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Best HT Bookshelf Speaker

post #1 of 33
12/9/11 at 8:16pm
Thread Starter 
Need thoughts on the following speakers. The will be used for fronts in a 5.1 system in a 15 x 20 room. They will be used for mainly home theater. Do NHTs make good HT speakers or are they more of a music speaker? I would like to spend about $600 for the pair but I am open to spending $400 - $800. The ability to wall mount is a plus for me. Thanks

Polk RTi A3 $400/pr
Energy VMini $480/pr
Energy V5.1 $860/pr
NHT Classic 2 $600/pr
NHT Classic 3 $800/pr
Def Tech ProMonitor 1000 $440/pr
Def Tech Studio Monitor 450 $660/pr
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post #2 of 33
12/9/11 at 8:23pm
Have you thought about Klipsch i hade the RB-61's you can get the new series for $529.00 for the pair, i think ther great HT speakers.
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post #3 of 33
12/9/11 at 10:32pm
If primarily for HT, how about Chase Home Theater or Klipsch (mentioned above)? The other brands offer good products but they are lower in sensitivity than a "dedicated" home theater type speaker.
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post #4 of 33
12/9/11 at 10:47pm
Klipsch
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post #5 of 33
12/10/11 at 4:46am
Thread Starter 
I currently have a klipsch setup, big 15 year old KSF 10.5s for my fronts now. they have a pair of 8" woffers in them. I was looking to go smaller (wife does not like how big they are) and I kind of felt like if I went with klipsch it would feel more like a downgrade. I will have to look at klipsch more.
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post #6 of 33
12/10/11 at 4:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

I currently have a klipsch setup, big 15 year old KSF 10.5s for my fronts now. they have a pair of 8" woffers in them. I was looking to go smaller (wife does not like how big they are) and I kind of felt like if I went with klipsch it would feel more like a downgrade. I will have to look at klipsch more.

You should definitely look at the Elemental Designs cinema series. They are specifically made for the dynamics of HT. the 12's I guess could still be called "Bookshelves" , but they are somewhat tall.
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post #7 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:09am
I would look at ED's Cinema series or something from Chase Home Theater.
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post #8 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by btinindy View Post

You should definitely look at the Elemental Designs cinema series. They are specifically made for the dynamics of HT. the 12's I guess could still be called "Bookshelves" , but they are somewhat tall.

The eD cinema 12's would be a great choice for ht but they are pretty darn large to be called bookshelves, and I think they are out of his price range.
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post #9 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:45am
i recently received the Cinema eD{6} with the upgraded tweeter and they are best I have purchased for Home theater. In second place, I would probably put the bookshelfs from HSU. Just depends on your budget.
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post #10 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by btinindy View Post

You should definitely look at the Elemental Designs cinema series. They are specifically made for the dynamics of HT. the 12's I guess could still be called "Bookshelves" , but they are somewhat tall.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ View Post

I would look at ED's Cinema series or something from Chase Home Theater.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmryan821 View Post

The eD cinema 12's would be a great choice for ht but they are pretty darn large to be called bookshelves, and I think they are out of his price range.

I would agree. If you can wait, I will possibly be demoing a pair of these in a custom config hopefully before the years end. I plan on writing a review and taking plenty of pics on the eD owners thread as well as my HT thread.

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post #11 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:49am
also forgot to mention, you can get them cheaper(15% off) if you buy all three together. $77 bucks off each one.
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post #12 of 33
12/10/11 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
The ED Cinema speakers seem to be on the larger size. I was really looking for a bookshelf that possibly can wall mount. Any thoughts on the speakers I listed? Are they all too musical?

Polk RTi A3 $400/pr
Energy VMini $480/pr
Energy V5.1 $860/pr
NHT Classic 2 $600/pr
NHT Classic 3 $800/pr
Def Tech ProMonitor 1000 $440/pr
Def Tech Studio Monitor 450 $660/pr
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post #13 of 33
12/10/11 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

The ED Cinema speakers seem to be on the larger size. I was really looking for a bookshelf that possibly can wall mount. Any thoughts on the speakers I listed? Are they all too musical?
Polk RTi A3 $400/pr
Energy VMini $480/pr
Energy V5.1 $860/pr
NHT Classic 2 $600/pr
NHT Classic 3 $800/pr
Def Tech ProMonitor 1000 $440/pr
Def Tech Studio Monitor 450 $660/pr

I can not speak for the Energy V series. The other brands can do home
theater, if you do not play at extreme levels. I would not mount a rear
ported speaker. I like a speaker that can do music - because of sound
tracks and back ground music.
However, the Klipsch RB 61 - will do a decent job with Home Theater.

