SPL and Brightness for Acoustech and Fluance Question

[brian32672]

Actually the reason I hate typing is, you may have seen in some of my previous posts. I am disabled. And the disability was a fall from 5 stories. Landed on both hands and straight on my face. So I always have constant pains in both wrists that were shattered.

The issue is, that you had seen I had bought the Fluance set. And I had decided the center was not bright enough for me. So I had decided on trying the cadence (spl 94db-horn tweeter) which was better than the Fluance center for my needs. But I felt it was lacking, so I bought the Bic Acoustech Center (spl 96db-horn tweeter) Also bought the surrounds that go with this. WOW!!!!!!! I am blown away by the difference in sound. VERY CLEAR, and quite bright.

I was having to constantly change the settings on the Pioneer for music/movies. Now the only setting I have to change is the sub. For movies -10 to -8.0 and music -8.0 to -6.0 Speakers now engulf me in surround sound both for movies and music. Obviously (higher spl) receiver needs only to be set at -30 to -20 for the volume. Compared to -20 to -13 Now, my question. Being I have the Fluance fronts (which do sound fine)

(Edit:: Lost train of thought)

However I am under the impression that the center and fronts should match. But, at this point, my worry is that the HT-75 Bic's will end up making the whole of the system to bright. They do have a slightly lower frequency response than the Fluance. So bass should not be a problem (rather midrange should not be a problem) BTW, the Fluance I have seen reviewers say, that they lack bass. This is not so. IMO. They have plenty of bass, obviously not for movies, but one could certainly get away with music on them without a sub. (Sub still recommended-For all set-ups) Surely the Bics will have enough bass.

I was told by dealer who sells both the Bics and Klipsch to go and listen to the Klipsch RF-3's and they sound very similar. (since I can not audition the 75's) I always see you answering spl questions, do you believe the 75's would end up being to bright over the Fluance with spl 86db.
Is it worth the upgrade. I will say, that I did want more brightness in the center. And it is great. But I am truly worried about rest of sytem being to bright.

I will post this PM, since I took the time to write (type) it out, for other opinions. Of listeners who may have the Klipsch set with horn tweeters on both the mains and center.

Also McMann this may have answered your question.

And last, I have read in some posts here that the Acoustech review was fake..... UHM, I believe not. I have tried Sony, JBL, Fluance, SDAT, Fischer, etc.. speakers. And these things are great. Except I never tried horn tweeters......

 

[brian32672]

OOPS forgot to add, I have a friend with Klipsch set. Not with the RF-3's. And they do sound good, but I as of now like the Acoustechs better.....

The other friend I have, has all B&K, Rotell, Yamaha, etc... But clearly thats out of my price range. His projector alone was something like 19,000 when he bought it, & One of his amps I believe was 3,500.00. So there is no comparison.....

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Actually the reason I hate typing is, you may have seen in some of my previous posts. I am disabled. And the disability was a fall from 5 stories. Landed on both hands and straight on my face. So I always have constant pains in both wrists that were shattered.

Wholly cow! Was this recently? That should have killed you. What happened if you don't mind my asking? Sounds like there was a higher power involved in you not biting the dust! Glad you're here, man.

I bought the Bic Acoustech Center (spl 96db-horn tweeter) Also bought the surrounds that go with this. WOW!!!!!!! I am blown away by the difference in sound. VERY CLEAR, and quite bright.

Awesome. I'm a huge fan of BIC and Acoustech. I think they are a sleeping giant in the audio world. If I opened up an audio store, guess what the first two brands would be?

Now, my question. Being I have the Fluance fronts (which do sound fine) However I am under the impression that the center and fronts should match.

Technically, they should, but only if you can really hear the differences, or listen for nuances that most of us can't hear with your HT or rock/rap/pop 40. If they sound good to you know, it could be hard to "one up" on your system. It's not as important for HT as it is for demanding music, and IMHO, you should be listening to music with two channels.

But, at this point, my worry is that the HT-75 Bic's will end up making the whole of the system to bright.

They definitely will if you have a "hard, bright" room. Horn tweeters go for miles. They just scream at you. They are not known for smooth, creamy highs. They are perfect for HT, but too many horns will kill any music you listen to, especially if you have a large library of highly compressed mp3's like I do. Horns and mp3's don't mix.

I always see you answering spl questions, do you believe the 75's would end up being to brightover the Fluance with spl 86db. Is it worth the upgrade.

I think they will be quite a bit "louder" over the Fluance, but being too bright to a guy who likes his highs, probably not. You'll just need to tame down the treble and higher frequencies on the Pioneer. I love Pioneer because of it's sibalance or extended "highs" - especially with their car audio. I use one in my truck with a 924 watt mono amp and dual 10" subs. Again, three horns could be too much, so you really need to tame down your room with tapestries, curtains, carpeting, etc... and avoid hard walls, hardwood or tile floors, etc...

I have read in some posts here that the Acoustech review was fake..... UHM, I believe not. I have tried Sony, JBL, Fluance, SDAT, Fischer, etc.. speakers. And these things are great. Except I never tried horn tweeters.

A 5.1 surround system costing under $900 with a 12" HSU designed sub is not going to compare to a $3000 surround system. But I'll bet my last paycheck it blows the pants off anything in it's price range. So what if the towers don't weigh 78lbs each? Neither do the Athena towers, and they are very highly rated. It's all about design. I think Acoustech got it right with that setup. I think it's perfect for HT, rock, rap, top 40, country, and even smooth jazz. When you get into your string type music, then a silk soft dome tweeter would be preferred. That's where Venturi comes in... But for all out volume, punch, blitz, and WAF acceptance, Acoustech is hard to beat for the money.

