In wall? Towers? Bookshelf?

[DjSaneR]

I'm very new to the HT world and am very excited to get my dedicated HT room complete.

I just bought Panasonic PT-AE900U projector and now am shopping for speakers. I did research and found that BIC Acoustech had good reviews (for the most part), and definitely fits my budget (which is most important since we just had a child). My question is, should I go with the In Wall, Towers or Bookshelf? I'm assuming the towers put out the most sound between the 3? I was leaning towards in wall speakers simply because of the clean look, but would rather not sacrifice sound for looks. So can someone shed some light as to the sound differences between the 3? Also, what are your opinions of their subwoofers?

Thanks in advance,
-Saner

Room dimensions - L-20' W-15'
Reciever - Yamaha HTR-5960

 

[KevInCinci]

I don't think anyone here will recommend in-wall (or in-ceiling) speakers over the freestanding/bookshelf sort, unless your room setup just cannot work any other way. Or perhaps you have a spouse who doesn't want to see all that hardware! In any case, an in-wall speaker generally underperforms a comparably rated and priced cabinet speaker. As for bookshelves vs. towers, it depends on what you're planning on listening to (movies, music, etc.), if you're getting the sub, and maybe even how many speakers you're going to be using (5.1?).

Cheers,

Kevin

 

[DjSaneR]

As for bookshelves vs. towers, it depends on what you're planning on listening to (movies, music, etc.), if you're getting the sub, and maybe even how many speakers you're going to be using (5.1?).

Cheers,

Kevin

Thanks for your input, Kevin. I was thinking the same about in wall speakers and will stay away from them. I will be using my setup only for movies and it will be 5.1 until I can save up a bit more cash to get the other speakers. I'm interested in the bookshelf speakers but do you know the difference in sound between the towers and bookshelves? My room is fairly small, but want to make sure they have enough power to fill the area.

Thanks,
Saner

 

[Sheep]

Thanks for your input, Kevin. I was thinking the same about in wall speakers and will stay away from them. I will be using my setup only for movies and it will be 5.1 until I can save up a bit more cash to get the other speakers. I'm interested in the bookshelf speakers but do you know the difference in sound between the towers and bookshelves? My room is fairly small, but want to make sure they have enough power to fill the area.

Thanks,
Saner

How big is your room?

Towers have a better bass response then bookselfs(in general). I would only recommend towers if your room is huge, or you don't plan on having a subwoofer(which doesn't look to be the case).

Remember though, Bookshelf speakers have an added cost because they need stands.

Give us a budget and a room size and we could start making some recommendations.

SheepStar

 

[DjSaneR]

How big is your room?

Towers have a better bass response then bookselfs(in general). I would only recommend towers if your room is huge, or you don't plan on having a subwoofer(which doesn't look to be the case).

Remember though, Bookshelf speakers have an added cost because they need stands.

Give us a budget and a room size and we could start making some recommendations.

SheepStar

Thanks, Sheep. My room is 20'L 15'w. Good point on the stands, I didn't take that into consideration. I can't spend more than 1100 on speakers, so I guess $1100 is the budget.. I know it's not a lot to work with, but given my current situation, it's all I can manage.

I appreciate your help!

 

[corey]

My thought is to look at this as an on going project. To get started with an $1100 budget, put about $700 into a timber matched front 3, left, right & center; $300 for a sub, & some rears (new or used) for $100.

Over the next few years, save up for some upgrades. Maybe a sub that goes lower/louder. Maybe go from 5.1 to 7.1. Maybe move your mains to the rear & get a new front 3.

 

[DjSaneR]

My thought is to look at this as an on going project. To get started with an $1100 budget, put about $700 into a timber matched front 3, left, right & center; $300 for a sub, & some rears (new or used) for $100.

Over the next few years, save up for some upgrades. Maybe a sub that goes lower/louder. Maybe go from 5.1 to 7.1. Maybe move your mains to the rear & get a new front 3.

Very good plan, but my objective now is to get something decent and all in working order so I can begin to enjoy my project. In the future, I will definitely be upgrading.

 

[fattires]

thought of DIY?

Dj,
I am a newbie to all this, but I did do exhaustive research into all of the components, especially speakers. I had the exact same budget and was very displeased with all of the in-store and online options at that level. So I decided on DIY speakers, and am VERY pleased with the results both in performance and budget ($1K including shipping). 3 front bookshelves in an MTM configuration, 2 surrounds in an MT config, and 2, yes 2, 12" subs. Very detailed and accurate at low volume, plus I can make the kids run out of the room when cranked. Just an option. You will need the appropriate woodworking tools and plenty of patience/time.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The entire Bic Acoustech setup is an outstanding value, and it looks great. The front towers aren't huge, so they'll fit in your room nicely. They were designed for HT, and the subwoofer was designed by Dr. HSU.

You may also want to consider Bic's Venturi setup. It's got better low end as far as the towers/bookshelves go. I'd suggest the DV64 towers, the DV62si bookshelves, the 62CLRS center, and with the remaining money - spring for the new SVS PB10 NSD sub - there is no comparison at that price for a sub. That total should be under $1100. Amazon.com carries the Venturi's.

 

[DjSaneR]

Dj,
I am a newbie to all this, but I did do exhaustive research into all of the components, especially speakers. I had the exact same budget and was very displeased with all of the in-store and online options at that level. So I decided on DIY speakers, and am VERY pleased with the results both in performance and budget ($1K including shipping). 3 front bookshelves in an MTM configuration, 2 surrounds in an MT config, and 2, yes 2, 12" subs. Very detailed and accurate at low volume, plus I can make the kids run out of the room when cranked. Just an option. You will need the appropriate woodworking tools and plenty of patience/time.

