Speaker Advice

[norge43]

Hello all, Noob here with a need for some advice. I received such helpful and insightful responses on a question regarding AV Receiver vs Amp/Pro-Pros, that I thought I would seek the same on speaker choices. I have been scouring the Audioholics speaker reviews and am somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of information available.

My listening habits are about 50-50 music to movies/TV. I am looking for a good balance between music and surround sound, in a 5.1 or 5.2 system. I live in a small open floor plan condo (U-shaped kitchen open to combined dining and living room). The overall measurements are 37 ft long x 12 ft wide x 8 ft high (3552 ft3). My actual sitting and listening area is at the living room end and measures 14 ft long x by 12 ft wide by 8 ft high (1344 ft3). I have gone on a power/dB app to calculate estimated power/wattage needs.

My budget is modest; I would like to stay close to $1600.00 or so. I am considering two subs, budget allowing, as this seems to be strongly recommended on Audioholics.

After sifting through numerous reviews, I have narrowed down to some possibilities:

1. RSL - 5 CG-23 with 2 Speedwoofer10S, on sale for $1599.00. Great reviews, can afford 5.2 system.
2. HSU Research - Ultra 15 Package (4 HB-1MK2, 1 HC-1MK2 center, 1 ULS-15 MK2 sub) $1539.00. Adding 2n sub +$779.00
HSU Research - Hybrid 2 Package ( 4 HB-1MK2, 1 HC-1MK2 center, 1 VTF-2 MK5 sub) $1539.00. 2nd sub + $539.00
Great reviews, unusual horn speakers, highest power/watt rating, great subs though more expensive, 7 yr warranty.
3. Ascend Accoustics - 4 CBM-170SELV, 1 CMT-340 center, 1 12F Sub $1397.00. 2nd Sub + $599 (LVX12 sub $799). Great
reviews, subs more expensive.

What are your thoughts and suggestions? I know I have just scratched the surface of the speaker quest . . . Thanks for your advise and expertise.

 

[ryanosaur]

For the size of your room, I would be concerned a little with the smaller subs/sealed subs... though in a condo, if you have a shared wall with a neighbor, you'll want to be careful about going too BIG, too.
I'm not familiar with the speakers very well. I have heard some good stuff about the Hsu and Ascend ones.
For sub, I like the VTF2 option from hsu... especially with a second sub!
The Rythmik subs are nice, but the Aluminum cones are the better option. I've heard praise for the paper cones, don't get me wrong. If you were going to go that route, I would do the LVX12s.

When you buy subs, get matching subs. If that means you need to buy one now, and save for the second, do that.

 

[norge43]

Thanks for the advice. Matching subs definitely makes sense. Had not heard of
Rythmik but i will check them out.

 

[ryanosaur]

Thanks for the advice. Matching subs definitely makes sense. Had not heard of
Rythmik but i will check them out.

That's what you were looking at from Ascend. They have a partnership of sorts, but if you order through Ascend, you are effectively ordering from Rythmik as I understand... Ascend just acts as a point of sale I think.

 

[norge43]

Interesting. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[bpape]

Ascends are a great solution for the price (and even some higher). Good imaging, good tonal balance, but will rock when you want them to. I recommend Rythmik all the time. I can attest that the Ascend/Rythmik combo is a great place to be with plenty of output capability.

 

[norge43]

Thanks for the reply. Internet direct can be great, but buying sight unseen is not for the faint of heart. It is very helpful to hear other's real world experience with a product.

 

[shadyJ]

RSL, Hsu, and Ascend/Rythmik all have a good reputation. You can't go wrong with any of them. One difference between those systems is that the Hsu and Rythmik subs will dig quite a bit deeper than the RSL subs, and that will benefit movies moreso than music. The RSL certainly will have enough bass extension for almost all music.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the reply. Internet direct can be great, but buying sight unseen is not for the faint of heart. It is very helpful to hear other's real world experience with a product.

Well ID doesn't necessarily mean unheard, as many offer decent in-home trial terms, some with roundtrip freight (like RSL and SVS). I've got a variety of Ascend speakers, good stuff altho I never had the 340SE (have Sierra1s, 170SE, 200SE models); I'd probably go with all 340s across the front from them.

