Best sounding sattelites for music

[ImcLoud]

I am sticking to the psb mini imagines, if you guys havent heard these things, go to a dealer and take a listen, you will be a believer.... Obviously the trick to getting big sound out of a small speaker is a subwoofer and crossing, you can get a really good audiophile type sound for short money...

 

[its phillip]

I had a pair of Orb Mod2 + Super 8 sub once, and I really liked them. Nice and compact and good sound (to me)

 

[zieglj01]

The NHT Superzero bookshelf paired with the NHT super 8 sub might be a good choice
Is that sub ok. I'm not into bass that makes your insides shake but I'm open to suggestions.

Now you are starting to think - and they are nice

I would aim for a bigger sub - something like the SVS PB1000 at $499 > however, NHT subs
are still a nice option

 

[wilejoe]

When I owned the SuperZero x 10 YR, I paired it with a NHT 10" sub and it was great, Crossover 100Hz.

So I would go with the 10" NHT. I guess 8" might be okay if you really don't care for bass. But 10" isn't that much bigger in physical size. So I would go 10".

NHT offers 3-day risk free shipping both ways. So you could try the 8" first. If it satisfies, keep it. Otherwise, return with free shipping and get the 10". Another wonderful reason to buy NHT IMO.

Did you see the FR of the Absolute Zero? It is crazy flat and accurate - less than +/- 1.0dB from 100Hz-10kHz. Crazy superb.

But the SuperZero is great for small wall-mount. Still extremely accurate IMO.

People think I am crazy to say this, but my old NHT SuperZero + SW2P 10" sub performed better to me than a lot of $5K towers I auditioned. Crazy I know.

But that is my 100% honest opinion.

Of course, I think Sat + Sub in general is better than most towers (without subs) regardless of price. I know, I know - Crazy.

Oh, AVR?

Yeah, I think any Denon as long as it has the features you want. Audyssey XT is a nice feature to have. Look for that. I have used most Denon models - from the cheap $200 to my $7500 AVP-A1. Even the $200 cheap Denon sounded great for music. AVRs have matured. So just get any Denon with the features you want. Just don't buy refurbished. Buy brand new or at least open-box, but brand new is best. Best Buy will price-match online retailers like Amazon, Newegg, etc.

I pretty much exclusively stream lossless Apple files from my iPad/ iPhone to my Denon. So I don't even use a "Player" for music anymore. Well, I have two $2K Denon players in the closet.

If that's what you like it's certainly not crazy. Talked with Chris from NHT today he recommended the absolute zero wall mount with the 10D powered subwoofer. This is a very strong contender. I'll try and listen to the psb minis also. Is there any reason you prefer Denon over lets say Yamaha or Onkyo. I'm only trying to learn . Thanks for all the input so far

 

[ImcLoud]

denon is the best, best customer support, best options {although I would like to see dual monitor hdmi outputs}, best software {although I like the pioneer mcacc stuff too}, best prices for what you get, and they are pretty sturdy. Plus I have had some bad luck with yammy and a lot of people have had bad luck with Onkyo.... The beggest thing is customer support though, I bought a refurbed 1713 that was shutting down and starting itself back up, no games, they emailed me a shipping label while I was on the phone, then 20 minutes after Fedex picked up the broken avr I got another email with a tracking number of a NEW replacement unit on its way. No waiting for the broken one to get checked out by service dept, no arguing about how I hooked it up, ect, just heres your shipping label, and as soon as it is picked up heres your new one....

Do check out the psb minis, I have heard the nht's and they are nice, but if you have the budget the minis are going to blow you away..

 

[LiveJazz]

I am sticking to the psb mini imagines, if you guys havent heard these things, go to a dealer and take a listen, you will be a believer.... Obviously the trick to getting big sound out of a small speaker is a subwoofer and crossing, you can get a really good audiophile type sound for short money...

I will go ahead and second this, and the recommendation of the Imagine Minis in general.

It's a bit of a cliche to say you "thought you had a bigger speaker playing," but for real with these things. Buttery smooth, rich, totally convincing sound that should be coming from something quite a bit more substantial. Obviously they aren't going to shake the floor, but down to the (surprising) depths they are capable of, they're effortless.

