Looking for impressive HT speakers

[XC967]

I seem to migrate back to AV123 Rocket RS850 and BF center each time I visit this subject. I want great sound and lots of air movement. I have a Lexicon pre/pro and a B&K amp 5x100 and an ATI 5x125 (needs two channels repaired) and plan on running LCR on ATI and surround on B&K with a HSU VFT II sub. I am thinking on upgrading to Emotiva 7.1 pre/pro later.

Are there other speakers that will look good but have more volume and better sound that these with the same price? I am 95% HT and very little if any 2 channel at the moment but still want a good sounding 2 channel if interested in listening to music. I am also thinking of picking up another HSU sub.
I have Linn AV5140 and AV5120 at this time but am planning on selling them because when I bought the Linn I was more interested in 2 channel than I am now.

So bottom line lots of WOW and good sound, what are your thoughts.

 

[mazersteven]

Salk SongTower

http://www.salksound.com/SongTower.shtml

Swan Diva 6.2

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=29

 

[Swerd]

I agree with mazersteven. There is an interesting thread at AVS Speaker forum where someone did a blind listening comparison to:

Swan Diva 6.2
Acculine A3
Onix Rocket RS850 Signature
Salk SongTower QWT
Def Tech BP10B
NHT Classic 2

It's a long read, but you might find it interesting. The bottom line is that the poster, Nuance, liked the SongTowers best and the RS850 second best by a small margin.

You might also read the Salk Owner's thread at AVS. It mentions other Salk speakers as well as the SongTower.

 

[XC967]

Thanks for the links, while the Salk did the best in overall it would seem that the Rocket RS850 would be exactly what I am looking for, the Salk fell off at higher levels but the Rocket kept going. With everything so close it would be the dynamic range and impact this speaker provides that would make this a better HT speaker with the 2 channel edge to Salk IMHO.

 

[mazersteven]

Sounds like your ready to rock and roll and make your purchase.


http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=50.1

 

[XC967]

Yep, just gotta figure out selling the Linn's and get my order in or wait and see what happens with the Rocket II trade up program and get a nice used set.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I seem to migrate back to AV123 Rocket RS850...Are there other speakers that will look good but have more volume and better sound that these with the same price? I am 95% HT and very little if any 2 channel at the moment but still want a good sounding 2 channel if interested in listening to music. I am also thinking of picking up another HSU sub.

So bottom line lots of WOW and good sound, what are your thoughts.

What if you could get the DefTech BP7002s for $1,400/pr?

The Anechoic chamber measurement of the BP10s are 30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB.
Julian Hirsch/Stereo Review measured the BP10s to be 25Hz-20kHz +/-3dB and 20Hz-20kHz +/-5dB.

I recall the Anechoic chamber measurement of the BP7002s to be 25Hz-20kHz +/-3dB. If I were to extrapolate that into the Julian Hirsch Lab/Stereo Review model, it may be close to 20Hz-20kHz or 21Hz-20kHz or 22Hz-20kHz +/-3dB. But those are just interesting numbers to chit-chat/talk about at parties to break the ice, Not base your hard-earned-money decision on.

Anyway, the DefTech SuperTowers are FAMOUS for that Larger-Than-Life HT sound. IMO, they can fill a LARGE room with amazing sound like no other speakers on the planet.

 

[abboudc]

Yep, just gotta figure out selling the Linn's and get my order in or wait and see what happens with the Rocket II trade up program and get a nice used set.

The Rocket II's are at least a year away, probably two. Check the classifieds on the AV123 forums. I just picked up 850 Sigs and a BF for $1100. As guys upgrade to the LS9's, i'm sure there will be many deals...

 

[mazersteven]

I just picked up 850 Sigs and a BF for $1100.

I didn't see that classified ad?

 

[deedubb]

Definitive Technology bipolars are simply incredible for HT. I just finished watching Black Hawk Down and the sound blew me away. Audition them if you can and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

 

[mazersteven]

Definitive Technology bipolars are simply incredible for HT.

O No. Not another Definitive fan.

LOL

 

[gus6464]

LOL! Where's the DT love? They make some pretty damn good speakers IMO. Only thing I don't think they are excel at is in music. But then again they are marketed as HT speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

O No. Not another Definitive fan.

LOL

God damn, I love your cartoons!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

LOL! Where's the DT love? They make some pretty damn good speakers IMO. Only thing I don't think they are excel at is in music. But then again they are marketed as HT speakers.

