Absolute newbie - Need feedback for one time 5.1 purchase

[elvineet]

Hello all,

I have been reading these forums the last few weeks and researching reviews and magazines to help select a respectable 5.1 setup intended for movie watching in a 22'x12' room. Unfortunately, I am more confused now than when I started.

I have narrowed to these options and would appreciate if I can get constructive feedback.

APERION AUDIO - $1,657
2x Verus Grand Bookshelf
1x Verus Forte Center Channel
2x Intimus 4B Satellite
1x Bravus IIa Powered Subwoofer

NHT - $799
Super Surround 5.1 system

I am a casual movie watcher, definitely not an audiophile, enjoy sci-fi and action movies, and like a little extra bass but clear dialogue. Any recommendations?

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

The nht is a piece of sheet. No offense intended. The Aperion wins by a landslide. Always be alarmed by a paper woofer. (NHT Subwoofer)

Check out KEF, PSB and my favorite Paradigm. And most importantly, get out and try to demo as many speakers as you can.

 

[its phillip]

I definitely disagree with Phunk. The NHT set certainly isn't a piece of poop...that being said, the Aperion system would be more capable, but I wouldn't get those exact speakers. If I was getting Verus Grand speakers for the L/R, I'd get the matching Verus Grand center (or just another Verus Grand bookshelf). The little satellites for the surrounds would be fine. I wouldn't buy an Aperion sub either, I'd be looking at other manufacturers like SVS or HSU or ED or Epik or whoever.

The second part of his post about checking out other speakers is good though

 

[elvineet]

So I like Aperion's 30 day in home audition and free shipping policies. Combined with a 10yr warranty that's a nice incentive.

I'm feeling pretty good about the setup so far, but unfortunately in Kentucky it's next to impossible to audition anything. I could use some comments on whether the subwoofer is ok or if I should rather spend the money on a different subwoofer. Thanks.

 

[elvineet]

...I wouldn't buy an Aperion sub either, I'd be looking at other manufacturers like SVS or HSU or ED or Epik or whoever.

The second part of his post about checking out other speakers is good though

So I just got off the phone with Dr. Hsu from HSU and he got me to look at the Enthusiast 2 package deal which costs a lot less ($1,249) than the Aperion setup:
1 VTF-2 MK 3 Subwoofer available in 2 different finishes
4 HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelf available in 2 different finishes
1 HC-1 MK2 Horn Center Channel available in 2 different finishes

Not as aesthetically attractive, but that is not an issue in my case. All I care about is excellent sound clarity, shattering bass, and my budget. Any thoughts?

 

[its phillip]

I think that would do very well, but out of the two options I would go with aperion speakers and the HSU sub though, since aperion does have that 30 day trial where they pay for shipping both ways. Of course, if the budget is tight, the HSU system should be very capable.

 

[jostenmeat]

The nht is a piece of sheet. No offense intended. The Aperion wins by a landslide. Always be alarmed by a paper woofer. (NHT Subwoofer)

Check out KEF, PSB and my favorite Paradigm. And most importantly, get out and try to demo as many speakers as you can.

I also disagree, but on a different thing. Paper woofers do not need to alarm anyone for simply being paper. One of the builds I am thinking of upgrading my PSB system to at some point are the ER18 DIYs for the front three, and they are MTMs based on the SEAS paper reed 7" woofers. The closest premade relative to this speaker costs $4000 a pair from Salk, though they are using even more expensive SEAS drivers. When picking brains about different DIY builds, I was told the ER18 does more by using superior drivers, whereas a monster like the Statement relies on more drivers to do what it does, though less expensive per.

 

[elvineet]

This is what I've narrowed down to. Personally, I have never auditioned any of these products and won't have the option to either. I am biased towards option 1 because of Aperion's customer friendly policies and longer warranty. Any comments are highly appreciated.


OPTION 1 - $2,150:

RECEIVER - $500
Onkyo TX-NR609

SUBWOOFER - $440
Hsu VTF-1

FRONT LEFT & RIGHT - $600 (for both)
2x Aperion Audio Verus Grand Bookshelf speaker

CENTER CHANNEL - $350
1x Aperion Audio Verus Forte Center Channel speaker

REAR SURROUNDS - $260 (for both)
2x Aperion Audio Intimus 4B Satellite speaker

Aperion Audio offers free shipping both ways, no tax, 30 day in-home audition


OPTION 2 - $1,913

RECEIVER - $500
Onkyo TX-NR609

SPEAKERS - $1,413
HSU Pre-configured system - Enthusiast 2
1x VTF-2 MK 3 Subwoofer
4x HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelf
1x HC-1 MK2 Horn Center Channel

 

[3db]

This is what I've narrowed down to. Personally, I have never auditioned any of these products and won't have the option to either. I am biased towards option 1 because of Aperion's customer friendly policies and longer warranty. Any comments are highly appreciated.


