[butie120]

Hi everyone. I currently own the Infinity RC263 and R162 for my front three speakers (I got these all brand new for $323 total). The center is below my 120" screen and the bookshelves are on the side. We are adding onto our house and in the basement space will be roughly around a 12x19 room where a new home theater space will be. I plan on building a false wall a foot or so past the wall against the concrete block and want the 3 speakers behind the screen. I'm trying to avoid using the current infinity in the new setup since it's a horizontal center, although to be honest I have no complaints and just always heard 3 vertical speakers is best.

I have strongly considered the DIYSG HT 8 or 10 and using 3 of those, but they are always out of stock and am weary of making my own crossover if they don't have those already built. I considered the Klipsch RP-160M since I can easily get 3 of those since they are sold in pairs and can usually find a single on Ebay (currently can get three of the 160M new on ebay for a total of $489) . I think I want at least a 6.5" driver and decent sensitivity in the 89-90+ range.

Any options for 3 LCR bookshelves that you also would recommend. I think my budget is going to be around $650 total. I like the Klipsch just because they are so available on ebay for a good price, but I know there are other offerings with similar or better quality. Would love some suggestions!!! Thanks!

 

[Teeeejay]

Hi everyone. I currently own the Infinity RC263 and R162 for my front three speakers (I got these all brand new for $323 total). The center is below my 120" screen and the bookshelves are on the side. We are adding onto our house and in the basement space will be roughly around a 12x19 room where a new home theater space will be. I plan on building a false wall a foot or so past the wall against the concrete block and want the 3 speakers behind the screen. I'm trying to avoid using the current infinity in the new setup since it's a horizontal center, although to be honest I have no complaints and just always heard 3 vertical speakers is best.

I have strongly considered the DIYSG HT 8 or 10 and using 3 of those, but they are always out of stock and am weary of making my own crossover if they don't have those already built. I considered the Klipsch RP-160M since I can easily get 3 of those since they are sold in pairs and can usually find a single on Ebay (currently can get three of the 160M new on ebay for a total of $489) . I think I want at least a 6.5" driver and decent sensitivity in the 89-90+ range.

Any options for 3 LCR bookshelves that you also would recommend. I think my budget is going to be around $650 total. I like the Klipsch just because they are so available on ebay for a good price, but I know there are other offerings with similar or better quality. Would love some suggestions!!! Thanks!

If you have enough room behind the screen, wait for the HTM-12s to come back in stock. They have some of the best horizontal directivity control of any speaker I've seen with a super wide listening area. Check out these measurements that @bikinpunk did.

DIYSG HTM-12v2 Speaker Review

DIYSG HTM-12v2 Speaker Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[butie120]

If you have enough room behind the screen, wait for the HTM-12s to come back in stock. They have some of the best horizontal directivity control of any speaker I've seen with a super wide listening area. Check out these measurements that @bikinpunk did.

DIYSG HTM-12v2 Speaker Review

DIYSG HTM-12v2 Speaker Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

I'm sure these are pretty great, but spending around $1,200 for all of those it out of my budget. How about the Chane A2.4 for all three? Aren't these reviewed well?

 

[Teeeejay]

I'm sure these are pretty great, but spending around $1,200 for all of those it out of my budget. How about the Change A2.4 for all three? Aren't these reviewed well?

Not sure about those. I haven't looked into them. I just saw DIYSG and figured I'd comment. The HT-12s are in stock and a good bit cheaper than the HTMs.... maybe go with those? Directivity control should be the same since they still have the SEOS 15 waveguide.

 

[PrimeTime]

Since you like what you already have and can easily adapt them to a screen, it appears that you simply have money that's burning a hole in your pocket.

Keep what you have. Turn the CC upright so it's vertical. Don't bother building a "wall" for the screen, just suspend it from the ceiling. Spend those $$$ absorbing some of that sound that will bounce off the walls and confuse everything.

 

[Zorba922]

Hi everyone. I currently own the Infinity RC263 and R162 for my front three speakers (I got these all brand new for $323 total). The center is below my 120" screen and the bookshelves are on the side. We are adding onto our house and in the basement space will be roughly around a 12x19 room where a new home theater space will be. I plan on building a false wall a foot or so past the wall against the concrete block and want the 3 speakers behind the screen. I'm trying to avoid using the current infinity in the new setup since it's a horizontal center, although to be honest I have no complaints and just always heard 3 vertical speakers is best.

