[Landshark77]

So I'm getting ready to bite the bullet and drop around $750 on a new front stage. On the DIY side of things I hear great stuff about the HT-8 and for premade, Ascend CMT-340 SE seem like the go to. So my question is. What am I gaining by going DIY vs buying a quality set of premade speakers around the same price. I have gone DIY with my Martycube and love it btw.

 

[asarose247]

soundstage = LCR?

 

[Russdawg1]

I’ve never heard the HT8’s, but I have the CMT340’s.

They have great power handling and use completely custom components made for Ascend by Seas of Norway.

Very neutral with an impeccable listening window for the price.

Currently on sale too.

Customer service is second to none with Dave answering almost all questions himself.

 

[asarose247]

yeah. sure. great specs . .

how are the room specs?

got any REW for the existing set-up?

 

[smcmillan2]

And on the flip side from Russ, I've never heard the CMT-340 but have heard the entire HTM line as well as the HT-8s.

Sensitivity, dome tweeter vs. CD/SEOS WG, custom 8" woofer vs 6.5" MTM alignment, all things to consider. If you can find any fellow AVSers near you that have both (or one or the other) you should try to give both a listen.

I am biased as I own the HTM-10s, but I can't imagine you would not be extremely happy with the HT-8s. If you are in the SE MI area I would be happy to have you over for a listen (I also have an HTM-8 as center, that at a recent GTG was compared directly with the HT-8)


ETA: I wouldn't describe the HT/HTM lines as neutral. They were designed to be HT speakers, so they would be better described as more forward/dynamic. There is an HF pad you can engage to take a bit off the high side if you like, I didn't find it necessary.

Also, subs like your Marty cube are a completely different beast. Can't really compare DIY/AIY speakers based on your sub experience. There's very little engineering involved in sub builds vs. 2- or 3-way speakers.

 

[asarose247]

don't have HT8's but my HTM6's
work very very well . . .
stereo and subs , 3x THTLP's using 15" HO390's

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/3034108-diysg-htm-6-build-performance.html

 

[Landshark77]

don't have HT8's but my HTM6's
work very very well . . .
stereo and subs , 3x THTLP's using 15" HO390's

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/3034108-diysg-htm-6-build-performance.html

I'm sorry, yes LCR, "front stage" is coming from my car audio days. Good point on the the dome tweeter vs waveguide and 8" woofer vs 6.5" MTM. I'am looking for real cinema audio experience, so that's what drew me to the DIYSG HT-8, but not sure about everyday tv ie: news, dateline, Today show, haha. I'm sure for movies they are tremendous. I also don't really know much about waveguides.

 

[smcmillan2]

I'm sorry, yes LCR, "front stage" is coming from my car audio days. Good point on the the dome tweeter vs waveguide and 8" woofer vs 6.5" MTM. I'am looking for real cinema audio experience, so that's what drew me to the DIYSG HT-8, but not sure about everyday tv ie: news, dateline, Today show, haha. I'm sure for movies they are tremendous. I also don't really know much about waveguides.

I can only tell you my experience, coming from RBH R5Bi/R5Ci center, the difference with a quality CD/WG vs dome tweeter is night and day for movies. And that carries over to normal TV viewing as well.

Our living room sits 4 - 5 or 6 across depending on who is over and what we're watching. The SEOS WG on the HT/HTMs has a phenomenal horizontal dispersion - It's enveloping in stereo music, and everyone hears the same thing in movies (pretty much. According to measurements anyway). So much so that I built a new A/V stand to accommodate an HTM-8 center (link in my sig).

Apologies for repeating myself, but I personally don't think you can go wrong with the HT/HTM line from DIYSG. The only reason I can come up with for going elsewhere is if the finish work will be an issue, and even that can be overcome with laminate/veneer.

 

[Landshark77]

I can only tell you my experience, coming from RBH R5Bi/R5Ci center, the difference with a quality CD/WG vs dome tweeter is night and day for movies. And that carries over to normal TV viewing as well.

Our living room sits 4 - 5 or 6 across depending on who is over and what we're watching. The SEOS WG on the HT/HTMs has a phenomenal horizontal dispersion - It's enveloping in stereo music, and everyone hears the same thing in movies (pretty much. According to measurements anyway). So much so that I built a new A/V stand to accommodate an HTM-8 center (link in my sig).

Apologies for repeating myself, but I personally don't think you can go wrong with the HT/HTM line from DIYSG. The only reason I can come up with for going elsewhere is if the finish work will be an issue, and even that can be overcome with laminate/veneer.

Well I might have to break out the duratex and give these HT-8's a try then. Thanks for the input. If this build comes out anywhere close to my beloved Martycube I'll be one happy camper! Hopefully I can get motivated to post a build thread.

 

[smcmillan2]

Well I might have to break out the duratex and give these HT-8's a try then. Thanks for the input. If this build comes out anywhere close to my beloved Martycube I'll be one happy camper! Hopefully I can get motivated to post a build thread.

Again, you can't really compare subwoofer builds to speaker builds. They are completely different, subwoofers have no crossovers/SBIR/lobing/etc. to deal with. That's why it is so much more difficult to say "Choose this over that" when asked to compare speakers (and why subwoofers are the easiest way to get into DIY).

If you have the opportunity to give the HTs a try then by all means, do so. If you have the opportunity to listen to the CMT-340 SE, you should do that as well. Only then will you know which sound profile you prefer, but ideally you should compare them in your room. There are a number of forum members here that have gone through numerous sets of speakers this calendar year, looking for those that sound best to them. All part of the hobby/rabbit hole...

 

[imrf]

I recently changed my front stage to HT-10s and love them. I went with them as the 8s were out of stock. I heard the 8s at a GTG in April, which actually I will be buying tomorrow, and liked how they sounded and the price for the HT line makes them even better.

I’d say get the HTs and you’ll be happy.


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