SVS or AV123?

[jcPanny]

AV123 speakers

The build quality of my higher end AV123 speakers as excelent and based on reviews, the x-series should work great for HT and music. I would only go with the SVS bookshelf speakers if your budget was limited to $800 (5.1 package in white or silver) or if the savings allowed you to upgrade to a larger 12" sub. I am also a very happy owner of an SVS SB12-Plus sub and recommend both companies.

Also FYI, AV123 is comming out with a couple great subs that would work well for your room including the MFW-15 for $600 (15" ported sub). It would match (asthetically) the X-series speakers and might be worth the wait.

 

[j_garcia]

One thing to note about the SVS speakers, if you don't mind silver or white, those two colors are both quite a bit less than the black.

AV123 is going to come out with a larger X-series sub also.

 

[Soundman]

The build quality of my higher end AV123 speakers as excelent and based on reviews, the x-series should work great for HT and music. I would only go with the SVS bookshelf speakers if your budget was limited to $800 (5.1 package in white or silver) or if the savings allowed you to upgrade to a larger 12" sub. I am also a very happy owner of an SVS SB12-Plus sub and recommend both companies.

Also FYI, AV123 is comming out with a couple great subs that would work well for your room including the MFW-15 for $600 (15" ported sub). It would match (asthetically) the X-series speakers and might be worth the wait.

I was trying to stay within $800 for the speakers to allow for a nice sub. I'll prob spend as much on the sub as the rest of the speakers, about $1500 total was my goal. So, if I can get some speakers for $800, I'll put the rest into the sub, or I'll just wait and get a sub later.

 

[mazersteven]

 

[rumonkey2]

Another Vertical Center Sampling....

...AV123 Xls
This is "temporary" as I'm deciding on new TV. But set-up will remain close to the same. Depending on TV I get, I will have either a similar "tall stand" (for RP LCD)built & continue to use current speaker stands or "lowboy" rack(for wall mount flat panel) w/ speakers on top. While speaker current speaker height is not "ideal" - not at seated ear level - it works for me. Perfect height when I recline slightly. And there is not that much detail loss when seated upright. (Tweets are right at 28")
I also like to think that at this height, I may be getting an "absorption" advantage having them fire right into my Berklines...?? (Sorry, that's topic for another thread)
I can tell you, there is a huge difference(++) going three identical, across the front at least, and having them all vertical and on the same plane....

 

[Soundman]

...AV123 Xls
This is "temporary" as I'm deciding on new TV. But set-up will remain close to the same. Depending on TV I get, I will have either a similar "tall stand" (for RP LCD)built & continue to use current speaker stands or "lowboy" rack(for wall mount flat panel) w/ speakers on top. While speaker current speaker height is not "ideal" - not at seated ear level - it works for me. Perfect height when I recline slightly. And there is not that much detail loss when seated upright. (Tweets are right at 28")
I also like to think that at this height, I may be getting an "absorption" advantage having them fire right into my Berklines...?? (Sorry, that's topic for another thread)
I can tell you, there is a huge difference(++) going three identical, across the front at least, and having them all vertical and on the same plane....

So, the setup in the pic is 3 x-ls's? I'm thinking of doing something similar now, but with 3 x-cs's. However, to do it, i'd have to mount my screen higher up on the wall, since I'm using a projector and screen for my setup. This may place the screen above eye level. The x-cs's are a pretty tall bookshelf if placed vertically. I also, looked at some Ascend 340 SE's as main's with 170's as rears. Nice setup. A little more than the X-series, but looks to be a step up from the x-series as well. Too bad the Ascend's aren't offered in any other finishes, unless you opt for one of their custom paint jobs, which is kinda pricy....if going that route, it kinda defeats the point of "more speaker for your money" mentality that the ID companies are going for.

 

[jcPanny]

On the right track

The 3 X-cs across the front would be a great budget setup will look great. At about double the cost, the Ascends should sound better.

Only disadvantage to the X-cs is that there is not a stand designed for stands so you might have to use a couple screws to secure them to a stand. The floorstanding X-mtm version obviously resolves this issue.

Also note, some center channel stands are pretty low and angle the speaker up to allow placement below the screen for front projection.

 

[Soundman]

The 3 X-cs across the front would be a great budget setup will look great. At about double the cost, the Ascends should sound better.

Only disadvantage to the X-cs is that there is not a stand designed for stands so you might have to use a couple screws to secure them to a stand. The floorstanding X-mtm version obviously resolves this issue.

Also note, some center channel stands are pretty low and angle the speaker up to allow placement below the screen for front projection.

Yes, the X-mtm is an option, but prob wont be an exact match. I hear it's tuned a little lower.Also, the dimensions are a tad deeper, so it would take up a little more space. I'm told I can get some Blue-tac to mount the x-scs's and then fill the mu 30 stands with sand and it should be plenty stable. Hope that works. The escends have a package deal, so they aren't that much more once you factor in shipping charges for both companies, but yes they are more.

 

[Derrleak]

Well I ended up not getting the MTM's...I got into my place and they would be WAY to big for my current setup so I had to cancel the order. I ended up going with SLS's as my front mains, x-cs for center, and x-ls as my surrounds on the stands suggested by av123. Good luck with those x-cs...those things are pretty damn massive themselves, I'd almost be scared to try and put those things on stands haha. I would def try to get them to stay stable before I ever put screws into the cabnet, unless there already there...

