[tampa frank]

I'm researching new L/C/R speakers for my HT (music and movies). I started wanting towers, but after listening to some speakers, I'm now leaning towards bookshelf speakers (cleaner,stonger mid). I think that I'm going to try out the Hsu HB-1 and HC-1.


Should I just go for the standard bookshelf pair plus center, the 3 identical bookshelf speakers, or 3 centers? The idea with the 3 centers is to go bigger while keeping the L/C/R the same. I'm assuming the room will be a large open space; we're in the process of moving, so I don't know what the space will be yet. I won't buy until after we move, but I'm doing all of my research now.

 

[rick240]

Vertical speakers (typical tower or bookshelf) are always better than horizontal (typical centre).


Horizontal centres are a compromise...period. If you don't need to do it - don't.


Purposefully selecting horizontal compromise for your L/R mains would be a huge mistake.


Why do you say cleaner, stronger mid for bookshelves? Is this because they would be crossed to a sub and therefore not trying to do as much lows? There is nothing to stop anyone from crossing towers at the same point - giving you the cleaner, stronger mids and bigger. Same thing happens if you select a bigger bookshelf.


Are you installing an AT screen, or will it be typical flat screen which generally forces the horizontal mid compromise?

 

[tampa frank]

Flat screen, so horizontal center is probable.


If I used the HC-1s as L/R, I would rotate the tweeter and use them vertically. I guess that this would pretty much be the same as a short tower. I'm just worried that the bookshelf speakers might be too small for a large space.


I already have a sub that will be used with this system and will probably add a second at some point.

 

[gtpsuper24]

MTM speakers work great across the front. I used Arx A2 LCR (MTM) monitors across the front and its sounded very nice. Although I have the mains vertical and the center was horizontal it still had a seamless blended soundstage.


I think 3 HSU HC-1s would be a very nice system across the front. I always prefer to have larger mains and center like multiple woofers just for the extra headroom and output. You can always try to HSU bookshelfs as fronts and if you don't like them move them to the sides and rear.

 

[shadyJ]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tampa frank  /t/1470497/l-c-r-bookshelf-pair-center-vs-3-bookshelf-vs-3-centers#post_23258096


Flat screen, so horizontal center is probable.


If I used the HC-1s as L/R, I would rotate the tweeter and use them vertically. I guess that this would pretty much be the same as a short tower. I'm just worried that the bookshelf speakers might be too small for a large space.


I already have a sub that will be used with this system and will probably add a second at some point.

I use vertical HC-1s, they are the kind of bookshelf speaker you would want for a large room. The tweeters rotate easily, but there are some crescent rests on the bottom for the tilting base which leave a spot of bare MDF if removed, at least on the satin black ones. They have pretty good bass extension for bookshelf speakers, that 60 hz spec is no joke. Next up from them for a large room would be some Klispch RB-61s or 81s. If the room ends up being large, you will really want that second sub.

 

[gtpsuper24]



Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ  /t/1470497/l-c-r-bookshelf-pair-center-vs-3-bookshelf-vs-3-centers#post_23258181


I use vertical HC-1s, they are the kind of bookshelf speaker you would want for a large room. The tweeters rotate easily, but there are some crescent rests on the bottom for the tilting base which leave a spot of bare MDF if removed, at least on the satin black ones. They have pretty good bass extension for bookshelf speakers, that 60 hz spec is no joke. Next up from them for a large room would be some Klispch RB-61s or 81s. If the room ends up being large, you will really want that second sub.

I wouldn't say the Klipsch bookshelfs would be a step up. Only output from the tweeter, theres nothing special about the Klipsch woofers and the SPL specs is only based on the tweeter and not the system. The Klipsch isn't going to be any better than the HSU speakers, sound quality perference aside.

 

[sdg4vfx]

If you have space limitations re the height of your center speaker another option for identical speakers LCR could be the KEF Q100 or Q300. They have a single concentric driver so unlike most speakers you can lay them on their side without affecting the sound. (Laid on side - Q100 is 7.1" tall, Q300 is 8.3" tall.) The prices at http://www.accessories4less.com/ are very competitive.

 

[shadyJ]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gtpsuper24  /t/1470497/l-c-r-bookshelf-pair-center-vs-3-bookshelf-vs-3-centers#post_23258341


I wouldn't say the Klipsch bookshelfs would be a step up. Only output from the tweeter, theres nothing special about the Klipsch woofers and the SPL specs is only based on the tweeter and not the system. The Klipsch isn't going to be any better than the HSU speakers, sound quality perference aside.

I agree with you to an extent, I don't think the Klipsch's would be better on bass, in fact the RB-61s won't be, however the Klipsch Reference use real compression drivers, so their tweeters are certainly going to be capable of greater SPL. What would decide the question for you is how hot and snappy you like your treble, as the Hsu's are more laid back than the sizzling hot Klipschs. I like them both, and in my current near-field setup I greatly prefer the less abrasive Hsu speakers.

 

[tampa frank]



Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ  /t/1470497/l-c-r-bookshelf-pair-center-vs-3-bookshelf-vs-3-centers#post_23260495


I agree with you to an extent, I don't think the Klipsch's would be better on bass, in fact the RB-61s won't be, however the Klipsch Reference use real compression drivers, so their tweeters are certainly going to be capable of greater SPL. What would decide the question for you is how hot and snappy you like your treble, as the Hsu's are more laid back than the sizzling hot Klipschs. I like them both, and in my current near-field setup I greatly prefer the less abrasive Hsu speakers.

For movies, I think that the overly bright Klipsch treble is impressive. For music, I find it offensive. If I was going to have a dedicated HT, the Klipsh would be a good choice, but I can't live with the compromise for pulling double duty (movies and music).

 

[border411]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tampa frank  /t/1470497/l-c-r-bookshelf-pair-center-vs-3-bookshelf-vs-3-centers#post_23262244


For movies, I think that the overly bright Klipsch treble is impressive. For music, I find it offensive. If I was going to have a dedicated HT, the Klipsh would be a good choice, but I can't live with the compromise for pulling double duty (movies and music).

That is exactly what I found. That is why i went with PSB for my front soundstage.

 

[Kini62]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tampa frank  /t/1470497/l-c-r-bookshelf-pair-center-vs-3-bookshelf-vs-3-centers#post_23262244


For movies, I think that the overly bright Klipsch treble is impressive. For music, I find it offensive. If I was going to have a dedicated HT, the Klipsh would be a good choice, but I can't live with the compromise for pulling double duty (movies and music).

+2.


I don't listen to a lot of music but when I do I listen for an hour or more. The Klipsch I demoed had me have them turning it off after about a minute.