Slim Aluminum Towers vs. floorstanders

[jagel]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum, so bear with me.

I want to upgrade my HT front speakers (Polks Monitor 40s), as they dont sound great with music. I also have a low wife-acceptance-factor for floorstanders, besides my living room is small ( 18Wx14Dx8H).

So, I only have visited Tweeter and BestBuy Magnolia, and at least I liked Klipschs, Viennas and Definitive Audios. Given my space constraints, I'd go with the new aluminum towers ( like Definitve Mythos STS, B & W XT4s, Polks V2 or Klipsch xf48) or small floorstanders, like Klipch WF-34, Vienna's Bachs or Definitive 7006s.

I care more about sound, but I cannot have a big boxes -- which I like --, as I dont have space enough to leave room for the speakers to 'breathe'.

I might also consider quality bookshelfs.

My budget: $3000 USD for 2 Fronts and 1 matched center
I use speakers for 60% music, $0% movies/TV
My music: Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classic
My Amp: Onkyo TX-nr906
SACD: Oppo 980
PS3 for Blu-ray

Could you experienced audio enthusiasts and audiophiles share your thoughts on whether the new slim Aluminum towers are good for music?

 

[mudrummer99]

I will probably come off as a fanboy here, but that's ok. I like the DT Mythos series, they sound very nice and look awesome, but I am just such a huge fan of the Vienna Acoustics speakers that I really couldn't say I would go with anything else from your list. I have done countless hours of listening, I was a Best Buy Magnolia associate and still work with the company, and have found that the VA's just sound, to my ears, better in just about every aspect I have thought of. Again, maybe I'm just a fan, but that's my opinion, let your ears tell you what you like.

Mike

 

[AVRat]

The Mythos STSs alone will eat up your budget. I'd suggest the Mythos One/Eight combo to stay within budget and still have enough left for a decent sub.

I don't know how big is to big for the SO, but I would assume you could find a Monitor Audio dealer around the Boston area and check out an RS-6/LCR combo. The 6s don't have a very big footprint.

 

[bigred7078]

I love my VA Mozart Grands, they are fantastic speakers and very slim. In fact for the size they put out some of the deepest bass i have heard (without having a powered sub built in like the Def Tech STS's). They also seem to get much better sounding when being fed lots of power. I also love my matching Maestro grand, its an awesome center. Even if you end up with the Bachs i recommend you get the Maestro Grand, its just ALOT better than the Theatro.

The Bach's are also very good, just not as full souding as the Mozarts. The Bach's can kick some major butt though. I definately recommend them.

FYI there are some Mozart Grands in rosewood on Audiogon right now for $1900, that is a fricken fantastic price and less than the Bachs brand new.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1237160868&/Vienna-Acoustics-Mozart-Grand-

OR keep your eye out for some Bachs that pop up on audiogon every now and then for around $1000

 

[Shock]

If you get rid of the wife you'll have enough room for two large floorstanders.

 

[bigred7078]

If you get rid of the wife you'll have enough room for two large floorstanders.

large doesnt mean better.

 

[Shock]

large doesnt mean better.

Tell his wife that

Edit: Wait I mean, I tell myself that everyday.....it doesn't make me feel any better.

zing.

 

[bigred7078]

Tell his wife that.

hehe very funny

 

[DD66000]

I guess 17 replies for the same question over at AVS wasn't enough.
Just get whatever you think sounds best!

 

[jagel]

Hi there,
I've listened to Viennas at Bestbuy magnolia HTs -- 3 locations -- and they sound good, but i my perception was their sound was not 'lively' for rock music, which I love. Well, I'm afraid the magnolia setup was poorly implemented: they used monster cable with bare terminals, and the computer app to switch receivers and speakers was a mess.

Today I went to audition the Mythos STSs. I really liked for rock music and also 5.1 movies (Dolby Digital) the Bass is great, and adjustable. Jazz was good, too. I also tried femenine vocals (Norah Jones and Sarah Brightman) and was really 'moved' by the sound, despite I'm more a metal/rock-head ...

These Mythos speakers are really cool, well built and nice to the eye: high WAF! So far, so good, now I need to audition to B&Ws and Paradigms.

