Behringer 2030P vs. The Speaker Company Bookshelves

[darthalal]

I'm looking into building my first HT system, and while doing research and asking for advice, I've received a lot of recommendations for the Behringer 2030P speakers. I've also just noticed that The Speaker Company is having a 40% off everything sale for the next two weeks. Because of this, I was wondering how the TSC Bookshelves would compare to the Behringers? I don't have a receiver yet, or a sub (I'm starting from scratch), but if the TSC Speakers are on par with or better than the Behringers, I definitely want to pick some up quick, and was wondering if that's the case, and if it is, which TSC models are more highly recommended? If I end up going with the Behringers, my budget dictates that I'll stay at a 2.1 system for the time being, and add surround later - if the TSC speakers are worth it, I could get surround right away.

My main uses for the system are going to be music, gaming, and movies, most likely in that order. If any other information from me would influence your advice, please let me know!

Thanks!

EDIT: Any thoughts on this combination of speakers from TSC? LCR1 or LCR3 for the Center/Surround speakers, and a pair of the TSB for fronts?

 

[bandphan]

Ive had some time with both, TSC bookshelves in the "sappahire" line with sound advice, and the behringers on multiple installs and in home evaluation. The 2030s are unique in that they are very flat in response and have good off axis response. That being said you might not like a "flat" sound and without DSP thats what have. OTOH you may find them exceptional. Its really up to your ears to compare them. I can say that if you have a large room, a good sub is order for either.

 

[darthalal]

Ive had some time with both, TSC bookshelves in the "sappahire" line with sound advice, and the behringers on multiple installs and in home evaluation. The 2030s are unique in that they are very flat in response and have good off axis response. That being said you might not like a "flat" sound and without DSP thats what have. OTOH you may find them exceptional. Its really up to your ears to compare them. I can say that if you have a large room, a good sub is order for either.

It's not a very large room, but I did plan on adding a sub, probably a Dayton 10" or 12" based on the advice I've gotten so far. The problem with actually listening to them first is that I don't have access to either (no HT stores near me.. not even a Best Buy or anything like that), and the decision has to be made relatively quickly (TSC sale is only 2 weeks, and these will be a gift from my parents for Christmas).

I'm not sure how a flat response would sound vs. whatever response the TSC speakers would have, but that sounds more like something I would want when editing music, rather than listening to it. I'm guessing that should make me lean more towards TSC?

Thanks! Any advice/thoughts on the speaker combination I just added to the first post would be much appreciated also.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm looking into building my first HT system, and while doing research and asking for advice, I've received a lot of recommendations for the Behringer 2030P speakers. I've also just noticed that The Speaker Company is having a 40% off everything sale for the next two weeks. Because of this, I was wondering how the TSC Bookshelves would compare to the Behringers? I don't have a receiver yet, or a sub (I'm starting from scratch), but if the TSC Speakers are on par with or better than the Behringers, I definitely want to pick some up quick, and was wondering if that's the case, and if it is, which TSC models are more highly recommended? If I end up going with the Behringers, my budget dictates that I'll stay at a 2.1 system for the time being, and add surround later - if the TSC speakers are worth it, I could get surround right away.

My main uses for the system are going to be music, gaming, and movies, most likely in that order. If any other information from me would influence your advice, please let me know!

Thanks!

EDIT: Any thoughts on this combination of speakers from TSC? LCR1 or LCR3 for the Center/Surround speakers, and a pair of the TSB for fronts?

Get the Behringers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I'm shocked...........

Get the Behringers.

 

[dkane360]

I've never tried anything other than my behringers (except computer speakers), and i've been very pleased with them. I'm actually looking to buy more sets to fill out my surround sound.

 

[shadyJ]

Why wouldn't you want flat response when listening to music? Unless you're like me and want the bass a little hot, the best thing to do is have your speakers flat and then EQ them to where you like it. I would go with the Behringers.

 

[adk highlander]

I have the 2031P's in my office and I love them. Now I do use them nearfield and at low volumes most of the time. But when I do turn them up they only get better. I like a neutral sound so they work well for me.

 

[Alex2507]

I have the 2031P's in my office and I love them. Now I do use them nearfield and at low volumes most of the time. But when I do turn them up they only get better. I like a neutral sound so they work well for me.

Have you had a chance to hear the 2030P's?

 

[adk highlander]

No. I was ready to get the 2030's and I think it was lsiberian who pointed out that I could get the 2031's for the same money and they had a bigger woofer. Well as my object was to try and dwarf my computer monitors so I could talk my boss into letting me get new ones I went with them.

 

[darthalal]

Get the Behringers.

Why? Because of what I'll be using them for? Because of some quality the speaker has over the others? It would really help me out if I knew why one was being suggested over another.

Has anyone had any experience with the TSC speakers? They've gotten very good reviews, and because of the sale are much cheaper..

