Speaker Choice Help

[oscar6036]

Are BIC's even in the same league as Axiom m22ti's??

Btw, Texas is going to spank Michigan badly, FYI.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Are BIC's even in the same league as Axiom m22ti's??

Btw, Texas is going to spank Michigan badly, FYI.

Good question. I doubt very few have demo'd the DV62's and Axiom m22ti's side by side. But I can tell you the BIC cabinets are made better than my Polk RTi4's (I take apart everything I buy - it's a sickness). The tweeter in the Polk seems more robust, but the woofers both have huge magnets (almost as large as the cone itself). Both are overstuffed with poly, and both have large crossovers. I think the cabinets are much more attractive on the BICS.

The specs on the RTi4s which retail for $319 are:
5.25" woofer
1" silk dome tweeter
60Hz-27,000Hz response
8 Ohms
89 dB
20-125 watts per channel recommended power
1.9kHz, 12dB/octave high and low pass
Dual (bi-amp) gold plated 5-way binding posts
12" H x 7" W x 11-1/2" D
29.00 lbs. (13.15kgs)
Speaker Warranty 5 years parts and labor

The BIC DV62's which retail for $275/pair spec out at:
43Hz-20,000Hz response
90 dB
6" woofer
3/4" poly dome tweeter
10-150 watts per channel recommended power
crossed over at 3.5kHz
8 ohms
14 3/4" H, 8 7/8" W, 9 1/8" D
Limited Warranty- 7 years Parts & Labor
single binding posts (you don't need duals on a bookshelf)
32 lbs.

In comparison (paper only), the M3ti would be the closer comparison at $300 a pair:
Millennia M3ti Specifications
Bass Reflex
Max Amp Power: 175 Watts
Min Amp Power: 10 Watts
Freq Resp +/-3dB: 60 - 22 kHz
Impedance (Ohms): 8 Ohms
SPL Anechoic 1w/1m: 88 dB
X-Over 2.2 kHz
Tweeter: Single 1"
Woofer: Single 6.5"
Dimens. H W D (inches): 13.5" x 8.5" x 8.25"
Dimens. H W D (mm): 343 x 216 x 210
Weight (lbs) each 10 lbs
Weight (kg) each 5 kg


I love the way the Polks RTi4's sound. Very tight bass, accurate highs, and good power handling. The BICs aren't as tight, but double the bass output - especially in the lower end which is great for music, and the highs are very good. I think the imaging on the BIC's are slightly better than the Polks. Cost aside, the BIC's are a better all around performer, while the Polks do well in surround mode, or possibly a small office if used in stereo. I would recommend the BIC's over the Polks if you thought about using bookshelves as front mains, or bookshelves all around. The BIC's also operate at a slightly higher spl level, which means less strain on the amp. It's sad, but IMHO, if BIC charged 2x for their speakers, they'd probably sell more units. Speakers, unlike receivers, should not be compared at price points.

 

[oscar6036]

If someone has listened to the BIC's and Axiom's side by side I'm very curious. I had intended on going Axiom all the way, but if they're even marginally comparable in terms of volume to distortion and imaging then I'd have to seriously rethink that for that price range.

 

[jaxvon]

I'm solid on the Bics now. All I have to do is get some cashflow and order some before the cheap price goes away!

 

[oscar6036]

Well, since the thread has already been hijacked, I had a question myself. How much power would you really need to power BIC 62 bookshelves? I'm looking at a Marantz SR5400 and wondering if its too little or if I just need to get a hugely overpowered HK unit. After this purchase I won't be upgrading in the next couple months, even then it'd probably only be to a little bit larger set of towers instead of bookshelves and that'd be around tax return season.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Well, since the thread has already been hijacked, I had a question myself. How much power would you really need to power BIC 62 bookshelves? I'm looking at a Marantz SR5400 and wondering if its too little or if I just need to get a hugely overpowered HK unit. After this purchase I won't be upgrading in the next couple months, even then it'd probably only be to a little bit larger set of towers instead of bookshelves and that'd be around tax return season.