I have strongly considered the DIYSG HT 8 or 10 and using 3 of those, but they are always out of stock and am weary of making my own crossover if they don't have those already built. I considered the Klipsch RP-160M since I can easily get 3 of those since they are sold in pairs and can usually find a single on Ebay (currently can get three of the 160M new on ebay for a total of $489) . I think I want at least a 6.5" driver and decent sensitivity in the 89-90+ range.

Any options for 3 LCR bookshelves that you also would recommend. I think my budget is going to be around $650 total. I like the Klipsch just because they are so available on ebay for a good price, but I know there are other offerings with similar or better quality. Would love some suggestions!!! Thanks!

3 x Ascend 170SE would put you around $500 shipped, these are 6.5" woofers and about 90db in-room sensitivity. Excellent detail & dynamics but much lower brightness risk.

Another option is the Hsu CCB-8 which are a concentric design with 8" woofers, but 3 of them would put you around $1K.

Sadly, you just missed the latest JBL & Infinity Ref sale by just a few days. The R263 were on sale for $200 each and you could have just bought a 3rd one. If you are not in a hurry I'd simply wait for the next sale.

Personally, I find the "identical vertical center" theory to be over-hyped, which is consistent with a lot of theories that many people in this hobby get overly impressed by and fixate upon obsessively, often just to cultivate some silly "audiophile" identity and self-image.

I recently replaced a horizontal Chane A2.4 center with a 3rd JBL Studio 570, vertically aligned with the mains as widely prescribed. I had no complaints before, and no complaints afterwards. There was no game-changing, earth-shaking "aha" moment, lol.

Main reason I did it was that I had been using my sub as the center speaker stand and wanted to move it off-center where it does sound a lot better, and I didn't want to pay for a center speaker stand to do so. It's entirely possible that I would have been more impressed if I'd switched out the Chane center for an Emotiva C2+ but I was too much of a cheapskate as per usual, hahaha (the C2+ is $400 and the 3rd JBL 570 was on sale for $200 plus I'd have to pay for a center speaker stand).

 

[butie120]

Since you like what you already have and can easily adapt them to a screen, it appears that you simply have money that's burning a hole in your pocket.

Keep what you have. Turn the CC upright so it's vertical. Don't bother building a "wall" for the screen, just suspend it from the ceiling. Spend those $$$ absorbing some of that sound that will bounce off the walls and confuse everything.

would changing the infinity center to a vertical position affect the sound since it's designed to be horizontal? it is a 3 way speaker if that matters at all. i'd rather not suspend the screen from the ceiling. not sure i like the look of that. i just recently got fixated on the DIYSG stuff since it's higher sensitivity and people rave about those.

 

[Teeeejay]

would changing the infinity center to a vertical position affect the sound since it's designed to be horizontal? it is a 3 way speaker if that matters at all. i'd rather not suspend the screen from the ceiling. not sure i like the look of that. i just recently got fixated on the DIYSG stuff since it's higher sensitivity and people rave about those.

It seems like you're not in any dire need to upgrade right this instant. I'm certain you'll be thrilled with the DIYSG speakers if you wait for them to be back in stock (or just get the HT-12s that are in stock now). The only speaker I've seen that has wowed me on value like the DIYSG stuff is the Emotiva C2+ which seems to be an amazing center. But if you look at off axis performance of that ribbon tweeter it isn't nearly as good as the compression driver + SEOS waveguide you get with the DIYSG stuff.

FWIW, I recently heard older DIYSG speakers in person and was absolutely blown away. They're consideraby better than any of the towers/bookshelfs I've heard in person. Not sure how many people replying to this thread will have heard DIYSG designs as well. The ones I heard had 12" woofers and the SEOS 12 waveguide. Excellent off axis and on axis, and the detail/clarity from the compression driver was unlike any other speaker I've heard.

 

[butie120]

3 x Ascend 170SE would put you around $500 shipped, these are 6.5" woofers and about 90db in-room sensitivity. Excellent detail & dynamics but much lower brightness risk.

Another option is the Hsu CCB-8 which are a concentric design with 8" woofers, but 3 of them would put you around $1K.

Sadly, you just missed the latest JBL & Infinity Ref sale by just a few days. The R263 were on sale for $200 each and you could have just bought a 3rd one. If you are not in a hurry I'd simply wait for the next sale.

Personally, I find the "identical vertical center" theory to be over-hyped, which is consistent with a lot of theories that many people in this hobby get overly impressed by and fixate upon obsessively, often just to cultivate some silly "audiophile" identity and self-image.

I recently replaced a horizontal Chane A2.4 center with a 3rd JBL Studio 570, vertically aligned with the mains as widely prescribed. I had no complaints before, and no complaints afterwards. There was no game-changing, earth-shaking "aha" moment, lol.