 

[Soundman]

Well I ended up not getting the MTM's...I got into my place and they would be WAY to big for my current setup so I had to cancel the order. I ended up going with SLS's as my front mains, x-cs for center, and x-ls as my surrounds on the stands suggested by av123. Good luck with those x-cs...those things are pretty damn massive themselves, I'd almost be scared to try and put those things on stands haha. I would def try to get them to stay stable before I ever put screws into the cabnet, unless there already there...

Well, it doesn't look like I'm going to get the xcs's. Too big! Plus, I did a little more research and the Ascend 340 SE's are a much better speaker, especially for HT. Based on current reviews, they are suppose to have good dynamic qualities that's good for HT. I also looked at aperion b/c of free shippig both ways, as well as the nice finishes. It looks like the 533-t would do well with complex music, like classical, but won't have the same dynamic shift and won't play as loud as the Ascends (the 340 SE's are a very efficient speaker). They aren't as pretty as the others, but I'm looking for performance over looks. Right now they are also having a deal where you can get 100 off a pair by going with the b-stock so that is an option. Any opinions on this? Right now I'm leaning on going with 340's as fronts and 170's in the rear. I'll have to up the budget a tad, but I think it's worth it. Anyone heard them? Please let me know. Thanks all.

 

[dorokusai]

The Usher Audio S520 would be a pretty nice choice sonically and it's colorful to boot

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Soundman]

The Usher Audio S520 would be a pretty nice choice sonically and it's colorful to boot

Mark
Polk Audio CS

the Usher's do look nice, nice finish too! But they won't play as loud. They did get an excellent review though. colorful you say? this is a good thing?

 

[mazersteven]

the Usher's do look nice, nice finish too! But they won't play as loud. They did get an excellent review though. colorful you say? this is a good thing?

I filled a 35x30 room with 2 Usher S-520's playing 2-channel music, and they did an excellent job. Volume was no problem.

In fact they sounded so good. That out of the speakers I had that day.

AV123 Strata Mini's
AV123 Rocket RS250 MKII
Polk Audio LSi9's
Athena AS-F1.2
HSU HB-1

The Ushers are the speakers that impress everyone the most.

 

[mazersteven]

 

[Soundman]

I filled a 35x30 room with 2 Usher S-520's playing 2-channel music, and they did an excellent job. Volume was no problem.

In fact they sounded so good. That out of the speakers I had that day.

AV123 Strata Mini's
AV123 Rocket RS250 MKII
Polk Audio LSi9's
Athena AS-F1.2
HSU HB-1

The Ushers are the speakers that impress everyone the most.

Have you heard the ascends? I looked at the 340SE's, as well as the 170's for rears. How would they stack up? I know they aren't as pretty, but that's what makes me curious about this speaker. (Less money put into asthetics, but more into performance, theoretically) Let me know your thoughts if you've heard them.

 

[mazersteven]

Have you heard the ascends? I looked at the 340SE's, as well as the 170's for rears. How would they stack up? I know they aren't as pretty, but that's what makes me curious about this speaker. (Less money put into asthetics, but more into performance, theoretically) Let me know your thoughts if you've heard them.

The 340's are great. Incredible detail from these speakers at this price range.

I would like to do a side by side comparison with the Ushers, and 340's. And I wish I had more time to spend with the Ushers and my LSi9's.

Did you call Ascend and take advantage of that deal I first posted for you?

 

[Soundman]

The 340's are great. Incredible detail from these speakers at this price range.

I would like to do a side by side comparison with the Ushers, and 340's. And I wish I had more time to spend with the Ushers and my LSi9's.

Did you call Ascend and take advantage of that deal I first posted for you?

I haven't called yet. That deal is still going on though. The only downer is that the recerts are not magnetically shielded. Still, $100 off per pair is still a good deal. I'm kinda torn between the Aperion 533-t system, ascend 340se system, and i still have the ushers in the back of my mind. i had a dealer call me back about auditioning those. However, it looks like the others may have a little more "umph!" for HT use. The ushers are a little disadvantaged b/c of their smaller size. I like the Ascends (look to be a pretty sensitive speaker), but also like the Aperions and ushers, due to their nicer finish options. What to do?

 

[Soundman]

I haven't called yet. That deal is still going on though. The only downer is that the recerts are not magnetically shielded. Still, $100 off per pair is still a good deal. I'm kinda torn between the Aperion 533-t system, ascend 340se system, and i still have the ushers in the back of my mind. i had a dealer call me back about auditioning those. However, it looks like the others may have a little more "umph!" for HT use. The ushers are a little disadvantaged b/c of their smaller size. I like the Ascends (look to be a pretty sensitive speaker), but also like the Aperions and ushers, due to their nicer finish options. What to do?

Hey Mazer, or anyone else.....Have you compared these speakers? Anyone know how that stack up?

 

[mazersteven]

Hey Mazer, or anyone else.....Have you compared these speakers? Anyone know how that stack up?

Just purchase the Ascends already. Stop goofing around.

 

[Soundman]

Just purchase the Ascends already. Stop goofing around.

du what!!!! it's just so hard without hearing any of them, and having to pay shipping if I don't like them and have to return them, except maybe the Aperions. so, i guess you like the Ascends the best. I hear they have a very neutral sound. Some call them base shy b/c they don't have that mid-range hump like some other speakers do. But they are more accurate then some others. But some like that particular sound, even if it is slightly colored.