Need help in selecting front L/R and center speakers

[nevermind]

I have just placed the order for Pioneer VSX-1326k (which is futureshop version of Elite VSX-53). I would appreciate if I can get some help in picking the front and center channel speakers to go with this receiver. I already have SVS PB12-NSD Sub and Paradigm ADP190 Surrounds. I am looking for speakers that are more laid back and musical sounding rather than bright or in your face kind of sounding speakers.
I have looked at the following with approx. prices they would cost me here in Canada:
Polk Audio RTIA9 Towers(currently on sale) and CSI A6 Center ~ $1210
B&W 683 Towers(B-Stock)and HTM61 Center ~ $2100
Paradigm Studio 20 Bookshelves and CC490 Center ~ 2400
Aperion verus Grand Tower and Grand Center ~ $2750

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[deedubb]

I would strongly suggest auditioning these. Amazing boxing day deal on them right now at Future Shop. The only problem will be finding a quiet place to audition them as FS will be a zoo. I love Canadian speakers. PSB is another brand to audition.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/deals-deals-deals/77637-energy-rc-70s-%241000-google-page-ranking-%40-future-shop.html#post851534

 

[zieglj01]

am looking for speakers that are more laid back and musical sounding rather than bright or in your face kind of sounding speakers.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Then I would take Polk off your list

Look at PSB Imagine T and Imagine C
Imagine Speakers - PSB Speakers

 

[nevermind]

I would strongly suggest auditioning these. Amazing boxing day deal on them right now at Future Shop. The only problem will be finding a quiet place to audition them as FS will be a zoo. I love Canadian speakers. PSB is another brand to audition.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/deals-deals-deals/77637-energy-rc-70s-%241000-google-page-ranking-%40-future-shop.html#post851534

Thanks, I have auditioned these in the past and I liked them but they do not have matching center with these speakers.

 

[nevermind]

Then I would take Polk off your list

Look at PSB Imagine T and Imagine C
Imagine Speakers - PSB Speakers

Thanks for confirming that, I was thinking of taking them out of the list. PSB's have titanium tweeters. I just sold Paradigm Monitor 7 v.6 because of that issue.
I will also try and audition the Paradigm Monitor 9 v.7 towers. Any thoughts on B&W 683's?

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for confirming that, I was thinking of taking them out of the list.
I will also try and audition the Paradigm Monitor 9 v.7 towers. Any thoughts on B&W 683's?

I am not a fan of Paradigm Monitor or B&W - however, audition them
and see if they may be for you.

 

[deedubb]

Thanks, I have auditioned these in the past and I liked them but they do not have matching center with these speakers.

I think these would match.

RC-LCR Center Speaker - Overview

 

[thaisbeats]

usually you would try to match all the same series/model speakers as all brands are made to be different will deliver good quality however

 

[avnetguy]

Thanks, I have auditioned these in the past and I liked them but they do not have matching center with these speakers.

I use my RC70s with an Athena center channel which is probably close to the Energy CC lineup ... works well in my HT.

Steve

 

[PENG]

I would strongly suggest auditioning these. Amazing boxing day deal on them right now at Future Shop. The only problem will be finding a quiet place to audition them as FS will be a zoo. I love Canadian speakers. PSB is another brand to audition.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/deals-deals-deals/77637-energy-rc-70s-%241000-google-page-ranking-%40-future-shop.html#post851534

+1, but I doubt there are enough to go around, if any. At that price the RC-70 are probably unbeatable. To me they sound better than the Studio 100 that cost almost 3X more. Measurements look pretty decent too.

SoundStage! Measurements - Energy Reference Connoisseur RC-70 Loudspeakers (11/2006)

They are not too hard to drive but will still need a powerful AVR or an external power amp to get the best out of them.

 

[nevermind]

+1, but I doubt there are enough to go around, if any. At that price the RC-70 are probably unbeatable. To me they sound better than the Studio 100 that cost almost 3X more.

Thanks.
How do you guys compare RC70 with Aperion verus Grand Tower. I know the price will be higher but with Aperions I can get the matching center. I want my front speakers timber matched. I tried but cannot find the matching 'energy' center for RC-70. These speakers seem to be discontinued.

 

[zieglj01]

I tried but cannot find the matching 'energy' center for RC-70. These speakers seem to be discontinued.

OverStock.com will ship to Canada
Energy Speaker Systems RC-LCR Center Speaker | Overstock.com

Make sure you audition the towers first.

 

[PENG]

Thanks.
How do you guys compare RC70 with Aperion verus Grand Tower. I know the price will be higher but with Aperions I can get the matching center. I want my front speakers timber matched. I tried but cannot find the matching 'energy' center for RC-70. These speakers seem to be discontinued.

