Aperion Intimus 4T versus 5T ??

[gpzbc]

I have been searching for some towers and I am leaning toward the Aperion Intimus line. I'm having a hard time deciding between the 4T and the 5T. And I'm wondering if anyone can chime in.

I have a Denon 1909 90-watt receiver that will be powering them. I have it in a medium sized room with hard-wood floors and high ceiling. Most of my listening is music but I also do some cinema. I do enjoy the capability to crank the volume periodically when I am feeling a song, but I'm not providing entertainment for a continual house party or anything like that.

I'm leaning toward the 4T because it is a bit more budget friendly and also because people seem really pleased with them. But I don't want to skimp on my speakers and regret it in a few years. That is why I am considering the 5T.

Can anyone offer any experience or thoughts?
Thanks so much!

 

[shadyJ]

On paper, the 4T has very poor extension. If you wanted the full range of sound, you would have to get a subwoofer that can play to that high of a cross-over. If bass is not a concern of yours, than the 4T is probably not a bad speaker.

 

[just listening]

I had the chance to hear both the 4T & 5T at Aperion headquarters last spring. If you don't want a sub go with the 5T, as it's bass is passable. But, if you desire a true bottom end, go with the 4T and a Bravus sub. They are so sleek and small they really do disappear in the room.

 

[gpzbc]

Thank you "Shady J" and "Just Listening". So if I am understanding you both correctly, the only significant difference between the 4T and the 5T is the range at the bottom end?

I have a Definitve Technology ProSub 1000. It probably isn't quite as good as the Bravus sub, but I'm quite pleased with it. If the low end range is all that is missing from the 4T, then I imagine that would be the way to go since I already have a subwoofer in place.

I'm suspicious about the sensitivity of the 4T. It seems like my Denon 1909 90-watt could push the 5T much more efficiently than the 4T. I wonder how significant the volume difference would be between the two with my Denon pushing them?

 

[gpzbc]

I was just comparing specs of a few speakers and I realized that the EMP E5Ti Tower Speakers that are getting a lot of press coverage right now have remarkably similar specs to the Aperion Intimus 5T speakers.

Does anyone agree that they are very similar? Better yet, I wonder if they sound similar? With the crazy introductory price of the EMPs I may be tempted to go that route if I am getting a similar quality of speaker.

 

[shadyJ]

The differences between the 4T and the 5T do not end at extension. I would wager that the 5T can get louder with less distortion and have a greater dynamic response. If you do get the 4T, you will need to crossover your sub at 120 hertz, which is pretty high, and now you have a issue with subwoofer localization. If you can deal with towers, I think the EMP might be a better value, to be honest.

 

[gpzbc]

Thank you for your honest opinion and expertise.

Aperion seems like an awesome company with great products, but I seem to keep coming back to the EMPs. They just seem like a great value at that introductory price. I am still waiting on a good hands-on review of them.

Thanks again.

 

[shadyJ]

I wouldn't wait too long, because who know how long this introductory price is going to last? Even if you miss it though, there are plenty of good speakers to choose from, so it's not exactly the missed opportunity of a lifetime. For instance, I wonder how they compare to these, and those EDs have free shipping, so they are very close in price.