tSc T300 for $228; can I do better?

[BrettMichael]

With The Speaker Company having their 40% off sale, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a set of TST2 towers. I need a new sub to replace my old Onkyo (that's being relegated to the bedroom), and the reviews on the T300 seem to say that it's good for the price, and that's at the $380 price!

Before I go ahead and get it, is there a "better" sub for the money?

My room is 22' x 14', and open to a dining/kitchen area. It will be used 65% TV/movies/games and 35% music, but I do like good solid bass in music, and although I don't intend on getting too loud, the capability would be nice.

Thanks for any help.

 

[lsiberian]

With The Speaker Company having their 40% off sale, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a set of TST2 towers. I need a new sub to replace my old Onkyo (that's being relegated to the bedroom), and the reviews on the T300 seem to say that it's good for the price, and that's at the $380 price!

Before I go ahead and get it, is there a "better" sub for the money?

My room is 22' x 14', and open to a dining/kitchen area. It will be used 65% TV/movies/games and 35% music, but I do like good solid bass in music, and although I don't intend on getting too loud, the capability would be nice.

Thanks for any help.

I'd say a pair of Dayton 12" subs would be better. use them as stands for a pair of Behringer 2030p's and you got a sweet setup.

 

[BrettMichael]

I'd say a pair of Dayton 12" subs would be better. use them as stands for a pair of Behringer 2030p's and you got a sweet setup.

Thanks for the reply.

The problem is, I really don't have room for two subs, and definitely don't have room for two to stand next to the EC the TV is on. It's a 52" LCD on a large EC. I had planned on putting the sub where my current sub is, behind a chair that's next to the stand. Plus, wouldn't using the Daytons as stands leave the speakers too low, and have the potential to rumble the speakers right off the subs?

Having owned a Behringer mixing desk, I tend to question their quality, although it seems their speakers are well-regarded here.

I was hoping to stick with towers. I've had satellites on stands for years, and I'm just tired of that "look", if that makes sense. Towers just look more "polished" to me, and the TST2s review very well from what I've read.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for the reply.

The problem is, I really don't have room for two subs, and definitely don't have room for two to stand next to the EC the TV is on. It's a 52" LCD on a large EC. I had planned on putting the sub where my current sub is, behind a chair that's next to the stand. Plus, wouldn't using the Daytons as stands leave the speakers too low, and have the potential to rumble the speakers right off the subs?

Having owned a Behringer mixing desk, I tend to question their quality, although it seems their speakers are well-regarded here.

I was hoping to stick with towers. I've had satellites on stands for years, and I'm just tired of that "look", if that makes sense. Towers just look more "polished" to me, and the TST2s review very well from what I've read.

Towers on the low end are pretty resonate. I'd not suggest most of them. If any are recommended it would be the Infinity Primus towers. They have excellent drivers and are easily improved if you want to mod.

 

[BrettMichael]

Towers on the low end are pretty resonate. I'd not suggest most of them. If any are recommended it would be the Infinity Primus towers. They have excellent drivers and are easily improved if you want to mod.

Thanks again. The review here of the TST2s was very positive, comparing them to speakers that cost 2-5x as much. The Infinity Primus P252 look to cost around $180 each (plus shipping), while the TST2s are $270 a pair (with the current 40% off) and free shipping. I'm trying to work within a budget, and for towers the TST2s are appealing.

Any other thoughts on subs in this price range? Should I be looking at BIC or am I good with the T300? I really don't have room for two subs.

 

[JoshK]

A Bic F12 would be your best bet. They come in and out of stock all the time.

 

[Knucklehead90]

While towers are 'sexy' they are redundant if you also have a sub. Think about it - most bookshelf speakers are 2 way - towers are usually 3 way. A bookshelf + sub = 3 way. I use a pair of subs as stands for my Emo 6.2 speakers. The subs get used for music. There are no gaps in the sound and it sounds great. Once you get those towers set up with your AVR and cross them over at 80hz you won't even be using what you paid for - woofers.

Towers are furniture and you are on a budget. How much sound quality are you potentially giving up to let someone build you a pair of towers?

The Primus recommendation is a good one - but I'd get the P162s - coupled with a good sub they will sound very good. At $70 each that leaves a bit more for a good sub. For a center channel the C350 is much better than the C250 for $40 more.

 

[NicolasKL]

While towers are 'sexy' they are redundant if you also have a sub.

They're certainly less necessary, but I wouldn't say they're redundant. Even if you put the exact same drivers in a bookshelf vs. a tower it's going to have an effect on the sound (albeit a minor one in that case), so obviously the larger number (or size) of drivers in a tower is also going to have an effect.

You also generally end up with greater headroom and can use a lower crossover point.

My towers are almost the exact same as my bookshelf surrounds+subwoofer and you can definitely, definitely tell them apart.