BIC Acoustech feedback and opinion wanted

[Bill Valley]

Evening,
Posted this on another site, but Audioholics seems more down to Earth. I am a relative noob when if comes to HT, but I am learning. Please comment on the post below.


I purchased a pair of BIC Acoustech HT64's. Mainly because they were cheap on eBay and I wanted to audition them for a possible HT setup. I have not seen any negative feedback on these speakers on this board. However, I was disappointed. I was expecting to have to tone down the super bright horn tweeters, but instead I found that they sound horribly flat. They sound clear and recreate sounds accurately, but the sound is just flat. I have noticed a difference when listening off-axis, which was to be expected, but it is more noticeable than I had anticipated.

I have them connected to my H/K AVR100 with my PS3 as the source. I have tried movies, music, music movies, etc.. They sound ok.

I have less than 2 hours total. Am I not giving them an ample break in period? I would anticipate the tweeters would be fully live straight out the box.

Anyone else care to comment? Also, would I be better off with Infinity, Polk, or JBL that I can easily audition locally? The ultimate goal is to piece together a system that will shake the house w/ movies, music, music movies, etc..

 

[mazersteven]

I have less than 2 hours total. Am I not giving them an ample break in period?

Speakers really don't need a "Break-in Period". So what you hear now is most likely what your going to hear hundreds of hours from now.

 

[mazersteven]

The ultimate goal is to piece together a system that will shake the house w/ movies, music, music movies, etc..

What budget are you working with, and what does this budget have to include?

 

[Bill Valley]

My approach to budget is "what can I get away with without her getting pissed off". I have a credit account at a local store that carries H/K, Sony, Denon, Onkyo, Infinity, JBL, Klipsch, Niles, etc.. They often run interest free for 12 - 18 month deals. I will spend $1000 - $1500 if I buy there. But, I would also spend $300 - $400 per component to build piece by piece.

Right now, I am looking to replace our Harman Kardon AVR 100 and satellites as we are moving and will be leaving that system behind. The local store will package a H/K AVR 254 with a JBL surround system and get it in my budget. I would then use that receiver as my HT receiver once I have the basement remodeled at the new place. So, I could have the JBL speakers in the family room and gradually collect other pieces while I do the remodel.

 

[calnbs]

I haven't done any audition with JBL but I did some research and it seems that for lower end JBL, the more respectable JBL's Studio L Series. At ebay, Harman Audio was auctioning of the refurbished L890 for under $200 each (WHICH IS A GREAT BUY, considering what they are sold at retail).

 

[mazersteven]

Niles Audio Stagefront
http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_detail.php?recordID=Professional Cabinet, Home Theater Loudspeakers&categoryID=StageFront&catcdID=13

 

[Matt34]

Give the Infinity Primus 362 floor standers a listen too. They measure remarkably well for the price.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

I would avoid the poor speaker selection (and HTIB packages) at the big box stores and check out some local B&M dealers. Listen to Paradigm, Klipsch reference, Energy, PSB, etc. There are also plenty of Internet Direct companies that offer an in home trial period. In your budget you might consider starting with a quality 2.1 or 3.1 system vs. cheap 5.1.

 

[calnbs]

Give the Infinity Primus 362 floor standers a listen too. They measure remarkably well for the price.

especially when Frys have them on sale for $99/each.

 

[no. 5]

If there is a notable difference between on and off axis sound, that may very well be one of the things reasons you don't like them much, as wide dispersion is something that will increase a listeners preference for a speaker.

The Primus 362 performs well in this regard, Paradigm and PSB also have models that perform well.

By the way, if you want to shake the whole house, you will need a good subwoofer (or two or four if you want better performance).

 

[Bill Valley]

I really think I am leaning toward the Infinity Primus. I like the idea of purchasing something I can audition locally.