The bookshelves won't require much power at all, unless you plan on running 7 of them on a "7.1 stereo" type parameter. And even then, you can set all the bookshelves to "small" if you have a dedicated sub. If you buy BIC's DV84's, or run a few CLR-S62 front and rear centers, you may want to step up to the SR7400.

Has anyone noticed that all of the Marantz receivers, whether it be the 4500 or 8500, all weigh 33lbs? I think the site needs updated. If the SR4500 weighs 33lbs, then it's one heck of a deal. Almost the same deal (or better than) as the Pioneer 1015! I think it's going for under $400 shipped. Does anyone one a 4500 or 5500 that can verify the weight?
http://us.marantz.com/shop/_templates/Proddetail.asp?model=7&cat=15


Update. I'm was being lazy. Just checked the manuals. The site is wrong. The 4500 is 26lbs; the 5500 is 28lbs, and the 7500 is 32.6lbs (as is the SR8400 which is still a bargain on ebay).

 

[oscar6036]

Ugh, I realized I made a dumb comment. To clarify, Texas did spank Michigan last year and WILL spank Ohio State soundly this coming year.

 

[jaxvon]

Whatever. Go Blue.

Anyway, back on topic (un-hijacking the thread)...

What would be a better bet? The Bic 12" sub (1220) or the Hsu STF-2? The Bic sub is <$200 shipped, while the Hsu is >$400. Obviously the Hsu is a superior sub, but by how much? From the reading I've done, the Bic sub is pretty good and can be made to sound even better with the addition of some extra polyfill.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Whatever. Go Blue.

Anyway, back on topic (un-hijacking the thread)...

What would be a better bet? The Bic 12" sub (1220) or the Hsu STF-2? The Bic sub is <$200 shipped, while the Hsu is >$400. Obviously the Hsu is a superior sub, but by how much? From the reading I've done, the Bic sub is pretty good and can be made to sound even better with the addition of some extra polyfill.

Oscar,

Ugh, I realized I made a dumb comment. To clarify, Texas did spank Michigan last year and WILL spank Ohio State soundly this coming year.

It will be an interesting game. We have a lot of returning starters, as well as a fantastic QB (if he can stay out of trouble), so make sure your boys are ready.

Jaxvon,

You may consider BIC's "Acoustech line" 12" sub if you like Hsu. Dr. Hsu designed it for BIC, believe it or not.

Acoustech H-100:
Acoustech H100. The H100’s dimensions are approximately 17”H x 15”W x 18.25”D with a weight of 42 pounds. The single rear vented cabinet houses a front firing, graphite injected, 12” cone woofer. The H100’s internal amplifier provides 150 watts RMS (500 watts dynamic peak) of power output. The frequency response is 24Hz to 200Hz.

HSU STF-2:
Woofer size: 10 inches
Bass extension +/- 2 dB: 25 Hz
Crossover: Continuously variable 30-90 Hz, defeatable, 24 dB/Oct
Phase switch: 0/180°
Finish: matte black
Dimensions: 19”(h)/14”(w)/18”(d)
Ship-weight: 44 lbs (could mean a 35lb sub)
120/240 V Capable: Switchable at the factory with internal jumper
Amplifier Power: 200 Watts
Warranty: 7 years on the woofer, 2 years on the electronics, parts and labor included
Factory direct pricing to the public: $399
Suggested retail price: $499

BIC V1220:
Down-firing, long-throw subwoofer with tuned Venturi port
BASH technology powered amplifier
Adjustable crossover, automatic on/off signal sensing
Dolby ProLogic/Dolby Digital switchable input
Freq resp: 26 Hz-180 Hz variable (website says 23Hz-180Hz)
S/N ratio of greater than 80 dB
Gold, 4-way binding posts with external fuse & auto on/off
Black laminate finish
18 1/2" H, 17" W, 14" D
44.4 lbs
7-year warranty on woofer & 2-year limited warranty on amp
12"; 200W

 

[rikmeister]

all i can add is roar lion roar, hhehehehe

big ten here too.