New TSC Offerings

[tomd51]

One of the other folks here jogged my memory regarding some upcoming product offerings by The Speaker Company (TSC). Nick V. was recently kind enough to provide me with some info of their soon to be released towers and other new products. One of the more interesting releases looks to be the TST2 towers, here's the specs:


TST2 Tower Speaker
Type:
3-way, bass reflex floor standing enclosure

Drivers:
1" shielded HiCel dome tweeter (x1)
5.25" shielded aluminum mid/bass (x2)
10" side-firing paper coated woofer (x1)

Sensitivity:
93dB

Nominal Impedance:
8 ohms

Recommended power:
15-150 watts continuous

Dimensions:
44" H x 6.5" W x 15.2" D

Weight:
54.13 lbs each

Finish:
Black ash vinyl, black glass top, with black cloth grille

The TST2s are slated to be released sometime between late June and early July near or below the $500 price range. TSC also plans to release two other towers, the TST1 and TST3s. The TST1s will be similar to the TST2s with the difference being an 8" woofer instead of 10" and a single midrange as opposed to dual. The TST3s will differ from the TST2s in that it will have dual 8" woofers instead of the single 10". As expected, some of the specs will differ among them based on their configurations. I've attached a pic Nick provided of the TST3 below.

In addition to the towers, TSC will also be releasing the TSS dipole surrounds that will consist of the same drivers from the TST line, with a 2 tweeter/1 midrange configuration.

Also due for release, a pair of satellite systems that project to come in between the $300-$450 range, which if they sound as good as they look, may provide those with strict WAF or have little placement flexibility a nice option for the money. I've included a couple of snapshots Nick provided of these below as well.

I've asked Nick to provide the one specification for the towers that was not included earlier that many will want to know, which would be the frequency response. Once I hear back from him on this as well as any additional info, I'll post it up here... -TD

 

[Halon451]

I was actually just looking at their outdoor speakers - the IO 6BL with the 6" drivers for my back lanai. I remembered your review of the bookshelf set from a while back, but not sure about the outdoor speakers at least at a glance.

Just looking for a very inexpensive option for slapping up some stereo sound - these things look a little cheap, and not much better than standard HTIB speakers, which is what I've got out there now, driven by an antiquated RCA combo stereo system. It even has a tape deck. 50 Hz lower FR, and 86 dB sensitivity, not terrible but not good either.

Anyway - the tower variety looks interesting. I'll stay tuned to this one as well, and see how it turns out.

 

[tomd51]

Those (IO-6BLs) look similar to some outdoor speakers I purchased a couple of years ago from the Outdoor Speaker Depot, similar in specs, too.

Depending on what you want from your outdoor listening, there's almost as big of a difference in price range and options as there is with indoor setups. Most folks fall in the category where they just want some ambient music on an outdoor deck, screened in porch or backyard area, which is the group I fall into. Others want detailed accuracy and will go the extra mile with the outdoor subwoofers and multiple speaker locations where the listening area is rather broad and requires a larger speaker configuration addressing placement issues.

The FR down to 50Hz w/mainly music isn't necessarily too bad and considering how much bass is lost outdoors, which can obviously be different for every person and their environment, placing a priority on low end for outdoor listening might get a bit expensive. In addition to this, depending on how near or far your neighbors may be located, being limited in LF output isn't necessarily such a bad thing, assuming you don't want to start brawling with them any time soon.

With so many obstacles and shortcomings of outdoor listening, I succumbed to the realization that so long as I have some music that sounds relatively decent and can be heard where I want and does some justice to the music, that's good enough for me. As always, YMMV... -TD

p.s., love the 'Monster' line in your sig...

 

[Halon451]

Those (IO-6BLs) look similar to some outdoor speakers I purchased a couple of years ago from the Outdoor Speaker Depot, similar in specs, too.

Depending on what you want from your outdoor listening, there's almost as big of a difference in price range and options as there is with indoor setups. Most folks fall in the category where they just want some ambient music on an outdoor deck, screened in porch or backyard area, which is the group I fall into. Others want detailed accuracy and will go the extra mile with the outdoor subwoofers and multiple speaker locations where the listening area is rather broad and requires a larger speaker configuration addressing placement issues.

The FR down to 50Hz w/mainly music isn't necessarily too bad and considering how much bass is lost outdoors, which can obviously be different for every person and their environment, placing a priority on low end for outdoor listening might get a bit expensive. In addition to this, depending on how near or far your neighbors may be located, being limited in LF output isn't necessarily such a bad thing, assuming you don't want to start brawling with them any time soon.

