MicroSet from HTD

[anupaminsf]

I have to replace my existing L,C,R Paradigms with something less obstrusive for a small room for under $500 (I have a mirage bipolar sub & adp-170 surrounds.)

I was considering Orbs, kef 2005.2 and AE Aego Ts when I stumbled upon the 5.1 MicroSet from HTD on clearance for $250! They look cool, spec ok, and fit the form factor. Has anyone heard them?

 

[MDS]

Never heard of them. Do you have a link to specs?

 

[anupaminsf]

the forum won't let me post a link. To get to it
htd dot com -> Clearance -> Discontinued -> Micro Set

sounds like HTD OEM'ed the micorSet from a Danish company. The user manual mentions Valent Audio.

 

[Seth=L]

I would guess that there is a good reason it is so heavily discounted, aside from being discontinued. I had the chance to view these, but not listen, where they briefly appeared in Target stores for around $500 for the set. The Satelites are light and flimsy, as well as the 8" subwoofer. The site has it spec'd for 18 pounds, it is made of plastic. I would stay away from this system.

 

[anupaminsf]

Thanks Seth, I figured it was too good to be true.

Which small footprint 3.0 (L,C,R) package would you recommend for $200 - $250? Folks seem to like Elemental Designs MTM, Athena Auditions, Radiient Europa (too big), and Velodyne CHT Front Row 5.0 package. Any thoughts on these or others?

 

[flippo]

Mirage Omnisat v2 are $500 a pair

 

[jcPanny]

Athena Micra

Look for the Athena Micra 6 5.1 satellite speakers for about $300.

Any of these options will probably be a downgrade from your existing paradigms. You might consider in-wall or on-wall speakers as a good asthetics and performance compromise.

 

[anupaminsf]

How right you are.

I just got back from Singapore, where I picked up Mordaunt Short Carnival L,C,Rs - Carnival 1s fronts, Carnival 5 center - that sounded great during audition and are pleasing to the eye. Once back home, I found they lacked the richer, fuller sound of the Paradigm Studios, they sound muted by comparison, and when I raised the volume to compensate, the receiver - denon 2803 - shut down once (weird.)

Wife insists I shoulda bought Bose

I don't know what is the takeaway here, except that one should decide only after listening to speakers at home but that eliminates the budget speaker vendors from consideration, most of whom rely on a direct model for viability.

 

[mazersteven]

Good looking speaker.