New 3.1 Setup - JBL, Selah, KEF, TAD, or JTR?

[Gabuk]

Hi all!

I am in the market for a new home theater 3.0 setup and seeking feedback on a possible JBL LSR setup. I am looking at three JBL LSR 6332 or three JBL LSR 6328P for my new L/C/R. The goal is to have the same three speakers across the frontstage.

I currently am running Swan Diva 6.1 for L/R, Swan Diva 4.1 for surrounds, and a Swan CC3 for the center. I would replace my current Diva 4.1 surrounds with my PC speakers: JBL LSR 2325P. Love these monitors. I will use them for whatever new 3.0 setup I purchase.

After reading numerous threads here and other AVS forums, I was hoping the resident JBL experts could point me in the right direction on what setup you’d recommend. My living room is your standard apartment style, walls on three sides, open on one. Dimensions are 12’6w x 12’10l x 9’h. I’ll be running the speakers primarily as an HT/gaming/sports setup 90% of the time and music for the other 10%. Since it's not a dedicated room, I am somewhat limited on what I can do acoustically. I will eventually buy room treatments as well.

I will have about 9-10 feet between the L/R speakers and can toe them in toward my living room couch. Viewing distance to the screen will be roughly 11.5’ and there won’t be much off-axis viewing/listening. I won’t be listening at reference levels (neighbors would kill me) but really prefer clear movie dialogue and accurate music playback.

Other speaks I am considering are the JTR Noesis 228HT, Selah Tempesta, Vapor Breeze, TAD 2201, or KEF R300. I am listening to the KEFs this weekend and will be reaching out to local AVSers that have the JTRs, Vapor, and Selah setups. For my new subwoofer, I am looking at a Rhythmik F15 or dual SVS SB12 NSD.

The passive speakers will be driven by a Pioneer Elite SC-05 for now but considering either a Denon 4520ci or an Emotiva UMC 200 paired with my Acurus 150x2 and 100x3 in the future.

Would be great to hear your feedback between the two LSR setups. I’ve heard nothing but the best about them.

Thanks!

 

[ratm]

Given your choices, I am guessing your in the 5-6k-ish range for this 3.1?

 

[Gabuk]

Given your choices, I am guessing your in the 5-6k-ish range for this 3.1?

Yes, sorry for leaving that out. That's the current budget.

Thinking long term, I want my next speaker purchase to last thru my current apartment situation and into a house in the next few years.

 

[ratso]

selah isn't brought up too often around here, interesting to hear their name thrown out there. nice speakers, very similar to salks in a lot of respects. i actually use a selah center to match with my salk HT2's and they blend perfectly.

 

[Gabuk]

selah isn't brought up too often around here, interesting to hear their name thrown out there. nice speakers, very similar to salks in a lot of respects. i actually use a selah center to match with my salk HT2's and they blend perfectly.

Yah, I've been reading a bunch of other threads and people have been saying a lot of positive things. I was looking at the Magnifico with the Tempesta or three Tempesta. I was also considering the HT2-TLs as well but won't be able to use a third for the CC.

BTW you have an awesome setup.

 

[theJman]

I am in the market for a new home theater 3.0 setup and seeking feedback on a possible JBL LSR setup. I am looking at three JBL LSR 6332 or three JBL LSR 6328P for my new L/C/R. The goal is to have the same three speakers across the frontstage.

I currently am running Swan Diva 6.1 for L/R, Swan Diva 4.1 for surrounds, and a Swan CC3 for the center. I would replace my current Diva 4.1 surrounds with my PC speakers: JBL LSR 2325P. Love these monitors. I will use them for whatever new 3.0 setup I purchase.

Other speaks I am considering are the JTR Noesis 228HT, Selah Tempesta, Vapor Breeze, TAD 2201, or KEF R300. I am listening to the KEFs this weekend and will be reaching out to local AVSers that have the JTRs, Vapor, and Selah setups. For my new subwoofer, I am looking at a Rhythmik F15 or dual SVS SB12 NSD.

Is this for real? You're actually considering the R300's and 2201's at the same time as the Noesis??? Those aren't anywhere near comparable, and for sure the JTR speakers will obliterate you in such a small space. I've heard them, and they could easily handle a room twice the size of yours. Why are looking to ditch the Diva's anyway? Those are some really nice speakers.

