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Audioholic
Greetings,

I was going to purchase the Def. Tech. Mythos STS loudspeakers, nine center and gem surrounds. Since then I have read how difficult these speakers are to set up due to the subs being located in the speakers.

Any ideas as to a speaker brand in the $5K region that are not so picky as to placement? I want floorstanders, center, surrounds and a sub.

Thank you very very much. This whole home theater is for my 50th Birthday present. I listen to classical, rock, jazz, and the blues in that order of importance.

Thanks again,

Eddie
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
The most difficult speakers to place are the BIPOLARS.

The Mythos are Direct-Radiating speakers and are just as easy to place as any direct-radiating speakers out there.

The Mythos' Internal Subs are good enough for 2ch stereo music listening, but most likely not "enough" by most people's standards for movies. They are not difficult to set up, but they are not as versatile as a dedicated stand-alone sub (they won't have as many inputs/outputs/settings).

But for those who don't care for room-shaking bass, the Mythos' built-in subs would be appropriate.
 
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Audioholic
Room Shaking Bass is not important to me. I want a speaker that will enhance my sacd via DSD over HDMI. As long as the bass is powerful enough to enhance the music and movies I would be satisfied. I still don't understand how the STS speakers are to be wired so I can use the volume knob for subs.

Thanks,

Eddie
 
J

jgeorg5

Audioholic Intern
The easiest way to wire the STS's is to just use regular speaker wire. You could also use an RCA cable for the LFE input, but that would just allow you to run the LFE channel hot. Either way, you can use the volume knob on the back of the STS to adjust the gain on the low end.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Room Shaking Bass is not important to me. I want a speaker that will enhance my sacd via DSD over HDMI. As long as the bass is powerful enough to enhance the music and movies I would be satisfied. I still don't understand how the STS speakers are to be wired so I can use the volume knob for subs.

Thanks,

Eddie
The simplist way to wire the Mythos STS or any DefTech speakers with built-in subs is to simply use the same old speaker wires and set your Denon receiver Front Left & Right Speaker Setup to LARGE (FULL RANGE). Then it will simply send ALL the bass to your front Left & Right Mythos STS.

Just turn that Subwoofer Volume Knob up or down to increase or decrease your bass. I would set it to the 12 o'clock position and play around from there.

You don't even have to worry about connecting a subwoofer cable or anything! The Denon receiver will automatically send all the bass to your Mythos STS.

So just hook up 5 speakers wires:
1) Front Left
2) Front Right
3) Center
4) Surround Left
5) Surround Right

No need for the 6th subwoofer cable!

The subwoofer on the Mythos STS is very good for music bass and adequate for movies if you don't care for room SHAKING bass.
 
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Audioholic
Is the Bass GOOD or VERY GOOD for someone who has never owned a subwoofer?
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Is the Bass GOOD or VERY GOOD for someone who has never owned a subwoofer?
The bass is VERY GOOD for someone who has never owned a subwoofer.

Let's put it this way, it is 1000 times better than those BOSE BASS Modules!!!:D

And by the way, twice now I've seen Amazon sell the STS speakers brand new for 50% OFF!!!

They are not on sale now, but from time to time. I would be on the look out.

Also, I got all my DefTech from my local DefTech dealer store at 30% off MSRP. So if you are buying locally, I ask for 30% off.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Mythos STS measurements

As you can see, the BASS response on the STS is about 25-30Hz @ -3dB, which is a lot better than most so-called stand-alone subwoofers you see at Best Buy.

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/808dt/index4.html

I had a stand-alone NHT 10" subwoofer that was specified as 27Hz bass-response. I sold it to my little brother. But that thing (even at 27Hz) shook my walls very violently - the same walls I now watch movies in.

So the Mythos STS will give you VERY VERY GOOD bass response.

Just don't compare it to bigger badder subs from SVS, HSU, Epik, or DefTech's bigger subs that can go below 20Hz.
 
walter duque

walter duque

Audioholic Samurai
Greetings,

I was going to purchase the Def. Tech. Mythos STS loudspeakers, nine center and gem surrounds. Since then I have read how difficult these speakers are to set up due to the subs being located in the speakers.

Any ideas as to a speaker brand in the $5K region that are not so picky as to placement? I want floorstanders, center, surrounds and a sub.

Thank you very very much. This whole home theater is for my 50th Birthday present. I listen to classical, rock, jazz, and the blues in that order of importance.

Thanks again,

Eddie
I would audition powered speakers and floorstanders with a sub then make a decission. I own power towers and I am not to crazy about them anymore.
 
BoredSysAdmin

BoredSysAdmin

Audioholic Slumlord
As you can see, the BASS response on the STS is about 25-30Hz @ -3dB, which is a lot better than most so-called stand-alone subwoofers you see at Best Buy.

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/808dt/index4.html

I had a stand-alone NHT 10" subwoofer that was specified as 27Hz bass-response. I sold it to my little brother. But that thing (even at 27Hz) shook my walls very violently - the same walls I now watch movies in.

So the Mythos STS will give you VERY VERY GOOD bass response.

Just don't compare it to bigger badder subs from SVS, HSU, Epik, or DefTech's bigger subs that can go below 20Hz.
Sorry for offtopic: I'm pretty happy with my passive side 12" subwoofer in tSc ts2, thou its not room shacking, bass is pretty usable about 30Hz at -7db and I still can't believe I paid less than $400 for them
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
With that kind of budget I would listened to, or at least read up on, as many choices as possible. I also recommend putting some of that budget into a properly sized subwoofer. Don't let anybody tell you you don't need one - once you've had properly sized sub you'll wonder why you did without for so long. BTW I was just turning 51 when I finally took the plunge.
 
AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
I cringe a little whenever someone asks about these type speakers with built in “powered woofers” to use for sub duties. Don’t misunderstand me, the STS are excellent speakers, but a true subwoofer brings out subtle nuances and visceral impact you just don’t hear/feel with the STSs alone. For my money, I’d prefer the Mythos Ones, or any other quality speaker, combined with a separate sub like an Epik Empire or HSU VTF-2.

You might take a look at the PSB Imagine series, though you may want an amp to drive them.

After rereading your older threads, I guess you really never decided about things eh…?
 
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Audioholic
Thanks to all who responded. Space is tight. I need a pair of floorstanders that will go close to the wall - say about 12" to 20" - not rear ported. They must do music and moves very well together. I am down for a smaller sub that will get the walls shaking. The center channel must integrate well with the Floorstanders. For surrounds I want a simple compact design. I plan on using compact surrounds with wireless technology from RocketFish at Best Buy ($109) or KEF ($499). Wife does NOT want any professional installation done to keep cost down. Budget:$6K for speakers and subwoofer. AVR that allows me to play multichannel SACD via DSD over HDMI ($1500 to $2K.) I own the Oppo 980H for upconverting DVD's and am looking to buy my first BluRay Player - maybe an Oppo. Or something cheaper since I have the 980H. I own a 2 year old Sony LCD 40" TV that I am happy with. I just got one of the last Salamander 30 units at a blowout price of $499 for the furniture. So, open to surround sound speaker packages, subwoofers, and Blu Ray player.

Thanks,

Eddie
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
Thanks to all who responded. Space is tight. I need a pair of floorstanders that will go close to the wall - say about 12" to 20" - not rear ported.
I have the same problem and had a nice chat with Jim Salk of Salk Sound and he's making me a custom set of his Song Towers (review) with front ports instead of the usual rear ports. The only other upgrade option that I went for was ribbon tweeters ($700+150) but even so the price was very reasonable for the quality of the speakers. He's also making me up a matching front ported Song Center with ribbon tweeter, and a pair of Song Surround 1s with the standard QWT tweeters. The whole set with ribbon tweeters for the front 3 was like $4350. Leave out the ribbon tweeters and you're styling with a 5.0 set for about $3500 or just the three fronts for $2700 depending on the finish you choose. I should have mine around the end of the month.

Another option might be the Swan Diva 6.2. I've never heard them but it's a front ported tower that someone suggested back when I was still looking. The appear to offer a matched center and surrounds, but again I never got to hear them.

I am down for a smaller sub that will get the walls shaking.
The problem is that the size of the room (in cubic feet) dictates the size and specifications of the subwoofer. That includes any areas that are open to the listing space. Figure that out and contact the big four internet direct subwoofer specialists and have them size you a sub.

In alphabetical order:
Elemental Designs
Epik Subwoofers
Hsu Reseach
SVSounds​
 
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Audioholic
Thank you everyone. I am going to look into your suggestions.

What about the bigger Def Tech's that have a 1500watt sub built in?

AVRat - Thanks for remembering me. My Dad suffered a severe stroke that left him paralyzed onhis entire left side. Two months ago he had a heart attack and last week he had 2 seizures while the aid was getting him out of bed. I have had my own life on hold just taking care of him.

How do I re-read my old posts?

Here's the deal I want speakers that I can keep close to the wall. I want an AVR that will allow me to play my multichannel SACD via DSD over HDMI. I purchased an Oppo 980H, am buying the Oppo Blue Ray Player unless someone knows of one better, purchased A/V furniture Salamander Synergy 30 from crutchfield, purchase a Nintendo Wii. That's as far as I got.

Actually I don't have time to read my old posts as that was when I had my house fire. I have enough hardship on my mind right now.

So, if you can recommend a floorstanding, center, surround set of speakers and an unobtrusive small subwoofer that kicks butt ~ I would be most grateful. Plus through in an AVR suggestion so I can finish this without too much hassle. Forget the Mythos STS idea.

Thanks,

Eddie
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
Here's the deal I want speakers that I can keep close to the wall.
Even with front ports you may want to consider treating the side walls to reduce reflections.

unobtrusive small subwoofer that kicks butt ~ I would be most grateful.
Nobody can do that without the size of the room in cubic feet.
 
AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
His room is 20’ x 14’ x 8’. Paradigm Studio 60/CC590, Denon 4310 through Electronics Expo should be able to get it for around $1300. I’d like to know the largest dimensions for the sub before making a suggestion. The coming SVS SB12-NSD looks like it might be a contender. http://www.svsound.com/products/7_SVS_SBSeriesSheetCES10Web.pdf

Sorry to hear about your Dad.:(
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Another option is the NHT Classic Four tower speakers + NHT Amp + crossover:

http://www.nhthifi.com/Four_2?sc=12&category=1210

http://www.nhthifi.com/X2-Electronic-Crossover?sc=12&category=1334

http://www.nhthifi.com/A1-mono-amplifier?sc=12&category=1334

Or you use some other amps, instead of the NHT amps.

With the additional active crossover + amp, the Classic Four's built-in passive subwoofer will become an active subwoofer that will go down to 27Hz @ -3dB. Again, it won't compare to the big SVS, HSU, or Epik dedicated subs, but it should rattle some walls if you turn that sub level volume up.
 
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