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Combined LCR - DefTech Mythos Solo

post #1 of 17
3/4/07 at 8:09am
Thread Starter 
I'm interested in any user opinions or feedback on the combined LCR speakers for the front sound-stage. I'm primarily interested in the Definitive Technology Mythos Solo or the Solo XL. There is also a Mirage Uni-theater on the market and a Yamaha. There are probably others, but I have not found them.

I'm setting up a wall-mount plasma between two windows, and there is not enough space to squeeze a 50" plasma and wall-mount left and right speakers. Due to the home construction, installing the left and right speakers on the far side of the windows does not seem practicle. So, that leaves dropping down to a 46" LCD or a 42" plasma and installing separate L-C-R speakers, or staying with the 50" and installing a combined LCR below it.

The install is for the living room, so it is mostly TV and movies, with occasional music. I currently have the entry-level B&W speakers (300 series) and a Pioneer receiver. I'm only using the center channel right now due a toddler that would love to knock over the bookshelf speakers and stands. I'm not an audiophile, I would just like to put together a "decent" system to enjoy.

So, any comments or suggestions? How much is the sound-stage really changed with these speakers?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 17
3/4/07 at 11:40am
I can't comment on the Def Tech Solo (hopefully someone can), but i'm in the same situation as you, and I ordered the Atlantic Technlology FS-4000 after reading the review in 'Home Entertainment Magazine'. I'll let you know how it performs when I get it hooked up this week.

The Yamaha is actually a full surround system in one box (this is what i'm upgrading from) for people who can't install rear speakers.

I know Pinnacle also has a LCR combo speaker, but it only uses 3" mid-woofers (like the Mirage Uni-Theater) so it has been mentioned that dynamics aren't their strong suit.
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post #3 of 17
3/4/07 at 11:53am
I use the SOLO and SOLO XL in certain applications and have been very happy with the results, I'm guessing you need to use such a speaker, yes?
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post #4 of 17
3/4/07 at 7:18pm
Also, vienna acoustics has one that's essentially 3 of the "berg" speaker. Its a bit pricey at 1500$ though.
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post #5 of 17
3/5/07 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the feedback.

Jake - I believe that this is the best option for my situation, and it has a high WAF. An installer looked at the room, and he was doubtful about being able to run the wire on the far side of the windows. The right side is the problem, because it is the corner of the house, and there does not seem to be a way to drill thru any horizontal 2X4s that may be in the wall. I have both attic and crawl space access, but the angles in the corner seem to be too tight.

Another question - the room is about 14 x 21 x 9 (about 2700 cu ft), would you use the XL with that size room? The Atlantic Technology site has a chart for room size, and it recommends the larger drivers for "medium" and "large" size rooms.

I was not aware of the Atlantic Technology and Pinnacle speakers. So I will have to find some dealers and start demoing these, the Solo, and the Mirage. Boston and Vienna also have LCR speakers, but I will probably stay at or under $1,000.

Regarding the Yamaha surround system, it seems over-engineered to me. Are you upgrading due to the sound, or because you have an opportunity to add rear speakers?
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post #6 of 17
3/5/07 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
The following links are provided for reference;
These all retail at about $1,000:
DefTech Solo XL
http://www.definitivetechnology.com/...le.html#soloxl

Atlantic Technology FS-4000
http://www.atlantictechnology.com/default.asp?NodeId=57

Mirage Uni-Theater
http://www.miragespeakers.com/unitheater.shtml

Pinnacle Quantum Plasma 9
http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/quantum.html

These retail at about $1,500
Vienna Acoustics Trio
http://www.vienna-acoustics.com/flash.html

Boston Acoustics P-400
http://www.bostonacoustics.com/home_...product_id=311
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post #7 of 17
3/5/07 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by youngatl View Post

Thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the Yamaha surround system, it seems over-engineered to me. Are you upgrading due to the sound, or because you have an opportunity to add rear speakers?

Yes, I am upgrading because I found a way to fish wires to the back of my room, and the setup I have (no right side wall) doesn't bode well for the 'virtual' surround of the Yamaha.

I also use to sell Atlantic Technology speakers when I was in the AV industry, and I always loved the neutral sound performance of the Atlantic Technologies.

HERE is a link to the review between the Atlantic Tech, Boston, and Mirage LCR speakers.
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post #8 of 17
3/6/07 at 10:34am
I think the Solo or Solo XL is a great option, especially when you don't have the option to use separates. It's a tremendous upgrade to the tv speakers and it's a simple install. The Solo XL looks very nice under a 50" plasma and coupled with a sub & rear in-ceiling speakers it can create a nice 5.1 system.

However, it's obviously not going to have the channel separation you can get from individual speakers. The left & right channels seem to be weaker than the center channel. Personally, I decided to increase my budget and will be going with on-wall flat panels instead...but that's because install of the side speakers is possible.
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post #9 of 17
9/23/07 at 7:23pm
I am in a similar boat as the OP to this old thread. I need a 3 in 1, or LCR, for the front sound. Generally, what is considered the best product for this application? This will be mostly for sports/movies, but hopefully will be acceptable for tunes as well. The room is 16' x 13' x 9.5' so I think any of these choices should be able to fill the space. These will be part of a 5.1 setup, and the 3 in 1 can go as big as 46" across.

