need advice...towers vs bookshelf..advantages - Blu-ray Forum

STARSCREAM · 04-17-2009, 06:11 PM

Thanks guys. I ended up ordering the following setup:

three Energy RC-70's for front left/center/right
four Energy RC-R's for side/rear surrounds
SVS PC12-NSD subwoofer

aramis109 · 04-17-2009, 06:22 PM

I started up an Emotiva speaker thread somewhere around here- you might want to look at that.

As far as bookshelf speakers vs. towers- it depends on setup and such. Are you going to be needing stands? That figures into the cost. Towers do as you mentioned have a lower extension, so in theory if you wanted to set your crossover lower you certainly can. It also depends on what you're using the system for- to me, 2channel music is probably going to sound better on towers than bookshelf speakers, all things being equal due to the physics in the cabinet.

Part of me honestly wishes though that I'd gone with a bookshelf setup as my wife still pooh-poohs the "big speakers" in the house. There are also some terrific looking and sounding bookshelf setups- Paradigm instantly comes to mind.

StimpsonJCat · 04-17-2009, 06:33 PM

If you listen to any 2 or 2.1 channel music towers are the only way to go. For HT you could get away with bookshelves. I'd recommend a good sub for HT no matter which way you decide to go.

Some will disagree about bookshelves not being good enough for music (especially some high end ones).

STARSCREAM · 04-17-2009, 06:33 PM

I should have added that I will be using the speakers for 100% movie watching. So if this also factors into recommendations please let me know.

Anybody heard the Energy Reference Connoisseur line?
I have also heard good things about monitor audio stuff.

StimpsonJCat · 04-17-2009, 06:39 PM

What is the budget? What type of tweeter do you like? The BICs were horn tweets, right? I have heard great things about Monitor Audio, but haven't heard them. I would look at Paradigms as well. I would get the sub elsewhere (HSU, Epik, eD, SVS, etc..)

If you end up getting the SVS monitors & sub I'd love to hear what you think of them. That set w/ sub looks like a good deal.

aramis109 · 04-17-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I should have added that I will be using the speakers for 100% movie watching. So if this also factors into recommendations please let me know.

Anybody heard the Energy Reference Connoisseur line?
I have also heard good things about monitor audio stuff.

Monitor Audio is good stuff. When I was listening to the Def Techs I gave them a listen too. They make really pretty speakers as well- beautiful hardwoods and the like. I would put them and Paradigms on my short list if I were you.

have you given Def Techs' Mythos systems a look-see? They're at least a slim tower with integrated subs. Clickee.

dobyblue · 04-17-2009, 07:09 PM

If it's all for HT then bookshelves may give you more installation options.
I would consider looking at Axiom, Aperion, AV123 as well as whatever options your local dealer has including Paradigm, but with the latter you want to watch out what power handling they have as anything approaching 100 watts can be a little overpowering, especially for front/center duties.

The Axiom M3's (http://axiomaudio.com/m3.html) are $330/pair and have +/- 3dB response to 60Hz with 175 watts power handling. My friend Matt (posts here as BrahmaBull) has a pair and I can vouch for them, really nice imaging and a nice neutral tone to them.

They give you a discount on 5 or more speakers so I'm sure you could get them to give you an odd number to have one for a centre channel.

Johnny Vinyl · 04-17-2009, 07:31 PM

We can recommend all we want, but without a budget we have no way of truly making solid recommendations.

Having said that and knowing that movies are of most concern to you, a good bookshelf system can work wonders and satisfy you immensely. If that's the route you're thinking of, I would but 2 pairs of (pick brand/model) and a matching Centre along with a sub of your choice. If later on you wanted to introduce some towers for the fronts (it may happen), then you'd have a matching rear surround field for the others.

John

Beta Man · 04-17-2009, 07:50 PM

I'll agree with the other post about prices for stands..... check into it.... they get expensive.....

I had towers, and then decided to sell them, and use the bookshelfs I had used as surrounds because the difference wasn't worth the price to me..... I actually preferred the Bookshelfs for HT, and found their range "good enough" for music to justify letting the towers go......

These speakers were in the same line.... so it was a pretty good comparison (vs. comparing one manufacturer's tower, to another's bookshelf

)

I guess I would buy based on a budget.... if you have a budget of $1,000 each.... I'd audition every tower I could get my hands on at that $1,000 price.... and also audition every bookshelf at $8-900 each in order to keep the stand cost in play......

You may find a $1,000 tower that sounds best to you... or you may find an $800 bookshelf that just blows you away....

You won't know until you listen though

Sonny · 04-17-2009, 07:53 PM

Budget? I prefer the look of floor standers depending on the setup? There are lots of good book shelvers out there though & they look good in lots of setups, it just depends.... I used my surrounds as fronts till my floor standers came in.

STARSCREAM · 04-17-2009, 08:18 PM

I'm starting to lean towards the Energy RC-70 towers. I know a guy who will sell them to me for $599 apiece and I think I'm gonna get 3 of them so I have a matching set all across the front.

