Speaker selection help

[Hoganator]

I am trying to decide on my front speaker system set up.

My entertainment ctr does not allow any room for tower speakers at the sides of the room. I originally was looking at Def Techs Mythos SSA-50 to handle the front stage, but I am concerned it wont be enough to handle the size of the great room or give me immersing sound.

The great room is around 20x25, with 25' ceilings and it opens up into the kitchen, dining and entry ~ very open.

I was considering the Mythos tower speakers due to their slim width because there is space between where the tv sits inside the entertainment ctr. However, I am afraid that a tower speaker would rattle the entertainment center too much ~ glass doors, wood rattling, etc.

I like the Def Tech bipolars b/c they may bring a wider sound stage than the single speaker cabinet of the SSA-50, however the towers are too big for placement. My recent idea was placing 3 - C/L/R 2300 across the front.

Would the C/L/Rs be a better choice and give my system more authority in such a large room or would the SSA-50 be enough? Are there any other brand of speakers/models that might fit better into my room set up?

I plan to purchase a SVS sub (and surrounds) to complete the system in the future, but I wanted to get the front speaker system figured out first.

Thanks,

 

[AVRat]

Welcome Hog, how much you looking to spend? My first thought was a Mythos One/Nine combo. I also like the idea of the 3-LCRs up front but I’d prefer the 2002/2500s over the 2300s due to their larger mid drivers.

Oh yeah, No, the SSA-50 wouldn’t cut it.

If the speakers aren’t going into a cabinet, another option to consider are the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340s. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

 

[Hoganator]

Ascend

I will do some research on Ascend. What is your opinion on how these speakers compare to NHT (classic 3), Def Tech, Aperion, B&W, etc??..I do not want to spend more than $2000 on the front 3 speakers.

When you say 'not going into a cabinet' are you saying not sitting the speakers on the table top of the entertainment center where the tv sits?

I have no room for tower speakers on the sides of the room, the entertainment center takes the whole side of the wall up so I need to place bookshelf speakers on the table top of the entertainment center.

 

[Hoganator]

Sierra vs CMT

I noticed that on the description of the Sierra 1 they don't tout the wide dispersion characteristics as they do the CMT's.

Will the Sierras have that capability with regards to the large room I am putting the speakers in? Do you get what you pay for if you step up to the Sierra's, (worth the xtra cash)?

Thanks,

 

[AVRat]

“In cabinet” is a somewhat confined space. Speakers like the AAs have a rear port which can impart unwanted/unnatural sound in such spaces, although sometimes the port can be blocked with a slight change to the low-end extension of the speaker. Generally, you want as little boundary effects as possible. If this is the case, you’ll want a sealed or front ported speaker design. The DT LCR 2002 and NHT Classic 3s are sealed designs. And generally, larger spaces require larger speakers. These are all excellent quality speakers, but an individual may here each one differently.

The Sierras do offer a slightly more refined sound and good power handling capability; they may be just a little too small for your space though. I might be a little hesitant about the NHT’s capability as well.

What are the speaker size limitations, how far apart will the L/R speaker be, and what is the seating distance from the front speakers?

 

[Hoganator]

Measurements

Would the walls at the sides of the speakers cause problems or just behind the speakers? There is about 2 feet of space behind where the speakers would sit inside the entertainment ctr. The only confinement would be the wood walls of the sides of the entertainment center, but decent space behind.

The L/R speakers would be 5 feet away from each other and then the center channel in between beneath the tv ~ seating distance 12 feet.

Speaker size would be 7" wide ~ from the sides of the tv to the sides of the entertainment ctr, although I could place the speakers a little bit further ahead (or behind) the tv to fit them in. 42" high and about 2 feet deep.

 

[Hoganator]

Front 3 speaker suggestion

So in consideration of all the details you have of my set up, what is your opinion of the best speakers for my needs?

It seems the more I research the more speaker companies come up and its tiring trying to figure which is best.

With a budget of $2k for the front 3 speakers, what brand/model would you recommend ~ for both HT/music?

Thanks for all your help!