Recommendations for LCR Floorstanders <$10K and <$20K?

[jay21112]

I keep upgrading my theater, and looming in the near future is an acoustically transparent projector screen. Once that is in, I'd like to have 3 identical Floorstanding speakers as the L,C,R.

Looking at Floorstanding speakers, I notice some brands have a dedicated L + R speaker, making me suspect that they would not perform well if I took one and used it as a center channel. Then there are plenty of companies that just sell you two of the same speaker to use as L + R, where I suspect I could just pick up a 3rd and use it as a center channel.

Does anybody have recommendations on good quality speakers that would perform well as a L,C,R setup? Because budget isn't set yet, I'd like to see recommendations in two categories:
<$10K for all three speakers combined (~$3K Each (or less of course)
<$20K for all three speakers combined (~$6-7K Each (or less of course)

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

JTR Speakers |  Triple 8HT

 

[jinjuku]

Looking at Floorstanding speakers, I notice some brands have a dedicated L + R speaker, making me suspect that they would not perform well if I took one and used it as a center channel.

Most speaker companies aren't considering your usage scenario. If you are doing an AT screen then get three floor standers (one's that don't have a tweeter offset, those are a different story).

JTR's mentioned will do a great job for HT.

 

[its phillip]

JTR speakers definitely interest me as well, but I'd be looking at the noesis.

I'd also take a look at Seaton catalysts.

I have no idea how much Danley speakers cost but I'd look at those as well

 

[zieglj01]

.
I have no idea how much Danley speakers cost but I'd look at those as well

+1 on looking at the Danley speakers
http://www.danleysoundlabs.com/products/loud-speakers/

 

[jay21112]

Wow, you've all mentioned speakers I've never even heard of before (well, I've heard of Seaton, but only subwoofers).
Heck, those Danley speakers don't even look like anything i've seen in home theater before. Horns - man, that's crazy.
I was googling stuff like (in no particular order): Klipsh, B+W, RBH, Legacy Audio, Focal, Revel, DefTech, Thiel, Salk.

...I guess I have some researching to do.

 

[psbfan9]

These may work for you.

Focus SE | Legacy Audio - Building the World's Finest Audio Systems



Easy Pay - Legacy Focus SE, Easy Pay available!



Domestic Showrooms | Legacy Audio - Building the World's Finest Audio Systems


http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/legacy-audio-focus-se-loudspeakers

 

[jay21112]

Yes, I was looking at Legacy Audio. I remember when Audioholics previewed the Focus SE, and I thought it sounded very interesting. Then I saw the Aeris, and thought...hmmm, I wonder if I could find those things used...

But I'm getting off topic.
What would be the difference between doing a LCR setup with 3 Legacy Audio Focus SE's versus 3 JTR Noesis 212HT-LP's?
Or am I asking one of those: "Which speaker/speaker brand is better?" questions, which truly has no true answer, it's all on who you ask / personal preference.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

Do you intend to run them full range or cross them over to subs?

 

[slipperybidness]

In that price range......

Hit the streets and listen to as many as you can. Even if a vendor isn't nearby, plan a trip to a large city to hear some speakers!

If I'm spending maybe $1000 on a pair of speakers, then I'm not as worried about the pre-audition. But, much more than that $, and you owe it to yourself to do it right.

 

[zieglj01]

Wow, you've all mentioned speakers I've never even heard of before (well, I've heard of Seaton, but only subwoofers).
Heck, those Danley speakers don't even look like anything i've seen in home theater before. Horns - man, that's crazy.

The word on them is solid - and they are used in homes also - they are
not your typical type horn speaker, or aggressive horn character. They
are a good company. Their subwoofers are also real good.

Take your time, there are a lot of options out there.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Wow, you've all mentioned speakers I've never even heard of before (well, I've heard of Seaton, but only subwoofers).

I was googling stuff like (in no particular order): Klipsh, B+W, RBH, Legacy Audio, Focal, Revel, DefTech, Thiel, Salk.

B+W makes great DSLR filters , I know you meant to say B&W

If you intend to hide the speakers, there is no point of paying for great finish - you know what I mean ergo most of us recommend pro or semi-pro speakers

I do have a weak point for Salk SoundScape 8 - but I don't know if it is worth to hide behind the screen - it deserves better than that...

Speakers from shops like JTR, Seaton and Danley will give you very powerful, vibrant and real theater like sound at levels most home speakers would struggle and crumble under piles of THD

RMK - a rare visitor here has full JTR HT - and I believe it's extremely impressinve

 

[jay21112]

If you intend to hide the speakers, there is no point of paying for great finish - you know what I mean ergo most of us recommend pro or semi-pro speakers

Speakers from shops like JTR, Seaton and Danley will give you very powerful, vibrant and real theater like sound at levels most home speakers would struggle and crumble under piles of THD

You know, I've been thinking that. As I look at all these speakers with exotic finishes, I think to myself "How much for the speaker unpainted?" I want to pay for the performance, but not for the looks...I don't need the looks if they will be behind the screen.

So, maybe I have been looking in the wrong areas - the usual HT speakers, and need to, instead, look more into the JTR, Seaton, and Danley.
I think my problem here is that I just haven't heard enough about them to form impressions on them. But again, nothing some online reading can't solve.
I'm glad I posted this thread.

To answer a previous question as to how I plan to run them...I've gotten into the habit of running my fronts crossed over at 40hz. I've always had fronts with active subs, so that they were able to be run full range, and I like that feature. However I have 2 Funk 18.3's as subs, so I'd rather they handle the truly low frequencies.

