Audio Artistry CBT36

[benbodtke]

This is my first post, I have been lurking for a few days but figured I would ask about these speakers.
First the speakers will be going into a Home Theater which will roughly be 21'L X 15'W with 8' ceilings. Home is being built now so can still be changed a little. I was thinking of adding a set of these speakers with an SVS sub, which I have been reading seems to be the majority winner among their peers. Has anyone heard these speakers in action, do you see any other problems that I may have, ie room size? I am still reading tons and really like the EMP Tech E55Ti's as well. Big difference in speakers I know, but still searching around for the best bang for your buck. Any recommendations would be helpful.

Thanks
Ben

 

[benbodtke]

Nothing.....I wish the philharmonic were more aesthetically pleasing. I just dont think they look the greatest. There has to be someone with someone with experience with the CBT's.

 

[Nuance AH]

What's your price range?

I have no experience with the Audio Artistry CBT36, sorry.

 

[GranteedEV]

Hey. I made a thread for those here:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/78787-got-2-3k-spend.html

First the speakers will be going into a Home Theater which will roughly be 21'L X 15'W with 8' ceilings.

This speakers are absolutely perfect for this room... and most rooms.

Because it is a shaded curved line array, it will be a TRUE floor-to-ceiling line source, unlike most 5 foot tall """line arrays"" which are actually pretty "random vertical dispersion"

Now the measurements Don Keele took of these things are just crazy good. They have virtually textbook perfect off-axis response. On-axis response is nice and flat, although you can really tailor it to any curve you prefer with the electronic crossover.

Power handling is high making them perfect for a high end home theater.

Home is being built now so can still be changed a little.

Any way you can get a third CBT36 behind an acoustically transparent screen as a center channel? That's my only reservation; though not a huge one as I don't think center channels are all that important anyways and could easily go without.

I was thinking of adding a set of these speakers with an SVS sub, which I have been reading seems to be the majority winner among their peers.

It's not a high end HT if you only have one subwoofer.

You should budget two, or preferably FOUR subwoofers, which can reach down to 18hz.

I would get two Rythmik FV15HPs, or four Rythmik FV15s.

I am still reading tons and really like the EMP Tech E55Ti's as well.

I own the e55tis and really like them, but if you can get the CBT36s you're really getting a whole 'nother tier of loudspeaker

 

[benbodtke]

What's your price range?

I have no experience with the Audio Artistry CBT36, sorry.

Price range is still tentative. I am selling off my Saltwater equipment to fund the HT, so probably around 6K plus or minus a grand or so.

 

[benbodtke]

Hey. I made a thread for those here:




This speakers are absolutely perfect for this room... and most rooms.

Because it is a shaded curved line array, it will be a TRUE floor-to-ceiling line source, unlike most 5 foot tall """line arrays"" which are actually pretty "random vertical dispersion"

Now the measurements Don Keele took of these things are just crazy good. They have virtually textbook perfect off-axis response. On-axis response is nice and flat, although you can really tailor it to any curve you prefer with the electronic crossover.

Power handling is high making them perfect for a high end home theater.



Any way you can get a third CBT36 behind an acoustically transparent screen as a center channel? That's my only reservation; though not a huge one as I don't think center channels are all that important anyways and could easily go without.



It's not a high end HT if you only have one subwoofer.

You should budget two, or preferably FOUR subwoofers, which can reach down to 18hz.

I would get two Rythmik FV15HPs, or four Rythmik FV15s.



I own the e55tis and really like them, but if you can get the CBT36s you're really getting a whole 'nother tier of loudspeaker

That thread is what actually made me notice those speakers. I feel in love almost instantly. I called the company after I seen those to make sure I didnt need super human soldering skills to put them together and what crossover he recommened. i also raised the question of the center channel. He said he didnt prefer one but his brother did. They are currently working on one and should be out by October. I will probably wait for that.

I was thinking only the one sub because my wife isnt big on base, but maybe two will be better.

Thank you for the respose. I think the biggest reason for wanting these speakers is the DIY part of it. I love building things.

 

[GranteedEV]

i also raised the question of the center channel. He said he didnt prefer one but his brother did. They are currently working on one and should be out by October. I will probably wait for that.

Don't waste your time with a dissimilar center channel if you can get away with a true matching 3rd speaker. It's truly the way to go especially if you haven't built the room yet.

I was thinking only the one sub because my wife isnt big on base, but maybe two will be better.

Multiple subs isn't about boom boom thump thump. It's about tight, defined bass over a variety of seats, leading to a more visceral experience. Also bass below ~25hz is rather different from what you probably expect out of subwoofers. Deep bass is rather quiet, yet powerful.

 

[benbodtke]

How would the Philharmonic's compare to these?

 

[GranteedEV]

How would the Philharmonic's compare to these?

Probably a more diffuse soundstage, a bit more resolution, less effortless dynamics, and a more typical change in sound as you get further/closer to the speaker.

Both are sweet speakers

You should buy both

Phils for music / movies
CBT36s for movies / music

 

[benbodtke]

I would buy both, but I think the wife would kill me before I actually got to listen to them. So many choices!!!
Good thing reading all this is half the fun...

 

[GranteedEV]

I would buy both, but I think the wife would kill me before I actually got to listen to them. So many choices!!!
Good thing reading all this is half the fun...

Either way, choices like those two (Philharmonic / CBT36) are like, wayyy better than typical speakers you'd be looking at if you didn't come here

 

[benbodtke]

Either way, choices like those two (Philharmonic / CBT36) are like, wayyy better than typical speakers you'd be looking at if you didn't come here

This is very true. I probably would have gone to Best Buy and bought the Klipsch speakers off the shelf, all the while thinking I had good speakers.

 

[benbodtke]

I have been reading and have narrowed some stuff down. I need some opinions to narrow some things down though since there are about 15 million choices.

Speakers
CBT36 or Philharmonic 2/3

Receiver
I was leaning toward the Marantz brand since every other post about Denon is negative lately. Was thinking about the SR6005/7005 or the Yamaha RX-3000

Blu-Ray
Sony BDP-S370 or Panasonic DMP-BDT 220/320

Crossover
DBX Drive Rack PA Plus or DCX 2496

Amp
Crown XLS or Emotiva XPA3/5

Subs
Rythmic FV12X2 or SVS PB12X2

Tell me what I can mark off. Also anyone against refurbished Marantz? Do I need more or less?

 

[benbodtke]

Tough crowd

 

[GranteedEV]

Sorry, I don't know why other people haven't been posting, but I imagine it's because you're looking at a brand new speaker few of us have yet had a chance to hear (but knowing the measurements, they can't possibly be anything but world class).

Speakers
CBT36 or Philharmonic 2/3

Receiver
I was leaning toward the Marantz brand since every other post about Denon is negative lately. Was thinking about the SR6005/7005 or the Yamaha RX-3000

I'm a Marantz fan. Definitely won't go wrong with the SR6006

Crossover
DBX Drive Rack PA Plus or DCX 2496

It's really your call. Both will work fine. Did Audio Artistry recommend the DBX?

Amp
Crown XLS or Emotiva XPA3/5

Go for the crown!

Subs
Rythmic FV12X2 or SVS PB12X2

FV15X4

Also anyone against refurbished Marantz?

If you can save money on a receiver, go for it. The outbound amps should cover the front speakers and the surrounds only need like 25wpc.

Do I need more or less?

SUBS!

 

[benbodtke]

I'm a Marantz fan. Definitely won't go wrong with the SR6006



It's really your call. Both will work fine. Did Audio Artistry recommend the DBX?



Go for the crown!



FV15X4



If you can save money on a receiver, go for it. The outbound amps should cover the front speakers and the surrounds only need like 25wpc.



SUBS!

First time seeing the Marantz 6006, that will be the winner then.
What size crown amp should I get?
Don recommended the DCX2496, but just researched both. Will probably end up getting that just because he said it was great.
And you really love your subs. I will have to get them as I go along. Will probably order the speakers next week. I always make myself wait two weeks once I decide I want something. Only way to cure my splurge spending.

Thanks again for the responses. I had no clue before this forum..

 

[moves]

It's not a high end HT if you only have one subwoofer.

You should budget two, or preferably FOUR subwoofers, which can reach down to 18hz.

I would get two Rythmik FV15HPs, or four Rythmik FV15s.

Would you chose those Rythmik subs over SVS PB13?

 

[GranteedEV]

Would you chose those Rythmik subs over SVS PB13?

If you look at the measurements:

The FV15HP digs a few hz deeper in its vent tuning, has extremely similar output at other frequencies, and happens to cost a few hundred less. THe ultra does have

A) Better DSP (IMO not worth it)
B) Smaller box (but I was corrected in that the box is actually the same size)

Now the FV15 non HP has less total output than the HP but again costs less, which justifies it because four great subs are better than two even greater subs, in my opinion.

 

[GranteedEV]

First time seeing the Marantz 6006, that will be the winner then.

It's up to you. EVery dollar saved on receivers (as long as the preouts are decent) can go to something else. There should be a 5006 somewhere i assume.

What size crown amp should I get?

For the CBT36?

Based on what i"m reading on pages 88 and 91 of the manual, I would feed it its full rated power even if you don't use it. That is

Tweeters should get 150w @ 4 ohms (even the lowly XLS1000 can exceed this off with ease - it's rated at 350W @ 4 ohm ) and mids should get 500w @ 4 ohms (an XLS1500 can pull this off - it's rated at 525W @ 4 ohm though i betcha it wouldn't hurt to step up to an XLS2000 which can do 650W @ 4 Ohms which is just a smidgen more (most likely unused) headroom)

Don recommended the DCX2496, but just researched both. Will probably end up getting that just because he said it was great.

Go for the DCX then. It really is a more proven performer on HT circles, although i'd imagine pro audio circles would be biased towards the DBX.

And you really love your subs. I will have to get them as I go along.

The more subs you get, the flatter your frequency response is. Quantity over Output is actually a good philosphy. However getting accurate bass in the teens requires subs that can dig very deep with meaningful output. Bass is the hardest part to perfect, although luckily i suppose it's the least important. The FV15s are definitely my suggestion though.

 

[benbodtke]

Sounds great, ready to pull the trigger now. Will make sure I take pics of the build process and post them here.