Are there any additional products on the market since this post?
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post #10 of 17
9/24/07 at 6:44pm
Mmmmm... bump? Anyone?
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post #11 of 17
1/4/08 at 2:13pm
I'd be interested in bringing this thread back to the front page for a bit. Does anyone know if there are any high end combined LCRs (an oxymoron, I know) that are designed to fit under a 60" TV? My problem is that I just don't have any wall space on either side of the TV, so a combined LCR or ceiling speakers seeem to be my only options. Most of the LCRs seemed designed to be under a 50" TV, and I'm thinking that you could get more separation in the channels if it's for a 60". Are there any higher end LCRs out there? I've looked kind of casually but haven't seen anything that stands out. Does anyone have any experience with the Leon Horizon Ultima?
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post #12 of 17
7/15/09 at 11:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dla26 View Post

I'd be interested in bringing this thread back to the front page for a bit. Does anyone know if there are any high end combined LCRs (an oxymoron, I know) that are designed to fit under a 60" TV? My problem is that I just don't have any wall space on either side of the TV, so a combined LCR or ceiling speakers seeem to be my only options. Most of the LCRs seemed designed to be under a 50" TV, and I'm thinking that you could get more separation in the channels if it's for a 60". Are there any higher end LCRs out there? I've looked kind of casually but haven't seen anything that stands out. Does anyone have any experience with the Leon Horizon Ultima?

The Leon Horizon series can custom matched to ANY display size and finish. We match the width of every speaker to the display to the nearest 1/32 of an inch. The Ultima uses 5" Focal Utopia "W" drivers and Morel ET338 tweeters, and really slams. I'd be happy find you a dealer that has one on display if you're interested.
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post #13 of 17
11/8/09 at 9:34pm
Rebooting an old thread...

I'm considering acquiring a Mythos Solo all-in-one L/C/R speaker, but I have a question for existing owners: The Mythos Solo all-in-one L/C/R speaker spec says that the speaker has a frequency response from 50Hz to 30kHz, however the Definitive web site and others include the text "A/V receiver crossover setting 140Hz". That seems like a very high crossover given that the Mythos Solo all-in-one L/C/R speaker rated frequency response floor is [supposed to be] 50Hz. Can an existing user please comment on the AVR crossover they are using...?
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post #14 of 17
11/9/09 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundChex View Post

Rebooting an old thread...

I'm considering acquiring a Mythos Solo all-in-one L/C/R speaker, but I have a question for existing owners: The Mythos Solo all-in-one L/C/R speaker spec says that the speaker has a frequency response from 50Hz to 30kHz, however the Definitive web site and others include the text "A/V receiver crossover setting 140Hz". That seems like a very high crossover given that the Mythos Solo all-in-one L/C/R speaker rated frequency response floor is [supposed to be] 50Hz. Can an existing user please comment on the AVR crossover they are using...?

Responding to my own post...

I emailed the same question to Definitive Technology's info/support address; this is their reply:
Quote:


"Thanks for your recent email [to] Definitive Technology. The Mythos Solo plays down to 50hz, however, its output is quite a bit reduced below 100hz or so. With this in mind, the Solo will blend better with a subwoofer if it were crossed over in the 100hz - 140hz range."

Finis.
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post #15 of 17
12/9/09 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundChex View Post

Responding to my own post...

I emailed the same question to Definitive Technology's info/support address; this is their reply: Finis.

SoundChex - thanks for the confirmation from Definitive. . .stymied with the results from my Onkyo's Audyssey Auto-Calibration of my Mythos Solo (ps, 40" Silver available NIB @ Vann's for $249 right now) with a 150hz bottom end I thought maybe the calibration sensitivity just wasn't that accurate, but it looks like the Mythos Solo does indeed have steep roll-off around 150hz.

FWIW, I use a Mirage Uni-Theater in the rear, and it too auto-calibrated to a 150hz bottom.

Maybe someone else will google, as I did, down the road and find your research helpful.

Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do to fill the gap I have between 90hz-150hz on all channels!
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post #16 of 17
12/9/09 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRy View Post

Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to do to fill the gap I have between 90hz-150hz on all channels!

In the context of the Mythos Solo LCR plus another 'similar' configuration, I gave some thought to this issue; there appear to be two routes to possible solutions: (A) processor based solutions, e.g., active crossovers, or the (discontinued model) Outlaw Audio ICBM-1, or (B) woofer based solutions. In the later category, I identified 3 opportunities for further research (which I have NOT followed as of this date):

(1) Hsu MBM-12 MK2 Mid-bass Module.

(2)

From the Hsu Ventriloquist VT-12: The optional rear center channel module only referenced in the user manual.

(3) Using several locally placed 'computer grade' sub woofers as (unsub) woofers, (say) one for each pair of surround speakers. [I had a Yamaha YST-MST10BL on hand, but I think its particular crossover options would be insufficient for your purposes.]

[(4) You might even try putting a discarded Bose Bass Module in parallel with each LCR bar, if you're feeling brave!] Good luck!
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post #17 of 17
12/9/09 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundChex View Post

(1) Hsu MBM-12 MK2 Mid-bass Module.

Wow, just read up on that, very very cool. $500 for the satin black could be a pretty reasonable way to help my system cover the whole sub-bass spectrum. I actually had been thinking about getting another sub anyway, just to help more evenly distribute the bass in the listening area and this gives me an excuse to finally try out a Hsu product.

I'll probably order it up at the beginning of the new year, and will check in shortly thereafter with the results.

Thanks so much for your insight and great tips.
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