When I demoed them and was manning the speaker switcher thing, I had to verify that the Imagine Minis were in fact the ones playing several times. My brain just wasn't accepting what my ears were hearing..."how could I have punched the wrong number again??"...Nope, that's them.

 

[zieglj01]

I like Denon also - however, I am not a one brand fanboy

Marantz (same owners), is also good > as well as Pioneer Elite, and I also like Yamaha.

Audyssey can be nice, however so is MCACC and YPAO > however, I pretty much do not
mess with them

 

[wilejoe]

Is it better to stick with the same brand (speakers and sub) or not that important. Also what's better a powered sub or nonpowered.
Just wondering what sub to get if I get the psb's

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If that's what you like it's certainly not crazy. Talked with Chris from NHT today he recommended the absolute zero wall mount with the 10D powered subwoofer. This is a very strong contender. I'll try and listen to the psb minis also. Is there any reason you prefer Denon over lets say Yamaha or Onkyo. I'm only trying to learn . Thanks for all the input so far

Absolute Zero + 10D would great great, especially the Absolute Zero, which measures +/-0.9dB listening window on HTM.

You may hear people say that measurement isn't everything; some speakers that measure well may not sound as great.

The NHT Absolute Zero is one example of a speaker that not only sound amazing (to me subjectively), but also measures even more superb objectively.

I am sure there are other great sounding speakers that also measure superbly.

As far as AVR, I personally love Audyssey Dynamic EQ. Yamaha, Pioneer, HK, Sony do not have that feature. Onkyo has Audyssey DEQ, but poor reliability history and poor customer support have been the Achilles heel of Onkyo.

That is why I like Denon/ Marantz, but I prefer the aesthetic of Denon over Marantz.

But in Direct & Pure Direct mode, I am certain that all these AVR will sound the same.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Is it better to stick with the same brand (speakers and sub) or not that important. Also what's better a powered sub or nonpowered.
Just wondering what sub to get if I get the psb's

You don't need to stick to the same brand, but it's fine if you do. If the sub does everything you want, then it's good.

ID sub brands like Rythmik, HSU, SVS, Outlaw, PSA, Funk, etc., will outperform in terms of bass output and low frequency extension. But as you mentioned, wall-shaking earth-shattering bass isn't your cup of tea. So the NHT 10D may be all you need.

I had the SW2P 10" NHT sub in my same current room for a long time. And it was actually wall-shaking. You have 30 days to return for free.

Actually, technically speaking, all subs are "active". There are powered subs (internal amp) and unpowered subs (external amp).

I prefer the unpowered subs because if anything happens to the amp, I can more quickly replace the amp. I also think external amp will last longer (better heat dissipation, less physical vibration). Notice how all subs have a 5-10 year warranty on the driver, but only 2-3 YR warranty on the internal amp? You will see more reports of internal sub amps malfunctioning than the actual sub drivers.

You can get an external sub amp for $200.

 

[zieglj01]

Is it better to stick with the same brand (speakers and sub) or not that important. Also what's better a powered sub or nonpowered.
Just wondering what sub to get if I get the psb's

No, subs do not need to match the brand

For a tight budget - SVS PB1000 subwoofer

 

[theJman]

The NHT Absolute Zero is one example of a speaker that not only sound amazing (to me subjectively), but also measures even more superb objectively.

+1

I've owned the Zero's for about a year now, and have found them to be dynamic and precise. They get a little harsh when the volume rises, but beyond that I really have no complaints. Paint finish is gorgeous too.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

+1

I've owned the Zero's for about a year now, and have found them to be dynamic and precise. They get a little harsh when the volume rises, but beyond that I really have no complaints. Paint finish is gorgeous too.

How high was the volume?

Bigger Monitors would help with higher volume for sure. But if you are limited to small (WAF), you just got to do the best you can.

 

[theJman]

How high was the volume?

It was turned up loud, but I wouldn't necessarily say they were driven to clipping. By nature I tend towards cloth tweeters, as opposed to metal domes, because I prefer "smooth" to "crisp". But the reviews were positive, and I do love accuracy, so I took a chance. I like them the vast majority of the time, but when cranked they get a little harsh to my ears.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It was turned up loud, but I wouldn't necessarily say they were driven to clipping. By nature I tend towards cloth tweeters, as opposed to metal domes, because I prefer "smooth" to "crisp". But the reviews were positive, and I do love accuracy, so I took a chance. I like them the vast majority of the time, but when cranked they get a little harsh to my ears.