 

[Gabuk]

Is this for real? You're actually considering the R300's and 2201's at the same time as the Noesis??? Those aren't anywhere near comparable, and for sure the JTR speakers will obliterate you in such a small space. I've heard them, and they could easily handle a room twice the size of yours. Why are looking to ditch the Diva's anyway? Those are some really nice speakers.

Hi Jim. Thanks for the info on the JTR. I also heard they will dominate my small living room.

I guess I have upgrade-itis and moving into a new place, I am trying to start over again. Most people have recommended the JBL LSRs, R300s, 2201s, Selah, Salks, Vapors, etc. as the next step in audio nirvana for my budget and will be step from the Divas. I've had them for about eight years and agree with you, great sounding speakers.

I am considering the Noesis as they have been getting rave reviews from other folks due to the fact I am primarily a movies/TV watcher. So to be safe, are you saying the R300s and Tad 2201 are not a wise purchase compared to the Noesis since I am mostly into movies?

Really appreciate your help.

 

[Ricardojoa]

Big swing in speakers comparison price.

 

[shadyJ]

You can't go wrong with the higher end LSR, they are all THX pm3 certified, supposedly that is a pretty stiff certification and isn't easy to get. JTRs are very highly regarded as well. I don't think the Vapors, Selahs, TADs, or KEFs will have the dynamics of the JTRs or 6332s. I would be most interested in the 6332s out of all of them, but you will need some heavy duty amps to let them rip. I have to say though, such powerful speakers with such wimpy subs? Those subs would only have a small fraction of the dynamic range of the LSR and JTR speakers, they are bad mismatch unless you bought maybe 6 or 7 of them. The appropriate subs for those speakers would be something like the Seaton Submersive, JTR Caps, or the Funk 18" subs. To pair a LSR 6332 front stage with a F15 or dual SB12s would be a travesty.

 

[Gabuk]

You can't go wrong with the higher end LSR, they are all THX pm3 certified, supposedly that is a pretty stiff certification and isn't easy to get. JTRs are very highly regarded as well. I don't think the Vapors, Selahs, TADs, or KEFs will have the dynamics of the JTRs or 6332s. I would be most interested in the 6332s out of all of them, but you will need some heavy duty amps to let them rip. I have to say though, such powerful speakers with such wimpy subs? Those subs would only have a small fraction of the dynamic range of the LSR and JTR speakers, they are bad mismatch unless you bought maybe 6 or 7 of them. The appropriate subs for those speakers would be something like the Seaton Submersive, JTR Caps, or the Funk 18" subs. To pair a LSR 6332 front stage with a F15 or dual SB12s would be a travesty.

Thanks, ShadyJ. I would love to have a sub or two from Seaton, JTR or Funk but since I am in an apartment (first floor), I am not sure my neighbors will approve. I only have two neighbors though, above and one to the right, maybe I can get away with one. I've been reading about the Audyssey LFC feature of the Denon 4520ci. Maybe that will help out?

As for amps, I am looking at some Crown or Emotiva. I figure my Acurus amps can be used for now until I can upgrade them.

Great feedback, thank you.

 

[shadyJ]

If you are in an apartment, the 6332s and JTRs don't make a lot of sense. Those speakers were designed for high output, although they ought to sound good at low levels too. Seaton, Funk, and JTR probably wouldn't be a good idea for subs either, those will shake your entire building. Unless you plan to move to a house, I think the JTRs and 6332s would be wasted, they would never get to stretch their legs. This being the case, the R300 and TAD speakers have an excellent reputation, although I don't know much about the Vapor and Selah speakers. The LSR 6328 would certainly not disappoint either. You should ask your local pro-audio shops if they have any to demo.

For subs, in an apartment, what I would recommend is near-field placement, if you can accommodate it. This is where you place the sub very close to the listening position, like an endtable type placement, or right behind your seat. This way you won't need to have the subs blazing nearly as hard for you to get a nice rich bass sound, and your neighbors will appreciate this. Near-field placement also has an extra visceral feel, which you don't get at any other placement unless the sub is a monster. You might be able to avoid using any kind of night listening mode like Audyssey's LFC this way as well. Some subs which would be great for near-field is the Rythmik D15SE, Hsu VTF2 and VTF3, Power Sound Audio XS15 and XV15. You might consider getting two of them and have them flank each side of your seat to lessen localization.

