Best 5.1 system for my apartment

[samhfoley]

Those Ascends are also rear ported. I recommend contacting them and make sure they will play nicely within your constraints to your wall.

Tough call. I really considered the Ascends, and had they not been rear ported, I was considering grabbing 3 x the S340 speakers via their B-stock sale link on their front page.

That's the point, both the HSU and the Ascends are rear ported, but I can give all 3 fronts the requisite 2" of clearance that they recommend and the rear surrounds from Ascend aren't rear ported. Plus I am kind of shy of the HSU's as it says they are designed for "huge rooms" which my apartment most certainly isn't whereas the ascends are designed for small to mid sized rooms....

 

[ack_bak]

That's the point, both the HSU and the Ascends are rear ported, but I can give all 3 fronts the requisite 2" of clearance that they recommend and the rear surrounds from Ascend aren't rear ported. Plus I am kind of shy of the HSU's as it says they are designed for "huge rooms" which my apartment most certainly isn't whereas the ascends are designed for small to mid sized rooms....

Well, the HSU speakers may sound great at lower volume levels as well. You may want to try asking owners of these speakers in an owners thread at this forum or other forums.

But it would be hard to fault you for picking up the Ascends. And I understand your point regarding your small space. That is why I recommend the smaller and less inexpensive HSU sub. Anything larger could be overkill.

Does your apartment have concrete walls? I have this vision of a room with sliding wood walls layered with rice paper

 

[samhfoley]

Well, the HSU speakers may sound great at lower volume levels as well. You may want to try asking owners of these speakers in an owners thread at this forum or other forums.

But it would be hard to fault you for picking up the Ascends. And I understand your point regarding your small space. That is why I recommend the smaller and less inexpensive HSU sub. Anything larger could be overkill.

Does your apartment have concrete walls? I have this vision of a room with sliding wood walls layered with rice paper

No sliding rice paper walls in the apt. there is the sliding wood paneled doorway behind the sofa. The rest of the walls are studded with drywall/wallpaper. I uploaded a picture of the room back on page 1 or 2...

 

[samhfoley]

HSU enthusiast 1 package for $1300 delivered or

Ascend Acoustics
(2) CBM-170's
CMT-340 center
(2) HTM-200's for surrounds

plus HSU VTF-1 sub for $1331 delivered **package comes in at 134 lbs (16lbs under weight for the plane as well)

now I have a quote on the usher system as well

s 520 regular price $480 system price $375/pr
s 525 center regular price $460 system price $260
sw103 sub regular price $1020 system price $675

total 1685.00...a little on the steep end since I was originally budgeting 1000.00

 

[samhfoley]

looking more like Ascend Audio...

too many mixed reviews online about the Ushers and worry about the HSU's being designed for HUGE rooms.

Which is better?


Ascend Acoustics
(2) CBM-170's
CMT-340 center
(2) HTM-200's for surrounds

plus HSU VTF-1 sub for $1331 delivered (134 lbs....16lbs under weight for the HTPC)


or

(3) CMT - 340's
(2) HTM-200's for surrounds
HSU STF-1 Subwoofer $1442 delivered (140 lbs, 10 xtra lbs to fit the HTPC...)

Do I need the adjustable sub (option 1) in my small space so I can better "tailor" my sound levels?

 

[ack_bak]

too many mixed reviews online about the Ushers and worry about the HSU's being designed for HUGE rooms.

Which is better?


Ascend Acoustics
(2) CBM-170's
CMT-340 center
(2) HTM-200's for surrounds

plus HSU VTF-1 sub for $1331 delivered (134 lbs....16lbs under weight for the HTPC)


or

(3) CMT - 340's
(2) HTM-200's for surrounds
HSU STF-1 Subwoofer $1442 delivered (140 lbs, 10 xtra lbs to fit the HTPC...)

Do I need the adjustable sub (option 1) in my small space so I can better "tailor" my sound levels?

I would go with option 2. The CMT-340's will be the better speakers and that STF-1 sub is more than enough sub for your current room and should serve you well into the future. Unless you are a bass-head I would recommend getting the superior main speakers.

 

[samhfoley]

unbelieveable!

1pr CMT-340 SE
1 CMT-340 SE center
1pr CBM-170 SE
1pr TP-24 stands

Only 250 bucks shipped to Japan! No carrying on the plane at all. Go Ascend!

 

[ack_bak]

1pr CMT-340 SE
1 CMT-340 SE center
1pr CBM-170 SE
1pr TP-24 stands

Only 250 bucks shipped to Japan! No carrying on the plane at all. Go Ascend!

Wow, that is really good news for you. I think you picked a winner with those Ascend speakers. Did you consider b-stock to save some more money?:
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=31227#post31227

 

[lsiberian]

1pr CMT-340 SE
1 CMT-340 SE center
1pr CBM-170 SE
1pr TP-24 stands

Only 250 bucks shipped to Japan! No carrying on the plane at all. Go Ascend!

Wow, that is really good news for you. I think you picked a winner with those Ascend speakers. Did you consider b-stock to save some more money?:
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=31227#post31227

Come on Ack he has standards

Get the new stuff with the price your paying.

 

[ack_bak]

Come on Ack he has standards

Get the new stuff with the price your paying.

Since it is Japan, you are probably right. But I have had very good luck in the past with b-stock items (ie you need a magnifying glass to see a minor imperfection).

 

[lsiberian]

Since it is Japan, you are probably right. But I have had very good luck in the past with b-stock items (ie you need a magnifying glass to see a minor imperfection).

Oh I prefer b-stock myself. I was thinking the same thing.

 

[samhfoley]

with the package discount for the whole package it was only about 70 dollars (130 since I upgraded to the 170's as rears) more to get new speakers so I thought that would be the way to go...and then there is the distance thing if something...anything should go wrong.

 

[ack_bak]

with the package discount for the whole package it was only about 70 dollars (130 since I upgraded to the 170's as rears) more to get new speakers so I thought that would be the way to go...and then there is the distance thing if something...anything should go wrong.

If the difference is only $70 then it is a nobrainer. When I was pricing out 3 Ascend 340's the b-stock speakers were considerably cheaper (I want to say like $200 or so).

 

[samhfoley]

yeah it was like 70 with the 200's as rears, and like 130 with the 170's as rears. Not much difference. They give you a nice package discount so buying a package new was easily the better bet in IMO.

 

[GomGom]

I didn't browse all pages to see what other people have recommended you. But I just saw this deal on AC4L and I thought it should be awesome since Mordaunt Short is a European company (British maybe?) and this packages is even cheaper than my 2.1 setup (bookshelves and a budget sub).
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/PREM4002KIT/Marantz/SR4002-Mordaunt-Short-Premier-5.1-Home-Theater-Package-/1.html