Blu Titan · 04-17-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis109

I started up an Emotiva speaker thread somewhere around here- you might want to look at that.

As far as bookshelf speakers vs. towers- it depends on setup and such. Are you going to be needing stands? That figures into the cost. Towers do as you mentioned have a lower extension, so in theory if you wanted to set your crossover lower you certainly can. It also depends on what you're using the system for- to me, 2channel music is probably going to sound better on towers than bookshelf speakers, all things being equal due to the physics in the cabinet.

Part of me honestly wishes though that I'd gone with a bookshelf setup as my wife still pooh-poohs the "big speakers" in the house. There are also some terrific looking and sounding bookshelf setups- Paradigm instantly comes to mind.

Bookshelf speakers would look out of place with that monster center you have. You have done good.

StimpsonJCat · 04-17-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I'm starting to lean towards the Energy RC-70 towers. I know a guy who will sell them to me for $599 apiece and I think I'm gonna get 3 of them so I have a matching set all across the front.

Three towers across the front is sweet. I often wish I could do that and if I ever build a dedicated room I will (with 3 Salk Song Towers....now I'm dreaming).

prerich · 04-17-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I'm starting to lean towards the Energy RC-70 towers. I know a guy who will sell them to me for $599 apiece and I think I'm gonna get 3 of them so I have a matching set all across the front.

Sounds like you hae at least a $1800.00 budget across the front. Might I suggest a brand no one here mentions - VMPS 626 jr's...three of them. Wait till I get back from my workout - I will have some other ideals

STARSCREAM · 04-17-2009, 08:28 PM

I'm looking at 3 Energy RC-70's for l/c/r, SVS pb12-nsd sub, and really want 4 of the Energy RCR surrounds but they are frackin $325 apiece.

prerich · 04-17-2009, 08:34 PM

Heres the special price of the vmps speakers
To celebrate our 30th year VMPS announces an irresistible bargain,
the 626 Jr. at $975pr!

Features:
• Dehorned Spiral Ribbon Tweeter (7 kHz-20 kHz)
• Push-pull neodymium planar mid (280Hz up)
• 6.5" poly/mica cone woofer w/20oz magnet, 4 layer VC and cast frame
• Piano black Bud Bailey cabinet made in USA
• SR71/BH5 cabinet damping
• CDWG - the Constant Directivity Waveguide for 180 degree dispersion full range
• Fully CD equalized polpropylene crossover
• 200W rms power handling, 89dB/1W/1m sensitivity
• 8 Ohms with 4.6 Ohm minimum impedance

Regular price $1598pr ...

Beta Man · 04-17-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prerich

H vmps speakers
To celebrate our 30th year VMPS announces an irresistible bargain,
the 626 Jr.
.

W.A.F. be damned

got rice · 04-17-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I'm starting to lean towards the Energy RC-70 towers. I know a guy who will sell them to me for $599 apiece and I think I'm gonna get 3 of them so I have a matching set all across the front.

Ahh.. I see you have read Big Daddys sticky on Horizontal centers.

This would be a strong contender within you budget and listening criteria.

Paradigm studio 40's. with stands available and they have 3 to sell.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....40-V.4-Excepti

Comes with 5yr factory warranty.

callas01 · 04-17-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I'm starting to lean towards the Energy RC-70 towers. I know a guy who will sell them to me for $599 apiece and I think I'm gonna get 3 of them so I have a matching set all across the front.

Is that new??? If so that is a great deal... never heard them but if they are similar to the veritas line, which these are right below, they would be a very smooth speaker, warm sound with rich sounding mids and deep lows. I think the RC-70s go down to about 30hz... not bad, OH, and they way about 60 lbs... I thought my C-300 were heavy at 35 lbs.

The ones I have are great covering the mids and highs very well and bass is powerful, but I think they go down to about 40hz, so the extension isn't as far, but they too are warm sounding, and great for movies and 2 channel. As far as music, I have never seen my wife so interested in 2 channel music as she has been since I got the Energys.

-DLS- · 04-17-2009, 10:42 PM

The RC-70s sound really nice and that is a really good price new - even used if still in good condition. They sell for $1250 each here in Canada. If I could have gotten them cheaper I would have went with that setup over my Paradigms - but I am still VERY happy with what I got for the price I paid.

I actually ordered 3 RC LCR's to try out at home since it's free for 30 days with free return shipping.. should have them by Monday and I'll see how it sounds with 3 vertical Identical fronts. Wanted something to compare to at home with what I have now. I was thinking something like that or 3 Studio 40's that got_rice mentioned for my next setup behind an acoustic projector screen. That might work with your screen height as well.

04-17-2009, 06:11 PM	#1
STARSCREAM Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Dagobah Blu-ray collection:148 Trading Score:67	need advice...towers vs bookshelf..advantages Thanks guys. I ended up ordering the following setup: three Energy RC-70's for front left/center/right four Energy RC-R's for side/rear surrounds SVS PC12-NSD subwoofer Last edited by STARSCREAM; 04-20-2009 at 10:31 PM.

