Ascend HTM-200 SE vs Behringer Truth B2030P. FIGHT!

[klaberte]

I am looking for a pair of smaller bookshelf speakers that will be placed close to the wall (so no rear porting). These will go on either side of a wall mounted TV in a family room.

Here are two strong contenders.

Ascend HTM-200 SE
Behringer Truth B2030P

I have not heard either, but am leaning towards the Ascends, due to reputation and smaller size (yet able to reach my 80 Hz crossover to my sub, which I will also have). I know the Behringer's were designed for near-field monitoring, but have read good reviews about them in this more general application (especially with some minor mods).

I know I can order the Ascends and try them at home. I could probably do the same with the Behringers, if I can find a shop with a no-hassle return policy.

Still, I'd like to hear what this community thinks about this match up.

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

The first question is: what are your main speakers? You should be using something that blends with those, ideally the same family of speaker.

I think both will be pushing it with an 80Hz x-over. "Meets" your x-over is not a complete picture. A speaker needs to cover a fair amount below that x-over point. Meaning a bookshelf realistically needs to cover to roughly 50-60Hz when using an 80Hz x-over, since there will be some sound all the way down to about 40Hz. A friend had his CBM170SEs mounted on brackets on the wall and plugged the ports and they worked just fine like that. You lose some extension and sensitivity that way, but they still sounded very good.

If you care about appearance, the Behringers don't come with grilles, so how you see them in the pictures, is exactly how they are.

 

[klaberte]

These two speakers will be the mains. I haven't chosen a subwoofer yet, but will likely get a sealed SVS. So, this will be a 2.1 system. No need to consider blending with other speakers in the room.

I note that, according to Ascend, they were specifically designed to be cross-overed at 80 Hz.

 

[ahblaza]

I am looking for a pair of smaller bookshelf speakers that will be placed close to the wall (so no rear porting). These will go on either side of a wall mounted TV in a family room.

Here are two strong contenders.

Ascend HTM-200 SE
Behringer Truth B2030P

I have not heard either, but am leaning towards the Ascends, due to reputation and smaller size (yet able to reach my 80 Hz crossover to my sub, which I will also have). I know the Behringer's were designed for near-field monitoring, but have read good reviews about them in this more general application (especially with some minor mods).

I know I can order the Ascends and try them at home. I could probably do the same with the Behringers, if I can find a shop with a no-hassle return policy.

Still, I'd like to hear what this community thinks about this match up.

Thanks!

KLA, the 200's would be my choice if I was deciding on the two models you are considering, they have mounting holes pre-drilled that can be used with Ascend omnimount 20 brackets which will place the speakers 3" from wall. They can be crossed at 80 Hz. but there is a lot of info below that 80 Hz that the speakers will be called upon to deliver, you may want to consider the 170's which are I believe $50 more but can handle the lower frequencies required.They are a bit more $ than the 2030's but well worth it, I can attest to the Ascends quality and sound and very liberal return policy. I don't think you will be dissappointed, they are rear ported but 3" clearance from wall and crossed at 80 Hz will work fine, you can also plug the ports without much compromize and they are also pre-drilled for easy mounting, I have the 170's and they are amazing speakers for the $ and play much bigger than they should, Hope this helps.
Cheers Jeff

 

[j_garcia]

Sorry, I thought when you said wall mounted, they were going to be surrounds. Yes, I'd step to the 170SE also. Very nice speakers.

If you look in the deals section here, I'd also HIGHLY recommend the NHT Classic Two, which are on sale now. The Two will be comparable to the 170SEs, are sealed, have built in mounting points and are on sale right now.

http://www.nhthifi.com/Two-Black?sc=12&category=3772

Even on sale, they are a bit more than the 170SEs, but also meet more of your requirements. If you want smaller, the Absolute Zeros are available at a decent price and there are also a pair of them on sale here in the classifieds for a good price.

 

[klaberte]

I should have mentioned that I already have a pair of the older version of the NHT superones, and my brother-in-law has a pair of superzeros. Those will also be compared to whatever I audition.

For reasons of WAF, I need to have these sit on a fireplace hearth which is 9" deep. Please don't debate me on this here. I have discussed this in another thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/79720-domesticating-former-bachelor-audiophile.html

The bottom line being, I need to consider only speakers with a *front* no further than 9" from the wall. This means either a sealed or front-ported 9" speaker, or a rear-ported speaker that will work with very little breathing room.

