Need advice on Bookshelf speakers

Ascend cmt 340 with matching center:

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages...m/cmt340m.html

Make sure you audition the XQ10 - to see if the sound is for you.
They have roller coaster measurements in the midrange and treble.
http://www.hometheater.com/content/k...-labs-measures

Ok, here goes...
the tv.. sounds great.. never seen it, but I do have a 'Zenith" 42" plasma that is really an LG, and no problems so far, 4 years old... check pricing online for the best deal for whatever you choose. Pricegrabber and Fatwallet have saved me alot
the receiver? no personal experience, but I haven't seen any real negative posts there either, so that's good as well. Go for it, but look around heavily, and actually call some 'authorized distributors' (or no warranty) for their best price.
Jbl subs don't get huge love here, probably because the ID (internet direct, with no dealers/ less overhead) companies offer better performance for the $$. I went with HSU, and no regrets. there is a thread in the subwoofer forum (and one in the speaker forum, for that matter) that actually lists real people that are willing to let strangers come listen to what they have !! and yes, I'm there too. Wacky concept, but it does address, to some degree, the general inability to listen / audition ID companies' products.
I've not heard any of the speakers you mention, but it wouldn't matter anyway. My preferences are probably different than yours, and what I think sounds great, may sound like carp to you. You stated those are ones you can audition, so go listen, and pick what you think sounds best. It's your ears and your $$. And doing it right will produce a big fat smile on YOUR face. So if I were to say I have speaker xyz, and love it, may mean nothing to you, or you may completely dislike them, and that's ok, my ears are different than yours. So is my room, budget, and goals. There is no magic bullet answer.
The mere fact that you've found your way to this forum, shows me you do care about the quality of your set-up, and if I can help, even a little, to prevent you from spending your $$ in a way that doesn't meet your goals, I'm happy to pay it forward.
Better to invest time now to get the 'smile producing' system you want the first time, because upgrading later means more $ spent total, and more time wasted. Buy the right tool the first time.
is that $1000 just for the front three? not counting the sub (currently 290 at ama... and 20 cheaper at adoram. ?) because if your real budget is $1300 for the front three PLUS a subwoofer, my recommendation (biased, because I have them) would be the Hybrid 3.1 system from HSU in satin black for $1120. plus 173 shipping. that sub will spank the JBL. And the speakers are no slouch. Like I said, I'll prove it.. all info in the 'audition my sub' or 'audition my speakers' threads.
But, in the end, it's your ears and wallet you need to satisfy, and I recommend listening to as many different speakers/subs as you can. Eventually you'll have to pull the trigger on something, just make it a well informed decision. Your ears and wallet will thank you.
really hope it helps,
Joseph

That's so funny ehh...

Ascend/Dave has nailed this segment so well there really is no other answer other than DIY like Nat P etc. or GR Research or one of Selah's lower end speakers if willing to spend about 30-40% more.

LOL

While you're at it ditch that sub and order one of Rythmik Audio/Brian Ding's from Ascend as well if you can afford it or kit it at Brian's site for DIY and save $$$. As for wireless and anything loudspeaker... dude you need a power socket right! LOL What could be so difficult running a segment of coax off of the AVR/Pre!!! to sub location using LC-1 from Bluejeans!

I do not understand your post at all. Unless u quoted me by mistake, I have no idea who Dave is. The op asked for bookshelf suggestions for HT and I looked at Ascends before buying my Paradigm towers so I suggested them as an option. Confused.

You may want to reconsider your subwoofer choice. In a room the size of yours this JBL will be rendered invisible, and will not be able to provide what you want it too. If you're intent on getting a JBL the smallest one you should consider is the 12" version. That can be purchased in a wireless version too.

Arx A2 LCRs would come in right under budget. I would put them up against the Ascends anyday. Similar size and weight, both have good drivers, and solid well built cabinets. The Arx's 5.25" XBL2 drivers would easily match the Ascends 6.5" drivers for output, distortion and bass.

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/produ...roducts_id=66&

The KEF XQ10 is the only speaker there that I would consider seriously in that price range, and they are a bit overpriced for their sound quality. The iQ30 is better IMO (and currently cheaper). The others listed are really not very good-sounding IMO. You can do better.

I would recommend that you consider PSB or Monitor Audio speakers.

My first choice would be a pair of PSB Image B6 speakers with the C4 center speaker. The cost should be about $900, and they would sound better IMO than the ones you have listed.

The Monitor Audio Bronze BX-2 and Bronze BX Center will run about $800, and are very good also.

If you want to go with KEF, the iQ30 is currently only $400/pair from KEF Direct (was $650), and the iQ60c is $300. That is an excellent deal on some very good speakers.

The Arx A2 LCR and Ascend 340SE are the only speakers there that I would consider seriously in that price range. The others listed are really not very good-sounding IMO. You can do better.

Sean you mentioned Klipsch and if you've heard them and liked their sound then a horn design such as the Hsu HT packages would do well since they're very efficient and will play loud but I'm not sure how accurate they are. If you're more concerned about true reproduction than loudness then you can't go wrong with the Ascends. Like all Ascends they have flat freq response and don't cost too much. In fact, I'm in the process of replacing my $2700 Usher Be-718 with the $350 Ascend CBM-170.

Now you mentioned you wanted to see the speakers. Those ID brands I mentioned have trial periods and you might actually save money and get something better than the typical in-store speakers. Better in either performance or aesthetics.

My recommendation would be to not rule out the NHT Classic Three without hearing them, despite several posts essentially telling you not to bother with them (or others on your list).

Personal preferences vary, but I and many others think they are very good speakers...

One concern is that your room is fairly big, and the Three's aren't the most sensitive speakers... so I don't know if the Denon 2112 will have enough to drive the Three's in your room.... depends on your listening habits, distance, ect...

Nice thing is that NHT has a risk free trial... covers shipping both ways... so you could always demo them in your room.

I'm actually very interested in knowing the Arx sound vs Ascend's? Have you heard them both in the same system?

Have you heard the NHT Three? Just curious what you don't like about it... and what you like about the Arx A2 better.

I still want to give Arx speakers a listen at some point.