With so many obstacles and shortcomings of outdoor listening, I succumbed to the realization that so long as I have some music that sounds relatively decent and can be heard where I want and does some justice to the music, that's good enough for me. As always, YMMV... -TD

p.s., love the 'Monster' line in your sig...

Very true, in regards to outside low end FR - the 50 Hz limit is not a huge concern to me, but with the build quality - I have a personal gym built on my back lanai, and like to play rock music when I'm working out back there - not looking for high-end level of accuracy, but don't want it to sound hollow and tinny either, just sound good enough to rock out to.

So anyway, sorry for taking this thread slightly off topic, but I guess it's still partially on topic as we're still talking about TSC offerings.

 

[tomd51]

No worries Halon, we cool...

I think you're of the same mindset as me. I didn't want it to sound like a am/fm transistor radio, but I obviously don't expect the same performance I'm going to get out of my main theater setup. Somewhere in the middle would suit me, so long as it can do justice to my preferred music. I know what I like, so as long as I'm satisfied from a cost/performance ratio, that's good enough for me.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread... -TD

 

[ChunkyDark]

If you looking at outdoor speakers there are some good deals running on the Polk Atrium 45.
Haven't heard them so can't vouch for 'em.

 

[tomd51]

For those interested in the TSC T Series towers, I was able to obtain the FR measurements from Nick. They list as follows:

TST1s - 45-20KHz
TST2s - 30-20KHz
TST3s - 20-20KHz

I think I'd have to see the measurements to believe them that the TST3s will get down that far w/acceptable levels of distortion, but this is what they list at. I was also able to obtain the FR specs and dimensions for their other upcoming releases in case anyone's interested... -TD

 

[Guangui]

TST3 = 20/20, now that is something we would have to hear. If they are able to do this, and make their speaker sound decent, they will be a great recommendation for those with a tight budget.

 

[lhorton]

outdoor speaker depot

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread... -TD[/QUOTE]

Tom51...would you recommend the outdoor speaker depot? I am looking at a pair that goes for around 150 but im nervous about how cheap they are and the lack of info on that brand. Can you tell me anything?

 

[lhorton]

outdoor speaker depot

dopes anybody know anything about this company or its speakers?

 

[tomd51]

The pair of 6.5" outdoor patio speakers I got from them do a decent job and are worth what I spent, just over $100, IIRC.

For $150, you might want to shop around a bit at some bigger speaker manufacturers. Not that there's anything wrong w/their speakers, but my experience w/their CS wasn't great trying to get tracking info on them for when they were shipped, as it took almost two weeks to get them. There's little to no info with them (no manual, specs other than from OSD's web site), so those parts of dealing w/them wasn't the best.

The tough part is there's such little feedback from folks on outdoor speakers, but for the reasons I listed earlier in this thread, I doubt you'll find much more than what you'll experience yourself.

Try looking over at the Home Theater Forum and AVS for feedback on OSD's product offerings, I think one of those sites is where I initially heard about them. If you have any other questions, open a separate thread as I'd like to keep from getting off-track of the purpose of this initial thread... -TD

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Darn, tSC TST1 is now $699 (vs old one $399 if my memory serves me right) Booooo, TST3 is now (on sale?) is only $599

 

[tomd51]

That's a little odd. The strange thing is that the TST1s are available for that price as a whole system w/the TSBLs, a TC2 center and the T250 sub:

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TST1-Tower-Home-Theater-System-P82C31.aspx

So... you can get the towers for $699 or a whole package for the same price? -TD

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yea, I just noticed it too, Imho its a typo, but I get the feeling they are jacking up all the prices soon anyways....
btw: 699$ for the whole TST system is a steal !!!!!!

I'm TEARING MY HAIR OFF (Since I just bought TC2 by itself....)
I wish tSC could lets me keep my TC2 and get this package for same price w/o shipping new tc2 (it would same the shipping charges for them)

pls tSC reps if you are reading this, pls PM me if it's possible or email me from my blog (link in sig, contact BoredSysAdmin in bottom of any page)

 

[RequiemX]

I agree. Looks like a typo.

I wouldn't expect them to raise prices much at all until a whole new series is around.

 

[Exterous]

considering they only claim $130 discount for the entire package I doubt its a typo - besides it includes the TST1s not the TST2s

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Update: I send email to Nick from tSC and typo is confirmed - TST1 Tower Speakers (pair) is back now at original $349 price.

However the TST1 Home theater system mysteriously disappeared ... Thou same components still "available" separately... (TST1/TC2/TBS/T250)