I really wish I had the tools to do take on this sort of project. I know it's possible to create an incredible system piecing it together yourself.

 

[DjSaneR]

The entire Bic Acoustech setup is an outstanding value, and it looks great. The front towers aren't huge, so they'll fit in your room nicely. They were designed for HT, and the subwoofer was designed by Dr. HSU.

You may also want to consider Bic's Venturi setup. It's got better low end as far as the towers/bookshelves go. I'd suggest the DV64 towers, the DV62si bookshelves, the 62CLRS center, and with the remaining money - spring for the new SVS PB10 NSD sub - there is no comparison at that price for a sub. That total should be under $1100. Amazon.com carries the Venturi's.

You've got me leaning even more towards the Bic Acoustech setups. For the most part, I've heard pretty good things about their performance/dollar value. I'm going to look into the Venturi setup asap. Thanks, Buckeye.

-Saner

 

[bryantm3]

Thanks, Sheep. My room is 20'L 15'w. Good point on the stands, I didn't take that into consideration. I can't spend more than 1100 on speakers, so I guess $1100 is the budget.. I know it's not a lot to work with, but given my current situation, it's all I can manage.

I appreciate your help!

i have that size room, and although i don't have surround sound (just stereo) i find floorstanding speakers to be the best. mind you, i've never tried bookshelf speakers. one thing is that floorstanding speakers take up a lot of power, so you might have to have an amplifier in addition to your reciever (make sure your reciever has pre-out jacks).


but also, i don't think you'll be able to really afford floorstanding speakers if your limit is 1100. i ended up spending $2000 (£1000) on my setup which consists of a yamaha RX-V757 reciever, two floorstanding RTi8s, and a PSW10 subwoofer (which was free). i still don't have a separate amp to really power my speakers any.

 

[DjSaneR]

i have that size room, and although i don't have surround sound (just stereo) i find floorstanding speakers to be the best. mind you, i've never tried bookshelf speakers. one thing is that floorstanding speakers take up a lot of power, so you might have to have an amplifier in addition to your reciever (make sure your reciever has pre-out jacks).


but also, i don't think you'll be able to really afford floorstanding speakers if your limit is 1100. i ended up spending $2000 (£1000) on my setup which consists of a yamaha RX-V757 reciever, two floorstanding RTi8s, and a PSW10 subwoofer (which was free). i still don't have a separate amp to really power my speakers any.

I'm planning on buying the Yamaha HTR-5960. Do you think that's enough to power the Bic setup? Here's a link to the speakers. They're under $1000 http://www.sounddistributors.com/buynow.asp?action=detail&prid=1054&crid=185&cat_name=Featured+Products

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I'm planning on buying the Yamaha HTR-5960. Do you think that's enough to power the Bic setup? Here's a link to the speakers. They're under $1000 http://www.sounddistributors.com/buynow.asp?action=detail&prid=1054&crid=185&cat_name=Featured+Products

Acoustech HT-75 tower
Sensitivity - 96 dB @ 1 watt,1 meter
8 Ohms

With specs like that, there's more than enough power. I don't know how much you're paying for the 5960 (I'm seeing it online for under $350), but you can pick up a THX rated receiver for under $480 below. I'd say this is a step up from the 5960 (probably comparable to the 5990). If the budget is not there, the 5960 is fine.

http://www.ubid.com/Onkyo_TX-SR703_700W._7.1-Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a10732235.html

 

[bryantm3]

it looks like the yamaha is enough to power those speakers fairly well. i doubt you'll need an external amplifier. i'm not sure about THX certification, as i'm fairly new to this thing as well! but it looks like if you ever do need more power (which i doubt you will) or if you want to upgrade your speakers or something, this reciever does have pre-outs.

one warning, though- if you're using an HDTV i don't think there are many recievers out there with HDMI capabilities. mine doesn't, but it isn't a huge hassle, i just have to switch inputs on my tv.

but a huge plus (for me, at least) is that the reciever you linked has a phono input (which means it has a preamp in it), so if your turntable (if you've got one) doesn't have a preamp, this is a good thing.

 

[marrypoppins]

I too have the Acoustech setup, its a fantastic deal im constantly impressed.

 

[DjSaneR]

it looks like the yamaha is enough to power those speakers fairly well. i doubt you'll need an external amplifier. i'm not sure about THX certification, as i'm fairly new to this thing as well! but it looks like if you ever do need more power (which i doubt you will) or if you want to upgrade your speakers or something, this reciever does have pre-outs.

one warning, though- if you're using an HDTV i don't think there are many recievers out there with HDMI capabilities. mine doesn't, but it isn't a huge hassle, i just have to switch inputs on my tv.

but a huge plus (for me, at least) is that the reciever you linked has a phono input (which means it has a preamp in it), so if your turntable (if you've got one) doesn't have a preamp, this is a good thing.

I was thinking the same thing. Yamaha makes the same model but with HDMI capabilities, and the price jumps from $350 to $600. That's well out of my price range for a reciever. I'll just have to use component inputs.

 

[DjSaneR]

I too have the Acoustech setup, its a fantastic deal im constantly impressed.

Which Acoustech speakers do you have? I'm looking into these, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140013658764&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT