I fully apologize for the length of this post, but please bear with me.
So I received a pair of VGTs and a VGC last week. First, I want to say that the finish and build quality are excellent. I cannot believe the sound - I turn up my AVR much higher than with my old Pioneer 3-ways and the sound is clean and clear with no distortion or listener fatigue (although my two Jack Russells may disagree - I do not think they are into dubstep). The VGC has been nothing short of incredible (upgraded from an Athena AS-C1). I have not done any major fine-tuning outside of using an SPL and getting the correct speaker distances input in the AVR.
My current setup is the VGTs, the VGC as center, two Athena AS-B1s as left and right surrounds, and an Hsu STF-2 for a sub all run by an Onkyo TX-NR901. My system is in my family room which measures 13' wide by 14' long open on the left to the kitchen. Fronts and center listening distance is 11'. Due to the room setup, the sub is in the right rear corner with my seating up against the back wall of the room.
I do have a few questions for the group and appreciate any comments.
1. I had done a lot of research before buying the Aperions (although more reading than auditioning) and the no-risk 30-day trial certainly helped out my decision. I was re-reading some of the reviews, especially the one by Andrew Robinson at Hometheaterreview.com. Robinson's review is glowing, but he makes multiple comments on how the VGTs sound significantly better if you have the right components. Is my NR901 good enough? How much benefit would, say, an Emotiva XPA-3 give me (for the front LCR obviously)? Are there other options not requiring thousands of dollars of additional investment (I am most likely going to upgrade the AS-B1 surrounds to Versus di-pole speakers when they arrive in August)?
2. There is one comment to the article by Robinson (by Nuthed and quoted exactly):
It sounds to me that for all the hype and praise heaped on ID loudspeakers these days, particualary Aperion, they don't measure up to the established brands for overall value. IOWs it appears that for overall SQ, they should cost substantiall less than they do. When the big players in loudspeakers chose to offer affordable, higher end models, the ID doesn't compare. Way to go Paradigm, Def Tec and others. Keep it up.
Like I said, I have done quite a bit of research and I am not seeing support for what this guy says. Am I missing something? As far as I can tell, the VGTs are in the cream of the crop for price vs. performance/build quality compared with everything on the market right now, with the sound quality being compared by reviewers, both pro and consumer, to speakers significantly more expensive. I have not found an obvious speaker with appropriately associated reviews and praise that is an example of what the commenter believes exists.
3. One of the other pro reviews mentions that, during testing, the reviewer noticed a 4 ohm dip. I am still learning all the technical aspects of speaker testing and measurement. I currently have my Onkyo set at the 6 ohm setting because that is what the speakers are - should I switch it to the 4 ohm setting?
4. I attached a picture of my VGC above my TV on a shelf I constructed (I am unable to have it below the TV). I want to angle the speaker to it is pointing directly at the listener and the included rubber speaker lifts do not work. Does anyone have a recommendation as to what I can put in front of the speaker (which wants to slide forward the higher I lift the rear of the speaker) near the front edge of the shelf to stop the VGC from sliding off the shelf, looks good, and will not damage or interfere with the speaker? The best I have come up with so far would be four or so clear rubber furniture bumpers screwed in near the front edge of the shelf up against which the lower edge of the speaker would rest.
5. I have the LFE crossover on the Onkyo set at 80 and the STF-2 at its highest setting of 90. My wife says the overall bass from the VGTs is a little heavy for regular TV (HGTV, the news, etc). I obviously want to keep the bass high for action shows and movies. What is the best way to maybe tone down the bass from the VGTs but keep the bass going to the sub? The Onkyo's next crossover setting is 100 so wouldn't that leave a gap between the AVR and the sub since 90 is the max setting?
6. Speaking of the sub - although Hsu qualifies the STF-2 as a medium-room sub, any thoughts on a worthwhile upgrade, if one is even advised?
Thanks for your patience and comments.
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