Infinity TSS-750 vs TSS-1100

[a-dogg]

I've been trying to find a comparison between the two. Does the sound/build quality, etc. make the price jump worth it? I have a store near me that has some refurb. units so the TSS-1100 would only be about $100-$200 more than the TSS-750. Either model I get would be a refurbished one.

Thanks for any advice. My receiver is an Onkyo TX-SR602.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

You will get a lot better performance if you can save for a bookshelf speaker system vs. those infinity satellite speakers.
For about $100/pair, check out the Athen Audition series and BIC Venturi bookshelf speakers. In a higher price/performance bracket, look at the Onix X-LS speakers from av123.com, about $200/pair.

 

[brendy]

I have to disagree with jcPanny.I own the TSS-750 with an Onkyo 602 and am very pleased. I do a lot of music listening ranging from rock to Yanni.The build quality is identical.The main difference is the 1100 has a bigger sub.Other than that they will sound pretty identical. Both have been given very good professional reviews.The whole package ,satellites + sub,will easily outperform any low priced bookshelf speaker.This is from someone who was using Paradigm Titans,a very good bookshelf itself.

P.S. Since I have the same receiver feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[a-dogg]

Here's the thing... I currently have some JBL bookshelf speakers from about 15 years ago. If I remember correctly, the front ones were about $400/pair and the back ones (I use them for satellites, but that's not how they were marketed) were about $200/pair. Personally, I love them, but they're not a "matched set," there's no sub, and what I'm using for a center channel is a peice of crap. I guess I could buy a new sub and center channel, but I figured I should step up to a mid-level 5.1 boxed set. All the reviews for infinity have been solid-to-great, so...

As far as the differences between the tss-750 and its big brother, beyond the bigger sub I know that the tss-1100s have an extra speaker in each satellite--look at the satellites in the pictures below:

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-TSS-1100-theater-speaker-Charcoal/dp/B00065U11W/sr=8-1/qid=1161037852/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0817035-1352121?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-TSS-750-theater-speaker-charcoal/dp/B0002553BY/sr=1-1/qid=1161037878/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-0817035-1352121?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Don't know how much that adds to the picture. The one complaint that I've heard about these tss-450 and tss-750 is that they don't do midrange sounds too well (I guess that's common in tiny satellites?). Wasn't sure how the tss-1100 handled them (or if you've found that about your tss-750s, brendy.

Do you guys know anything about JBLs? I could look at the model #s tonight and post it if that would help...

Thanks for the help! It's greatly appreciated.

 

[Sheep]

If you purchase either of those systems, I suggest you keep the subwoofer as close to the TV as possible. They're not going to have hte bass response necessary for optimum subwoofer placement.

Personally, I think you should look into Wooden box bookshelf speakers.

SheepStar

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with JC Panny. The Infinitys are OK, but IMO, going from decent bookshelf speakers down to smaller satellites may leave you wanting a bit in the midrange as you already suspect as well. With respect to Brendy, what do you have to compare the Infinitys to? Everything sounds great until you find something better, and there is always something better...

What I would probably do is sell the lesser of the current bookshelf speakers and put that towards buying a new set of 3 for the front and possibly a sub, using the other set of current bookshelf speakers for surrounds. IMO, that will buy you much more than blowing the whole thing an all in one package system.

 

[a-dogg]

Honestly, I haven't compared them to anything. I've been researching prices and user reviews on the internet and what looked like the best deal (price vs. user and editorial reviews) for a 5.1 system was the infinity.

If my current speakers sound good to me, is there any reason why I can't just keep them and add a quality center channel and sub? I was leaning away from that for two reasons: 1) the cosmetic issue of them not matching (pretty anal, I know) and 2) if there was any downside to them not being a matched set and being designed to go together.

Bear in mind that I'm a total newbie at all this (which you've probably already gathered).

Another question is that if my current speakers are about 15 years old, is there a lifespan that I have to worry about? Or if they sound good now, will they probably continue to until... well, until they blow out or something?

My budget is about $300-$500 (hopefully closer to $300). I could get a tss-1100 for about $450 (including tax and shipping), so...

 

[j_garcia]

The only thing to worry about with older speakers is usually the midbass/bass driver if it has a foam surround. Inspect it for deterioration. Sometimes the capacitors in the x-over may fail as well, but that is less common.

Visually, it is up to you, and that is completely understandable. Sound wise, you probably won't find a center that matches your current speakers exactly, but with a little shopping around and listening, you probably could find one close enough. Front 3 are the most important to match, as those are what you will be hearing most.

$450 for the 1100 sounds pretty decent though (refurb?)

 

[a-dogg]

Well, the visual appearance is relatively important, as is the fact that the center channel won't totally sound-match the front speakers...

Okay, so I've been doing a little more research. The speakers I currently have are good, but they're old and I think it's time to move on... I know that the rule of thumb is a 5.1 speaker set under $500 can't be all that, but that's my budget. I could get the $1000 (close to MSRP) Infinity tss-1100 for about $450-$500 (factory refurb) or try to create a system on my own. I've seen people recommend the JBL Northridge series (E30 or E35), but I'd have no idea what sub or center channel to add with that.

The main thing to consider is that this is not going to be my final speaker set. I live in an apartment now and need the best that I can afford. When I move into a house, and can afford it, I will "build" a high-quality system.

Right now, though, I just want the best that $500 can get me. I looked at the avs123.com speakers and they look great, but the minimum price for a 5.1 set on the is over $700, so... I feel like I'm left choosing between the Infinity TSS-1100 and the HSU VT-12 with an STF-1 (or 2).

brendy, as you've had both the tss-750 and the VT-12, could you give me your thoughts on them? The VT-12 is supposed to have a warmer sound than other 5.1 "packages," yet I know you switched from the VT-12 to a TSS-750...

 

[brendy]

With respect to Brendy, what do you have to compare the Infinitys to? Everything sounds great until you find something better, and there is always something better... .

As my post states I was using Paradigm Titans. The TSS systems require careful blending and placement of the sub.

THe main reason why I switched to the TSS - 750 was that I wanted a true two-way speaker.Even though the VT-12 is a very good performer I found it to have a minor rolloff in the very upper treble,above about 16khz and the system has a small "sweet spot". I also got my TSS-750 for only $199 at a Compusa clearance sale.

The Infinity has better satellites but the HSU is a better sub.

 

[a-dogg]

Thanks for the response. I think (especially with the ability to get the tss-1100's at closer to $400, rather than the $999 MSRP) I'm gonna go with them. I can always upgrade the sub if I want, later.

I may have some questions regarding the "blending" you mentioned, but that will come later.

Thanks!

 

[a-dogg]

Last minute question...

The av123.com guy just emailed me back...

What would you think of a set of av123 onix reference 0.5 bookshelves for the L/R (there's a set on ebay for less that $100, althoug 3+ days to go on the auction), an x-cs for the center, and an av123 x-sub (or Hsu STF-1 or 2) for the sub?

It's either that or the package-at-once of the Infinity TSS-1100...