Speaker Choices

[Marchesa]

Hi everyone-

Thanks for having a great forum! I have read through several posts and have gathered some good information for my new AV setup.

I am building a new setup for my 18x14 (11' ceiling) room (that opens to an adjoining room as well). I want to put together a nice midrange system for listening to music and watching movies (50/50).

I have started with an Onkyo TX-NR818. I know this might be too much receiver for me, but I really liked the feature set. I picked it up for $900.

I am fairly decided on my subwoofer - the HSU VTF-3 MK4.

The next thing I want to add is a 3 speaker front setup, and this is where I am having trouble.
The speakers are going to be placed on a built in entertainment center shelf that is 39" from the ground. The left and right speakers will be about 6 or 7 feet apart. The max height that I would like on these is 24".
I am really interested in the HSU HB-1 MK2 and HC-1 MK2, but I wanted to see if there might be better options for me out there. The top of my budget would be around $1000 for the three speakers. The HSU 3.0 package is around $550 shipped. Are there better options in this price range?

My fear with the HSU is finding matching surrounds. I have read that other speakers do not sound so great with the HSU's.
I need to get something a little smaller than the HSUs for surround speakers, and am worried that I won't be able to find something to fit the system well.
For the surrounds, I would really like something in a smaller form factor - around a 10" form factor.

Thanks for any and all advice!
-Chett

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hi everyone-

Thanks for having a great forum! I have read through several posts and have gathered some good information for my new AV setup.

I am building a new setup for my 18x14 (11' ceiling) room (that opens to an adjoining room as well). I want to put together a nice midrange system for listening to music and watching movies (50/50).

I have started with an Onkyo TX-NR818. I know this might be too much receiver for me, but I really liked the feature set. I picked it up for $900.

I am fairly decided on my subwoofer - the HSU VTF-3 MK4.

The next thing I want to add is a 3 speaker front setup, and this is where I am having trouble.
The speakers are going to be placed on a built in entertainment center shelf that is 39" from the ground. The left and right speakers will be about 6 or 7 feet apart. The max height that I would like on these is 24".
I am really interested in the HSU HB-1 MK2 and HC-1 MK2, but I wanted to see if there might be better options for me out there. The top of my budget would be around $1000 for the three speakers. The HSU 3.0 package is around $550 shipped. Are there better options in this price range?

My fear with the HSU is finding matching surrounds. I have read that other speakers do not sound so great with the HSU's.
I need to get something a little smaller than the HSUs for surround speakers, and am worried that I won't be able to find something to fit the system well.
For the surrounds, I would really like something in a smaller form factor - around a 10" form factor.

Thanks for any and all advice!
-Chett

I would get 3 NHT Absolute Zero.

The Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

NHT Absolute Zero Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Home Theater

 

[sholling]

The thing to keep in mind that is that the term "bookshelf" speakers doesn't mean that they were designed to be placed on bookshelves. It can be done but there are some significant downsides. The first issue is that most bookshelf sized speakers have rear firing bass ports and getting that too close (<18-24") to a back wall can cause issues. That leaves you looking for sealed or front ported speakers or speakers designed to allow the use of a port plug. With that explanation out of the way I've listened to the Hsu speakers and while not really my cup of tea they aren't bad at all for the money - especially for home theater. I'm just not sure if the rear ported Hsu will play well with a port plug.

Bottom line I'd check with Hsu about placement or better yet find a way to move the speakers out into the room a bit which will open up your options to better speakers.

 

[markw]

Even with a subwoofer, tiny speakers are fine for tiny rooms but, for a room the size of yours, I would be looking for larger speakers. There's a lot of the audio range that a sub doesn't cover and for that, small speakers really aren't up to the task of moving that much air without breathing hard.

With their 6 1/2 drivers, the Hsus might suffice but personally, I would be looking at towers for the mains, with their matching center. Are you open to that suggestion or do you insist on stand mounts?

 

[lsiberian]

Shelf mounting speakers and getting good sound can be tough. Your best bet is to place them on an actual bookshelf(put books next to them) This is in no way ideal, but done right it can actually be decent. You may need to trial and error different speakers, but make sure you keep speakers vertical and make sure you have the tweeter aimed at your ears.

