Internet Direct Speaker Recommendations for 2 channel and Home Theater

[Adam]

Great to see you back, Mazer...and true to form!!!

Now, stop posting over at HTS and stick around.

 

[MrHand08]

Thanks for all the replies. I was concentrating on internet direct speakers for now mainly for the convenience of being able to demo some of these speakers in my house. There is 1 audio store about 40 minutes away that told me they would come to my house to setup any speakers they sell for me to demo for a 2 week period. They carry Vandersteen, ProAc, Epos, B&W, Harbeth, PSB, Magnepan, Spendor. Another one who may have the same policy sell B&W, Dali, Dynaudio, and Willson Audio (way out of the budget).

I will probably look locally as well, but to get started I wanted to look to the ID companies, since I've heard a lot of good reviews and they have a trial policy. I have 2 rooms I'll use to demo (14x21 8' ceiling living room that opens to a 12x11 room and 12x20 8' ceiling family room). I haven't yet upgraded my electronics, so for now I am using an Outlaw RR2150 (100 wpc - 8 ohm / 160wpc - 4 ohm) receiver, and a 100 wpc Yamaha AV receiver. I'll look to upgrade to separates for at least one of the rooms in the next few months.

As for speakers, I've updated my short list to include:

1) SVS MTS-01 (only small tower I'm looking into for now)
2) SVS MBS-01
3) Ascend Sierra-1
4) Outlaw Bookshelf
5) ACI Emerald or Sapphire

Has anyone heard the MTS or MBS speakers or have feedback on the others?

A couple people have suggested I start with the MTS and Sierra-1 to demo.
My wife won't be too happy with a few pairs of speakers lying around the house, but I needed something to do with the holidays coming. Should be fun!!

 

[captiankirk28]

I also will agree on the gain in performance with the new crossovers in the MTS-01 buy SVS, they were very good before but now they are just awsome IMO.

 

[Warpdrv]

No question there... this is the second time I have had them in my house now, and the the new crossover is nicely improved...

I have really enjoyed my time I have spent with them thus far.
Here I was running them against my Paradigm Sig S4's....

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d109/Warpdrv/speakers/IMG_2394.jpg

 

[captiankirk28]

No question there... this is the second time I have had them in my house now, and the the new crossover is nicely improved...

I have really enjoyed my time I have spent with them thus far.
Here I was running them against my Paradigm Sig S4's....

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d109/Warpdrv/speakers/IMG_2394.jpg

How did they do against them? IYO

 

[Warpdrv]

They are a very nice full range speaker, and the tweeter is very clean and clear, it doesn't ride the edge quite like a metal dome, but that is something I prefer where some can't quite take that.

They certainly reach lower then my Sigs, but they are a large bookshelf and I run them with a sub or 2....

All in all, I think they are pretty darn nice, and far better then any store bought alternative IMO.... Good job SVS...

 

[Swerd]

You should also consider Salk SongSurrounds. They are marketed as rear channel speakers to go with the better known SongTowers, but they make excellent bookshelf speakers by themselves. The woofer in these speakers is the same, or nearly the same, as in the Outlaw 2-way. I have listened to the Sierra-1, and the SongSurround is better in my opinion.

Salk builds speaker cabinets that have the best veneers and finishes I've ever seen on commercially available speakers.

 

[MrHand08]

Warpdrv / captiankirk...I'm definitely keeping the MTS-01's on my demop list (which seems to keep growing).

Swerd, thanks for the recommendation on the Salk SongSurrounds. I went to the website and really like the SongTowers. I had forgotten about those. I had looked at them a short while ago, but never looked at them seriously. I'm probably looking to buy bookshelves for 1 room and towers for the other. My 2 rooms are 12x20x8H (split between HT and 2 channel) and 14x21x8H living room, that opens to a 12x11 room (will only be used for 2 channel).

I checked out some past threads on the towers and now find myself thinking about looking at these seriously and adding my short list. I didn't want a really wide or deep tower, which the SongTowers fulfill. I was impressed with the reviews and posts. The wife has been critical about the size and looks for the larger living room, so narrow footprint and customized finishes would greatly help here. She wanted something to blend in. For the more important part performance: I want a great wide soundstage with tight not boomy or muddy bass. My music varies from some hard rock, alternative, jazz, classical, and live acoustic and was looking for something to reproduce most everything well. My issue is that I've been more research and less listening!