 

[afterlife2]

That's a great deal on the NHT Classic Two, on amazon they are selling one speaker for the same price of the sale. I wonder If they have a 30 day trial? Do you own them JG? If so how do they compare to the Zeros/Superones? I've been wanting to hear NHT speakers for a while now...

 

[klaberte]

[I thought I posted a reply, but don't see it. I'll repost now, and delete if this is a double post]

I actually have a pair of NHT superones, and my brother-in-law can lend me his pair of superzeros. Those will be auditioned along side the Ascends or others recommended here.

These have to sit on a 9" deep mantel. I know, not ideal. You can pile on in telling me how stupid I am in my other thread

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/79720-domesticating-former-bachelor-audiophile.html

So, while I'd love to have the 170 SE, they are too deep, AND rear ported. So a no go.

 

[j_garcia]

I think that pricing is still each. Order on Amazon and still comes from NHT as far as I know, which is why the same price

I don't own them, but have heard them many times. I was prepared to go with NHTs until I heard the speakers I have now. Both the local stores that carried them are gone now though. Fortunatey, NHT itself also about 30 min away for me.

 

[zieglj01]

I've been wanting to hear NHT speakers for a while now...

The Classic Two is good, and good for music and movies. The speaker
is neither polite or aggressive sounding.They have good bass, with a
nice balanced midrange and treble. The bass is not boomy, or mushy
sounding - they do have a clean, detailed sound > with good imaging
and a nice soundstage.

 

[afterlife2]

Damn I thought It said a pair. It I had the money I'd get them. Maybe If I get a decent pair of Superones for $100.00 I'd get those in a second.

 

[zieglj01]

Damn I thought It said a pair. It I had the money I'd get them. Maybe If I get a decent pair of Superones for $100.00 I'd get those in a second.

Not $100 - however, SuperOne is here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NHT-SUPERONE-SPEAKERS-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-super-one-audiophile-bookshelf-/130695565089?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item1e6e100f21

 

[jonnythan]

The Classic Two and SuperOne are pretty big speakers and would be difficult to wall-mount.

Of the two in the OP I'd be inclined to go for the HTM-200.

 

[afterlife2]

Thanks Z but the lowest I've seen them go for is $130-140.00 on ebay. I'm guessing they sound the same as the classics, except for the bass. Beautiful cabinets on those Superones darnit.

 

[jonnythan]

I picked up a pair of SuperOnes a month or so ago for $100 shipped, which was knocked down to about $50 after they showed up with some superficial damage.

Keep looking and you'll find a good deal.

 

[afterlife2]

Lol J that's awesome. What was it a small scratch? Of the NHT you have which one has the clearest details?

 

[jonnythan]

A couple of grill posts were sheared off, but they stick on just fine with a tiny bit of Blu-tac. Can't even tell unless you actually take the grill off. A couple of corners were also very slightly damaged, but not too badly. The packaging was pretty poor considering I spent like $50 on shipping.

I have a pair of SuperZero 2.0s, a pair of original SuperZeroes, and a pair of SuperOnes. They are all so similar in clarity and detail as to be pretty indistinguishable. Listening to music I can't really tell them apart. For HT duties though the SuperZeroes have a little bit of a tightness to them, especially in dynamic passages, that makes them feel a little constrained. This is absent on the SuperOnes. The SuperOnes are open and don't sound like they're trying as hard for movie mixes. I'm not sure if a better amplifier would change that, but that's what I've noticed.

They are astonishingly good music speakers. I listened to a bunch of NHT speakers almost two decades ago in a HiFi shop, so I sorta knew what to expect. I knew they'd be awesome with vocal music, singer-songwriter stuff, etc... what has shocked me in the home though is how damn good they are at rock and metal. Some of my old Iron Maiden and Metallica CDs (pre-loudness wars pressings) are just so freaking good.

They (the SuperOnes) are way, way too large to directly wall mount.

If I were looking for HT-only speakers on a similar budget right now I'd be looking at SVS, Ascend, and Infinity.

 

[afterlife2]

J you got me salivating here. I'm thinking I'd get the Super for music only and use my new Klipsch VB-15(Pretty good after getting the right placement I'm shocked by them.) for movies.

 

[jonnythan]

I should note that I do run them with a high quality sealed sub, and they need it. Even the SuperOnes.

 

[j_garcia]

J you got me salivating here. I'm thinking I'd get the Super for music only and use my new Klipsch VB-15(Pretty good after getting the right placement I'm shocked by them.) for movies.

These are a steal

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/classifieds-sell-your-gear/79776-fs-nht-absolute-zeros-pair-black.html