The reason for the books is it prevents uneven sound from the surrounding surfaces.

 

[Marchesa]

With their 6 1/2 drivers, the Hsus might suffice but personally, I would be looking at towers for the mains, with their matching center. Are you open to that suggestion or do you insist on stand mounts?

Towers would be ok if there are speakers that are under 30" that are still considered towers : )
I don't think I can talk the wife into letting me put speakers that are TOO big next to the TV. The problem is with the built-in entertainment center. The speakers start at 39" off the ground...

I have emailed Dr. Hsu for some advice on placement. I found one forum post where he said that the HB-1's need only about 1" in the rear for clearance.

Any thoughts on the SVS SCS-02? They are sealed...

Or how about the CMT-340 Mini Tower from Ascend?

I like the size of these... They aren't sealed though.

Paradigm Studio 20... those are front ported.

Emotiva XRC-6.2 XRC-6.2 X-Ref Center/LCR | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock a[/url]
Nice size and front ported...


Any opinions on these?

 

[sholling]

Towers would be ok if there are speakers that are under 30" that are still considered towers : )
I don't think I can talk the wife into letting me put speakers that are TOO big next to the TV. The problem is with the built-in entertainment center. The speakers start at 39" off the ground...

I have emailed Dr. Hsu for some advice on placement. I found one forum post where he said that the HB-1's need only about 1" in the rear for clearance.

Any thoughts on the SVS SCS-02? They are sealed...

Or how about the CMT-340 Mini Tower from Ascend?

I like the size of these... They aren't sealed though.

Paradigm Studio 20... those are front ported.

Emotiva XRC-6.2 XRC-6.2 X-Ref Center/LCR | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock a[/url]
Nice size and front ported...


Any opinions on these?

You really want the tweeters of the left and right fronts as close to ear level as possible.

I really like the Ascend CMT-340SEs but they are rear ported. I'd call Dave over there and see if he has any suggestions.

 

[zieglj01]

Look at KEF iQ30 >
You can buy 2 pair, and use one speaker as a center channel.
KEF Specials from KEF Direct.

 

[Marchesa]

Look at KEF iQ30 >
You can buy 2 pair, and use one speaker as a center channel.

Sorry.. what do I do with the other speaker? If I have four - I use one as left, one as right, one as center...

 

[ahblaza]

Sorry.. what do I do with the other speaker? If I have four - I use one as left, one as right, one as center...

If you go with the Ascend 340's they are 21" tall + your stand is 39" placing the speaker at five feet high or 60" tweeters would be at about 50" optimal tweeter height for the 340 is about 35". you could go with five of these and they are a sealed design for $658 + shipping with package discount.

HTM-200 SE Home Theater Monitor
or these, they are rear ported but if you cross them over at 80Hz you don't need more than about 6" clearance behind them. A few hundred $ more but worth it.

CBM-170 SE High Performance Bookshelf Loudspeaker
Hope this helps, you have a decent size room to fill.

 

[zieglj01]

Sorry.. what do I do with the other speaker? If I have four - I use one as left, one as right, one as center...

Keep it as a spare, 3 identical speakers across the front gives you
solid front stage sound. The regular center channel costs the same
as a pair of the iQ30.

This is the center - your option and choice
http://www.kefdirect.com/iq60c-center-channel.html

However, $50 cheaper here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882156010

 

[Marchesa]

I ended up making my (first) order last night... I have two Ascend CBM-170 SE's and one CMT-340 SE center on the way. I also picked up the VTF-3 MK4 form Hsu.

I am thinking about auditioning the Hsu speakers as well...

 

[ahblaza]

I ended up making my (first) order last night... I have two Ascend CBM-170 SE's and one CMT-340 SE center on the way. I also picked up the VTF-3 MK4 form Hsu.

I am thinking about auditioning the Hsu speakers as well...

Good choices with your front stage and real nice sub, I think you mentioned that you need small wall mounted surrounds the Ascend 200 being sealed should fill the bill and give you an all Ascends setup with a seamless coherent sound.
Jeff