04-17-2009, 07:50 PM	#9
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I'll agree with the other post about prices for stands..... check into it.... they get expensive..... I had towers, and then decided to sell them, and use the bookshelfs I had used as surrounds because the difference wasn't worth the price to me..... I actually preferred the Bookshelfs for HT, and found their range "good enough" for music to justify letting the towers go...... These speakers were in the same line.... so it was a pretty good comparison (vs. comparing one manufacturer's tower, to another's bookshelf ) I guess I would buy based on a budget.... if you have a budget of $1,000 each.... I'd audition every tower I could get my hands on at that $1,000 price.... and also audition every bookshelf at $8-900 each in order to keep the stand cost in play...... You may find a $1,000 tower that sounds best to you... or you may find an $800 bookshelf that just blows you away.... You won't know until you listen though Last edited by Beta Man; 04-17-2009 at 07:55 PM.

04-17-2009, 08:28 PM	#15
STARSCREAM Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Dagobah Blu-ray collection:148 Trading Score:67	I'm looking at 3 Energy RC-70's for l/c/r, SVS pb12-nsd sub, and really want 4 of the Energy RCR surrounds but they are frackin $325 apiece. Last edited by STARSCREAM; 04-17-2009 at 08:57 PM.

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04-17-2009, 06:22 PM	#2
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	I started up an Emotiva speaker thread somewhere around here- you might want to look at that. As far as bookshelf speakers vs. towers- it depends on setup and such. Are you going to be needing stands? That figures into the cost. Towers do as you mentioned have a lower extension, so in theory if you wanted to set your crossover lower you certainly can. It also depends on what you're using the system for- to me, 2channel music is probably going to sound better on towers than bookshelf speakers, all things being equal due to the physics in the cabinet. Part of me honestly wishes though that I'd gone with a bookshelf setup as my wife still pooh-poohs the "big speakers" in the house. There are also some terrific looking and sounding bookshelf setups- Paradigm instantly comes to mind.

04-17-2009, 06:33 PM	#3
StimpsonJCat Expert Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Texas Home Theater Gallery:5	If you listen to any 2 or 2.1 channel music towers are the only way to go. For HT you could get away with bookshelves. I'd recommend a good sub for HT no matter which way you decide to go. Some will disagree about bookshelves not being good enough for music (especially some high end ones).

04-17-2009, 06:39 PM	#5
StimpsonJCat Expert Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Texas Home Theater Gallery:5	What is the budget? What type of tweeter do you like? The BICs were horn tweets, right? I have heard great things about Monitor Audio, but haven't heard them. I would look at Paradigms as well. I would get the sub elsewhere (HSU, Epik, eD, SVS, etc..) If you end up getting the SVS monitors & sub I'd love to hear what you think of them. That set w/ sub looks like a good deal.

04-17-2009, 07:09 PM	#7
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	If it's all for HT then bookshelves may give you more installation options. I would consider looking at Axiom, Aperion, AV123 as well as whatever options your local dealer has including Paradigm, but with the latter you want to watch out what power handling they have as anything approaching 100 watts can be a little overpowering, especially for front/center duties. The Axiom M3's (http://axiomaudio.com/m3.html) are $330/pair and have +/- 3dB response to 60Hz with 175 watts power handling. My friend Matt (posts here as BrahmaBull) has a pair and I can vouch for them, really nice imaging and a nice neutral tone to them. They give you a discount on 5 or more speakers so I'm sure you could get them to give you an odd number to have one for a centre channel.

04-17-2009, 07:31 PM	#8
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	We can recommend all we want, but without a budget we have no way of truly making solid recommendations. Having said that and knowing that movies are of most concern to you, a good bookshelf system can work wonders and satisfy you immensely. If that's the route you're thinking of, I would but 2 pairs of (pick brand/model) and a matching Centre along with a sub of your choice. If later on you wanted to introduce some towers for the fronts (it may happen), then you'd have a matching rear surround field for the others. John

04-17-2009, 07:53 PM	#10
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	Budget? I prefer the look of floor standers depending on the setup? There are lots of good book shelvers out there though & they look good in lots of setups, it just depends.... I used my surrounds as fronts till my floor standers came in.

04-17-2009, 08:18 PM	#11
STARSCREAM Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Dagobah Blu-ray collection:148 Trading Score:67	I'm starting to lean towards the Energy RC-70 towers. I know a guy who will sell them to me for $599 apiece and I think I'm gonna get 3 of them so I have a matching set all across the front.

04-17-2009, 10:42 PM	#20
-DLS- Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:CANADA Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:-	The RC-70s sound really nice and that is a really good price new - even used if still in good condition. They sell for $1250 each here in Canada. If I could have gotten them cheaper I would have went with that setup over my Paradigms - but I am still VERY happy with what I got for the price I paid. I actually ordered 3 RC LCR's to try out at home since it's free for 30 days with free return shipping.. should have them by Monday and I'll see how it sounds with 3 vertical Identical fronts. Wanted something to compare to at home with what I have now. I was thinking something like that or 3 Studio 40's that got_rice mentioned for my next setup behind an acoustic projector screen. That might work with your screen height as well.

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