Here is one from the link:

"My brother AJ is apparently very busy, so I will post his impressions of the GTG for him since Craig sent me his tally and comment sheets. Here is what he thought:

Swan 6.2

Loved the overall sound. All elements mixed well, excellent balance.
Definition – 7.5
Continuity of Soundstage – 6.5
Width of Soundstage – 7.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 6.5
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 8.5
Dynamics – 8
Overall Rating - 7.3

Acculine A3

Great concert live sound, but scratchy highs and mids. Very weak bass with over powering treble.
Definition – 5.5
Continuity of Soundstage – 6.5
Width of Soundstage – 6.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 5.0
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 6.0
Dynamics – 7.0
Overall Rating - 6.0

Rocket 850 Sigs

Very musical with excellent integration of instruments. Music sounded live, and vocals were terrific. Tight bass, with good extension.
Definition – 9.0
Continuity of Soundstage – 9.0
Width of Soundstage – 9.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 8.0
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 9.0
Dynamics – 9.5
Overall Rating - 8.9

Salk SongTowers

Great, balanced sound. Bass a little weak, but pretty good. Excellent mids and highs, very clear.
Definition – 8.5
Continuity of Soundstage – 9.5
Width of Soundstage – 9.5
Impression of Width/Depth – 8.5
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 8.5
Dynamics – 9.0
Overall Rating - 8.9

Def Tech BP-10B

Amazing sound, with the best bass of all the speakers. Sounds blended extremely well.
Definition – 9.0
Continuity of Soundstage – 9.0
Width of Soundstage – 9.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 8.5
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 9.0
Dynamics – 9.5
Overall Rating - 9.0"

Looks like we another person who loved the DefTechs in a BLIND TEST!

It is funny how the main guy said that (under Blind Test), he thought the DefTEch BP10Bs sounded like "Very good bookshelf speakers w/ a Subwoofer". That's pretty good for a speaker that does not even have a single subwoofer in it!

 

[gus6464]

Here is one from the link:

"My brother AJ is apparently very busy, so I will post his impressions of the GTG for him since Craig sent me his tally and comment sheets. Here is what he thought:

Swan 6.2

Loved the overall sound. All elements mixed well, excellent balance.
Definition – 7.5
Continuity of Soundstage – 6.5
Width of Soundstage – 7.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 6.5
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 8.5
Dynamics – 8
Overall Rating - 7.3

Acculine A3

Great concert live sound, but scratchy highs and mids. Very weak bass with over powering treble.
Definition – 5.5
Continuity of Soundstage – 6.5
Width of Soundstage – 6.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 5.0
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 6.0
Dynamics – 7.0
Overall Rating - 6.0

Rocket 850 Sigs

Very musical with excellent integration of instruments. Music sounded live, and vocals were terrific. Tight bass, with good extension.
Definition – 9.0
Continuity of Soundstage – 9.0
Width of Soundstage – 9.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 8.0
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 9.0
Dynamics – 9.5
Overall Rating - 8.9

Salk SongTowers

Great, balanced sound. Bass a little weak, but pretty good. Excellent mids and highs, very clear.
Definition – 8.5
Continuity of Soundstage – 9.5
Width of Soundstage – 9.5
Impression of Width/Depth – 8.5
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 8.5
Dynamics – 9.0
Overall Rating - 8.9

Def Tech BP-10B

Amazing sound, with the best bass of all the speakers. Sounds blended extremely well.
Definition – 9.0
Continuity of Soundstage – 9.0
Width of Soundstage – 9.0
Impression of Width/Depth – 8.5
Abnormal Effects - 1.5 (lower is better)
Ambiance-Spaciousness – 9.0
Dynamics – 9.5
Overall Rating - 9.0"

Looks like we another person who loved the DefTechs in a BLIND TEST!

It is funny how the main guy said that (under Blind Test), he thought the DefTEch BP10Bs sounded like "Very good bookshelf speakers w/ a Subwoofer". That's pretty good for a speaker that does not even have a single subwoofer in it!

Haven't heard the BP-10B's because no one seems to carry them in the stores. All DT stores I go to only have the Supertowers for demo. I personally have a thing against AV123 as I find their "viral like" marketing pretty distasteful. I find it funny how speaker companies who have been around for a whole lot longer than them are now considered a crappy value when you compare it to their stuff. Their tactics remind me of Bose but instead of flooding the regular consumer world they flood the enthusiast world.