Main reason I did it was that I had been using my sub as the center speaker stand and wanted to move it off-center where it does sound a lot better, and I didn't want to pay for a center speaker stand to do so. It's entirely possible that I would have been more impressed if I'd switched out the Chane center for an Emotiva C2+ but I was too much of a cheapskate as per usual, hahaha (the C2+ is $400 and the 3rd JBL 570 was on sale for $200 plus I'd have to pay for a center speaker stand).

Yeah, that's what I'm struggling. I was watching Luca with my kids in the basement a few nights ago with the RC263 and it sounded just great. Voices were amazing, just flawless in my mind. But then I read up on the DIYSG speakers and the higher sensitivity I read about and big dynamics start to make me think. Yet I wonder too if I only play at -10db at the loudest, but usually -12, would I even take advantage of the louder speakers? I don't feel like losing my hearing at an early age...

I don't see getting the 170 for $500 shipped as it seems they are only sold in pairs. If I'm going to be running two PSA TV1512 subwoofers, would the R263 even be worth it over my current bookshelf R162 since the subs will be handling the bass? Maybe I'm trying to spend money here that doesn't need to be spent.

 

[Zorba922]

Yeah, that's what I'm struggling. I was watching Luca with my kids in the basement a few nights ago with the RC263 and it sounded just great. Voices were amazing, just flawless in my mind. But then I read up on the DIYSG speakers and the higher sensitivity I read about and big dynamics start to make me think. Yet I wonder too if I only play at -10db at the loudest, but usually -12, would I even take advantage of the louder speakers? I don't feel like losing my hearing at an early age...

I don't see getting the 170 for $500 shipped as it seems they are only sold in pairs. If I'm going to be running two PSA TV1512 subwoofers, would the R263 even be worth it over my current bookshelf R162 since the subs will be handling the bass? Maybe I'm trying to spend money here that doesn't need to be spent.

If you already have the RC263 and are perfectly happy with it, by all means keep it. Be careful not to allow this forum to lead you down the rabbit-hole of endless exorbitant upgrades that you don't even need, or one day you'll end up with 4 refrigerator-sized subwoofers in a 10 x 15' room and need to pay for a new electrical circuit just to power them.

There is no way on god's green earth that a single 6.5" woofer bookshelf is going to give you the headroom and dynamics of DUAL woofers whether they are vertical or horizontal.

PS. All of Ascend's speakers are available as singles. Unfortunately, their convoluted website needed to be updated 15 years ago. If ordering online you have to use this page:

Ascend Acoustics

Ascend Acoustics- Award-winning audiophile loudspeakers and subwoofers for home theater and music, factory-direct. Rythmik subwoofers now available.

www.ascendacoustics.com

Or, you could call and place your order over the phone.

 

[Teeeejay]

If you already have the RC263 and are perfectly happy with it, by all means keep it. Be careful not to allow this forum to lead you down the rabbit-hole of endless exorbitant upgrades that you don't even need, or one day you'll end up with 4 refrigerator-sized subwoofers in a 10 x 15' room and need to pay for a new electrical circuit just to power them.

 

[Dave in Green]

I'm sure these are pretty great, but spending around $1,200 for all of those it out of my budget. How about the Chane A2.4 for all three? Aren't these reviewed well?

$269 = Chane A2.4
$269 = DIYSG HT-12 kit and flat pack combo

 

[butie120]

If you already have the RC263 and are perfectly happy with it, by all means keep it. Be careful not to allow this forum to lead you down the rabbit-hole of endless exorbitant upgrades that you don't even need, or one day you'll end up with 4 refrigerator-sized subwoofers in a 10 x 15' room and need to pay for a new electrical circuit just to power them.

There is no way on god's green earth that a single 6.5" woofer bookshelf is going to give you the headroom and dynamics of DUAL woofers whether they are vertical or horizontal.

PS. All of Ascend's speakers are available as singles. Unfortunately, their convoluted website needed to be updated 15 years ago. If ordering online you have to use this page:

Ascend Acoustics

Ascend Acoustics- Award-winning audiophile loudspeakers and subwoofers for home theater and music, factory-direct. Rythmik subwoofers now available.

www.ascendacoustics.com

Or, you could call and place your order over the phone.

Oh sweet. Thanks for the link to that page. I really like the idea of the duals in the ascend CMT 340 tower speaker, but that might be overkill in my space, and then you're talking more in the $950 range including shipping for those. I don't know. But you're right, three of the 170s could be had for $560 including shipping. I guess I have to decide if selling my Infinities and getting those is worth it. One benefit I see is easier framing in the bookshelf vs my infinity center. I think this center is laid out to stay horizontal, so I'm thinking I would just keep it horizontal behind my screen. Doesn't that seem right?