This is a smaller version of the EDesign speaker
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...oducts_id=1007
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post #14 of 33
12/10/11 at 5:48pm
FYI: Both the Energy V5.1s and V Mini are currently $199 each at Vanns.com.
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post #15 of 33
12/10/11 at 5:54pm
You might also look at the Ascend Acoustics offerings. Aperion also.
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post #16 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovinthehd View Post

You might also look at the Ascend Acoustics offerings. Aperion also.

+1

The CMT-340 SE have seemed like they would be a great front L/R for HT considering they have an exact matching center to use.
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post #17 of 33
12/10/11 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

FYI: Both the Energy V5.1s and V Mini are currently $199 each at Vanns.com.

That seems like a steal for the V5.1s.
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post #18 of 33
12/10/11 at 7:18pm
And you can get the V Mini for $219/pr at soundearphones.com. would be great surrounds with the V5.1.
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post #19 of 33
12/10/11 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

And you can get the V Mini for $219/pr at soundearphones.com. would be great surrounds with the V5.1.

That is an interesting web site - $1.99 over night shipping.
http://www.soundearphones.com/products/energy-v-mini
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post #20 of 33
12/11/11 at 7:56am
I'm in the market for the same thing. I'm currently looking at the SHO-10 or the ARX A2.....I've heard nothing but good things about these....reasonable prices too.
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post #21 of 33
12/11/11 at 8:55am
Read this >> http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20099395-47/top-10-great-sounding-speakers-from-$30-to-$400/

Also >> http://www.stereophile.com/content/p...lr-loudspeaker

Then consider the Pioneer SP-BS41-LR's. Their on sale today on Woot for $89. Best bang for the buck!! >> http://sellout.woot.com/sale/22958
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post #22 of 33
12/11/11 at 10:07am
On a scale of 1 to 10, I don't see anything on your list that I would rate higher than a 6, except for the NHT Model 3; that rates a 7 for sure...maybe even an 8.

As long as you are going to spend some money, you should get some really good speakers for your money while you are at it; most of the ones on that list are mediocre, at best.

You could get the PSB Image B6 speakers for $600, and I would rate them an 8 (the PSB Imagine B I would rate a 9, but now we are talking $1000, so forget that). The Monitor Audio Silver RX-1 is $675, and I would give them an 8, plus they will give more bass than the others (but if you are going to use a sub, that is not much of an issue).

I guess those 3; the Image B6, Silver RX-1, and the NHT 3 would be the ones that are definitely winners, but you should cross the rest off of your list. I am sure you will be happy with any of those three. Audio Advisor has detailed specs and pictures for all three on their website, by the way.

The best way to wall-mount is to install a 1-inch thick wood shelf on very solid large strong brackets screwed into the wall studs with 2.5 inch long wood screws (drill 1/8 inch pilot holes for the screws to avoid cracking the studs). You need to use an electronic stud finder to precisely locate the center of the studs.

Put the speaker on the shelf, with four sorbothane or other firm but slightly soft plastic feet under the speaker. You DO NOT want to attach a speaker directly to a wall.

You should make the shelf large enough that the back of the speaker is at least 4 inches from the wall; more is better. These speakers are all about 10-11 inches deep, so the shelf should be 15 to 18 inches deep ( and each shelf will of course have to be wide enough to span two studs for mounting the brackets; probably 20-26 inches).

Also, the front of the speaker cabinet (not just the grille, the actual cabinet) should definitely project out in front of the shelf a little bit (about 1/4 inch).

3M makes some stick-on feet about 1-inch square that are pretty good.







Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

Need thoughts on the following speakers. The will be used for fronts in a 5.1 system in a 15 x 20 room. They will be used for mainly home theater. Do NHTs make good HT speakers or are they more of a music speaker? I would like to spend about $600 for the pair but I am open to spending $400 - $800. The ability to wall mount is a plus for me. Thanks

Polk RTi A3 $400/pr
Energy VMini $480/pr
Energy V5.1 $860/pr
NHT Classic 2 $600/pr
NHT Classic 3 $800/pr
Def Tech ProMonitor 1000 $440/pr
Def Tech Studio Monitor 450 $660/pr
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post #23 of 33
12/11/11 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

On a scale of 1 to 10, I don't see anything on your list that I would rate higher than a 6, except for the NHT Model 3; that rates a 7 for sure...maybe even an 8.

As long as you are going to spend some money, you should get some really good speakers for your money while you are at it; most of the ones on that list are mediocre, at best.

You could get the PSB Image B6 speakers for $600, and I would rate them an 8 (the PSB Imagine B I would rate a 9, but now we are talking $1000, so forget that). The Monitor Audio Silver RX-1 is $675, and I would give them an 8, plus they will give more bass than the others (but if you are going to use a sub, that is not much of an issue).

I guess those 3; the Image B6, Silver RX-1, and the NHT 3 would be the ones that are definitely winners, but you should cross the rest off of your list. I am sure you will be happy with any of those three. Audio Advisor has detailed specs and pictures for all three on their website, by the way.

