Which ascend setup would be the best for a music/movie mix?

If you calibrate the system, they will all play the same level at your listening position.


Pick 1) or 2). I'd pick 2.

I've been interested in five HTMs for awhile, but I continue to be worried about the one-speaker-fits all application -- especially lack of dedicated center. This is what it says on Ascend's site:


"A perfect center channel speaker: Lay the HTM-200 on its side, place it atop your television and be prepared for an added dimension in your home theater setup. As a center channel, it provides controlled vertical dispersion and wide symmetrical horizontal dispersion so dialogue and effects are accurate regardless of listening position.


A superior left, right, surround channel speaker: Stand the HTM-200 upright and it is transformed into an accurate compact monitor perfect for home theater AND two channel audio. As a left/right/surround channel it provides controlled horizontal dispersion (minimizing room boundary effects) and wide vertical dispersion for an extremely large soundstage. Perfect for discreet wall mounting!"

But...that's ideal. To have the same thing in all positions gives the best opportunity for seamlessness.


Like here -

http://www.mksound.com


If it's OK for THOSE guys, then hey....

OK, but how will 2 HTMs work as just mains for music? will they provide enough power to mate with an omni S12 or VTF-2? Mabye HTM center with CBM mains and HTM surrounds would be the best option?

1 > 2. Skip #3. Another option would be 170 LCR + 200 surrounds, which makes more sense to me over #3.

You do know they have some new ones (340SE & 170SE) coming out soon, right?

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i know, but that won't change my decisions. principle is the same. If i pick 170 now, then i may do 170SE if they are availible when the time comes, and if they fit my budget. I am trying to figure out what my LCR setup should be right now, be it HTM LCR, CMTc CBM LR, etc.


so option 1 still appears to be the winner...

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I think so. I had 170 L/R running with a 340c, and it matched up nicely. If you have the space for the 340c, get it, esp for a 50/50 ht/music setup. I'm sure the 200 or 170 would work fine as a center, but the 340c was designed for that purpose.

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My point is, they don't have one of them turned on it's side for a center.

Am I the only one who thinks it makes far more sense to have three 170s up front so they actually match better?

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John: is it possible that the 170 isn't "voiced" to be a center channel speaker if it's used in the usual manner, i.e. on top of a TV? I believe you've made mention in some of your posts, that this can be a factor in front speaker integration and that NHT takes this into consideration when designing a center channel speaker. By the way, I'm still waiting for the Classic 3 to come out here in N.Y.C.


Ben

Yes, but a 2-way vertical bookshelf speaker has much better dispersion than an MTM horizontal speaker. And the 170 should be better matched. And it costs less. I think those factors typically trump placement tuning. So a 340 could actually cost more and sound worse than a 170. NHT does take center placement into effect in their dedicated centers, but that, to me, is just a nice extra touch.


Hang in there, I'm waiting for a shipment to show up and then I'll let loose with some

Having had a 170 for the center and a 340. I find the 340 a better center channel and they are a seamless match with the 170s.


Another vote for option 1. But if you're looking at option 3 put 170s all the way across the front.

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The 340C was specifically designed as a center for the 170's way before there were 340M's. Dave Fabrikant has discussed all the issues involved in designing an MTM center on the Ascend Forum. If anyone's interested I can dig through the archive and find the post(s).


David

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Ah, thanks, i didn't know that.

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Both of those can't be true, the logic doesn't work. A 170 automatically would have better dispersion characteristics and a more seamless match, even if the latter is only bit a tiny bit.


Anyway, just saying that a vertical bookshelf that is the same as the others is the ideal way to go if you can do it. Especially if you're on a budget.


Now on to other, more serious emergencies..........

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This is true only if you can place the center channel in an appropriate location. Most of us have TV's and entertainment centers that make putting a center channel in a less than ideal location a must. This was what was behind the 340C. It will sound better in most installations because it's designed for those compromised locations.


David