BIC Acoustech $776 shipped 5.1 at Ubid

[brian32672]

I did have one added question. It seems there's a lot of buzz about a crossover modification that can be done by a Mr. Ed Frias. I've always wondered, if that modification does so much to remove some of the "muddy bass" and "brighter highs," why hasn't BIC addressed it themselves? Anyone who has paid to have this modification done, has always remarked favorably.

I'll answer this one. This may be the case on the Venturi set, but for the Acoustech's this is not the case. The fronts are somewhat bright, but it is a cinema sound, and would be better in a bigger room. I like the brightness, it makes for a more intense realistic sound for movies. And I would not want to use a crossover mod to ruin this sound.

As far as the bass, well I'll break down and post a little on this.
The Fluance set (mains) has 2 ranges they are mid highs and lows. The Bic (or rather Acoustech fronts) Have more range but not as much bass as the Fluance. They have highs, mid highs, mid, and mid low. They are more suited for movies. Which is like 80/20 for me. The Fluance even from my first post on these I had stated they are geared more for music. And I still say this. Specially after a direct comparison to the Acoustech. However this info is mainly for the fronts. The surrounds and center actually seem to have more bass than the fronts. The center is by far, the best I have ever heard. I do wish the mains would go lower on the bass end. But it is not totally necessary. The Fluance set could get away without a sub, and I had stated this from my first review. And still state the same. The Acoustechs must have a sub, but they will intergrate better with the sub, and leave no holes in the sound.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Gotta love that pretty Belden speaker wire

is that what that is? I liked the look of it, looks better than my non covered home depot 12ga

 

[Spiffyfast]

As far as the bass, well I'll break down and post a little on this.
The Fluance set (mains) has 2 ranges they are mid highs and lows. The Bic (or rather Acoustech fronts) Have more range but not as much bass as the Fluance. They have highs, mid highs, mid, and mid low. They are more suited for movies. Which is like 80/20 for me. The Fluance even from my first post on these I had stated they are geared more for music. And I still say this. Specially after a direct comparison to the Acoustech. However this info is mainly for the fronts. The surrounds and center actually seem to have more bass than the fronts. The center is by far, the best I have ever heard. I do wish the mains would go lower on the bass end. But it is not totally necessary. The Fluance set could get away without a sub, and I had stated this from my first review. And still state the same. The Acoustechs must have a sub, but they will intergrate better with the sub, and leave no holes in the sound.

Very good to know, hopefully a Cadence Xsub will do a good job taking over the low end for those fronts when I am able to order them

 

[brian32672]

Very good to know, hopefully a Cadence Xsub will do a good job taking over the low end for those fronts when I am able to order them

I'm sure it will. Buck raves about it often, and I wish there was one close to me to audition. It ticks me off that I did not pick up the other JBL sub for 299.00 shipped (now up to 379.00). But it is not a major concern. Because I am 90% sure I will be getting a SVS PB12 ISD/V within the next month. I already have a buyer for my JBL. So that will cover some of the cost for the SVS. I have contacted SVS for their recommendation. And was told that the ISD/V would be a good choice for the volume I listen to and the room size. And the rep. even stated the PB12 Plus would be a little overkill. But then again what is overkill And I may still go with the Plus.

 

[jaxvon]

Since this thread is already hijacked...kinda...I thought I'd post the speaker cable link for you Spiffy:

Westlake

 

[brian32672]

is that what that is? I liked the look of it, looks better than my non covered home depot 12ga

Yeah the Beldin wire at Westlake, I will highly recommend. Even the 10awg is very flexable and is quite stranded as well. And the 10awg is cheaper including shipping over others 16awg. I know 10 is overkill, but for the price I felt it would not hurt.

The pics below show the 10awg without connectors, the ones with connectors are 12 or 14, I forgot. But I think they are 12.

The 10awg I picked up for about .22 a foot.

 

[brian32672]

Can you put them near something to get an idea of size?

Ok back on topic, here is the Acoustech's next to the Fluance and the 18" Terminator..

This may give a little better size indication.

 

[brian32672]

do they not come with spikes, they can't be that stable at how narrow and tall they are without them

Beleive it or not they are quite stable. Yes I would prefer floor spikes. But the design of the footprint does help them be stable. And are just about as stable as the Fluance. With children around with or without floor spikes, you would have to keep an eye on your speakers anyway. But they could take a small bumb and not fall over. The footprint has a groove in the middle, and has the same laquer finish as the tops. Spikes could easily be incorparated into them if wanted. Just drill a 1/2" deep hole and use a thread tap. Then buy some spikes with the same thread size as your tap. But it is not needed. Here are some pics of the footprint.

 

[zilla]

Thanks for the cable link, I snagged a hundred feet of the 12awg

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

18" Terminator is HUGE

Ok back on topic, here is the Acoustech's next to the Fluance and the 18" Terminator..

This may give a little better size indication.

Brian, LOL, love the action figures. Those things are huge. I was thinking more of a dollar bill, can of beer, or yard stick. But an 18" T2 is great. Thanks, man.

Here's the response from BIC:

Thanks for your email, I will forward it to our sales manager Heidi Bottum.