The best way to wall-mount is to install a 1-inch thick wood shelf on very solid large strong brackets screwed into the wall studs with 2.5 inch long wood screws (drill 1/8 inch pilot holes for the screws to avoid cracking the studs). You need to use an electronic stud finder to precisely locate the center of the studs.

Put the speaker on the shelf, with four sorbothane or other firm but slightly soft plastic feet under the speaker. You DO NOT want to attach a speaker directly to a wall.

You should make the shelf large enough that the back of the speaker is at least 4 inches from the wall; more is better. These speakers are all about 10-11 inches deep, so the shelf should be 15 to 18 inches deep ( and each shelf will of course have to be wide enough to span two studs for mounting the brackets; probably 20-26 inches).

Also, the front of the speaker cabinet (not just the grille, the actual cabinet) should definitely project out in front of the shelf a little bit (about 1/4 inch).

3M makes some stick-on feet about 1-inch square that are pretty good.

Thank you for all the good information. I am not too worried about building the shelves as I worked frame to finish construction for a few years. I just had a few follow-up questions.

1. Can you mount was rear ported speaker? Or would the port be too close to the wall?

2. What makes a speaker better for HT over music?

3. I noticed the Monitor Audio Silver RX-1 only have a power handling of 80watts max which seems low, is this a issue? They are great looking speakers, is there a recommended place to buy them?

Thanks for the help.

Anyone else have thoughts on the NHT Classic 3 vs PSB Image B6 vs Monitor Audio silver RX-1?
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post #24 of 33
12/11/11 at 2:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

1. Can you mount was rear ported speaker? Or would the port be too close to the wall?

2. What makes a speaker better for HT over music?

3. I noticed the Monitor Audio Silver RX-1 only have a power handling of 80watts max which seems low, is this a issue? They are great looking speakers, is there a recommended place to buy them?

Thanks for the help.

Anyone else have thoughts on the NHT Classic 3 vs PSB Image B6 vs Monitor Audio silver RX-1?

I would not bother with any of those speakers. If you want a good speaker that is a wall mount, I would suggest JBL L820, LC2.
And NO, you can not wall mount a rear port speaker.
Here is what the L820 and LC2 look like installed. Add a sub or two and you´re good to go.
btw: 90db & 300w peak power (L820); 92db (LC2)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...l+L820&x=0&y=0
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post #25 of 33
12/11/11 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

Anyone else have thoughts on the NHT Classic 3 vs PSB Image B6 vs Monitor Audio silver RX-1?

Not really going to rank them.
If you are going to play it loud in a 15x20 room, and mainly for HT - I would
aim for high sensitivity speakers, with good peak power handling.
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post #26 of 33
12/11/11 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
I will be playing mostly at moderate levels. I would play it loud 2 or 3 times a year but that is about it.
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post #27 of 33
12/11/11 at 6:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

Need thoughts on the following speakers. The will be used for fronts in a 5.1 system in a 15 x 20 room. They will be used for mainly home theater. Do NHTs make good HT speakers or are they more of a music speaker? I would like to spend about $600 for the pair but I am open to spending $400 - $800. The ability to wall mount is a plus for me. Thanks

Polk RTi A3 $400/pr
Energy VMini $480/pr
Energy V5.1 $860/pr
NHT Classic 2 $600/pr
NHT Classic 3 $800/pr
Def Tech ProMonitor 1000 $440/pr
Def Tech Studio Monitor 450 $660/pr

Why not wait for the new new Def Tech bookshelfs come out? Def Tech is know for good performance for the $ I'd stay away from the ProMon 1000 and 450 though...
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post #28 of 33
12/11/11 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

I will be playing mostly at moderate levels. I would play it loud 2 or 3 times a year but that is about it.

I would still look at the Klipsch RB-61
If not, then from your NHT, PSB or Monitor Audio list - I would pick
the Classic Three.
However, I prefer this over the NHT, PSB and Monitor A - and it
does a good job with HT - Focal 706 > not for extreme levels.
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/12600
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post #29 of 33
12/12/11 at 6:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by truwarrior22 View Post

Why not wait for the new new Def Tech bookshelfs come out? Def Tech is know for good performance for the $ I'd stay away from the ProMon 1000 and 450 though...

Do you know the time line for when the new Def Tech bookshelfs will be out?

Why would you stay away from the 450s? I listened to them a few years back and I was fairly impressed. Thanks.
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post #30 of 33
12/12/11 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolfeskj View Post

Do you know the time line for when the new Def Tech bookshelfs will be out?

Why would you stay away from the 450s? I listened to them a few years back and I was fairly impressed. Thanks.

They sounded a bit thin to me. Their new bookshelfs seem to have more potential. I heard the new tower and was impressed by the new mids. I think they are to launch 1Q 2012. Joe from Def Tech posted in the Def Tech thread. You can review the date their else send Joe a message.
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