(PS: I plan to move my current front's to Front Wides, so that I can purchase the matching L,C,R).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I keep upgrading my theater, and looming in the near future is an acoustically transparent projector screen. Once that is in, I'd like to have 3 identical Floorstanding speakers as the L,C,R.

Looking at Floorstanding speakers, I notice some brands have a dedicated L + R speaker, making me suspect that they would not perform well if I took one and used it as a center channel. Then there are plenty of companies that just sell you two of the same speaker to use as L + R, where I suspect I could just pick up a 3rd and use it as a center channel.

Does anybody have recommendations on good quality speakers that would perform well as a L,C,R setup? Because budget isn't set yet, I'd like to see recommendations in two categories:
<$10K for all three speakers combined (~$3K Each (or less of course)
<$20K for all three speakers combined (~$6-7K Each (or less of course)

1. RBH SX-T2 x 3 = $7500 total
2. KEF Reference 207/2 x 3 = $18K total
3. Revel Salon2 x 3 = $19K total

I would not worry about labeling of R/L/C. No big deal.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

look more into the JTR, Seaton, and Danley.

Just make sure you audition first before buying any speakers.

 

[shadyJ]

Since you already have some good subs, I wouldn't bother with full range speakers. Seaton Catalysts will be high on my list for a $10k trio. Nearing $20k, I would be looking at some Genelec 1037c monitors. They are THX pm3 certified so you are looking at a very neutral and high performing speaker. Another speaker that looks to be high performing although costing a lot less than these others is the Pi Fours. They are very dynamic and measure very nicely, and in your budget you can get some with all the trimmins'. Going a bit beyond your budget, you can get three Genelec 1038Bs, I have no doubt those would be fantastic, but a trio would set you back 25k. Another thing I would look into for sheer performance for the dollar is the JBL M2 Master Reference Monitors. These look like they may be audio perfection, near perfect frequency response, excellent off axis response, tremendous dynamic range, the latest and greatest from the most advanced audio research and development department in the world. MSRP is $10k each, but I think the street price is lower, I have seen some for $6k each. I think those are definitely worth going out of your way for.

 

[Swerd]

Looking at Floorstanding speakers, I notice some brands have a dedicated L + R speaker, making me suspect that they would not perform well if I took one and used it as a center channel.

Are you asking about speakers that have some drivers, especially tweeters, mounted slightly off-center? If so, you are imagining a problem that doesn't exist. You can use speakers with off-center tweeters placed on either side or in the center, it doesn't matter.

High frequency sound coming from tweeters will interact with cabinet edges, causing small peaks and valleys in the frequency range of about 4 to 8 kHz. The exact frequency is determined by the distance from the tweeter to the cabinet edge.

If the tweeter is centered in a cabinet, there will be two tweeter-to-edge distances that are the same, creating the possibility of larger peaks and valleys. If the tweeter is slightly off center there will be two slightly different tweeter-to-edge distances. They may generate more peaks and valleys, but they will be smaller in amplitude. That way the speaker's frequency response curve will be smoother.

Off-set tweeters and rounded over the cabinet edges on a speaker have the same aim, to minimize diffraction peaks. They are nice touches in a cabinet, but they make small differences in the measurable sound. Note that I say it can be measured, but it is not known just how audible a difference it makes.

Does anybody have recommendations on good quality speakers that would perform well as a L,C,R setup? Because budget isn't set yet, I'd like to see recommendations in two categories:
<$10K for all three speakers combined (~$3K Each (or less of course)
<$20K for all three speakers combined (~$6-7K Each (or less of course)

In these price ranges, you should listen to everything you can, and do not settle for the first thing you hear.

I recommend the Salk HT2-TL floor stander. Jim Salk would be glad to build a center tower where the tweeter is centered, if an off-set tweeter offends your sense of symmetry .

 

[jay21112]

Are you asking about speakers that have some drivers, especially tweeters, mounted slightly off-center?

Sure, or subs facing just one side of the cabinet...or just a L or R on the serial number.
But yes, any speaker that isn't symmetrical would make me suspect it wouldn't be good as a center.
And while you may be 100% correct in what you say, I think that deep down a part of me would feel like I was doing something wrong if I put something in the center that wasn't symmetrical (left to right).

And ShadyJ, thanks for including links in your post. It's always nice to have the link right there to see what you are talking about, because similiar to JTR and Danley...I've never heard of Genelec mentioned before in my life.

...and that's what, the third time Salk has been mentioned in this thread? Do people really just love them, or are they really that good of a speaker (or both)?

Ah, so many speakers to look at. Blessing and a curse I guess.
...Blessing to pick up a new speaker, and curse to pay for it.

 

[Swerd]

And while you may be 100% correct in what you say, I think that deep down a part of me would feel like I was doing something wrong if I put something in the center that wasn't symmetrical (left to right).

My SongTowers have off-center tweeters, and it really makes no difference whether I place them so the tweeter is towards the outside or the inside.

...and that's what, the third time Salk has been mentioned in this thread? Do people really just love them, or are they really that good of a speaker (or both)?

Both

HT2-TL - home

Read this Audioholics review of the HT2-TL
Salk Sound Veracity HT2-TL Review | Audioholics

 

[zieglj01]

Ah, so many speakers to look at. Blessing and a curse I guess.
...Blessing to pick up a new speaker, and curse to pay for it.

No one can guarantee what is best for your ears - with that type of budget,
find a way to do some auditions

Enjoy the adventure!