Apples and Oranges: Cheaper "budget" bookshelves vs. more expensive Floor Standing

[Matt in LA]

Hi folks,

New here. I've been reading stuff here and elsewhere for days. Lots of good info. I understand that at the end of the day, it's subjective, but I wondered specifically at my price point if there was any technical or theoretical reasons that would suggest that the book shelf speakers just can't deliver as well as the towers. (I just realized how different the price points of these two systems are, but my understanding is that the HSU equipment is EXCELLENT bang for the buck.)

So, here is the specific comparison (will be a 5.1 configuration):

System A:
Mains: Paradim Monior 7s
Center: CC190 or CC290 (not sure which one yet, might splurge for the 290)
Rears: ADP190 or maybe just the Atoms
Sub: DSP-3100
Approx. price: $2200

System B:
HSU Research Enthusiast 1 Package:
Mains and rear surrounds: (4) HB-1 MK2s
Center: HC-1 Center
Sub: VTF-1 (might upgrade to VTF-2 MK3)
Approx. price: $1149-$1249 in black ($1400-1500 in wood veneers)

I guess this is almost a rhetorical question, since I am auditioning the HSU system tomorrow, I just was hoping for some input before going in case I get the urge to bite the bullet while on location at HSU. Over the phone, Pete Hsu was politely suggesting that unless you spend A LOT more money on towers, that his speaker set up will not only deliver awesome bass, but also handle all the upper-bass and midrange sounds as good as the "somewhat"-similarly-priced towers. You know how sometimes you get so excited in the moment, that you might make an impulse purchase, only to realize or learn later that had you spent a little bit more, you would really be much happier with your purchase. Or, you get home only to realize that you didn't notice at the store that the imaging was weak on another kind of movie or musical style, for example.

So, any polite thoughts will be well appreciated. And if you have any other speakers you think I should listen to (in driving distance from Los Angeles, please - as good as some of these mail-order companies are, I really would rather listen to them in person.) I think I'm pretty max'd out at the $2200 price point including sub.

Oh, here's some info. on my particular situation:
- Room is a living room/dining area in the rear. 16x19x8 in living room. The smaller dining room goes an additional 13 feet in length x 7.5 feet.

- Usage will be 40% Music, 40% Movies, 20% Gaming.

- Love most music styles, but especially jazz and electronica of various types.

- I consider my ears pretty particular as I have a musical background. (I'm always noticing subtle background percussion, bass lines, etc.)

In summary, I guess the most succinct question is: Will I notice a substantial difference in sound quality for the extra $1000 or so for the towers? Or has Dr. Hsu created a system so good, that it will make the extra $1000 seem like a waste of money? (Again, practically rhetorical question, but thanks for the constructive input.)

Happy listening,
Matthew

p.s. - I've also consider using Paradigms for front and center, and using HSU for sub and surrounds. Is that weird?

 

[3db]

My advice to you is to audition as many producst as possible. An informed decision based on your listening preferences is better than recommendations made by others.

Listen to as many products as you can....

What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then amovie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do wellwith HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

 

[Davemcc]

If you can pick up the Hsu sub in person, I would do that for sure regardless of which other speakers you get. They are very good and at least you save on shipping costs.

When it comes to speakers, there are a couple schools of thought how to pick the best speaker. You can choose a speaker that is objectively neutral and use real time EQ to tailor the sound to your taste. The easiest way to do this is to search for posts by a user named WmAx and see what recommendations he has made in your price range.

Or you can audition a number of speakers and choose the set that you prefer most, as suggested by 3db above. For me, I prefer to keep things simple and choose speakers that I like. It's more of a plug and play solution that is just plain easier to set up and manage.

 

[fredk]

In a way, you are asking three questions:
1. can I get as good a sound out of bookselves as floorstanders?

The answer there is absolutely. Put those Monitor 7s up against a pair of Studio 40s. No contest. The 40s will sound way better. They also cost more.

2. Can an Internet Direct brand like HSU offer better value than a store brand like Paradigm.

Again the answer is yes (though it is not a given that ID always offers better value). It is a matter of cost structure. ID brands cut out a middle man and all the costs involved.

3. Does the HSU system sound better than the Monitor 7 system?

No idea. You would need to do some sort of comparison. If you are down to these two systems, try to arrange to audition them in your home, keep the winner, send the looser back.