Best bookshelves for HomeTheater - 3.1 to start

With those JBL studio 530's, just remember that an ugly duck can still swim,


you are in the same boat as me. im actually looking for a 3.1 also.  im looking at so many now. top of my lists so far are.

 

hsu 3.1 hybrid package

definitive technology studio monitor 55 for LR and procenter 2000

ascend 170 LR with an ascend 340 center

HTD lvl 3's

axiom audio m3 LR and vp 100 center

 

for subs im either going

 

hsu vtf-3 mk4

or

svs pb2000

 

i like the siere-1's you have listed and the aperion versus but they both are a little out of my budget.

 

just some ideas for you to look at not saying any are better then what you are looking at. these are just what people have recomended to me and i reserched.

 

good luck and let me know how your search goes.



Quote:
Originally Posted by nmkorn  /t/1517173/best-bookshelves-for-hometheater-3-1-to-start#post_24341071


girlfriend is a designer and has unfortunately vetoed the JBL's. I'm picking my battles at this point fellas.

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Then buy a star-ship and then see if the JBL speakers would be OK.



Quote:
Originally Posted by csgamer  /t/1517173/best-bookshelves-for-hometheater-3-1-to-start#post_24341056


With those JBL studio 530's, just remember that an ugly duck can still swim,

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Yes, and can score good points at the Olympics.



Quote:
Originally Posted by nmkorn  /t/1517173/best-bookshelves-for-hometheater-3-1-to-start#post_24340992


Refining my search for an upgrade for my speaker system. 70% home theater, 30% music. Powering with a Denon AVR for the moment, until upgrading to separates in another 6 months. NY Apartment with a living room ~ 18' x 11'. Sub will be a SVS-1000


Currently debating between:


Aperion Versus Grand ($700 / pair)

Sierra-1's ($850 / paid)

Swan D1.1se (on sale for $500 / pair)

HTD Level 3's ($300 / pair)


I'll likely audition some mix of these, if girlfriend allows for it - but given the home theater priority, AVR, and apartment size - should any of these be at the top of my list? I know everyone has different audio tastes - but still. Anything I should add to this list?

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Out of those listed, I reckon the pick is easily the Ascend Sierra-1's (IMO of course).


Can I suggest another course of action though? OK, in short forget about upgrading to separates in another 6 months. Unless your Denon is underpowered for your preferred maximum volume level, AV separates will make very little or no discernible improvement to the sound of your system. There are much greater improvements to be had by spending only a proportion of that cash on higher quality speakers. I suggest you bring forward some of that "separates in six months" budget and look for a pair of quality bookshelves and sub now, whilst also examining the matching centre channel. Then, in six months pick up the matching centre channel with some of what you'd have otherwise spent on the AV separates.


Here's a few to start with:

• SVS Ultra Bookshelf ($1000/pr) Nothing to lose; 45 day return period with no cost to you. Centre channel is a beauty.
• Focal Profile 908 (Diamond Black) ($1200/pr) Mainly because they're usually a $3K speaker! Funky looks. Centre channel availability may be an issue in the future though.
• PSB Imagine B ($1200/pr) Wonderful sounding speaker. GAF/WAF is off the charts (so I'm told).
• Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2 (Piano Black) ($1500/pr) Hot off the press. Should be an outstanding speaker. Perhaps wait for early reviews. Edit: Pics of the Sierra-2's have been posted here .

Good luck with your deliberations!

.



Quote:
Originally Posted by nmkorn  /t/1517173/best-bookshelves-for-hometheater-3-1-to-start#post_24341071


girlfriend is a designer and has unfortunately vetoed the JBL's. I'm picking my battles at this point fellas.

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So aesthetics win?


What about the NHT Absolute Zero or SuperZero or other models in piano gloss black or white?


Hopefully she is not lobbying for Bose.



Quote:
Originally Posted by csgamer  /t/1517173/best-bookshelves-for-hometheater-3-1-to-start#post_24341301


I like this mentality. Hmm, center speaker doesn't match tv stand. Time to get a new tv stand.

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I actually did exactly that for my tv stand. Although more because my stand wouldn't fit any of the center channels I wanted (nor my AVR).



Quote:
Originally Posted by AcuDefTechGuy  /t/1517173/best-bookshelves-for-hometheater-3-1-to-start#post_24342804


So aesthetics win?

What about the NHT Absolute Zero or SuperZero or other models in piano gloss black or white?


Hopefully she is not lobbying for Bose.

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Bose is great. I hear with only 15 years of speaker break-in, it can potentially make them sound amazing. Only 12 years of speaker break-in is needed if you use exotic cables to hook up all your gear.