Replacing my Energy Take 5.1 and need the front three of a 5.1. Sub is an SVS SB12-NSD surrounds will be HSU satellites for now
I had another thread that started with Polk T15s vs wavecrest but after all then advice and more research thought I should start a new one with my new contenders for the LCR of a 5.1 system.
1. Wavecrest VHL-1 X3 ( front ported) $322.50 (15% discount) pay shipping to return
2. HTD Level Two Bookshelves and Center (front ported) $375.84 (10% discount) with free return
I looked but could not find a comparison of these speakers, though both seem to have good ratings as budgets
Also considering Ascend HTM-200 SE X3 (sealed) $428.00 pay shipping to return For these I can also save $60 off the next two for surrounds with a package deal.
Could go another hundred or two for the right set, but may upgrade again in a year or so after I move so not looking for major investment.
Ruled out NHT due to shine as these will closely border a projection screen, need a more matte surface, Also prefer a simple clean look, though on looks would probably pick the rounded edges of the HTD box. Sound is more important obviously but with just them on stands and the screen for that wall they will be highly visible in the room.
Forum Recommended Info
1) Your budget.
[My Answer] Up to $500 for speakers or maybe a little more if justified. Don’t want to over invest in case they do not suite where I move to in a year or so. I already have all other equipment, just replacing speakers
2) Your listening interests: movies/gaming/music--and whether or not any of those are your primary concern.
[My Answerer] - Movies, TV, and Music of multiple genre (Big band, Latin, Rock, Jazz, etc). Looking for a full clean sound across the audible range at low and moderate volumes. It is in an apartment with downstairs neighbors and I often get home late, so will not be listening loud and do not want to shake the house.
3) Your existing audio equipment (make/models) if any. Include comments about what you hope to improve upon.
[My Answerer] - Take energy 5.1, Denon avr-s910w, Sony VPL-HW45ES Projector, Auralex Subwoofer platform, Sanus Natural Foundations Stands (30”X4 + 18”X1)
4) The size of your room. Please also mention if there are adjacent open areas and how big they are (important for subwoofer choice).
[My Answerer] - ~12’x11’ with 10’ ceilings, and an added 4’Dx7’W nook on one of the 12’ sides. Electronics will be set up in the nook and projector will hit the opposite solid flat 12’ wall. Looking at the projection screen (i.e. front wall), the left wall ends 5’ before the screen wall. The gap will be filled with a floor to ceiling sound and light blocking curtain. Baseboard heating runs along the opposite 11’ wall, and around the back wall and nook. Tried to draw basic layout in attached file, speakers are blue.
5) Any placement restrictions.
[My Answerer] - I cannot attach anything to walls or ceiling, so stands and towers only. Projection will be on 12’ wall. Subwoofer can likely only go behind the couch in the nook, on the right of the couch. Expect fronts to go on sides of projection screen, in the corners. Expect the surrounds to go in back corners next to and just slightly behind the couch.
6) Any aesthetic or size concerns.
[My Answerer] - Would like to maximize remaining floor space. E.g. not have speakers placed far from the walls or with a very large footprint. Also projection screen is ideally most of wall, so fronts should be narrow and fairly tight to wall not to obstruct.
7) Any equipment you are already considering (or would not consider).
[My Answer] As stated above -
Wavecrest VHL-1 X3 or HTD Level Two Bookshelves and Center
Also considering Ascend HTM-200 SE X3 (sealed) $428.00 pay shipping to return For these I can also save $60 off the next two for surrounds with a package deal.
Ruled out NHT due to shine as these will closely border a projection screen, need a more matte surface, Also prefer a simple clean look, though on looks would probably pick the rounded edges of the HTD box. Sound is more important obviously but with just them on stands and the screen for that wall they will be highly visible in the room.
8) Any particular audio sonic signatures you know you prefer (e.g., you are a basshead, you have a preference for bright treble, etc.)
[My Answer] - Need to avoid wall shaking sub sonic bass, but want a full balanced sound at moderate volumes. I usually find the mids lacking in home theater, shrill highs make me cringe, and my energy speakers just sound too far away. After hooking up two of the Polk T15s they sound decent and more immersive, but hoping to do better for a bit more cash.
