[Archangel]

I would like to hear some opinions concerning the following two HT speaker set-ups:


B&W Nautilus 804 - pair fronts

B&W Nautilus HTM1 - center

B&W Nautilus 805 - pair rears


or


Aerial Model 6 - pair fronts

Aerial CC3 - center

Aerial SR3 Surround - pair rears


I will be using them for 80% Home Theater and 20% Music.


Also for Home Theater Dolby Digital and DTS would full rear speakers (i.e. B&W Nautilus 805's) be preferrable to surround bipoles (i.e.the Aerial SR3 Surrounds)?


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

 

[ChuckTraywick]

You might want to consider the new version of the CC3. I forget the name. It is the same speaker that can be used for left and right, that way your front would match.


Also the model 7B's would be worth looking at. It's really good for music.


You could not go wrong either way. both excellent speakers and excellent companies.


Chuck

 

[aerialman]

Thats not quite the way I felt when I demoed the Aerial 10t with the B&W N802s just about a year and a half ago. While I liked the 802s very much, I felt the 10ts were a little "faster", less boomy and I overall liked the sound better- it seemed more "coherent". I was also happy that the 10ts cost a little less. Were all here for fun, but please dont be so childish; why not give reasons.


I think either proposed setup would benefit from a sub. I prefer direct radiators for all points but for a mostly HT system, you might actually prefer di/bi polars, which the sr3s (if I remember right) can be either or.


I havent heard the B&Ws youre asking about (except for the HTM, which was a quick audition- is sounded fine) nor the Aerial 6s, but Ive heard the sr3s and the CC3 and they are excellent speakers. Ultimately you should go do a demo, bring some dvds that are favorites, and make sure to use equipment thats the same or similar to that which you intend to use.


- Jerry

 

[ChuckTraywick]

I also auditioned the B&W's. They are excellent speakers. I think when you get to this level it is a preference thing. The B&W's are a bit more laid back, as jerry says. That appeals to some people.


Either set of speakers would be an excellent choice.


If I were contemplating this I would want to try these in my home to see how they sounded with material I am famaliar with before I made a decision.


To say that the B&W's dominate the Aerials ( I think that is what you were implying WatchOut) is inaccurate.


The B&W's, to my ear, were different, not better not worse, different.


I would consider the 7B's instead of the 6's. The 7's are much better for music.


If HT is all you want Aerial has released or is about to release a version of the center channel that you can use for left and right. I think music would suffer on this setup though.


I have not heard the ASW4000 sub from B&W so I do not know how it stacks up against the SW12.


I am switching to 7.1 sound and in that setup agree with Jerry that the sides in dipole and the placing direct radiating speakers in the rear gives you an enveloping sound field.


Chuck

 

[ChuckTraywick]

I think what you put on the rears and front depends upon your application. If you do not plan to have true rears and your "rears" are sides then the SR3's would be the way to go. They can be switched between di pole and bi pole.


I agree with you on the 7B's.


Chuck

 

[migliore]

My opinion of the B&W's is that they arent good for high volumes, where the dynamics of a films will make or break a speaker. My vote is for the Aerials. However, I think its ridicoulus to pay the same amount for rear and front speakers (and not get the same speakers). While Im sure they arent as good as the SR3's, I would go for the Model 3's in the rear and 7's up front. But I'm not that familar with the line.


Rob


------------------
Migliore Theater

 

[Archangel]

I appreciate all your help and opinions.


Chuck,

I only see one version of the CC3 on the Aerial website. Also do retailers let you take these home and try them out for a little bit? I presume its their demo set...because then you would have a whole bunch of openned boxes if you returned them.

And if my couch is against the back wall...therefore the rear speakers can not be behind me...you recommend going with bipoles instead of full rears for Dolby Dogital and DTS movie soundtracks.


Jerry,

You are 100% right about doing a demo...I only wish I could find one dealer that carries both...demo one set...schlepp across town to demo another set in a different environment...and trying to remember what the first set sounded like at particular points...isn't really an A/B test.


Rob,

I chose the Aerial 6's because they are more in line price wise with the 804's. The 7B's are hard to find to demo...usually they have the 10's or 8's. Audio Review (for what that is worth) has mixed reviews on the 7B's.


Michel,

My HT room 15'x12' which opens into the dining room...would the ASW4000 be too much sub...or is there such a thing! I was going with the 804's because I wanted to go with the HTM1 as center...If I went with the ASW4000 I would have to drop down to 805's all around like you have...which do think...804/HTM1/805/ASW2000 or 805/HTM2/805/ASW4000?


Thanks again everyone for your input. It really helps.


Michael


[This message has been edited by Archangel (edited June 06, 2000).]

 

[aerialman]

Michael,

yep- in NYC its very difficult.


- Jerry

 

[Mark]

Michael:

Woodbridge Stereo in Woodbridge NJ carries both Aerial Acoustics and B&W, go to their website at woodbridgestereo.com.


It's only about 45 minutes away, they have two stores so why not give them a call and arrange an audition.

 

[Archangel]

Thanks Mark! Sounds like a plan!!


Michael

 

[ChuckTraywick]

Yes, I would ask to play them in my room. also in your room I would see if placing the SR3's to the side where the bottom of the speaker is about 5'6" or so off the floor and directly to the side of where you would be sitting would work. This is called the NULL position.


You can then experiment with the di pole or bi pole setting to see what sounds best to you.


I personally like the di pole and i think it makes the movie sound track more enveloping. Others prefer the bi pole.


I have the 10T's and think they are an amazing speaker.


Aerial is also coming out with a better center channel sometime later this year.


You also may be able to find some demo or used speakers.


If you take that tack I'd talk with Mike Kelly at Aerial to find a dealer near you that will look out for you. You'd want a dealer that really knows their customers so that when something comes in on trade they would have some level of confidence that what that customer is bringing in is in good shape. of course they'd test them as well.


I'm getting ( I think ) a pair of used 7A's for the rear for $1200 ( I don't have them yet, so I say I think).


When the new center channel speaker comes out there will be plenty of CC3's to trade in and you might be able to pick one up at a good price.


You could also wire the subs you are going to use in concert with the front mains and get by with 7A's perhaps.


While the SW12 is expensive it appears that there is nothing on the market that does what it does.


With it you can use one sub and run both front channels through it and use it for the lower frequencies. This would allow you to get excellent sub performace and use some smaller speakers on the fronts.


You can also wire the SW12 up to do both music (as in the last paragraph) and LFE for movies at the same time.


It sounds very very good.


I have never purchased an Aerial product that I was disappointed with.


However, with that said B&W is also an excellent company. I'd take my time and avoid getting in a rush to buy something. I get a couple of pieces of music and a couple of DVD's that I know well and would aution all of the options you are looking at to find what suits your ear and your budget. I'd make good notes as I auditioned each setup and work my way through it piece meal.


If a dealer does not want to allow you to do this, find another dealer. It's worth going some distance to find a dealer that understands this process.


Also, it is reasonable for you to expect about a 10% discount on this level of purchase.


Chuck