axiom, ascend, svs, pinnacle which to buy?

[ozmedia]

I concur

Gotta be really honest, while I fully understand the dispersion limits of a "traditional" center channel, in an untreated room of (lets be honest) not extreme hi-fi equipment, I think a traditional center channel will be just fine. I bet 99.9 percent of people in this forum could not blindly walk into a room and pick out the "lacking" center channel application. I also don't think the infinity setup is the "end-all" approach.

It seems that, more often than not, people here get off on talking about technical details so much that it almost becomes anal, especially when talking about entire 5.1 systems for under $3K. Many of the people posting here for inexpensive solutions would think a theatre-in-a-box system sounds great.

It's almost like a geeky pi$$ing contest to prove who is the nerdiest audiophile.

It's like if a discussion on $100.00/pr speakers is raised and people start arguing about port tuning and whether dimpled ports will be best.

As a long time mechanic, when people ask about changing transmission fluid in a 99 Honda, I don't explain the drawbacks of using synthetic fluids in an older car by describing stator fin erosion in the torque converter eventually leading to transmission pump seal failure .

I just say it's not a good idea to use synthetic fluids of any sort in a car that old because of the high detergent levels that cause older engines to leak like a sieve.

 

[lsiberian]

It seems that, more often than not, people here get off on talking about technical details so much that it almost becomes anal, especially when talking about entire 5.1 systems for under $3K. Many of the people posting here for inexpensive solutions would think a theatre-in-a-box system sounds great.

It's almost like a geeky pi$$ing contest to prove who is the nerdiest audiophile.

It's like if a discussion on $100.00/pr speakers is raised and people start arguing about port tuning and whether dimpled ports will be best.

As a long time mechanic, when people ask about changing transmission fluid in a 99 Honda, I don't explain the drawbacks of using synthetic fluids in an older car by describing stator fin erosion in the torque converter eventually leading to transmission pump seal failure .

I just say it's not a good idea to use synthetic fluids of any sort in a car that old because of the high detergent levels that cause older engines to leak like a sieve.

A vertical center is better than a horizontal center. Simple enough for you?

 

[lsiberian]

Do any of your options have free in home trials?

If so do that. If you find something you like then stick with it.

Nothing like your ears to determine your own preferences.

 

[lbolts20]

After mulling the options I've decided the center channel will be a horizontal center channel rather than a vertical bookshelf. With our setup the vertical bookshelf won't work and just wouldn't look decent in the room.

 

[Robof83]

Do any of your options have free in home trials?

If so do that. If you find something you like then stick with it.

Nothing like your ears to determine your own preferences.

I'm going to have to disagree with you here. It is my firm belief that other's ears are far superior for determining personal preferences.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm going to have to disagree with you here. It is my firm belief that other's ears are far superior for determining personal preferences.

LOL. I have some cable raisers I need to sell.

 

[lbolts20]

Do any of your options have free in home trials?

If so do that. If you find something you like then stick with it.

Nothing like your ears to determine your own preferences.

They all do. The problem is will they all be shipped and in my home at the same time. Plus I'm not sure I want 4 sets of speakers in my home to unpack, setup, repack, and pay to ship back. It would be nice if they were all at a local audio shop to listen to but they are not. We have best buy and american around here with 2 audio specialty stores with a very limited selection to choose from. I've already been to the 2 specialty stores.

 

[ozmedia]

Nice opinion

A vertical center is better than a horizontal center. Simple enough for you?

Not really, it's just your opinion.

As I work with both high end horizontal and vertical centre channels as well as a L&R dual purpose that also conduct centre channel duties with an individually crossed over lower tweeter and woofer (sitting around 7' apart), such a simplistic answer means nothing to me at all, in fact it's just a personal viewpoint or opinion.
When your opinion isn't jumped on with heartfelt thanks, you seem to get defensive.

I've no doubt you know your audio, but you aren't the only one and your opinion is, well....just another opinion, no matter how many hours you kill away offering your opinions here.

The room and MOST importantly, the listeners ear is what matters, but you know that already and wouldn't waste people's time with your hi fidelity vernacular.

Nothing like your ears to determine your own preferences.

You just finished saying that didn't you?
Right after saying

A vertical center is better than a horizontal center. Simple enough for you?

I've seen client prefer a $500.00 speaker over a $1300.00 speaker, in fact I hear it from clients often when auditioning against competitive brands.

Funny how you assumed it was you specifically that I was talking about though, even though it wasn't.

Little of the old chip-on-the-shoulder defense.

Relax, it's just people looking for comments, nobody seems to be seeking a specific end-all opinion but the opinions of many, you'll be able to get your two cents in, I'm sure.

 

[ozmedia]

Installers

They all do. The problem is will they all be shipped and in my home at the same time. Plus I'm not sure I want 4 sets of speakers in my home to unpack, setup, repack, and pay to ship back. It would be nice if they were all at a local audio shop to listen to but they are not. We have best buy and american around here with 2 audio specialty stores with a very limited selection to choose from. I've already been to the 2 specialty stores.

Do you have any low voltage electrical installers like security or home threatre installers, CEDIA certified guys around?

They often won't have retail shops but do have access to good home audio and almost always offer better pricing than retailers do.

Security/alarm and even central vacuum installers are 100% of our market for architectural and free standing home theatre systems. RBH avoids retail but there are several dozen installers that carry them and don't advertise it. You'll find a lot of choices in these industries, more than you will at local shops anyway.

 

[lbolts20]

Do you have any low voltage electrical installers like security or home threatre installers, CEDIA certified guys around?

They often won't have retail shops but do have access to good home audio and almost always offer better pricing than retailers do.

Security/alarm and even central vacuum installers are 100% of our market for architectural and free standing home theatre systems. RBH avoids retail but there are several dozen installers that carry them and don't advertise it. You'll find a lot of choices in these industries, more than you will at local shops anyway.

Now that I think about it, when we built our home we had a security system installed and some of them did that as well. I'll call our security guy tomorrow.

thanks,

 

[ack_bak]

I use three SVS SCS-01 speakers as my mains and I 100% love them. They replaced Polk rti series towers and a Polk csi series center channel. Definite improvement. And I was a little skeptical that the smaller and less sensitive SCS-01's would sound better than my Polk rti towers, but I believe they have better crossovers and tweeters (just my opinion of course).

I have heard good things about the Ascend line of speakers as well (don't have any experience with Pinnacle).

I don't think you can go wrong with either Ascend or SVS. I can vouch for SVS's customer service as well. They are excellent.