Any help with final decision would be appreciated.
I had another thread that started with Polk T15s vs wavecrest but after all then advice and more research thought I should start a new one with my new contenders for the LCR of a 5.1 system.
1. Wavecrest VHL-1 X3 ( front ported) $322.50 (15% discount) pay shipping to return
2. HTD Level Two Bookshelves and Center (front ported) $375.84 (10% discount) with free return
I looked but could not find a comparison of these speakers, though both seem to have good ratings as budgets
Also considering Ascend HTM-200 SE X3 (sealed) $428.00 pay shipping to return For these I can also save $60 off the next two for surrounds with a package deal.
Could go another hundred or two for the right set, but may upgrade again in a year or so after I move so not looking for major investment.
Ruled out NHT due to shine as these will closely border a projection screen, need a more matte surface, Also prefer a simple clean look, though on looks would probably pick the rounded edges of the HTD box. Sound is more important obviously but with just them on stands and the screen for that wall they will be highly visible in the room.
Forum Recommended Info
1) Your budget.
[My Answer] Up to $500 for speakers or maybe a little more if justified. Don’t want to over invest in case they do not suite where I move to in a year or so. I already have all other equipment, just replacing speakers
2) Your listening interests: movies/gaming/music--and whether or not any of those are your primary concern.
[My Answerer] - Movies, TV, and Music of multiple genre (Big band, Latin, Rock, Jazz, etc). Looking for a full clean sound across the audible range at low and moderate volumes. It is in an apartment with downstairs neighbors and I often get home late, so will not be listening loud and do not want to shake the house.
3) Your existing audio equipment (make/models) if any. Include comments about what you hope to improve upon.
[My Answerer] - Take energy 5.1, Denon avr-s910w, Sony VPL-HW45ES Projector, Auralex Subwoofer platform, Sanus Natural Foundations Stands (30”X4 + 18”X1)
4) The size of your room. Please also mention if there are adjacent open areas and how big they are (important for subwoofer choice).
[My Answerer] - ~12’x11’ with 10’ ceilings, and an added 4’Dx7’W nook on one of the 12’ sides. Electronics will be set up in the nook and projector will hit the opposite solid flat 12’ wall. Looking at the projection screen (i.e. front wall), the left wall ends 5’ before the screen wall. The gap will be filled with a floor to ceiling sound and light blocking curtain. Baseboard heating runs along the opposite 11’ wall, and around the back wall and nook. Tried to draw basic layout in attached file, speakers are blue.
5) Any placement restrictions.
[My Answerer] - I cannot attach anything to walls or ceiling, so stands and towers only. Projection will be on 12’ wall. Subwoofer can likely only go behind the couch in the nook, on the right of the couch. Expect fronts to go on sides of projection screen, in the corners. Expect the surrounds to go in back corners next to and just slightly behind the couch.
6) Any aesthetic or size concerns.
[My Answerer] - Would like to maximize remaining floor space. E.g. not have speakers placed far from the walls or with a very large footprint. Also projection screen is ideally most of wall, so fronts should be narrow and fairly tight to wall not to obstruct.
7) Any equipment you are already considering (or would not consider).
[My Answer] As stated above -
Wavecrest VHL-1 X3 or HTD Level Two Bookshelves and Center
Also considering Ascend HTM-200 SE X3 (sealed) $428.00 pay shipping to return For these I can also save $60 off the next two for surrounds with a package deal.
Ruled out NHT due to shine as these will closely border a projection screen, need a more matte surface, Also prefer a simple clean look, though on looks would probably pick the rounded edges of the HTD box. Sound is more important obviously but with just them on stands and the screen for that wall they will be highly visible in the room.
8) Any particular audio sonic signatures you know you prefer (e.g., you are a basshead, you have a preference for bright treble, etc.)
[My Answer] - Need to avoid wall shaking sub sonic bass, but want a full balanced sound at moderate volumes. I usually find the mids lacking in home theater, shrill highs make me cringe, and my energy speakers just sound too far away. After hooking up two of the Polk T15s they sound decent and more immersive, but hoping to do better for a bit more cash.
Any help with final decision would be appreciated.