I agree, I have to choose what my ears like, the subjective part. But also I do care about the objective part, about performance, quality materials and a brand with at least 20 years designing speakers.

Can you share your thoughts against the new wave of slim aluminum tower speakers? Let some of you to play the Devil's advocate...
Regards, Tony

 

[bigred7078]

Hi there,
I've listened to Viennas at Bestbuy magnolia HTs -- 3 locations -- and they sound good, but i my perception was their sound was not 'lively' for rock music, which I love. Well, I'm afraid the magnolia setup was poorly implemented: they used monster cable with bare terminals, and the computer app to switch receivers and speakers was a mess.

Today I went to audition the Mythos STSs. I really liked for rock music and also 5.1 movies (Dolby Digital) the Bass is great, and adjustable. Jazz was good, too. I also tried femenine vocals (Norah Jones and Sarah Brightman) and was really 'moved' by the sound, despite I'm more a metal/rock-head ...

These Mythos speakers are really cool, well built and nice to the eye: high WAF! So far, so good, now I need to audition to B&Ws and Paradigms.

I agree, I have to choose what my ears like, the subjective part. But also I do care about the objective part, about performance, quality materials and a brand with at least 20 years designing speakers.

Can you share your thoughts against the new wave of slim aluminum tower speakers? Let some of you to play the Devil's advocate...
Regards, Tony

Viennas are highly sensitive to placement. In store they sound, Eh.. IMO, but when i got them home, hooked them up to a separate amplifier (not a receiver that cant even handle 4ohm loads) the sound was much much better. And i also like rock and classic rock and i wouldnt keep the speakers if they didnt sound good lol. But they are a more laid back speaker in general, but its part of what makes it a delightful musical speaker. But we all have different tastes.

Vienna Acoustics also has some slim line towers. The Schonbergs. I've yet to hear them, but i've heard they sound really good.

those Mythos STS IMO are some of the best true slim towers. They are just very rockin.

B&W has some slim aluminium towers that i heard once and they sounded fantastic. http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=811&sc=hf

I wasnt a big fan of the paradigm slim towers though. But you may like them.
http://www.paradigm.com/en/reference/fronts-millenia-millenia300-model-2-20-1-48.paradigm

 

[jagel]

Paradigms sounded Better than B&Ws to me

Hello,
I finally went to a Boston Dealer having B&W and paradigm in exhibit. I spent almost 2 hours listening to paradigm Studio 40 v4, 60 v5, B&W 683 and BW XT4s. I chose guitar (Paco de Lucia & Al DiMeola) SACD and the Paradigm 60s sounded the best to my ears; I even felt that emotion when you are in a live performance. I was biased by B & W prestige and looks, but to my ears, they sounded less lively than Paradigms. I mean B &W sound detail is excellent. Then I tried feminine vocals (Rebecca Pidgeon ) and again Paradigms made me feel a live performance. Finally tried Rock (Deep Purple’s Highway star SACD,) was unbelievable in the Paradigms, I was speechless. That’s weird to me – I’m not very emotional – so this made me very clear Paradigms are better suited for me. I also tried Pink Floyd DSOM SACD, Incredible. Finally I listened to an Aerosmith SACD. Superb! What an experience for a newbie!
Although I’m new to the High-end Audio, I have a good background in electronics and physics, but matching the scientific facts to the real experience, is priceless.
I’ll go again to the Dealer to check again the Studio 60s, and also would like to audition the 100s. v5 are smaller and rounded compared to V4s, which I saw there, but didn’t bother to try. Also Studio 40 bookshelf’s sounded awesome, but the bass lower range was better for the 60s.
I have a question on subwoofers. Can you recommend a good one for music, say under $700 USD and small ( 10/12 inches). Paradigms are not affordable to me by now, but I’m not sure they are the best.
Thanks, Tony

 

[MatthewB.]

I was at a Soundand Vision GTG in TX a few months back and one of the clear cut winners of the many speakers we tested was the Paradigm Studio 40's They are just awesome and woud be my recommendation for great overall sound taking up very little space. As for subs, I would only recommend the SVS NSD10 for around 450.00 (although a large sub) if you can find a spot for it, it will more than make that room thump and go well with any speaker you buy.

