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[shubox56]

Something pretty bangin' (higher sensitivity, higher output capability) would be good for such a large space. Something like the Hsu CCB-8 perhaps.

I read the review on this speaker. Slightly more expensive than the Acsend CMT340, but it caught my eye. No idea how is stacks up against the 340.

 

[shubox56]

Lovinthehd, good stuff, digging the education.

 

[lovinthehd]

The Hsu is rated as 94dB sensitive, so even easier on the avr to get louder. A 3dB increase in speaker sensitivity is equivalent to doubling the amp power....so a larger more sensitive speaker makes your avr go further so to speak....plus will rock out much better than a tiny speaker

 

[shubox56]

My CB-5's sound decent when standing in the center somewhat close to the bench (speakers 7' apart), but when I move to the back of the room, they lose all "warmth" and begin to sound tinny. By warmth, I mean that "meat on the bones" smooth mid tone that sounds extremely rich. A reasonable amount of bass tones in CB5 fall apart. So the Hsu which is smaller than the 340, but more sensitive, would not only be louder CB-5, but FAR richer in sound?

I hate to say this to a group, but do frequently use the receiver's Rock Arena setting when cranking the amp (rocking it out). I like the reverb "room fulling" sound, but I don't like tinny. Drives me crazy! But I also LOVE listening to acoustic guitar and piano when winding down.

Edit: One thing that I like about the Hsu, is the size. The 15" tall works better.

 

[shubox56]

One thing that's troubling with many of these better quality speakers is shipping and possible return. Sound is a funny thing, and not being made of money, if I drop over a grand and do not get the performance I was hoping for, back they go. Dealing with companies long distance is a pain, not to mention more costly due to shipping and return shipping if unhappy. And God forbid a mishap on the shipment back --- I would be left to deal with the carrier. Lot to think about. I've always bought locally to avoid these types of issues. Just me.

 

[shubox56]

I initially started looking locally at Klipsch. I know they are built with big box stores in mind --- bad quality?

This is just the first speaker I grabbed from their site --- no particular reason other than for a discussion.

Klipsch Reference Premiere Ebony Bookshelf Speakers - 1065804 (abt.com)

 

[ski2xblack]

I wouldn't expect the hsu to sound "far richer" but they are a tad hot in the treble directly on-axis. The review I linked went into some detail on the matter.

Skip that Klipsch. The only speaker they make that's remotely in the same ballpark as the Hsu or Ascend is their thx 650, and those are expensive.

 

[lovinthehd]

Somewhat the nature of the bass capabilities between the small speakers/sub you have as far as what you described goes. Try this article https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/subwoofer-room-size.

If you think dealing with internet dealers for return is an issue or worried about return shipping I'd think about both SVS and RSL, they offer free trials at home including round trip shipping and both are known for customer service. While SVS is particularly a sub specialist, the RSL subs are pretty good (Hsu also has excellent subs btw). You can read various reviews of both here on Audioholics, too. SVS might be available for some models in a local Best Buy, too.

I've not found Klipsch in the past to be all that to my liking, but by many reports have improved some in their RP and RM series but I haven't had the experience with those.

 

[shubox56]

Yep, the SVS can be purchased locally. Found these less sensitive smaller bookshelf's in my price range (for fronts).

Based on this quote: "A 3dB increase in speaker sensitivity is equivalent to doubling the amp power", it looks like this particular speaker would be far more taxing and push the limits of my receiver to get louder volume.

SVS Gloss Black Bookshelf Speakers - PRIMEBOOKSHELFGB (abt.com)

 

[shubox56]

And these for a $100 less, but they seem near identical.

SVS Black Ash Prime Bookshelf Speakers - PRIMEBOOKSHELFBA (abt.com)

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep, the SVS can be purchased locally. Found these less sensitive smaller bookshelf's in my price range (for fronts).

Based on this quote: "A 3dB increase in speaker sensitivity is equivalent to doubling the amp power", it looks like this particular speaker would be far more taxing and push the limits of my receiver to get louder volume.

SVS Gloss Black Bookshelf Speakers - PRIMEBOOKSHELFGB (abt.com)

Well the avr would have an easier load with more sensitive speakers, but you still might get satisfyingly loud with these, too. Did you use the spl calculator to see how each speaker and your amp/room would work? We have no idea of what you're particularly aiming at....

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am not seeing any discussions or advice about the acoustic quality of that garage/workshop.
That has as much to do with audio quality as the speakers do. So, be careful about expectations.

 

[lovinthehd]

I am not seeing any discussions or advice about the acoustic quality of that garage/workshop.
That has as much to do with audio quality as the speakers do. So, be careful about expectations.

He did ask about treatments but that hasn't really been addressed, altho looks like a very reflective area so some taming would probably be good. Maybe a plush car cover?

 

[shubox56]

I clicked the SPL room size link and read through the information. This is not second nature to me, so I'll have to reread a couple of times.

Since this link is all about choosing a room size appropriate sub, I'm assuming that is the key to achieving a full rich sound? The small Polk I have seems to have reasonable bass, but I know it's far to small for a 20X20 room. I always assumed that the size of my front speakers was the biggest problem when producing rich mids to go along with that sub.

 

[mazersteven]

Based on this quote: "A 3dB increase in speaker sensitivity is equivalent to doubling the amp power", it looks like this particular speaker would be far more taxing and push the limits of my receiver to get louder volume.

Boy are you now worrying about the wrong shitt SMH

 

[shubox56]

He did ask about treatments but that hasn't really been addressed, altho looks like a very reflective area so some taming would probably be good. Maybe a plush car cover?

Funny! I don't know how plush, but I do have a very nice (thick) car cover.

 

[lovinthehd]

Just that at 3600 cuft your room is on the large side for some 4.5" mid bass drivers and an 8" sub to fill/pressurize. You need more cone area (or if using small cones some serious motors on the drivers....as a hot rod guy you should appreciate that). Your Polk sub is really not a sub in the first place, sorry to say. A true sub is capable of 20hz generally, a pro/for music only sub might be okay at 30hz, the Polk you have isn't close to either at any appreciable spl.

 

[lovinthehd]

Funny! I don't know how plush, but I do have a very nice (thick) car cover.

Seriously, that could help for acoustics. In many home rooms things like carpets and furniture help.....but you don't have that and your surfaces look fairly reflective.

 

[lovinthehd]

By the way for a garage setup I'd not discount looking at the used market....also a good way to get a demo in a real house.

 

[shubox56]

Seriously, that could help for acoustics. In many home rooms things like carpets and furniture help.....but you don't have that and your surfaces look fairly reflective.

Out of curiosity, I'll dig out the cover as a starting point for the room.

I've been redoing the shop which is close to being finished. I had to replace nearly half the tile floor that was damaged over the past 23 years. I also ran 2 additional 20 amp circuits and upgraded lighting to vapor-tight LED. The lighting is on the original 15 amp circuit. Painting is not nearly complete with a few additions added that are not seen in the uploaded photos, like my QLED TV mounted up front.

One wall is all storage, a sea of red and white doors. The other 20' white wall seen in the ceiling pic, has virtually nothing on it. I could easily mount some decorative acoustic panels, but only if it will make a significant difference. I was looking at some earlier that were kinda cool looking.