Selecting shelf speakers for use with subwoofer

[KEW]

Aperion offers the Intimus 4B, 5B, & 6B.
The 4B is $130, has a 4" woofer and Frequency Response of 120Hz to 20,000 Hz.
The 5B is $225, has a 5.25" woofer and Frequency Response of 75Hz to 20,000Hz.
The 6B is $345, has a 6.5" woofer and Frequency Response of 48Hz to 20,000 Hz.
All appear to have the same tweeter and I would assume them to have very similar sound characteristics other than the added bass.
I would mate these with a subwoofer such as the Aperion Bravus 8D which has a Frequency response of 35Hz to 180Hz.

How much woofer in the bookshelf is enough? I wouldn't want to waste the money to buy the 6B if the 5B (or even the 4B) would sound the same.
What are your thoughts and advice?

 

[Adam]

Here's my two cents. As far as I can remember, frequencies up around 120 Hz are more easily localized by your hearing than are lower frequencies. The higher your crossover frequency to your sub, the easier it will be for you to sonically pick out where it is in the room. So, I think that there would be a real benefit to moving up from the 4B series to at least the 5B series because you could set the crossover lower. The 6B would give you more leeway to the THX recommended crossover frequency of 80 Hz (the 5B are probably already rolling off at that frequency), but I don't think it will be that big of a deal with the 5Bs.

As one point of reference, my speakers are rated at -3dB at 53 Hz, and I set my crossover at 80 Hz.

 

[jamie2112]

I would recommend the 6B. It is a great sounding speaker and you will be very happy with it.........

 

[shadyJ]

I wouldn't get the 4B for anything except rear speakers on a home theater. 120 hertz is just too high to start rolling off. As Adam said, the higher you crossover your sub at, the more directional it becomes- which is bad if you only have one subwoofer. Like I said before, if you get a subwoofer for each channel, this is no longer an issue. If you cross over your subwoofer low enough, supposedly you can't tell where the sound is coming from, although I always could. I suspect this has more to do more with the acoustics of my room than any super-human hearing ability I might have. The 5B would probably be fine, although it will be more demanding of your subwoofer than the 6B. With the 6B, there is less of a need to get a sub for each channel, because you will be crossing the sub over so low, like say 50 or 60 hertz, that directionality should not be an issue at all.

 

[ack_bak]

Nothing wrong with Aperion, but are you only open to those speakers and sub? Have you looked into SVS, HSU, Emotiva, Ascend, etc?

 

[Pyrrho]

I wouldn't get the 4B for anything except rear speakers on a home theater. 120 hertz is just too high to start rolling off. As Adam said, the higher you crossover your sub at, the more directional it becomes- which is bad if you only have one subwoofer. Like I said before, if you get a subwoofer for each channel, this is no longer an issue. If you cross over your subwoofer low enough, supposedly you can't tell where the sound is coming from, although I always could. I suspect this has more to do more with the acoustics of my room than any super-human hearing ability I might have. The 5B would probably be fine, although it will be more demanding of your subwoofer than the 6B. With the 6B, there is less of a need to get a sub for each channel, because you will be crossing the sub over so low, like say 50 or 60 hertz, that directionality should not be an issue at all.

I would not even get them for rear duty. 120 Hz for the bottom end is terrible.

 

[KEW]

Nothing wrong with Aperion, but are you only open to those speakers and sub? Have you looked into SVS, HSU, Emotiva, Ascend, etc?

It seems most of the popular manufacturer offer very similar speakers, only with different woofer sizes. Aperion was just an example. I plan to audition several pairs. This is the current list, but I expect it to grow then shrink before I'm done.

Ascend CMB-170SE
Aperion 5B
RBH 41-SE
Usher S-520

Comments or suggestions?

 

[ack_bak]

It seems most of the popular manufacturer offer very similar speakers, only with different woofer sizes. Aperion was just an example. I plan to audition several pairs. This is the current list, but I expect it to grow then shrink before I'm done.

Ascend CMB-170SE
Aperion 5B
RBH 41-SE
Usher S-520

Comments or suggestions?

I think that is a solid list.

I would also add:
SVS-SCS-01
HSU-HB1MKII (horn loaded)
Emotiva ERM-1 (if your receiver supports 4ohm speakers)

 

[luisev]

I highly recommend the Emotiva ERM-1 speakers. For the price they can't be beat. Only had them for a few weeks now, but the more and more I listen to them the more I like them... for $149 ea they can't be beat... for more info you can read my informal review here:

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=erm1&thread=5689

http://emotiva.com/erm1.shtm

 

[Robof83]

I think you have received some very good suggestions so far. I would consider all speakers that have been mentioned in this thread.

As others have said, I think you are going to want something that goes lower than 120hz unless you plan on running dual subs.

 

[Lordoftherings]

It seems most of the popular manufacturer offer very similar speakers, only with different woofer sizes. Aperion was just an example. I plan to audition several pairs. This is the current list, but I expect it to grow then shrink before I'm done.

Ascend CMB-170SE
Aperion 5B
RBH 41-SE
Usher S-520

Comments or suggestions?

Hi KEW,

I would suggest that you add Paradigm Studio 20 v.5 to your list. You'll need good stands too.
Check Audiogon or Videogon for deals.
* Mated with an SVS SB12-Plus subwoofer, you'll have very close to a high end system.
Total for the three: approx. $1,300 more or less.

** And later on, if you want to upgrade to multichannel, simply add more Studio 20 v.5 speakers.

Just my experienced opinion.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[just listening]

Since you will be using a sub, the Aperion 4B's would work for rear channel. For fronts, the 5B would be a much better choice IMHO. No matter what, count on excellent customer service.

Personally, the very best bet in the under 1K mini-monitors that I have heard is the ACI Emerald XL's. Both TONEAudio and Affordable$$Audio raved about them.