 

[norge43]

Ascend does have in home 30 day trial which is nice. 340s for front makes sense. Thanks.

 

[norge43]

Thanks for the input ShadyJ. Very helpful. The RSL sub is the lowest price, so it makes sense that it might not dig quite as deep as the higher priced HSU and Rythmik. I guess that is part of the trade-offs with price to performance. I could always mix, for example RSL speakers and Rythmik subs, to offset the differences. Would set-up and integration be better using all brand components though: ie Ascend Acoustics speakers and subs?

 

[ryanosaur]

Would set-up and integration be better using all brand components though: ie Ascend Acoustics speakers and subs?

No. You want to match your front 3 speaker for a cohesive sound in movies and maybe mult-channel music. The sub does not need to match. Likewise, your surrounds and Atmos speakers, if ever you go there, do not need to match your fronts (though its not a bad thing to do so, especilly if you are into 5-channel audio, matching your surrounds up closely... just not a requirement.) Usually sticking to the same line of a brand will accomplish that.

 

[shadyJ]

I could always mix, for example RSL speakers and Rythmik subs, to offset the differences. Would set-up and integration be better using all brand components though: ie Ascend Acoustics speakers and subs?

You don't want to mix subs of significantly differing performance characteristics. As for keeping the same brand of subs and speakers, that isn't necessary and doesn't lend any advantage. A well-made sub is going to pair with a well-made speaker just fine, and differing brands will not affect that.

 

[lovinthehd]

Ascend does have in home 30 day trial which is nice. 340s for front makes sense. Thanks.

Ascend's in home trial doesn't include return freight should you not like them, tho they did experiment with that at one time. I also note the price on the Sierra1s have dropped for a pair....that would be tempting too.

 

[norge43]

Thanks for the replies. I intend to have all my speakers match and be from the same manufactuer (expl: all Ascend Acoustic speakers). Same with the subs (expl: all HSU subs). I had not even considered the Sierra 1s due to price. I will definitely look at the promotional prices though. Thanks all!!

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the replies. I intend to have all my speakers match and be from the same manufactuer (expl: all Ascend Acoustic speakers). Same with the subs (expl: all HSU subs). I had not even considered the Sierra 1s due to price. I will definitely look at the promotional prices though. Thanks all!!

I tend to agree with this altho from the same manufacturer doesn't always mean they'll work together ideally across model lines. The Ascends have worked together in a variety of ways (my bedroom system is 3 Sierra1s across the front, with NrT tweets, and 170SEs for surrounds but have used them in a variety of setups, have some 200SEs for surrounds out in my workshop currently).

 

[norge43]

Nice. I bet the Sierra 1s really rock, whether music or movies. Even with the promotion, the Sierra 1s will stretch my budget. I still need to account for sub(s) and the AV Receiver. If I got a good price on the Reciever, I could use the savings for speakers . . .

 

[lovinthehd]

Nice. I bet the Sierra 1s really rock, whether music or movies. Even with the promotion, the Sierra 1s will stretch my budget. I still need to account for sub(s) and the AV Receiver. If I got a good price on the Reciever, I could use the savings for speakers . . .

One consideration is that it's generally worthwhile spending more up front than changing things later....start 3.1 for example rather than 5.1. What is your avr budget and what are your requirements in one? A consideration with a modest budget is your spl needs, a more sensitive speaker can go further with lesser amplification....

 

[ryanosaur]

Speakers are the most important part of the SQ picture! An option if it helps in the short term is to wait on a center channel. For movies, you can use a "phantom" center. Don't cheap yourself on the sub, either, as this will really hurt in the long run. A great option on the AVR is to grab a model from last year if still available. Depending on your ultimate goals, you don't need the latest and greatest like imax.

 

[norge43]

Very true. I hope to keep the AVR at @ $900. I like the Marantz SR 7012 ($999), but I saw the Denon AVR-3500H go on sale for $529. Investing the difference in a better speaker or sub makes more sense.