TSC bookshelf or tower?

[liftngwaght]

The two speakers im looking at:

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TSBL-65-2-way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-P46C6.aspx

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TST1-High-Performance-Tower-Speakers-Pair-P72C8.aspx

I currently own the TSC dipole surrounds, TC2 center channel and T250 sub. After I bought the TSC speakers I found my old Sony towers can't hold their own so I need to replace them badly.

Just trying to figure out if its worth the extra $100 to get the tower. Suggestions?

 

[AGuinn]

Perhaps this will help:

Unless you just 'happen' to have a bookshelf at/near ear level, you will need a set of speaker stands for the TSBL's. For $100 more, you can get a pair of matching speaker stands, a pair of LF drivers, and extended bottom-end response.

Whether or not you like the (slightly) more imposing look of the tower is up to you - but it takes up the same floor space.

 

[lsiberian]

If you want a step up from the TSC bookshelves get the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE. They have the highest build quality of any speaker evaluated in it's class.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

They would have better sound than the TSC towers.

The first towers I'd suggest are Infinity Primus towers.

 

[AGuinn]

I currently own the TSC dipole surrounds, TC2 center channel and T250 sub.

Since the OP already has a TSC center and surrounds - and I'm guessing he'll be using it for a HT, would it not be better to stick with a pair of mains with voice-matched drivers?

 

[liftngwaght]

I already have a 30" set of stands. In black to boot. I was just thinking with the 250watt sub I wouldn't need the woofer on the tower speaker and I could save myself $100.

Isberian...I already have the TSC center channel so tonally/timber wise I need to stick witht he TSC brand for the fronts.

Im leaning towards the bookshelf to save the money and I dont think i'll miss the bass since I have the sub.

 

[lsiberian]

I already have a 30" set of stands. In black to boot. I was just thinking with the 250watt sub I wouldn't need the woofer on the tower speaker and I could save myself $100.

Isberian...I already have the TSC center channel so tonally/timber wise I need to stick witht he TSC brand for the fronts.

Im leaning towards the bookshelf to save the money and I dont think i'll miss the bass since I have the sub.

tonal/timber isn't a big deal from the surrounds to the fronts. For center speakers you will need to make sure you have plenty of distance between your L/R channel otherwise you lose the advantage.

 

[liftngwaght]

Ended up ordering the TSBL fronts. Im hoping they arrive by Friday but I ordered late last night so probably not until Monday. I'll update once I have them setup with everything else.

 

[chavez]

I was making the same decision this time last year. I picked up the ASW-10 sub, TC2, and was waffling between the TST1 towers (which were on sale for around 200ish at the time) and the TSBLs. I ended up opting for the bookshelves and haven't regretted it.

However, since they have the 20% off sale now, I just got the towers as well. If they are a big upgrade I plan on using the TSBL's for surrounds. If they aren't I can always ship them back and get the dipoles for surrounds. The speakers came in yesterday and I've only had time to get a quick first impression. The towers seem louder but I think the bookshelves sound a bit cleaner. With the grilles off the midrange woofer on the bookshelves is noticeably larger and I'm wondering if that's why they sounded clearer listening to music. I do prefer the tower aesthetic, but unless a few days of listening changes my first impression I don' t think they are worth the upgrade cost.