 

[brian32672]

Wholly cow! Was this recently? That should have killed you. What happened if you don't mind my asking? Sounds like there was a higher power involved in you not biting the dust! Glad you're here, man.

Very long story, I had total facial reconstructive surgery. And was ICU for 30 days. Was on morphine for a super long period of about 42 days. (They never thought I would be able to come off it) Also was in hospital for 6 months. etc..etc...etc...

Awesome. I'm a huge fan of BIC and Acoustech. I think they are a sleeping giant in the audio world. If I opened up an audio store, guess what the first two brands would be? .

So I am assuming you have heard the Acoustech line???

Technically, they should, but only if you are anal and listen to Bach and Beethoven, or listen for nuances that most of us can't hear. If they sound good to you know, it may be hard to "one up" on your system.

Well I am kinda anal, and do listen to both.

They definitely will if you have a "hard, bright" room. Horn tweeters go for miles. They just scream at you. They are not known for smooth, creamy highs. They are perfect for HT, but too many horns will kill any music you listen to, especially if you have a large library of highly compressed mp3's like I do. Horns and mp3's don't mix.

So it may not be the way to go without auditioning the RF-3's
About 4,000 mp3's here. (backups of friend and my family cd collection) (all mp3's are at 128kb ratio or better.

I think they will be too "loud" over the Fluance, but being too bright to a guy who likes his highs, probably not. You'll just need to tame down the treble and higher frequencies on the Pioneer. I love Pioneer because of it's sibalance or "highs." I use one in my truck with a 924 watt mono amp and dual 10" subs. Again, three horns may be too much, so you really need to tame down your room with tapestries, curtains, carpeting, etc... and avoid hard walls, hardwood or tile floors, etc...

I do like bright and clear, but not overly bright. Problem with the Pioneer at the moment is I don't have a connection for OSD. Being in the middle of fixing up condo, the projector was taken down (to avoid drywall dust) so I am using a computer monitor hooked up to the HVD-2081 DVD player (vga out)

Side & back walls would be 5/8 drywall in new HT room, curtains and masking for the front. And probably carpet on floor (but I do like wood flooring)

A 5.1 surround system costing under $900 with a 12" HSU designed sub is not going to compare to a $3000 surround system. But I'll bet my last paycheck it blows the pants off anything in it's price range. So what if the towers don't weigh 78lbs each? Neither do the Athena towers, and they are very highly rated. It's all about design. I think Acoustech got it right with that setup. I think it's perfect for HT, rock, rap, top 40, country, and even smooth jazz. When you get into your string type music, then a soft dome silk tweeter would be preferred. But for all out volume, punch, and blitz, the Acoustech is hard to beat.

UHM, I don't have a HSU sub. But I guess your using this as comparison. But if I get drunk enough, I will be buying the SVS PB12-ISD/V Subwoofer.
So far, Bic center was 139.00 surrounds were 179.00 (for the pair) and if bought the fronts will be 280.00 (for the pair) Awesome deals if you ask me. All from authorized dealer.

The answers have helped. And instead of buying the fronts on impulse, I guess I will go and listen to the RF-3's to hear what Horn fronts sound like....

Thank Buck.....

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

It wasn't the best demo I've ever encountered, but a Costco in the Cleveland area had them. The sets were flying off the shelves as soon as they got them in. People were on waiting lists. Not hard to believe as it's competition at the time was Kenwood, KLH, and Bose surround sets. I think you're right in wanting to demo the Klipsch's. Take a few favorite cd's with delicate highs and see what you think. MacManNM thought the Klipsch horns were way too bright compared to the Venturi DV84's. He tested them side by side in a Best Buy. He actually brought the DV84's in the store and got kicked out!

 

[brian32672]

He actually brought the DV84's in the store and got kicked out!

Yeah I read that, thought it was super funny. Even funny that they aloud him to hook them up in the first place...... Then the stock-boy wanted a set...

Yeah I guess I will bring a couple of my favorite songs. Thanks for the advice.......

 

[brian32672]

OOPS forgot to add, I have a friend with Klipsch set. Not with the RF-3's. And they do sound good, but I as of now like the Acoustechs better.....

Come to think of it, they may have been the RF-3's. I was not in his house to audition, actually was there to repair his computer. If I recall, they did sound ok, but these Bics I believe sound better. Also in the computer room, I believe he had a second zone with the Klipsch bookshelf ??RB-35?? And for bookshelfs they did sound good to me...

But I will still find somewhere to audition, before buying.....

Now, what music to bring. I am thinking Pete Townsend or Alan Parsons Project.... Decisions-decisions...

 

[MacManNM]

Well, here's my 2c.

The Acoustechs aren't going to be that much brighter than the Fluance. The Fluance uses 1 inch Titanium Soft Dome tweeters, which are usually pretty sharp on their own. I think if you like the sound of your center, then the matching towers will be an upgrade, and you will be pleased with the results.

As far as the SPL rating, it will not tell you if a speaker will be brighter, the higher number simply means it will play louder with less input power.

 

[MacManNM]

Thanks for the 2. Not sure, on the Bic towers. But the Fluance are anything but bright. The Fluance center was very congested sounding to me. And even the cheaper cadence had way more brightness. Difference between the cadence and the Bic center, is that the Bic has much more clarity with the brightness.

Yes I know about the spl, I did not really mean to say will a higher spl make them brighter. Meant more of, since they will be more efficient and playing louder than the other speakers at lower volume. Would the extra loudness end up making the whole of the system to bright.

No, that won't happen, even if it's 6db you can easily adjust that out in your receiver. If anything, everything is going to be better. I say this because you like the acoustech center. You could get an idea how it will be different by using your center as the L speaker, and your fluance as the right in 2 ch mode.