 

[jagel]

Paradigms 40s

Oh yeah, I also checked Studio 40s v.4 and their sound is awesome, But the 60s v.5 arent as deeper , so I believe the difference between 40s + Stands is not that much to 60s.

I'm still intrigued in the new Studio 100s v.5.
What makes more sense --- and why -- from the musical performance point of buy:
1) Studio 100s
2) Studio 60s + decent subwoofer -- are Paradigms good? --

Thanks, Tony

 

[olddog]

I also have been on a long hunt and am near the finish line. Listening to your requirements I would suggest the Polk LSI9"s with their corresponding surrounds. Other than that the Salk Sound Towers (they have a high WAF factor due to your being able to chose the finish) Very clean mids that cannot be congested at most any volume. Also with there corresponding surrounds. I have just not found any of the sevette, beautiful slim line speakers that have had any real guts, and a lot of them have some highs that are just plain uncomfortable.
Good Luck I mean it!

 

[BoB/335]

I guess 17 replies for the same question over at AVS wasn't enough.
Just get whatever you think sounds best!

I guess it's a problem for someone to ask the opinion of other forums.

 

[tiankov]

I have a pair of Polk's VM30 and a VM20 for center. Have enjoyed them for about a year now. They look fantastic (especially in black) and sound great. You must have a powered sub, though. They cost slightly less than the Mythos -- I'd give them a shot.

 

[jagel]

Getting back to slim Towers ...

Yes, I considered Polk V30s, but couldn't find enough good references or reviews on performance.
I also discovered another slim tower at Best Buy: Mirage OS3-FS. The bad thing it was not connected. In my opinion, the Magnolia HT rooms are poorly setup: Usually the only receiver that works is the cheapest, the speakers sometimes are labeled as others, they use speaker cables without banana plugs.... But the recliners are comfy! ;-)
This weekend I’ll go to a dealer that has the Paradigm Millenia 200 slim towers. I want the 300s, but I think the sound will be very similar. The difference is on the bass lower frequency, but I think this can be remediated with a decent subwoofer.
Today I just got my copy of “Get better sound” by Jim Smith. Another book that promises to be good for a newbie. I’ll keep you posted.

Tony

 

[olddog]

Yes, I considered Polk V30s, but couldn't find enough good references or reviews on performance.
I also discovered another slim tower at Best Buy: Mirage OS3-FS. The bad thing it was not connected. In my opinion, the Magnolia HT rooms are poorly setup: Usually the only receiver that works is the cheapest, the speakers sometimes are labeled as others, they use speaker cables without banana plugs.... But the recliners are comfy! ;-)
This weekend I’ll go to a dealer that has the Paradigm Millenia 200 slim towers. I want the 300s, but I think the sound will be very similar. The difference is on the bass lower frequency, but I think this can be remediated with a decent subwoofer.
Today I just got my copy of “Get better sound” by Jim Smith. Another book that promises to be good for a newbie. I’ll keep you posted.

Tony

Tried the OS3FS one of the first. Put some high lead guitar riffs on it at good volume and tell me what you here? I have a pair of Mirage subs that I just love so I thought "lets go Mirage" just not the same co. since they went to China for Mfg.

 

[BoB/335]

Yes, I considered Polk V30s, but couldn't find enough good references or reviews on performance.
I also discovered another slim tower at Best Buy: Mirage OS3-FS. The bad thing it was not connected. In my opinion, the Magnolia HT rooms are poorly setup: Usually the only receiver that works is the cheapest, the speakers sometimes are labeled as others, they use speaker cables without banana plugs.... But the recliners are comfy! ;-)
This weekend I’ll go to a dealer that has the Paradigm Millenia 200 slim towers. I want the 300s, but I think the sound will be very similar. The difference is on the bass lower frequency, but I think this can be remediated with a decent subwoofer.
Today I just got my copy of “Get better sound” by Jim Smith. Another book that promises to be good for a newbie. I’ll keep you posted.

Tony

I heard the Millenia speaker. I think it was the 300 but not sure. I heard them against Studio 60's and PSB Imagine. The Millenia sounded very open and detailed like the Studio 60's but were very lacking in the bottom. It is my opinion that a Millenia NEEDS a sub. Great sound and really good looking speaker. Great wife appeal too.