OPTION 1 - $2,150:

RECEIVER - $500
Onkyo TX-NR609

SUBWOOFER - $440
Hsu VTF-1

FRONT LEFT & RIGHT - $600 (for both)
2x Aperion Audio Verus Grand Bookshelf speaker

CENTER CHANNEL - $350
1x Aperion Audio Verus Forte Center Channel speaker

REAR SURROUNDS - $260 (for both)
2x Aperion Audio Intimus 4B Satellite speaker

Aperion Audio offers free shipping both ways, no tax, 30 day in-home audition


OPTION 2 - $1,913

RECEIVER - $500
Onkyo TX-NR609

SPEAKERS - $1,413
HSU Pre-configured system - Enthusiast 2
1x VTF-2 MK 3 Subwoofer
4x HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelf
1x HC-1 MK2 Horn Center Channel

I would go with option 1 because I'm leary of the directivity/beaming (analogous to speaking through cupped hands) of the horn speakers. To be fair, I've not heard them and HSU is a reputable maker of quality speakers but for some reason, I would think that a non horn speaker system would be better suited for HT than one using a horn.

 

[zieglj01]

This is what I've narrowed down to. Personally, I have never auditioned any of these products and won't have the option to either. I am biased towards option 1 because of Aperion's customer friendly policies and longer warranty. Any comments are highly appreciated.


OPTION 1 - $2,150:

RECEIVER - $500
Onkyo TX-NR609

SUBWOOFER - $440
Hsu VTF-1

FRONT LEFT & RIGHT - $600 (for both)
2x Aperion Audio Verus Grand Bookshelf speaker

CENTER CHANNEL - $350
1x Aperion Audio Verus Forte Center Channel speaker

REAR SURROUNDS - $260 (for both)
2x Aperion Audio Intimus 4B Satellite speaker

I would change that center to the Verus Grand center speaker.

NHT is good and I have owned and listened to a lot of paper
woofers, and I like them. It is about the whole design and not
just a paper woofer. Seas does make good stuff.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

I stand corrected. Thank you folks for the insight.

 

[shadyJ]

Honestly, by your criteria, I would go with the Hsu system. I think the Aperion system will have a more articulate sound, but I think the Hsu system will have more punch, and be more capable in a large room than the Aperion system. The VTF2 is definitely a step above the VTF1 sub, and is a more proper sub for the system you want. And by looking at the specs, the Verus Forte center speaker looks pretty weak, the Verus Grand or the Hsu HC-1 would be a far more formidable center. The Intimus 4b surrounds are pretty weak as well, for surround duty the HB-1s would be much better. I may be biased since I already own a Hsu system like the one you are contemplating, but I definitely would not trade it for the particular Aperion setup you are looking at, although I might be willing to trade it for a full on Grande setup (but only as long as I can keep my Hsu subs!)

 

[elvineet]

Ok, I know this is a completely different system. But a friend got me to consider this setup, which totals to right around $1,600. I admit I don't understand everything listed in the tech specs, but some obvious differences indicate this to be a way more powerful system.

2x Jamo C 603
1x Jamo C 60 CEN
1x Jamo SUB 650
4x Jamo C 60 SUR
Denon AVR-2311CI

Any thoughts?

 

[shadyJ]

The Jamo sub won't be as powerful as the Hsu in the lower frequencies. I can't speak for how the speakers compare with the Hsu speakers, however the specs seem to indicate they are more powerful than the Aperion system you listed. I don't think that would be a bad set, but I think you can do better than their subwoofer.

 

[Bismarck]

I second the HSU setup. Especially since you said the system was for movies. With the horn loaded tweeters, they are also going to be easier to drive.

 

[aus10]

I have a question, im more of a newbie them him but how come you dont really ever see klipsch on here? I was always told that klipsch were really good? thanks,

 

[zieglj01]

I have a question, im more of a newbie them him but how come you dont really ever see klipsch on here? I was always told that klipsch were really good? thanks,

That would be a subjective answer. Klipsch does target a certain audience. Most people,
will either love or hate them - and it seems that there is, no middle ground with them.

 

[elvineet]

The Jamo sub won't be as powerful as the Hsu in the lower frequencies. I can't speak for how the speakers compare with the Hsu speakers, however the specs seem to indicate they are more powerful than the Aperion system you listed. I don't think that would be a bad set, but I think you can do better than their subwoofer.

Can you direct me to a better sub? Is the HSU VTF-1 a better option even though it is only rated at 200W compared to 650W on the Jamo? Thanks.

 

[elvineet]

I have a question, im more of a newbie them him but how come you dont really ever see klipsch on here? I was always told that klipsch were really good? thanks,

From what I read, Klipsch bought Jamo, and Audiovox bought Klipsch.

 

[elvineet]

I second the HSU setup. Especially since you said the system was for movies. With the horn loaded tweeters, they are also going to be easier to drive.

Excuse my limited knowledge, but could you please explain in layman terms what the "horn loaded tweeters" mean for me? Thanks.