Okay... As Ron said I stopped by this place to pick up something and the next thing you know 2.5 hours went by as I listened to the new SVS HT speakers. Lucky me, I happened to have my demo stuff with me in the car!
I will try to describe my listening experience. The first picture is where I heard them. The room has two rows of those futons, and some room behind for a nice walkway and some subs. I sat in the second row for most of my listening.
The fit and finish of these speakers are solid. Ron likes to point out there are no seams... because there are no seams... just nice clean lines. People may criticize the black, but I would rather have something understated than to have wood-colored stickers on my speakers. (In fact, since the cat shred the speaker socks on my mains I have been running them nekkid... similar black finish). There is no worry you might mis-handle these speakers expose the wood underneath the skin. The binding posts look heavy-duty.
The master volume on the Denon 3805 was typically set from -10db to 0db. We watched all of the movies at 0db. I'll assume that 0db is reference level.
In my opinion, classic jazz from the 50s and 60s is one of the best ways to test a speaker set-up. There are a few features I listen for. First, the tracks I listen to have great walking bass lines. When the bass is featured, you can hear the performance around the cross-over of the system as the bass-line walks up and down it. I listen for holes, bass-overhang, and presence, as well as articulation. When the rest of the band is playing, I make sure I can still hear the bass. Next, I listen for the sizzle and airiness of the high-hat and ride cymbals. Finally, the horns fill in the rest of the audio spectrum. I like to hear the imaging and smooth sound.
In particular, I like to use Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" and John Coltrane "Giants steps. The imaging on these speakers were great. "So What" feature Paul Chambers' bass talking, and the band answering. It really builds up before they get to the improve section. Every instrument was well-imaged and cleanly represented. On these old recordings there are a few notes Coltrane's sax put out that can fry a system and sound shrill... (I'd imagine the note is falling somewhere around a typical cross-over point and is tending to push the smaller speaker). These speakers did not flinch. Did I mention we had the system CRANKED? I had the same experience with "Giant Steps", "Spiral", "Blue in Green", etc. Solid imaging, smooth response... no instrument in the way of any other.
Another favorite piece of demo material I like to use is Dead can Dance "Into the Labyrinth". The track I use is "Yulunga (spirit dance)". (Before I go any further, no, I am not a hippy or a beatnik... I love Rock and Rap... these demo items make it easy to identify speakers' weaknesses.) This track really tests the dynamics and imaging of a speaker. There are a ton of instruments ranging from deep strings, to erie reeds, to haunting chants... and a BIG drum. (feel free to name all of the instruments if you know them.) I swear the front stage is divided into 9 discrete, imaging spots. The track builds up over 2 1/2 minutes, adding tension before the big drum kicks in and signals the arrival of all of the instruments. These SVS speakers passed this image torture test with flying colors. There are also a few "shrill" and "distortion" tests that can break cheaper speakers. Again, solid imaging, smooth response... no instrument in the way of any other.
Next we put in the Blue Man Group. This is the first time I had heard this disc... and the really Big Drum! We listened to this with the MV at reference level. We really wanted to pop these sealed speakers. When material is cranked this loud I like to listen for compression. That did not happen. These speakers maintained their composure nicely, and showed their dynamic range.
Now to movies... all at reference levels... Let me note the rear channels were not the SVS speaker. It was a direct-fire speaker of which I do not know the brand.
Master and Commander won an award for the sound... and these speakers showed why. We watched the opening scene (about 15 minutes long). Even with all of the cannon fire and carnage, the center channel kept the dialog clean. Russel Crowe kept his commanding tone. This scene can be tough to handle because of all of the effects and panning. If you remember, before his ship is fired on Captain Jack's 6th sense kicks in. We hear a very subtle sound (over the sounds of the sea) signaling him to look through the 'scope on more time. If your speakers are stressed, you will miss it. The SVS speaker showed their grace and played the sound cleanly and clearly. The active panning was really neat to listen to. I really liked this center speaker and it matches well with the mains.
(We used the DD track.)
We also listened to the Intro to Toy Story 2, and the Monsters Inc. trailer. I loved the way the narrator (I forget his name) sounded on the MI trailer... again, this center speaker is well done. Whereas the M&C has a lot of active panning in a realistic sense, he TS2 intro has a lot of panning in an animated sense... if I don't make sense... TS2 has exaggerated panning, which is neat to listen to, while M&C has subtle, but well-separated panning. Anyway, the speakers sounded great, with clicks and clacks popping out of the right spots. "To infinity and beyond" was never lost in the shuffle.
As I said, we listened to a lot of material over 2 1/2 hours. My ears were not fatigued in any way. I may be repeating myself (as I am not a writer)... solid imaging, smooth response, passed the "shrill test", matched well with the sub, clean, crisp sound, well-done center... this package is great! I am glad the 5.1 set was not available a few years ago because my wife would have not let me spend as much as I have.
I've been typing all morning... feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them. I did not stop by to listen to these speakers... and I am glad I got to hear them. For those of you questioning why SVS chose this "entry-level" product as their entrance into non-sub speakers, you've got to hear them. There's gonna be some competition in this segement... and retail has nothing on these speakers!