 

[3db]

I seem to migrate back to AV123 Rocket RS850 and BF center each time I visit this subject. I want great sound and lots of air movement. I have a Lexicon pre/pro and a B&K amp 5x100 and an ATI 5x125 (needs two channels repaired) and plan on running LCR on ATI and surround on B&K with a HSU VFT II sub. I am thinking on upgrading to Emotiva 7.1 pre/pro later.

Are there other speakers that will look good but have more volume and better sound that these with the same price? I am 95% HT and very little if any 2 channel at the moment but still want a good sounding 2 channel if interested in listening to music. I am also thinking of picking up another HSU sub.
I have Linn AV5140 and AV5120 at this time but am planning on selling them because when I bought the Linn I was more interested in 2 channel than I am now.

So bottom line lots of WOW and good sound, what are your thoughts.

IMO, I would choose speakers that excelled in music and use them in your HT rather than the other way around. Speakers that do well in music will do well in HT because HT is less demanding. Sound effects are sound effects and its much more difficult t to tell if they were effects were reproduced improperly by the speakers. However, when speakers reproduce the sound of an instrument incorrectly, its much easier to catch/spot.

What is the budget for your speakers? PSB, Paradigm, Totem, Energy all make
high quality products. The trick is to audition them to see what best fits your ear. I'm a PSB fan boy and love their sound. But if I were in your shoes, I would audition audition audition.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

IMO, I would choose speakers that excelled in music and use them in your HT rather than the other way around. Speakers that do well in music will do well in HT because HT is less demanding. Sound effects are sound effects and its much more difficult t to tell if they were effects were reproduced improperly by the speakers. However, when speakers reproduce the sound of an instrument incorrectly, its much easier to catch/spot.

I agree 100%!

Music Listening is my number 1 objective. For movies, all you need are five $100 bookshelf speakers, a $500 subwoofer, and a $400 receiver. But for that one moment where music listening is of utmost importance, IMO nothing beats a pair of full range accurate tower speakers. Again that's just my opinion. Of course, some may be able to turn excellent bookshelf speakers + a great sub into an exceptional music experience.

 

[gus6464]

I agree 100%!

Music Listening is my number 1 objective. For movies, all you need are five $100 bookshelf speakers, a $500 subwoofer, and a $400 receiver. But for that one moment where music listening is of utmost importance, IMO nothing beats a pair of full range accurate tower speakers. Again that's just my opinion. Of course, some may be able to turn excellent bookshelf speakers + a great sub into an exceptional music experience.

Personally whenever I get to put together my dedicated 2ch music setup I would rather go with some very nice bookshelves and a sub. You just get more speaker for your money with bookshelves when it comes to music.

 

[silversurfer]

Haven't heard the BP-10B's because no one seems to carry them in the stores. All DT stores I go to only have the Supertowers for demo. I personally have a thing against AV123 as I find their "viral like" marketing pretty distasteful. I find it funny how speaker companies who have been around for a whole lot longer than them are now considered a crappy value when you compare it to their stuff. Their tactics remind me of Bose but instead of flooding the regular consumer world they flood the enthusiast world.

Before you make a statement like this, I think you should listen to their products.

I would admit, for my tastes, some of the stuff I have heard is not that good, but some of it is very good and an extremely good value.

 

[gus6464]

Before you make a statement like this, I think you should listen to their products.

I would admit, for my tastes, some of the stuff I have heard is not that good, but some of it is very good and an extremely good value.

I am not attacking their products per se, just their marketing strategy. I mean how would you guys like it if some B&W, Revel, etc. fanboys just flooded the forum with av123 every time someone makes a post. Of course they aren't the only ID brand that does it but they seem to do it in full force compared to the others. Although nowadays Curtis at AVS has gotten into it with a lot of people when it comes to Ascend. Now I understand that it's hard being the new kid on the block and whatnot. But for people to go and say that they are now the best thing since sliced bread when comparing them to companies that have been in business a lot longer and to ones that actually design and build their own speakers down to the drivers is just wrong.

I wouldn't care so much about it but it gets old fast when every time someone mentions that he/she are looking for x type of speaker for y amount of money and everyone gives their opinion one person comes along and just spouts that av123 has the better speaker and that the others aren't worth squat.