Best way to evaluate system choice (EMP)?

[Tungsten06GT]

Hi,

I'm trying to pick out how I'm going to build my first system. So I've been doing my research the past couple days between the loudspeaker section and the AVR section, and I feel I have landed on a decision to go with the EMP E5ti loudspeakers and the Pioneer VSX-21TXH AVR. From what I've learned, this pioneer receiver will potentially help "future proof" me with the pre-outs in case I decide I need more power one day.

But anyways, my thoughts are to purchase the receiver and the loudspeakers at the same time and evaluate whether or not I like the speakers before going forward with getting the center channel and rear bookshelf speakers from the same Impression line. Will it be a better evaluation if I get the center speaker at the same time, or will just the loudspeakers be enough? I'm not sure if the loudspeakers alone will sound ok.

Thanks in advance!

 

[m_vanmeter]

is you primary use for the system movies ? or music ?

If your main use is to have surround sound for movie watching, the get the three front speakers, L - C - R. 90% or better of the audio information mastered in a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is in the front 3 channels.

If music, a stereo pair of front speakers will be fine.

I think you will do fine with the system you are building.

 

[Tungsten06GT]

It's going to be both movies and music. Maybe I will just get the fronts and center at the same time, that way I can be sure I like the combo together. I'm definitely really excited based upon all the good things I've been hearing about the Impression speakers.

 

[agarwalro]

The Pio should have no problem driving the Impression Towers. It seems to have a fairly robust amp section.

I read somethere (I believe it was a post on this forum) that the center speaker in the Impression line is a weak link. If that is indeed the case, you are better off using the bookshelf from the line as a center.

I have heard the Impression bookshelf speaker and it was truly amazing for its introductory price of $200.

If you are leaning more towards movies then music, dont bother with the towers, instead get 3x bookshelf speakers for the LCR and put the extra money towards a better sub or two subs.

 

[Tungsten06GT]

I will probably do a 50/50 mix of movies and music so I figured what the heck and get the towers (the $200 difference isn't going to make or break me).

That is slightly concerning to me about the center channel, can anyone comment if this is really a huge issue? Someone from another thread told me to stick to the same center that's in the same product line as the towers, and with ur comment about using a bookshelf speaker for it, I only have just enough room between my tv and mantel that I need a slimmer center. I was going to use a pair of the bookshelf speakers as my surrounds...

 

[agarwalro]

I will probably do a 50/50 mix of movies and music so I figured what the heck and get the towers (the $200 difference isn't going to make or break me).

Yeah! I agree, in that case might as well go with towers. That said, you will still need a sub to handle the <80Hz part of the material.

That is slightly concerning to me about the center channel, can anyone comment if this is really a huge issue?

I did a little digging and here is what I found;

In this thread the following conversation took place,

While I am enjoying my towers that are excellent for the price, I find that the center is severely lacking and sounds muddy and distorted with certain duologue frequencies.

The towers I am more than happy with though.

I am wondering if its a placement issue or if your center channel is defective. Attached is a measurement on the Impression center channel which doesn't jive with what you are hearing.

I suggest calling EMP at (800) 543-2205 and ask to speak to their designer Shane Rich.

As a follow up I placed some large high density foam that came with my Aperion bookshelves under the center and it is now performing perfectly. Seems that it was an issue with cabinet resonance transmitting into my TV stand.

Looks like I was wrong based on being aware of only part of the conversation. You should definitely try out the center for yourself.

Someone from another thread told me to stick to the same center that's in the same product line as the towers, and with ur comment about using a bookshelf speaker for it, I only have just enough room between my tv and mantel that I need a slimmer center. I was going to use a pair of the bookshelf speakers as my surrounds...

I believe it must have been Matt34's comment in the same thread as the quotes above. The suggestion to use the center speaker from the same line as the main speakers is good. It is based on the need to have the center and mains be timber matched (to produce a seamless frontstage as sounds pan from one side to the other). Picking a center from the same line as the mains is a fool proof way of making sure it does.

If you are limited to using the center, I would recommend taking an inhome trial since there is a 30 day money back guarantee. If you dont like it, you can always change out. You can always change the mantel so that a bookshelf is more easily incorporated for the center .

 

[Tungsten06GT]

Haha yeah while changing the mantel would be nice, I think I'll stick with trying out EMP's center first and see how it goes!

Actually, when I just put out another thread on the Loudspeaker forum to see if anyone else had experience with the center speaker, krzywica responded back quickly. Here's what he wrote:

I think it was probably me that commented on the poor performance of the E5Ci. My issue was that the cabinet resonance was transferring to my TV stand and creating perceived distortion. This made the center sound terrible at reference volumes but fine at moderate ones. This should not be happening if the cabinet was designed properly I wouldn't think as the very small foam feet supplied with the speaker are inadequate to dampen the speaker and isolate it from the TV stand.

I remedied this by placing the speaker on a couple of large high density foam inserts that came with the packaging of another pair of speakers I have. I can take some pictures when I get home and post them.

In conclusion I am now very happy with the center and it performs flawlessly. Its a little more revealing than I would like as poorly mixed TV shows (Castle for instance) the dialoge can sound muddy and improperly weighted and unnatural. But for anything that has a half way decent quality recording it is awesome and I couldn't be happier with it.

I'm still learning how to use these forums, so I'm not too sure how to include a quote as you did above so I just copied what he said. But anyways, bottom line is, yeah with his response and the fact that I can try them out for 30 days, I think I'm going to go with it.

It may be a couple weeks before I actually get everything in and hooked up, but I will definitely post a thread with pics and review my thoughts.