 

[butie120]

$269 = Chane A2.4
$269 = DIYSG HT-12 kit and flat pack combo

haha, good observation. I know obviously more things here and there to buy to finish the speakers, but you're right, something interesting to consider...why don't more people then I wonder jump on these HT from DIYSG? Seems like a no brainer

 

[Zorba922]

Oh sweet. Thanks for the link to that page. I really like the idea of the duals in the ascend CMT 340 tower speaker, but that might be overkill in my space, and then you're talking more in the $950 range including shipping for those. I don't know. But you're right, three of the 170s could be had for $560 including shipping. I guess I have to decide if selling my Infinities and getting those is worth it. One benefit I see is easier framing in the bookshelf vs my infinity center. I think this center is laid out to stay horizontal, so I'm thinking I would just keep it horizontal behind my screen. Doesn't that seem right?

Yes, you'd want to keep the Infinity center horizontal.

Personally I'd just keep what you have and put the RC263 on some sort of stand --- cheapest easiest way is just to buy a $40-50 pair of Sanus MDF stands and put them side by side. There's no to have the framing include the speakers...all you need is for the framing to support the AT screen.

 

[Zorba922]

why don't more people then I wonder jump on these HT from DIYSG? Seems like a no brainer

Two reasons:

1. Many people don't have the tools, space, or desire to DIY anything especially when good speakers can be had dirt cheap such as the Infinity Refs.

2. DIY means no return option, so if you build it and aren't crazy about it, you have to suffer the PITA of reselling it and DIY has even less brand name recognition than internet direct brands.

 

[Teeeejay]

Two reasons:

1. Many people don't have the tools, space, or desire to DIY anything especially when good speakers can be had dirt cheap such as the Infinity Refs.

2. DIY means no return option, so if you build it and aren't crazy about it, you have to suffer the PITA of reselling it and DIY has even less brand name recognition than internet direct brands.

To add to point 1, a lot of people thing building the cabinets will be a lot more difficult than it is. Get you a flat pack, wood glue, and clamps. EZ money.

 

[butie120]

Yes, you'd want to keep the Infinity center horizontal.

Personally I'd just keep what you have and put the RC263 on some sort of stand --- cheapest easiest way is just to buy a $40-50 pair of Sanus MDF stands and put them side by side. There's no to have the framing include the speakers...all you need is for the framing to support the AT screen.

"There's no to have the framing include the speakers" Guess I'm not sure what you meant by that.

If I want my speakers behind the screen though, I would would have to construct them for the face of the speaker to be flush with the drywall and have the speaker sit partially inside the wall. I'm not sure how else I could it as I only want to be able to see the screen and nothing else.

 

[craig john]

Personally, I find the "identical vertical center" theory to be over-hyped, which is consistent with a lot of theories that many people in this hobby get overly impressed by and fixate upon obsessively, often just to cultivate some silly "audiophile" identity and self-image.

Cultivating a "silly" identity and self-image is not limited to "audiophiles". Others attempt to build a "silly" identity based on being contrarian, denying the science and best practices, and promoting a "less than optimal" approach, replacing it with a "just good enough to get by" approach. AV enthusiasts who actually care about the sound they hear... and can actually hear differences when recommended best practices are followed, ascribe to the conceprt of optimizing everything in their systems, including matching the speakers.

I recently replaced a horizontal Chane A2.4 center with a 3rd JBL Studio 570, vertically aligned with the mains as widely prescribed. I had no complaints before, and no complaints afterwards. There was no game-changing, earth-shaking "aha" moment, lol.

Yup, enough said.

Craig

 

[Zorba922]

Cultivating a "silly" identity and self-image is not limited to "audiophiles". Others attempt to build a "silly" identity based on being contrarian, denying the science and best practices, and promoting a "less than optimal" approach, replacing it with a "just good enough to get by" approach. AV enthusiasts who actually care about the sound they hear... and can actually hear differences when recommended best practices are followed, ascribe to the conceprt of optimizing everything in their systems, including matching the speakers.

Yup, enough said.

Craig

The difference is that a person who cultivates an IDENTITY rather than simply being a hobbyist is, they tend to be comically irascible because they take themselves OH-SO-SERIOUSLY.


There's little to no visible enjoyment there, just endless tedious tirades and tantrums. I feel sorry for them, to be honest. But oh well, people are where they are.