Aerial Acoustics Owners Thread - Page 26

I can tell you what has been recommended to me, but I can't comment yet on how it will sound, given that my new room is still under construction (see my build thread for details).

My room acoustics were designed by Keith Yates Design Group. In a clean-sheet design, I believe Keith would have probably specified Genelec speakers, but I had my Aerial Model 9s and my CC5 center which I chose after extensive listening tests, and I wanted to stay with them.

So, starting with the three Aerials up front, Keith specified three Seaton SubMersive HPs as the primary subs, combined with four Velodyne SC-IW in-wall subs to help even out bass response throughout the room. I believe he has used the Seatons on other jobs as well.

So, to me, that's a pretty good endorsement. In a few months, I'll be able to tell you how it all turns out.

Now, that being said, I have heard the SW12 in action and it was very impressive. In the demo room where I heard it (combined with 7Bs), we actually blew a light fixture out of the suspended ceiling during the War of the Worlds scene where the machine emerges. I think it's quite a good sub, but on this I went with KYDG's recommendation.

If you should decide you're interested in one or two Aerial subs, PM me. I have a pair of SW12s that I bought awhile ago, before I started to work with KYDG.

I had an SW-12 for many years, bought along with the 7B's and CC3B. I did love it and it worked great in the original open family room. Moved to a new house and built a small, enclosed theater, where room modes made the bass impossible to tame using a single sub. Rather than search for more SW-12s, I sold it and bought 4 HSU ULS-15s. That and some specialized EQ and I never looked back.

The SW-12 is superb down to about 19 Hz, then output drops like a rock. That's actually not a bad thing, as when there's stuff <20 Hz, it's often unintended, a best not heard (and best not wasting cone excursion and amp headroom on it). However, some content does benefit from 15 Hz capability.

One last aspect of the SW-12 I no longer experience is the occasional port chuffing, which I probably could have reduced had I known to apply a steep HP filter at 20 Hz.

So no love for the Aerial SW-12? I am leaning towards the F-113.

I have two SW12 subs and I love them... Two was a lot better then one for a much more even bass response through out the room. I could tell a big difference between using one as compared to two. The JL F series subs and the SW12 have great reviews, both musically and for HT / movies. If I did not go with the Aerial subs, (my 5.1 set up is all Aerial), next in line would have been from JL...

Good luck,

Jim

There is alway the Hsu ULS-15's. The play clean and low. I really enjoyed them before I switched to dual SubM HP's

JD,

I have a pair of LR3's, CC3B and recently got a JL F112....

My previous sub was a FSR-15 so sounds like we have some similarities. I chose the F112 over the F113 as I heard its a bit more musical than the F113, its easier to move around and it only looses 3db of headroom and 1Hz on the bottom end extension. These trade-offs lead me to getting the F112 and I must say I love it. I could use a bit more slam in my room for HT but this is not due to the sub but more my sub placement and room acoustics which play such a big part in low frequencies. The FSR-15 goes a little bit lower than the JL's (which is saying something given how old it is) but doesnt have near the impact and tuneful sound to it as the JL. I can't wait to add a second F112 which was my plan from the start as soon as budget allows.

I lucked out and found a pair of used SR3's for my surround setup. I can't wait to try them out!

Also, got rid of my Anthem MRX300 (as preamp) and upgraded to a ARC version of the AVM 50 pre/pro. My Aerials are sounding incredbily addictive at the moment

Thanks ejn1 for the comments, and, welcome to the forum! I see you and I are at about the same point in putting together the final pieces of our Aerial Acoustics systems. Did you purchase your LR3's from Andy Sherwood? I was close to purchasing those due to the difficulty I was having in locating a used pair of LR5's that were in my price range. I'm curious how your LR3/CC3B setup compares to my three LR5's. I can't help but wonder if the difference in price is justified by the increase in performance. I was so spoiled with my LR5 center (a CC5 in a vertical arrangement) that I was afraid I would always regret the downgrade.

My next upgrade wll be my subwoofer, then my old Lexicon DC-1 pre/pro, then i may hunt down a pair of Sr3's.

David

Thanks... Yes I did get them from Andy! Small world. He was great to deal with and very knowledgable. The pair sonically were mint but the exterior had many surface scratches and a few chips. I have them right now with my professional painter and I had them completely reshot in satin black. I'm looking forward to getting them back tomorrow. In my opinion, when you add the JL sub to the mix, the extra extension you get with the LR5's probably are negated as you will likely cross them over anyway somewhere between 60-80hz. Even though the Aerial's can play lower, I think the JL is better suited to handled the lower frequencies and frees up more power to mains. So in my opinion (and I'm no expert mind you), either you go full range towers (and run them full with an analog system or direct mode in a digital pre/pro) or not a huge differences in the LR5 vs the LR3. The LR3's and the CC3B in my system are fantastic so no craving whatever for more until I go stereo only and get some 7t's or 9's one day. As for the center, I'm off the mindset of bigger is always better and I hear that CC5 is a beast But, I can tell you that I'm 100% happy with the CC3B.

I have had in my system the F-112, and they are awesome....

I would highly suggest that you think long and hard before picking up any sub with the size room you have there JD.... btw I answered your PM...

You have a large open space of 15,000 cu ft and there is no internet sub that will fill that space.... I suggest you avoid small sealed subs.
Your going to need many to pressurize that area, like what I built. http://www.avsforum.com/t/1266665/warpdrvs-dual-opposed-18-lmss-the-xlerators

I highly suggest you look into a Horn or IB build.... your going to need effortless volume for that space, and those are your best bet... either that or some really large custom passive radiator subs like Funky Waves has.... perhaps a build with 18" driver like the LMS and dual 18" passive radiators...