For the larger 2 channel room, right now I just have an Outlaw RR2150 receiver. For the HT room, I have an old Yamaha 100 watt receiver. I plan to upgrade to separates in the next few months for the HT room....just need to work the 'ol budget to get all the goodies!!

How was your experience with your SongTowers (when purchasing, receipt, listening, etc)?

The only other towers I started to look at were the SVS MTS-01, Odyseey Nightingales and Lorelei's and Onix Rockets.

 

[Swerd]

Swerd, thanks for the recommendation on the Salk SongSurrounds. I went to the website and really like the SongTowers. I had forgotten about those. I had looked at them a short while ago, but never looked at them seriously. I'm probably looking to buy bookshelves for 1 room and towers for the other. My 2 rooms are 12x20x8H (split between HT and 2 channel) and 14x21x8H living room, that opens to a 12x11 room (will only be used for 2 channel).

I checked out some past threads on the towers and now find myself thinking about looking at these seriously and adding my short list. I didn't want a really wide or deep tower, which the SongTowers fulfill. I was impressed with the reviews and posts. The wife has been critical about the size and looks for the larger living room, so narrow footprint and customized finishes would greatly help here. She wanted something to blend in. For the more important part performance: I want a great wide soundstage with tight not boomy or muddy bass. My music varies from some hard rock, alternative, jazz, classical, and live acoustic and was looking for something to reproduce most everything well. My issue is that I've been more research and less listening!

For the larger 2 channel room, right now I just have an Outlaw RR2150 receiver. For the HT room, I have an old Yamaha 100 watt receiver. I plan to upgrade to separates in the next few months for the HT room....just need to work the 'ol budget to get all the goodies!!

How was your experience with your SongTowers (when purchasing, receipt, listening, etc)?

MrHand08

My experience with purchasing and owning SongTowers has been excellent! I can’t recommend them enough. Jim Salk is very knowledgeable about wood veneers and finishes and he was quite helpful while I was deciding on a finish. He personally answers phone calls and emails. If you are interested in a specific type of wood or color, he can match any existing furniture you have if you send him a photo. His standard finishes (I have unstained cherry) are better than any other furniture I own. I’ve owned my STs for a little over a year and I still enjoy everything about them. I listen to them a lot, and when I’m not listening, I find myself staring at them. The only thing I regret is that I can’t collect them in different finishes. I especially like the unstained walnut veneer.

I guided a friend in buying a pair of STs and the same Outlaw RR2150 stereo receiver that you have. I’ve heard it driving the STs and it is excellent. Your room sizes should not be a problem. STs, despite being rated at 4 ohms, are an easy load for most HT receivers on the market. Their designer, Dennis Murphy, says STs can be easily driven by any receiver or amp that can deliver an honest 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms. If budget is a problem for you, I recommend buying a decent but not top of the line HT receiver (Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, HK, Outlaw, etc., take your pick) and make sure it has pre-amp output jacks for at least the front main channels. That way you can use your receiver as is, or with an additional outboard amp purchased at a later time to drive your main speakers. I do that with my old Denon receiver (75 wpc) and it makes a fine preamp for 2 channel music.

The SongSurroundI is a straight forward 2-way speaker made with the same drivers as in the ST. As a design, it kind of predated the SongTower. Dennis Murphy published a DIY design for this speaker (see the CAOW1 link in my signature line). I own a pair and their sound heavily influenced my decision to buy STs. It uses the same drivers and cabinet dimensions as in the SSI. The crossover is somewhat different, but their overall sound is quite similar. I’ve heard the Ascend Sierra-1 and I prefer the sound of the CAOW1 over it. It isn’t a large stretch to assume that the SongSurroundI will do the same.

If you are near Gaithersburg, Maryland, come hear my SongTowers and CAOW1s at my house. Send me a PM if your are interested.

