Help me help my dad! Audio

[vantastic]

Here's a picture of what the TV area looks like:

 

[vantastic]

Can someone take a look at the components I decided on and tell me if you see any possible improvements or have any suggestions?

Receiver:
Onkyo TX-SR606
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015S8PGW

Fronts(I know bookshelves are probably more suitable for the situation, but when I took my dad to go listen to speakers, he seemed to REALLY prefer the sound of towers..it was hard for him to distinguish a lot between towers, but between towers and bookshelves he noticed a big difference. I think I agree with him):
Aperion Intimus 4T
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/NEW-Intimus-4T-Tower-Speaker,164,28,405.aspx

Center:
Aperion Intimus 5C
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/NEW-Intimus-5C-Center-Channel-Speaker,109,29,253.aspx

Subwoofer (Is this necessary with the towers? If not, I'll probably get the next level up on towers since the budget will allow for it. I'm very open to suggestions in this area, but I want to keep the price the way it is, if not lower.):
Infinity SW-12
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/549799299

also thinking about

Dayton HT series 12"
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635

I decided to go with Aperion because of their return policy even though I haven't gotten to listen to any yet. People seem to think highly of their products so I figure they're worth a try.

 

[Adam]

Good morning. Just some thoughts on your situation.

1. Aperion is a good way to go. Not only do they get good reviews for their products, but also their customer service. The no-risk return policy is awesome, in my book.

2. Good receiver choice.

3. Good sub choice.

4. The big difference between towers and bookshelves is normally the bass output. If you auditioned comparable speakers, listening to towers and then to bookshelves without a sub, then I would suspect that the towers would win every time. When I went to audition my NHTs, NHT made a set of bookshelves and a set of towers - they were identical except that the towers were like the bookshelves with a taller cabinet. Honestly, the towers without a sub sounded identical to me compared to the bookshelves with a sub. I mention that for the next point.

5. If you put towers on top of that TV cabinent, the cones (and I think this is especially important for the tweeters) will be raised higher than they would be if the towers were placed on the ground (like they were designed to be). I think that tweeters are typically supposed to be at/near ear level, so if you put them up higher, they won't have the same effect. I'm not saying it'll sound bad...I don't know. Just something to consider.

6. The towers that you are considering are rated at -3dB at 55Hz. Not incredibly low, so a sub would still do you good.

7. If that TV cabinet isn't real sturdy, the bass from the speakers is going to shake it...and the TV.

8. Whatever your choice, it's virtually guaranteed to blow away the sound from that TV!

Adam

 

[vantastic]

3. Good sub choice.

4. The big difference between towers and bookshelves is normally the bass output. If you auditioned comparable speakers, listening to towers and then to bookshelves without a sub, then I would suspect that the towers would win every time. When I went to audition my NHTs, NHT made a set of bookshelves and a set of towers - they were identical except that the towers were like the bookshelves with a taller cabinet. Honestly, the towers without a sub sounded identical to me compared to the bookshelves with a sub. I mention that for the next point.

Which sub were you referring to? The infinity or the dayton?

I must have been listening to bad bookshelf speakers then, because the subwoofer was on :\. At first, I thought it was just psychological that he liked the bigger speakers, so I tried making him do a blind audition where I just pressed the buttons to switch the speakers without him watching and he seemed to really prefer the towers even when he didn't know what speakers were playing.

I believe the bookshelf speakers I was having him listen to were mostly definitive technology, mirage, and klipsch. The towers were mirage, definitive technology,vienna, and klipsch. We definitely concluded that the digital technology speakers we listened to were not as good, so I don't think I'll be getting a set of their speakers.

 

[Adam]

Oops, I just saw the Dayton sub, so that's what I was talking about. Either one should be good, though.

I was just giving my experience with towers and bookshelves, as well as going off some of what I've read. In the end, trust your ears (well, your dad's ears). That's what really counts. I just wanted to give some food for thought, especially given that you plan on putting the towers on top of the TV cabinet.

 

[vantastic]

Well, it looks like I'm ready to order the stuff. Before I confirm the order though, can anyone tell me if my components come with all the wires/accessories I need to set up the system? If not, I'd like to order them online instead of going to the store at the last minute.