 

[lsiberian]

No. I was ready to get the 2030's and I think it was lsiberian who pointed out that I could get the 2031's for the same money and they had a bigger woofer. Well as my object was to try and dwarf my computer monitors so I could talk my boss into letting me get new ones I went with them.

the 2031's are better for subless setups. the 2030's are better for subbed setups. I got that from reading all the posts on it.

The reasons to get these speakers are numerous.
1. Accurate response
2. Excellent Build quality
3. great value.

I've found numerous audio guys that use these in their home setups. In fact I was talking to a guy a pro-audio store once and he said he ditched his setup and put in these. If I were to buy speakers it would be these.

 

[darthalal]

the 2031's are better for subless setups. the 2030's are better for subbed setups. I got that from reading all the posts on it.

The reasons to get these speakers are numerous.
1. Accurate response
2. Excellent Build quality
3. great value.

I've found numerous audio guys that use these in their home setups. In fact I was talking to a guy a pro-audio store once and he said he ditched his setup and put in these. If I were to buy speakers it would be these.

Thanks!!

I've decided to go with a pair of the 2030P's for some solid fronts, and then just give the LCR1 P set a try for the center/surrounds. They're cheap enough, and they have the trial period, so if I don't like them, I'll just send them back!

I'll update this with my thoughts once I have a setup. Now I just need to pick out a receiver and sub!

 

[annunaki]

Thanks!!

I've decided to go with a pair of the 2030P's for some solid fronts, and then just give the LCR1 P set a try for the center/surrounds. They're cheap enough, and they have the trial period, so if I don't like them, I'll just send them back!

I'll update this with my thoughts once I have a setup. Now I just need to pick out a receiver and sub!

Why not get another 2030p for a center? It is fairly well know that 3 identical bookshelves sound better than a dedicated lower budget center since many are prone to lobing.

This presents a more cohesive sound stage upfront with seamless panning.

 

[darthalal]

Why not get another 2030p for a center? It is fairly well know that 3 identical bookshelves sound better than a dedicated lower budget center since many are prone to lobing.

This presents a more cohesive sound stage upfront with seamless panning.

What is lobing?

I would have to buy another pair of those speakers, for $130.. or spend $70 and get 3, that may or may not work well. I thought it would be worth the chance that they work out because they're so cheap and I can return them if I don't like them. I won't have them forever, it's just a really good deal..

 

[JerryLove]

What is the distance between your left and right fronts? You may not need a center at all.

That said: choosing an unmatched center for your front can cause some sound problems as a noise transistions from one speaker to another. It's not very noticed front-to-back, but it can be a problem l-c-r.

Too close together and any speakers can start causing comb filtering: where the signal from one speaker interferes with the signal from another. I'm increasingly of the opinion (a few weeks into having turned off my own center channel) that center speakers are not only unneccessairy in small rooms, but can hurt the sound.

 

[darthalal]

What is the distance between your left and right fronts? You may not need a center at all.

Immediately, not very far at all, since it will be set up in a bedroom. I'm not sure where I'll be in 5 or so months though, so I don't know how to answer that.

That said: choosing an unmatched center for your front can cause some sound problems as a noise transistions from one speaker to another. It's not very noticed front-to-back, but it can be a problem l-c-r.

Too close together and any speakers can start causing comb filtering: where the signal from one speaker interferes with the signal from another. I'm increasingly of the opinion (a few weeks into having turned off my own center channel) that center speakers are not only unneccessairy in small rooms, but can hurt the sound.

Hmm.. I'll definitely try it both ways once I get everything, with that in mind. How small is a 'small room'? Thanks!

 

[JerryLove]

Hmm.. I'll definitely try it both ways once I get everything, with that in mind. How small is a 'small room'? Thanks!

It's actually the seperation between the speakers that's the concern more than the overall room size (though there's often a relationship between how big the room is and how far apart the speakers are).

My front left and right speakers are about 10' apart. That put them <5' from the center channel.

I suspect the actual range with problems is some function of the wavelength of the sound being produced. One of the builders can likely answer that far better than I.

 

[lsiberian]

What is the distance between your left and right fronts? You may not need a center at all.

That said: choosing an unmatched center for your front can cause some sound problems as a noise transistions from one speaker to another. It's not very noticed front-to-back, but it can be a problem l-c-r.

Too close together and any speakers can start causing comb filtering: where the signal from one speaker interferes with the signal from another. I'm increasingly of the opinion (a few weeks into having turned off my own center channel) that center speakers are not only unneccessairy in small rooms, but can hurt the sound.

I'd suggest a 4 channel setup for most people. It saves you some money and avoids pitfalls. But I'm crazy.

 

[Sheep]

the 2031's are better for subless setups. the 2030's are better for subbed setups. I got that from reading all the posts on it.

The reasons to get these speakers are numerous.
1. Accurate response
2. Excellent Build quality
3. great value.

I've found numerous audio guys that use these in their home setups. In fact I was talking to a guy a pro-audio store once and he said he ditched his setup and put in these. If I were to buy speakers it would be these.

I believe WmAx stated the 2030s had the flat off axis response. I don't know if that is replicated in the 2031s, but it's worth it over the bass response.

SheepStar