All,

Got my Aerial SR3's in and my first impression is that damn, these are bigger than I ever expected. This is the most sustantial surround speaker I've ever had in my system. Quick question if anyone knows.... I will be running these in bi-pole mode on side walls up high about 1-2ft off the rear boundary wall where the listening position sofa resides. The Aerials have a boundary compensation switich with a 0, -, -- knob. I assume that the length of the dash means reducing the db's of the rear firing driver array? And since, the rear boundary wall is close, I should choose the longer dash selection? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
ejn1111

I am just curious, how do you guys think the CC3b compares to the CC5? Is the CC5 really that much better than the CC3b?

They are both excellent in terms of dialog clarity. Where the CC5 takes the cake is in power and heft. If you listen to Morgan Freeman's narration at the beginning of War of the Worlds, it sounds great on the CC3B, but it positively hits you in the chest with the CC5. Cate Blanchett's narration at the start of Fellowship of the Ring has deep chest resonance as well, and the CC5 delivers it in spades. So, of course, this carries over into music and effects that are mixed into the center channel.

I don't think anybody would be unhappy with a CC3B in an appropriate-size room, but the CC5 is remarkable. Once I had both in home for an audition, there was no doubt in my mind which one I would buy!

+1

I own both of them and I agree with Mike's comments. They are both great speakers...

Ejn1,

Congrats on getting your SR3's... I know I heard a big difference when I went from my B&W DS6's to my SR3's!

Thanks Trek... They are really impressive. I'm using in bi-pole mode and they sound awesome with some of my 5.1 SACD's. Mine are the earlier version with a 5 panel grill that adds some bulk to the speaker. I wish I had the 3 panel new grill set up but they are nonetheless a great speaker.

ps... Good to see a fellow Houstonian on the boards!

Where in Houston are you located? I am in the Woodlands... I need to get a few SACD's. I had about five total awhile back and must of missed placed them. My favorite was by the group Boston.

Here is my HT for any Aerial Acoustic lovers out there....

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1417602/home-theater-pics

What do you guys think a decent, used CC5 would go for on the used market? How long has this center channel been on the market? Have there been different updates to it since it's enception?

I would say in the $2000 range ; +/- depending on condition, packaging, etc.

There have been no changes to the CC5 since it's original design except for available finishes.

Anyone out there looking to sell their LR5's in Birdseye Maple? Let me know. Thanks.

Just wondering if anyone could post some of their 7T speaker set-ups - thanks!

I just recently purchased a pair of 7'ts and have been using them for about a couple of months, I moved my MA GR60's to the rear and am still using the MA GR center channel waiting to hear about the new center that Michael Kelly supposedly has on the books. Still fooling around with the setup regarding placement and ARC but have never regretted buying them as they sound fantastic, also bought an OPPO BDP-95 at the same time and my system has never sounded better.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Very Nice.... Curious on what you are doing for stereo listening? Are you using the BDP-95 analog outputs and running your Anthem in Analog direct?

Yes I'm using the balanced output for the 2 channel and running Anthem in analog direct, I also took the 6 analog rca's out and use the 6 channel analog dsp on the anthem to play muti-channel cd's. The 2 channel on the 7t's is incredible, never regret buying them and having to drive to New Hampshire to get them as there are no dealers in Ontario Canada.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I've been debating whether the benefits of ARC would outweigh the benefits of running pure analog through a high quality DAC such as in the BDP-95... Have you done any stereo listening comparisons running analog direct versus stereo (w/ARC)? Don't want to get away from the Aerial thread so please PM me if you have any views...
Edited by ejn1 - 7/15/12 at 9:26am

Was just wondering if anyone has heard any news regarding the new center channel to match the 7t's, doesn't seem to be much activity going on for this thread.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Wow not a very active thread, okay let's try this how do guys think the cc5b will work with the 7'ts.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I have not heard the 7t's with a CC5 so I cannot give a fair assessment. However, I will comment on the lack of activity on the forum. Since I installed my three LR5's I am constantly in awe with the performance of my system. This purchase, at least for now, has cured me of my once endless search for my next speaker upgrade decision. Words simply cannot describe the level of satisfaction my Aerial system gives me; they simply do nothing wrong. I find myself watching more movies simply so I can enjoy my system, which, leaves me less time to spend on the forums.

Lately I have been spending my time on the subwoofer forums since it is time to upgrade my old Velodyne FSR15. It would be simple to just add two SW12's to complete my set, but, I simply can't afford that option. I am currently pondering whether to go with an ID sub or the DIY route.

I have the CC5 with 7t's and I think the CC5 is a great center speaker which works well with the 7t's. I don't think it is a perfect match however. I'm sure once they come out with a matching center I'll wish I had waited. But this is speaking from desire to have a (near) perfect match. When I am watching movies or listening to 5.1 musical sources (DVD-A, SACD...etc) I really don't notice any problems. It sounds great. But if I run the speaker test on my receiver for example, the tones do sound slightly different on the CC5.

If I owned 7t's and needed a center and I knew a matching model was going to come out in 3 months, I'd wait. If I knew it wasn't going to come out for 3 years, I'd buy the CC5. I bought my 7t's last year and didn't want to wait. I've been very happy as this is a huge upgrade from my old setup. But when/if a matching center comes out, undoubtedly, I'll want it.