I have not listened to Aperion but am familiar with the RC-70's sound. I know the RC-70 won't sound like a pair of speakers that costs $5,000 but it will sound as good as a pair of other good $2,500 Canadian made speakers as long as you have the power on hand to feed them. If you can find a pair at FS, then you have the option to return them. You may be able to do the same with Aperion but be sure to find out if it will cost you shipping them back.

IMHO timbre matching is not a big concern if you stick to Energy (pre Klipsch days just to be sure) made center speakers. For HT applications you will likely run room EQ such as Audyssey and that should take care of any minor tonal difference to the point it won't likely be audible when you are enjoying a movie or video. For critical music listening, I wouldn't use the center speaker at all, except for occasional multi channel SACD/DVDA listening.

 

[DenPureSound]

I have just placed the order for Pioneer VSX-1326k (which is futureshop version of Elite VSX-53). I would appreciate if I can get some help in picking the front and center channel speakers to go with this receiver. I already have SVS PB12-NSD Sub and Paradigm ADP190 Surrounds. I am looking for speakers that are more laid back and musical sounding rather than bright or in your face kind of sounding speakers.
I have looked at the following with approx. prices they would cost me here in Canada:
Polk Audio RTIA9 Towers(currently on sale) and CSI A6 Center ~ $1210
B&W 683 Towers(B-Stock)and HTM61 Center ~ $2100
Paradigm Studio 20 Bookshelves and CC490 Center ~ 2400
Aperion verus Grand Tower and Grand Center ~ $2750

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

We just tried out the Aperion Verus Grand Towers, and NOT for us, they went back to Aperion -- have no idea how that mfg/model ever made the POY award here at AH. Here is what it has, a very nice enclosure, and excellent mid-range, Nothing else -- cross that one off your listing and do yourself a favor.

If they have Definitive Technology speakers up there, listen to the Mythos ST Super Towers, they sounded pretty darn nice to us, but I think they were around $4K list per Pair for fronts, and our dealer would not deal down on them much.

I will second what PENG offered up, go listen to the Energy lineup, you most likely will like them. Also, if your local dealer has some Klipsch RF-82II's, listen to those as well, you might like the Klipsch Sound Signature, many do and those are right around $1K per Pair.

If you get ahold of Eric Winston at:
Authorized Klipsch Dealer & Polk Audio Dealer. Home Theater Systems, In Wall Speakers, Headphones Call 800-691-6914. he might get you some good prices on Energy/Klipsch/Polk. Just drop him an email, great guy to work with.

 

[PENG]

If you get ahold of Eric Winston at:
Authorized Klipsch Dealer & Polk Audio Dealer. Home Theater Systems, In Wall Speakers, Headphones Call 800-691-6914. he might get you some good prices on Energy/Klipsch/Polk. Just drop him an email, great guy to work with.

I don't know for sure but since he mentioned Future Shop I assume he is in Canada.

 

[nevermind]

I will second what PENG offered up, go listen to the Energy lineup, you most likely will like them. Also, if your local dealer has some Klipsch RF-82II's, listen to those as well, you might like the Klipsch Sound Signature, many do and those are right around $1K per Pair.

If you get ahold of Eric Winston at:
Authorized Klipsch Dealer & Polk Audio Dealer. Home Theater Systems, In Wall Speakers, Headphones Call 800-691-6914. he might get you some good prices on Energy/Klipsch/Polk. Just drop him an email, great guy to work with.

I tried today at 2 Futureshop locations here in Calgary AB and none of them had RC70 hooked up. The only closest speakers they had hooked were the Veritas towers.
I would not go to the klipsch route as they are bit bright sounding for my taste. I just recently had a not so good experience with Paradigm v6 monitors that I just sold. I bought them since they were the best bang for buck. They were very good for Ht but not very musical for my ears. So, I am a bit reluctant to buy my next speakers with metal tweeters.
Thanks for giving me your exeperience with Aperion Grand Towers. I have been reading for over a month now and I always read good things about Aperion Verus Lineup. Were the Aperions that you auditioned broken in adequately? Which receiver/processor were they hooked up to?
Thanks

 

[rahzel]

I am not a fan of Paradigm Monitor or B&W - however, audition them
and see if they may be for you.

Just curious, have you heard the new v7? Smoother mids and highs and still very detailed. Closer to what the Signature line sounds like thanks to the new tweeter that has technology trickled down from their reference line. Some reviews even say that they could easily be mistaken for Studio speakers.

I have a pair of Monitor 7's in my relatively small/average-sized HT room and I'm very happy with them. Considerably better than v6 IMO.

 

[nevermind]

We just tried out the Aperion Verus Grand Towers, and NOT for us, they went back to Aperion -- have no idea how that mfg/model ever made the POY award here at AH. Here is what it has, a very nice enclosure, and excellent mid-range, Nothing else -- cross that one off your listing and do yourself a favor.
QUOTE]
Are these the towers that you were about to post results in this thread?:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/71825-aperion-audio-verus-grand-loudspeaker-system-review-27.html