It seems you have read quite a bit about the SongTowers. In case you, or others, haven’t seen all of these, here are links for 3 ST owner’s impressions (including my own) and 2 professional reviews of them:

My SongTower impressions

Boybee's impressions

Enjoythemusic.com review

Audioholics review

Nuance’s impressions of ribbon ST

 

[MrHand08]

Thanks for the feedback and reviews Swerd! I also emailed Jim Salk yesterday about a few questions on the STs. I was impressed the amount of detail he provided in his answers. I had been looking at other towers: Swan Divas 6.2, Odyssey Lorelei's or Nightingales, Dana 670 & 680, but I've yet to find anything but positive feedback about the ST's. Also, none of these other manufacturers give you the finish options like Salk. I really like the natural and dark cherry finishes and makes the wifey very happy that I can match!

Did you get the standard Hiquphon OW2 tweeter or some modification?
I was curious about seeing if Jim would swap in a ribbon tweeter after reading Nuance's rave reviews. I was really impressed with his detailed feedback on his trek to find the perfect speaker. I know what he means about his comparisons to the Vandys 5A's. This has to be one the best speakers I've ever heard, but way out of my price range @ $17,000!

It seems form what I've read, Jim has taken customer service to a whole new level. I'm very tempted to give him a call to place an order soon or at least to begin discussing a new project. In fact, I was already trying to see how to rearrange some furniture in the living room to find the perfect place!

I'll let you know if I get to your neck of the woods. I'm up here in NJ, so not too far away.

 

[Swerd]

Thanks for the feedback and reviews Swerd! I also emailed Jim Salk yesterday about a few questions on the STs. I was impressed the amount of detail he provided in his answers. I had been looking at other towers: Swan Divas 6.2, Odyssey Lorelei's or Nightingales, Dana 670 & 680, but I've yet to find anything but positive feedback about the ST's. Also, none of these other manufacturers give you the finish options like Salk. I really like the natural and dark cherry finishes and makes the wifey very happy that I can match!

Did you get the standard Hiquphon OW2 tweeter or some modification?
I was curious about seeing if Jim would swap in a ribbon tweeter after reading Nuance's rave reviews. I was really impressed with his detailed feedback on his trek to find the perfect speaker. I know what he means about his comparisons to the Vandys 5A's. This has to be one the best speakers I've ever heard, but way out of my price range @ $17,000!

It seems form what I've read, Jim has taken customer service to a whole new level. I'm very tempted to give him a call to place an order soon or at least to begin discussing a new project. In fact, I was already trying to see how to rearrange some furniture in the living room to find the perfect place!

I'll let you know if I get to your neck of the woods. I'm up here in NJ, so not too far away.

I'm glad to hear all that. Jim Salk is the best.

My SongTowers have the standard OW2 dome tweeter and they are finished in unstained cherry veneer. See some photos here.

Yes, the ribbon tweeters are a step up, but they come at a cost. The Hiquophon dome tweeters are not too shabby, in fact they are the best dome tweeters I've heard.

Good luck with your speaker shopping and let us know what you end up getting .

 

[Nuance AH]

Thanks for the feedback and reviews Swerd! I also emailed Jim Salk yesterday about a few questions on the STs. I was impressed the amount of detail he provided in his answers. I had been looking at other towers: Swan Divas 6.2, Odyssey Lorelei's or Nightingales, Dana 670 & 680, but I've yet to find anything but positive feedback about the ST's. Also, none of these other manufacturers give you the finish options like Salk. I really like the natural and dark cherry finishes and makes the wifey very happy that I can match!

Did you get the standard Hiquphon OW2 tweeter or some modification?
I was curious about seeing if Jim would swap in a ribbon tweeter after reading Nuance's rave reviews. I was really impressed with his detailed feedback on his trek to find the perfect speaker. I know what he means about his comparisons to the Vandys 5A's. This has to be one the best speakers I've ever heard, but way out of my price range @ $17,000!

It seems form what I've read, Jim has taken customer service to a whole new level. I'm very tempted to give him a call to place an order soon or at least to begin discussing a new project. In fact, I was already trying to see how to rearrange some furniture in the living room to find the perfect place!

I'll let you know if I get to your neck of the woods. I'm up here in NJ, so not too far away.

I wish you lived closer; I'd have you over for a listening session.

Speaking of which, warpdrv, myself and another member from AVS had a GTG and pitted the SongTower's, Paradigm Sig's, Ascend Sierra's and the newly revised SVS MTS series against each other. It was a great time! When the dust settled, I sure was happy about the choice I made.