A speaker that you might consider is the GedLee Nathan. It is in your budget range and will have terrific dynamics. Pricing is here for the GedLee speakers. A speaker worth considering with dynamics in the JTR range is the Pi Four. You can upgrade the woofer to the JBL 2226 for an extra $250, supposedly that is one of the best drivers for mid bass being made. Sadly, like the JBL LSR 6332 and JTR, you would not get to really explore that speaker's potential, so it might not be worth it, but I think that speaker would still be amazing.

 

[Gabuk]

Awesome advice, ShadyJ. I completely understand your point on not utilizing the full the potential of the JTRs or 6332s. I'm headed to Guitar Center this weekend to check out the 6328Ps. I wanna take 3 home and test them out.

As for the subs, I was reading about the PSA XS 15s and two of them fall perfectly in my price range. I've never heard of nearfield placement but that idea makes complete sense. I will have the ability to flank them on the coffee table that's in front of my couch. Great idea.

As for the GedLee Nathan's, another forum poster referred them too. Will definitely read up on them.

Thank you again!

 

[shadyJ]

I have two VTF3's next to both sides of my couch with their side-firing drivers facing inward toward the seating. Getting punched from both woofers at such a close range is felt as much as it is heard. Its lots of fun for both music and movies. The closer you can bring the subs to your listening position, the better. It also lessens influences from the room, so less boominess, less chances of a bad null or peak, and less distortion because the sub's driver doesn't need to work as hard. Less work for the sub also means it will last longer. The only drawback in my experience is near-field subs are more localizable, but two goes a long way toward defeating that. One thing I would recommend if you do go for two near-field subs is try different phase settings on both subs and use an SPL meter to see what gets you the most SPL at your listening position.

 

[Gabuk]

Totally dig the idea on the side firing subs. I just measured my couch and two the VTF3s and it should fit perfectly.

I was also doing some more research and hope to check out the Seaton Sparks. That might be a great active speaker choice for my room. Three of those as LCRs might do the trick. I could save money and not get the Denon and keep my SC-05.

 

[fmw]

Have you considered visiting dealers and listening to some speakers instead of getting other peoples' preferences on the internet?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can vouch for the TAD 2201 Pro Monitors!

I think they sound superb.

In terms of clarity, I think they are second to NONE.

Imaging is also superb.

"Soundstage" might be a little smaller than other "consumer" speakers, but the clarity and image are superb.

I paid $1691/pair delivered from Music Direct.

Also keep in mind many pro monitors like JBL LSR & KEF LS don't even have speaker grilles, if that is important to you. The TAD 2201 has grilles.

 

[its phillip]

I would try to find somebody in the area to demo the JTRs or Selahs or Seatons. I would agree that you need to have monster subs to go with speakers as capable as the JTRs or Seatons, though.

 

[Gabuk]

Have you considered visiting dealers and listening to some speakers instead of getting other peoples' preferences on the internet?

Absolutely. That is the second phase. Already have plans to listen to the KEFs and JBL LSRs this weekend. Hopefully with some luck will hear Ascend Acoustics at their shop next week. Already have scratched off the list the following: Paradigm, Klipsch, DT, and B&W. Listened to some Martin Logan electros that were enjoyable.

The ones that will take a bit more research in finding local owners are the Selah, Vapor, and JTRs but trying to hammer out the easier to find ones first.

 

[Gabuk]

I can vouch for the TAD 2201 Pro Monitors!

I think they sound superb.

In terms of clarity, I think they are second to NONE.

Imaging is also superb.

"Soundstage" might be a little smaller than other "consumer" speakers, but the clarity and image are superb.

I paid $1691/pair delivered from Music Direct.

Also keep in mind many pro monitors like JBL LSR & KEF LS don't even have speaker grilles, if that is important to you. The TAD 2201 has grilles.

Thanks, ADTG. I had the TAD 2201 on my list because of your thread on this forum. This speaker has me quite interested and are next on the list to audition. Hoping someone is local as I'd rather avoid returning them to Music Direct.

Really appreciate the help.

 

[theJman]

I am considering the Noesis as they have been getting rave reviews from other folks due to the fact I am primarily a movies/TV watcher. So to be safe, are you saying the R300s and Tad 2201 are not a wise purchase compared to the Noesis since I am mostly into movies?

The Noesis are very nice speakers, but they can't really be compared to the KEF and TAD because the latter two are bookshelf and the Noesis is anything but. That's all I was really trying to convey.

Since you're moving, wouldn't it be better to wait until you're in the new place before making any decisions? Things might change once you see what you can/can't do their.