Thanks
BIC Support

I have my doubts, but it's worth a try. Sometimes these companies do well through word of mouth moreso than advertising or reviews. They know their stuff sells well because of its value and pricepoint. I would like to see a review, because when I open my audio shop (isn't that all our goals someday?), I'd like to offer their speakers. I'd love to do what SVS did, as well as offer some reasonably priced surround sets. You know, BIC, Athena, etc... I'd have movie night with free beer and popcorn, t shirt giveaways, educational nights on spl meters, room acoustics, speaker placement; and of course the WAF and how to win the battle. (I'd need all of your help, of course )

Brian,
You know, those Acoustech towers are basically the center channel in a larger cabinet. I'm surprised they appear to have less bass than the center channel. Your center channel is mammoth. I bet it sounds great for HT. That high gloss finish also looks outstanding. I wonder if Ubid made an error on the pricing. I haven't checked to see if they've caught it yet.

I agree with you that was a steal on that JBL sub for $299. Ubid has one for $279, but with shipping. You can't beat that, and my bet is two of those would surpass the PB12 ISD/V's output in a heartbeat. $598 shipped - wow, that's a lot of bass.

 

[brian32672]

Brian,
You know, those Acoustech towers are basically the center channel in a larger cabinet. I'm surprised they appear to have less bass than the center channel. Your center channel is mammoth.

I disagree. The center has no port, it is sealed. And I think the design of the towers with the large port is wrong. I think it would be fine ported but with a smaller port or a baffle system. The surrounds are also sealed, but they use a 4x6 passive radiator.

I will post a pic with a can of beer, or soda.

 

[Spiffyfast]

I wonder if Ubid made an error on the pricing. I haven't checked to see if they've caught it yet.

QUOTE]

They have that price every so often, I've seen it before, just wish they had an awesome sale on the towers with em, oh well, 350 for a set of towers with shipping is a steal so I wont complain too much

 

[Spiffyfast]

I'm really glad you posted that deal Buckeye, but I think you got too much attention on it, everytime I've see that price on these Bics they don't sell through all of them, LOL first day and there are already bids on all of them

 

[brian32672]

They have that price every so often, I've seen it before, just wish they had an awesome sale on the towers with em, oh well, 350 for a set of towers with shipping is a steal so I wont complain too much

I picked up my fronts from authorized dealer for the set it was 338.00 shipped.
Anyhow, Buck here is a can of soda

 

[rikmeister]

Heidi Bottum. now that is a playboy centerfold name for

sure.hehehehe just some humor.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I'm really glad you posted that deal Buckeye, but I think you got too much attention on it, everytime I've see that price on these Bics they don't sell through all of them, LOL first day and there are already bids on all of them

BIC or Ubid should pay us commission on stuff like this, or at least send out a t-shirt. If they advertised through Audioholics, and allowed us to do a review, they'd all sell out. But like Brian said, the towers may need a smaller port, or a 6.5" passive radiator. Those would look cool with three drivers.

 

[Spiffyfast]

BIC or Ubid should pay us commission on stuff like this, or at least send out a t-shirt. If they advertised through Audioholics, and allowed us to do a review, they'd all sell out. But like Brian said, the towers may need a smaller port, or a 6.5" passive radiator. Those would look cool with three drivers.

Well, Im sure its completely possible to find another driver to match, cut the whole in the tower and put it in

 

[Spiffyfast]

Also, got a ? for those ppl more knowledgable with ubid, on the Center Channel there are 5 Available, right now the bids look like this


1. mD of Peoria,AZ Wed Aug 3, 12:05 pm PT $55.00 2 of 2
2. SP of Irvine,CA Wed Aug 3, 3:28 pm PT $55.00 2 of 2 pm PT
3. DW of Ofallon,MO Wed Aug 3, 11:34 am PT $55.00 1 of 1

I'm the third bidder, If i chose the buy it now taking the total down to 4 centeres after i bought it, would this drop my #3. bid out of the winning so i dont have to worry about winning and haveing to buy 2?

 

[brian32672]

Well, Im sure its completely possible to find another driver to match, cut the whole in the tower and put it in

You would not need to cut the hole any larger, the port is the same dimensions of the drivers. But then again, this would alter the sound quite a bit. And at that point, it may not intergrate well with the sub. I would like more bass from them, but not at the cost of loosing the full mid range of these, including low mid sound. There truly are no holes. I have tried plugging the port, and it does give a different and lower sound. But then quality is thrown out the window. I did not use a loud volume, just light - to see if there would be a huge difference.

All in all, I will say you would be very happy with the quality of build and sound from these Spiffy. That is if you decide to get these.

What are your other options????

 

[brian32672]

Also, got a ? for those ppl more knowledgable with ubid, on the Center Channel there are 5 Available, right now the bids look like this


1. mD of Peoria,AZ Wed Aug 3, 12:05 pm PT $55.00 2 of 2
2. SP of Irvine,CA Wed Aug 3, 3:28 pm PT $55.00 2 of 2 pm PT
3. DW of Ofallon,MO Wed Aug 3, 11:34 am PT $55.00 1 of 1

I'm the third bidder, If i chose the buy it now taking the total down to 4 centeres after i bought it, would this drop my #3. bid out of the winning so i dont have to worry about winning and haveing to buy 2?

Yes that is correct, you would be dropped.