I am setting my theater up on a budget, and as such, I can't get the dream equipment that I would love to have. Having said that, I did find some stuff that seems pretty good, at a decent price. I am now trying to decide between two setups, speaker-wise for a 5.1 (for now) system.
First choice is the HSU Research HB-1 (4 of these) and HC-1 for the center. These are reasonably priced, and have good reviews. Just under $900 for all 5 speakers, new.
The other setup is an old one, 2 NHT 2.5's (not the 2.5i), an NHT Ac-1, and then I would have to get the surrounds that tonally match. I can get the 2.5's and the AC-1 for $300, in great shape.
Which do you think will sound better? Which would be the better value? New technology (HSU), or the once much more expensive, older NHT's?
There are several other factors to consider if you are looking to choose between these 2 options:
1) What will you be using to drive these speakers (what AVR or amplifier will you be using)?
2) Do you already have a subwoofer or have one planned for purchase?
3) What is the size of the room you are looking to fill?
The HSU speakers are much more efficient than the NHT (will play louder with less power). The NHTs will need significantly more power to reach the same levels as the HSUs. The HSUs however do not play nearly as low as the NHT 2.5s. Those sub 80 Hz frequencies are critical for HT, so if you are not planning to buy a sub with the HSUs, the NHTs will provide much deeper bass.
Both HSU and NHT make fine speakers. If you have up to $900 to spend I would recommend starting with a 2.1 setup (2 main speakers plus a sub).....then add the center channel next, followed by the 2 surrounds later as funds allow. Between NHT and HSU, if this was strictly for HT use (not 2 channel listening as well) then I would probably gravitate towards the HSU speakers (w/ a sub). I think you would get more bang for your $$$ and they are easier to drive.
BTW......awesome guitar and amp in your avatar. That flamed goldtop EVH and the Bogner amp are enough to make any guitarist drool.
Actually, HSU's sensitivity specifications are misleading because they are measured in half space. The difference will not be quite as much as you think.
BTW......awesome guitar and amp in your avatar. That flamed goldtop EVH and the Bogner amp are enough to make any guitarist drool.[/QUOTE]
Lol, thanks. Two of my favorite pieces of gear. The Bogner kills and the Axis (same thing as the EVH with a couple of minor differences) is the best bang for the buck guitar.
I appreciate the words about the speakers. Yes, dedicated theater use (maybe less than 10% use for music). I am going to be getting a sub, either HSU or SVS (still researching that one). The amp I have is an oldie but goodie Acurus A 125x5.
I also found a local guy that has two HB-1 Mk 2 speakers for $200, so that would lessen the load a bit on cost (minimally).
My only concern (having heard the NHTs in a theater before, but having not heard the HSU speakers) is how well the HSUs would compare sound-wise (clarity, etc). As far as the HSU speakers go, I haven't read a bad review.
I wouldn't say Hsu specs are misleading because they do specify the sensitivity measurement condition. A lot of companies actually use half-space or use 'in-room' sensitivity without stating that in the specs.
Misleading not with ill intent. Misleading in that people believe them to be something else. It would be much better if they simply specified them with the normal standard.
I would agree with the assessment of "misleading" because many unknowledgeable consumers look at certain numbers and not the whole picture, and I think it is done on purpose.
Years back when I was more into car audio, I tired myself out explaining subwoofer sensitivity on a few car audio boards. Someone would want a certain subwoofer based off of the listed sensitivity specs, and I got sick of explaining that many dual 4 ohm voice coil subs were measured in parallel at 2.83v, which would mean the sub in question was measured at 2.83v at 2 ohms, instead of the standard 1 watt or 2.83v at 8 ohms. It gave the sub a 6 db sensitivity advantage on paper and many took that number and ran with it not having the slightest idea what it really meant.
We used half space because that's how we measured it. It's clearly indicated in that spec that it is half space. It's not like we put some fine print on the site to say that it was half space. Misinformed reading of specs are bound to happen, and that's nothing we can control.
We used half space because that's how we measured it. It's clearly indicated in that spec that it is half space. It's not like we put some fine print on the site to say that it was half space. Misinformed reading of specs are bound to happen, and that's nothing we can control.
That's not true. If you know that a lot of people are used to seeing anechoic response measurements and might not realize the difference, you could offer those instead.
Well, yes it is clearly listed, and it's completely fine to do so. My point was only that many lesser experienced buyers will probably just see the 92db number and compare it to other speakers sensitivity without understanding how the spec was measured and how it effects the sensitivity.
It's their fault and not yours I guess. Just making a point in general, not against HSU specifically.
My example was of dual 4 ohm voice coil subwoofers measurements with the coils in parallel that cause many people to think one car audio subwoofer was way more sensitive than others because they didn't account for the measurement of 2.83v @ 2 ohms as opposed to the standard 8 ohms. Is it misleading or buyer ignorance? I'm not sure, maybe a bit of both
It should be mentioned that S&V measurement took place in a speaker shootout where all the speakers measured roughly 3 dB down from the stated product specs. Furthermore, it isn't stated whether that measurement is done at 1 watt or 2.83v. I'm guessing the former. If you are charging Hsu for gaming specs, in this instance you are barking up the wrong tree. Here is a refresher course on sensitivity specs for you.
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