way, that is worth consideration. Of course two big subs is the ideal, but you need to consider your realities. This article discusses this topic:

http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-setup/two-subs

The Hsu sub you listed is undoubtedly a fine sub at a good price, but until you establish that you have a location for the sub that will sound good at your listening position, I would be reluctant to commit to having to pay shipping if it doesn't work out.

The general rule of thumb is as you go smaller you forfeit low end extension and max output level.

The VTF15 ($1070 shipped) Is a big box! - at 11232 cubic inches it is pretty hard to hide.
Dual ULS-15's ($1650 shipped) are about half the size at 5,832 cubic inches (each) will likely give you more placement options and still provide plenty of good strong bass (but, understand they are not tiny, they are still 18" cubes)!
Dual SVS SB2000's cost $1300 and measure 3,193 cubic inches each.
Dual SVS SB1000's cost $950 and measure 2,457 cubic inches each.
The RSL Speedwoofer has pretty good reviews and a pair can be had for $800. They are 4,020 cubic inches each.
There are others, but these represent a good array and involve companies you already are considering doing trials with.

Be sure to look at sub dimensions and maybe build mock ups stacking boxes, etc. to see what placement options you can work out.

Audioholics reviews give good estimates on how many cubic feet a sub can fill, but HSU or SVS can certainly help you with questions such as "Will dual SB1000 do the job in my 18 X 20 X
8 (?) room?"

Sorry to complicate things, but these are the problems people often don't recognize until after the return period!

PS: Sorry to hear about your flooding. Were you a victim of the recent spate of hurricanes? if so, glad you are in a position to get things back in order so quickly!

 

[Jon Wheeler]

KEW, thanks for the welcome and the good information!
I'll add the SVS ultras to the list for home trial. Any reason why you recommend the 3x bookshelf versus the bookshelves and the ultra center?
I will have to check to make sure I can run two subs with the atmos set up. The denon says I can run 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 with atmos but I'm wondering if you can use the Y splitter Jack from the LFE similar to an option the Tritons say you can hook up for their towers with the built in subwoofer.
Just out of curiosity no one has commented on the Tritons positively or negatively and was wondering if it's because they just wouldn't suit my needs or if the Tritons just aren't as good as what is being proposed. Part of the reason I looked at them was that each tower has an integrated subwoofer so essentially getting me two subs.

Fortunately I was not a victim of the hurricane. I was a victim of a burst water heater expansion tank that left water running for 6 days in my basement. Thankfully I have a walkout. Blessings in disquise. New water heater, new furnace, new basement/man cave and new theater ;-).

 

[KEW]

As long as the ultra bookshelf is not too tall to fit under your TV, it is a better option than the ultra Center! First off, it is cheaper and second, it will sound exactly like the right and left so if there's a conversation panning across the front soundstage you won't get any difference at all in the sound.

I am afraid I am not familiar with the tritons so cannot help you there. I know there are people on this forum that have them. You might try a new thread asking for opinions on Titans. Many people probably read the first couple post of this one a few days ago and are no longer following it.

 

[lovinthehd]

In terms of "subs" in the speakers, IMO they're not, more bass modules, they simply don't have the extension or capability plus they can't be placed separately from the speakers, which is an advantage of having separate subs due to the way lower bass works in rooms. Your avr can handle two different subs (or sets of subs) at different distances particularly, using a splitter is fine; altho the "subs" in the speakers would only limit good subs if you have actual separate subs.

 

[Jon Wheeler]

Thanks all for the feedback and recommendations. I ended up going out side of budget a bit and upgrading my avr to the Denon 6300 for potential expansion up to 7.1.4.
For the speakers, I ran through some in home trials and have decided to go with the SVS ultra fronts/centers and Prime rears. For the subs, tried out the dual SVS PB-1000s and liked them but going to order and compare them against the Hsu VTF-2s and then should be done.
Thanks again!

 

[KEW]

That is a fine system, regardless of which sub you keep!
Congrats!