I know the SuperZero intimately, and they are great sounding speakers. These little speakers are not meant for loud crazy parties, but for more mature provincial parties, they will sound great.

 

[alphaiii]

I'll second the recommendation for the PSB Imagine Mini's, followed by the NHT Absolute Zero. Both are very nice sounding speakers. I agree that the NHT can get edgy if pushed, but the PSB has limitations too. If you are willing to go with used speakers - there are some Boston Acoustics VS240's on ebay, and that's a very good small speaker, and IMO bests the PSB Mini's and NHT AZ in some aspects - mainly detail/clarity. I think the PSB in particular sounds "bigger" though.

On the other hand, I'm really not a big fan of the NHT SuperZero 2.0/2.1. They're nice for what they are -inexpensive, small speakers with limited output capability and no bass whatsoever. That said - I recognize not everyone is willing to go with something larger in size than the NHT SZ, so when you compare to other small options like Orbs, Mirage, Minx, the Super Zero's have their place. I'd put the Energy V-Mini on par with the NHT sound-wise, but with nicer looks at added cost.

The only tiny speaker I thought was really good was the Paradigm Millenia One - but they are pricey.

 

[Tomorrow]

You might also want to consider Aperion Audio. Free shipping both ways if you (or the missus) don't like them. They have a sat speaker on sale currently...
OPEN BOX Verus Forte Satellite Speaker Pair - Gloss Cherry - Open Box / Closeout - speakers by type - Aperion Audio
These have plenty of power handling capability and will get down to 80Hz, and up to 20kHz at +/-3 dB. Very precise. Aperion, I think all will agree, has superb customer service. There is a lot to recommend them.

For the very bottom low frequencies, they also have affordable, matching veneer wireless subs that perform quite well and can be placed almost anywhere...another WAF feature when she doesn't want to see a big box sitting around the house.

Give 'em a look. Good luck with your search.

 

[3db]

denon is the best, best customer support, best options {although I would like to see dual monitor hdmi outputs}, best software {although I like the pioneer mcacc stuff too}, best prices for what you get, and they are pretty sturdy. Plus I have had some bad luck with yammy and a lot of people have had bad luck with Onkyo.... The beggest thing is customer support though, I bought a refurbed 1713 that was shutting down and starting itself back up, no games, they emailed me a shipping label while I was on the phone, then 20 minutes after Fedex picked up the broken avr I got another email with a tracking number of a NEW replacement unit on its way. No waiting for the broken one to get checked out by service dept, no arguing about how I hooked it up, ect, just heres your shipping label, and as soon as it is picked up heres your new one....

Do check out the psb minis, I have heard the nht's and they are nice, but if you have the budget the minis are going to blow you away..

I challenge you on Denon's customer support being the best by laying down my Yamaha card. Nobody trumps Yammy for customer support and reliability.

 

[zieglj01]

If you are willing to go with used speakers - there are some Boston Acoustics VS240's on ebay, and that's a very good small speaker, and IMO bests the PSB Mini's and NHT AZ in some aspects - mainly detail/clarity.

If he could get 5 of the Boston VS240, that would easily be my preference.

However, the VS224 will be a good center option
Ebay - Boston VS240 and VS224
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.Xboston+vs240&_nkw=boston+vs240&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Review
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/boston-acoustics-vs-240-speaker-system

If his wife would allow the speakers to grow a little > The Boston E60 would be my preference
At Amazon
Amazon.com: Boston Acoustics E60 High Performance Bookshelf Speaker (Ebony Walnut): Electronics

HT Labs >
The E60's listening-window response measures +1.25/–0.97 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 65 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 53 Hz.
Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.36 ohms at 203 Hz and a phase angle of –58.73 degrees at 111 Hz.

 

[wilejoe]

Wow a whole lot of good choices. It looks like orb is out of the picture. Doesn't seem like I'll get that big of an improvement for the money.