SVS Speakers and Classical Music

For 2k you can get alot of speaker - are you limited by size. I replaced an sbs system with av123's mini strata and it was miles better, 3 way design with powered woofer just moved more air and sounds cleaner. I havent heard the upgraded svs system though.

Greg

With $2k you must be thinking of a 2.0 or 2.1 set with classical music?

EDIT: I read "theater" at the first of your post. So, you're looking for 5.1 or 7.1?

You have a "theater" that you also want to enjoy classical music in. So, do you need just 2 surround speakers, or are you wanting 4 surround speakers?

I have a friend with SCS across the front (L/C/R) and SBS surrounds. He also has dual PB12 NSD subs. Very impressive sound for the price.

SVS is having a sale at the moment, as you may know...

With your room size I wouldn't do 7.1--it will be pretty "messy" in there with surrounds and rear-surrounds as well.

What kind of seating are you planning on? Will you have two rows deep, or just one main row?

Let's step back a minute. Your primary listening for this system will be 2 channel stereo of classical recordings...Is that correct?

If 2ch. music is REALLY more important, I would look at the MTS, even if it means having to temporarily do a 3.0 and put off the sub and rear channels, for later. The MTS's are capable of reaching down to 30hz, making them more than adequate for use as a full range, stand alone's for music. The MTS are very musical and the aren't too shabby with HT either. But if you gotta have it all now, I personally would choose the SCS over the SBS.

+1. Great point about going 3.0 for his budget in the short-term--it will definitely give him greater overall performance

I have heard both the SCS and MTS in my room and they are both great performers, albeit the MTS can handle loads of power without breaking a sweat.

The MTS with their new x-overs are really sounding wonderful and compare very nicely with my reference set that cost considerably more $$!

Sorry, maybe bit of a threadjack, but I'm looking at picking up a used SBS 5.1 system with a PB12-NSd Sub for $650. Can you tell me about the SVS sale? I'm not seeing it. Don't wanna get ripped off, but it seems that a used $650 SBS system is a pretty good deal for price/performance (PB12-NSD sells for $599 per website).

That doesn't make sense--I think what you might be comparing is a single SCS-01 to a pair of SBS-01s.

In any case, if you're concerned about music performance, then I would suggest going with three SCS-01s at the front.

FWIW, I do have 03 SCS-01 across the front and I do listen to a lot of classical music (as well as jazz, rock, etc...) and to my ears they sound pretty darn awesome! Highly recommended in my book

Good luck on your quest!

Regards, Chuck

Let me suggest something radical: Go to some stores with your own CDs and listen to speakers in your price range. Only by hearing them can you make a decision that will suit you. I must admit I have not heard any of the ID speakers being discussed but I have heard many, many others and the subjective differences are substantial. No one else's opinion matter but yours.

BTW, since you live in NYC, there's no shortage of places to do this.

The biggest disadvantage of buying speakers from SVS (or any Internet Only) company often winds up being a strength. You have to get them into the room in which you will use them in order to determine if they are right for you. In that sense, you are forced to do an audition in the correct setting.

Most reputable Internet Only companies (and SVS is certainly one of those) recognize this and allow for a reasonable return policy. If you can deal with the packing and unpacking, give them a try (along with listening to as many locally available brands as you can find).

+1.

Good for you--let us know what you think!

Don't go to BB (or CC). They have little in the way of decent-sounding speakers and less in the way of knowledge/guidance. Go to real audio/video shops. Where are you located? There are at least a half dozen in Manhattan. After you have done this, assuming you have not found something that you love, you will have educated your ears enough to fairly evaluate the ID speakers, like SVS, when you get them in your room.

All true but, if the OP has not heard other things in other settings, he has no reference for what he gets. How will he know if they are as good or better than the competition unless he buys several?

It is the "other settings" that are the problem for me. They certainly have their place to get a general idea of the look, feel, build quality and initial sonic characteristics.

Unless I have the speakers connected to the electronics I will be using, sitting in their intended room and playing my favorite source material for a day or two (longer if possible), I really can't judge whether they are the right choice for me.

Case in point: a few years ago I bought a pair of B&W CM7s. I connected them to a Denon/Crown pre/pro/amp combo in the living room and they were downright awful. Even after several days of "getting used" to their sound, they just weren't making it for me.

I moved them into the bedroom and connected them to an all Rotel system: preamp/amp/CD. Totally different experience. They have been in there ever since as part of a music only system.

As a side note, after several months in the bedroom I moved them back out into the living room one day as an experiment. Same results as I experienced initially. They went back into the bedroom very quickly.

I'm of the belief that you can't just plop a set of speakers in a room, maybe where they look good, and expect satisfactory results. Sometimes moving them closer or away from a wall, re-arranging the furniture, adding sound treatment, and/or changing the connected equipment can make a tremendous difference in the sound.