3rd zone speaker recommendations

[solomr2]

I need some ideas so I can narrow down my search.

I would like to put some relatively small speakers in my family room that will be used as my 3rd zone. The speakers will need to be mounted on the 12 ft. high ceiling, or on the wall very close to the ceiling. These would be used for listening to music at moderate volumes, and primarilly as background music when we're cooking or entertaining. My current setup is in my sig tag.

The speakers have to look decent; either in white or some nice natural light colored wood (wife calling the shots). They should be moderately sized; about the size of bookshelf speakers. Mounting brackets are highly preferred, and in-wall or in-ceiling mounting is not an option. I'm keeping budget flexible, but would prefer not to spend more than about $400-500.

Sheilding and weather proofing is not necessary. These will only be used indoors, and will not be placed anywhere near a TV or anything that would be affected by the magnetic field.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01_colors_white.cfm

 

[solomr2]

The SVS seem to fit the bill, so how about some subjective input on the sound quality?

 

[mazersteven]

The SVS seem to fit the bill, so how about some subjective input on the sound quality?

The SVS speakers are excellent Home Theater speakers. For music they do a good job, but are nothing I would want for a 2-channel rig. But for non-critical listening they are a fine choice. From what your description said of what you needed. I think these would be perfect for your needs.

 

[solomr2]

The SVS speakers are excellent Home Theater speakers. For music they do a good job, but are nothing I would want for a 2-channel rig. But for non-critical listening they are a fine choice. From what your description said of what you needed. I think these would be perfect for your needs.

Thanks, but I'm a little confused by your description since my Zone-3 is a two-channel, music listening environment. Can you elaborate further on what you meant?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Steven just means if they were your main speakers and you listen for perfect reproduction of music in a perfect listening room, he wouldnt pick these. Since these are zone 3 and will be placed close to the ceiling, they are not intended to be used for critical listening and will work great for what you need them for.

 

[mazersteven]

Steven just means if they were your main speakers and you listen for perfect reproduction of music in a perfect listening room, he wouldnt pick these. Since these are zone 3 and will be placed close to the ceiling, they are not intended to be used for critical listening and will work great for what you need them for.

Thank You Greg. Exactly right.

Solo,

You stated, "These would be used for listening to music at moderate volumes, and primarily as background music when we're cooking or entertaining."

I chose to recommend these because of your statement. IMO they would be perfect for what you need. If they weren't, I wouldn't have recommended them.

 

[solomr2]

Thank You Greg. Exactly right.

Solo,

You stated, "These would be used for listening to music at moderate volumes, and primarily as background music when we're cooking or entertaining."

I chose to recommend these because of your statement. IMO they would be perfect for what you need. If they weren't, I wouldn't have recommended them.

Thanks Steven. Just the one comment you made about not being for a 2-channel rig threw me off, so I just wanted to clarify.

I'm still wondering what sort of sound quality to expect from these. Are they warm, bright, full sound, etc.?

Thanks again.

 

[mazersteven]

I'm still wondering what sort of sound quality to expect from these. Are they warm, bright, full sound, etc.?

IMO

I would say these speakers are neutral with the tweeter being slightly forward, but not harsh, or overly bright.

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/svs_sbs01.htm

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_4/svs-sbs-01-speaker-system-11-2005-part-1.html

 

[3db]

I need some ideas so I can narrow down my search.

I would like to put some relatively small speakers in my family room that will be used as my 3rd zone. The speakers will need to be mounted on the 12 ft. high ceiling, or on the wall very close to the ceiling. These would be used for listening to music at moderate volumes, and primarilly as background music when we're cooking or entertaining. My current setup is in my sig tag.

The speakers have to look decent; either in white or some nice natural light colored wood (wife calling the shots). They should be moderately sized; about the size of bookshelf speakers. Mounting brackets are highly preferred, and in-wall or in-ceiling mounting is not an option. I'm keeping budget flexible, but would prefer not to spend more than about $400-500.

Sheilding and weather proofing is not necessary. These will only be used indoors, and will not be placed anywhere near a TV or anything that would be affected by the magnetic field.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B15-Monitor

These might fit your bill as well. I have teh previous model of these and I used them for my main speakers for awhile in my HT. Good musical speaker, with life like mids, smooth but accurate treble and even some tight bass for their size.

 

[solomr2]

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B15-Monitor

These might fit your bill as well. I have teh previous model of these and I used them for my main speakers for awhile in my HT. Good musical speaker, with life like mids, smooth but accurate treble and even some tight bass for their size.

Thanks, this would fit the bill also. Does PSB provide a wall mounting bracket for these?

 

[3db]

Thanks, this would fit the bill also. Does PSB provide a wall mounting bracket for these?

I don't think so. I have found these at Best Buy and they really do the trick. This bracket also allows you to tilt and turn the speakers to your liking.

http://www.btech-usa.com/bt77.html

 

[mazersteven]

Does PSB provide a wall mounting bracket for these?

SVS does.

Or just use the key-hole in the back.

http://www.svsound.com/products-parts-bracket.cfm

 

[3db]

But unlike SVS, the PSBs can be used as mains for 2 channel music without sound forward or bright

 

[mazersteven]

But unlike SVS, the PSBs can be used as mains for 2 channel music without sound forward or bright

I thought they where slightly forward. The reviews state then sound neutral, laid back. The reviews where impressed with the quality of sound these speakers produced. It was my personal opinion that stated "I" wouldn't use them for a 2 channel rig. That is just "My Opinion".

 

[Guangui]

You need to audition the B25, or any speaker you want to buy. Mazer finds them too forward, I find the pleasantly detailed with excellent mids, and 3db goes to bed with them; so, as you can see there are three different opinions on these speakers. So, you need to audition and see for yourself.

If you need brackets for them, I recommend B-Tech's B77.

 

[mazersteven]

You need to audition the B25, or any speaker you want to buy. Mazer finds them too forward, I find the pleasantly detailed with excellent mids, and 3db goes to bed with them; so, as you can see there are three different opinions on these speakers. So, you need to audition and see for yourself.

And the main reason is because of

1) our hearing

2) the room

 

[eljr]

I need some ideas so I can narrow down my search.

I would like to put some relatively small speakers in my family room that will be used as my 3rd zone. The speakers will need to be mounted on the 12 ft. high ceiling, or on the wall very close to the ceiling. These would be used for listening to music at moderate volumes, and primarilly as background music when we're cooking or entertaining. My current setup is in my sig tag.

The speakers have to look decent; either in white or some nice natural light colored wood (wife calling the shots). They should be moderately sized; about the size of bookshelf speakers. Mounting brackets are highly preferred, and in-wall or in-ceiling mounting is not an option. I'm keeping budget flexible, but would prefer not to spend more than about $400-500.

Sheilding and weather proofing is not necessary. These will only be used indoors, and will not be placed anywhere near a TV or anything that would be affected by the magnetic field.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Alpha-Series/Alpha-B1-Monitor

 

[solomr2]

Thanks for the inputs, please keep it coming.

The PSBs are really nice, I remember hearing them a couple of years ago, but I haven't seen any around here. I checked their dealer locator and they're scarce down here.

For the intended use for these speakers, I would like to be able to listen to them first, but its not an absolute requirement. If these were my main speakers, I wouldn't think of buying without a good deal of critical auditioning, but for speakers in this range I can be flexible.

 

[mazersteven]

Purchase already. This thread is 5 days old.