Audioholics - Please help plan our next round of upgrades.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'll reach out to him. Any Philharmonic owners that want to share why they would be great for me please don't hold back.

What other speakers or changes should I look into?

Reasons to buy Philharmonic speakers:

1) They sound amazing - as good as some speakers costing $20,000, & better than some that cost $20K+

2) They have amazingly flat on-axis and off-axis frequency response

3) They should cost TWICE as much

 

[psbfan9]

3) They should cost TWICE as much

SSHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Man, you're killing me!! I'm still saving up for a pair. After I buy mine, then, you can say that!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

SSHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Man, you're killing me!! I'm still saving up for a pair. After I buy mine, then, you can say that!

Oops, sorry.

I mean, they should cost twice as much ONLY AFTER all members have bought a pair.

 

[somesnapper]

Regarding Phil's the center performance is important (movies) and also how they would play in my room.

Looking at the Ascend setup - I dont have much info on the newly released Ascend Center (to go with the Towers).

 

[GranteedEV]

Regarding Phil's the center performance is important (movies)

Have you ever tried phantom center with a pair of good speakers?

You might be surprised that the center performance ain't all that important.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Regarding Phil's the center performance is important (movies) and also how they would play in my room.

19.5"W x 12"D x 9.5"H Philharmonic Center should be among the best center out there.

 

[somesnapper]

Have you ever tried phantom center with a pair of good speakers?

You might be surprised that the center performance ain't all that important.

The center looks sweet. I'm running a Phantom center now because one of the woofers on my current center went (Warranties are good!).

I'm trying to think of the potential downsides to a phantom center. I have to sit in the middle of the sofa for proper imaging. Perhaps the Phil's offaxis performance will help with that?

Also without a true center I lose the ability to raise just the center chan up a tad.

Herm....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just get the Philharmonic towers & center.

 

[fuzz092888]

+1

No way you will regret that purchase

 

[somesnapper]

Ive sent an email to Dennis regarding the Philharmonic-1 and it's center.

I'm trying to think of the potential downsides to a phantom center. I have to sit in the middle of the sofa for proper imaging. Perhaps the Phil's offaxis performance will help with that?

As a test, I just unplugged my current center and it really processes nearly all of the sound. I think my decision is going to rely heavily on the performance the center channel rather than the towers. I think its just as important right now. Am I wrong? What specs determine if a towers would be sufficient in a phantom center setup?

That said - Salk Center and Ascend Acoustic Horizon Center (plus their towers) are still high on my list.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hello Audioholics,

I’d like to upgrade my home theater! The first time around I did not research many brands and may have limited my options. It’s been a few years since I’ve upgraded my speakers so I’d like to “do it right” this time.

Current Equipment:
Aperion Audio 6T and 5C front stage. 4B Heights and Rears. No sub.
Denon 2312ci, WDTV/PS3 as Media Source.

Room:
12x20, but biased to one side with high ceilings (See screenshot below)


Apartment Woes:
...
Upgrade Plan:
...

..

I would highly recommend a stand alone house, not another apartment on the ground floor. The sub will be an issue there as well, especially if you like reference levels. And, preferably a house with lots of space between you and the neighbors. And a house with accommodating room for your setup.

 

[somesnapper]

Yes, that's high on my list too!

 

[somesnapper]

Besides Philharmonics?

What would be a great front stage (LCR) for less than $3000

Ascends Horizon Center and Towers are on my list and I will demo it next week.
What other brands should I look at?

Salk Center looks too small and probably wouldn't be much of a upgrade over what I have now.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Besides Philharmonics?

What would be a great front stage (LCR) for less than $3000

Ascends Horizon Center and Towers are on my list and I will demo it next week.
What other brands should I look at?

Salk Center looks too small and probably wouldn't be much of a upgrade over what I have now.

Key thing is comparing the Phil/Salk/Ascend to your Aperion.

If it is a clear improvement to you, I think any of these 3 will be good.

If it is not a clear improvement, then you are already good and don't need to spend another dime.

NHT also gives you free 30-day trial free shipping both ways. Amazon direct does too. Amazon sells NHT & KEF. Might try the KEF Q900 & Q200C.

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q200cBL-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B0047K002M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333120101&sr=8-1

Won't be same quality standard as the Philharmonic speakers, though.

 

[somesnapper]

Thanks guys. I've decided against Philharmonics (no offence).

Thanks for the suggestion on KEF and Amazon. I'm looking at the KEFQ900 and 600 center and both speakers look very capable. I'm not sure how they fare in performance compared to my current Aperions. I'm looking for reviews and feedback on those now.

 

[somesnapper]

My Aperion 6T’s can play down to 32hz and I don’t get any complaints watching movies at 93dB (with spikes to 103dB).

Based on the fact that I have old floors and neighbors…I really can’t play much to “Deeper” in terms of bass. My floors resonate into the neighbor’s home at sub 30hz right now. However in November I plan on moving.

I’m looking for a really large front stage/center (without harsh tweets)…my options are:

1) Bookshelf’s+ big center speaker+ and a sub with bass extension filters
2) towers (that play as deep as 30hz)+big center+NO sub sub woofer

Both options would cost around the same (2-3k). Herm… Options. Thoughts?
I’m also treating my room this weekend . Hopefully it improves “clarity at lower volumes”

 

[benbodtke]

I’m looking for a really large front stage/center (without harsh tweets)…my options are:

1) Bookshelf’s+ big center speaker+ and a sub with bass extension filters
2) towers (that play as deep as 30hz)+big center+NO sub sub woofer

The towers sure do look a lot better. You can get some really nice ones in the 2-3K range.

 

[somesnapper]

I would only have 2k for towers here...

 

[benbodtke]

I would only have 2k for towers here...

CBT36 Line Array Speaker Kit Pair 301-980

 

[fuzz092888]

The CBT is a great kit, but depending on how you finish it you'll over 2 grand, plus the amount of time it takes to put it all together. They're a great project, but not necessarily for someone who wants performance now. If you've got the time, definitely.

How many of the suggestions have you gone out and auditioned? Thats really the only way to come to any sort of definitive answer to your questions. Get out there and listen to some of these speakers and maybe you have. I just think if you had spent some time with these speakers we would have heard, yes I liked this and why, no I didn't like this.

Reviews and suggestions are only part of this whole process, subjective listening by you is what really matters. Specs and other people opinions will get you so far and help you weed out the garbage, but hearing is believing so to speak.