o/t home theatre ?

G

Gravesj1s

New member
I have a set of B&W 602's (for rear) and a denon AVR791 receiver that I plan to keep as part of my setup.
I'd like to replace the (F's) (C) and sub ,currently a Bose acoustic mass.Type consisting of 3 double cubes.It is a non active sub(no rca input) so it doesn't really work well with the receiver whitch has the dedicated subout (preamp) I assume , bass response is terrible to say the least.

The room is about 25'x25' with hardwoods.Used for both music & movies.

My question is what would you replace the bose with? Should I keep the cubes and just ditch the sub and purchase an active one?What would you do?I don't want to go broke,but I think I could spend 6$ or so if that helps.


I know theres some savvy folks versed in topics like this.Me, nope.
fwiw-Hijacks are fine in any of my threads.

-Steve
 
Check out the Bic Acoustech PL200. These really became popular a couple years ago for the cheaper prices and great reviews from audio sites.

I have a lower model and its been working strong for 2 years
 
Hard ot say as speaker choice is sooo personal.

Definitely get an active sub. After that, pick speakers based on what you like and how much you want to spend. I'm a big fan of PSB speakers for value/quality, but again... sound quality is very subjective.
 
Steve-

Hsu is a fair choice if you're looking cost/dollar ratio. My concern is a cabinet's design is, and should be exclusive to one style. If you have a "tuneable" box by blocking ports, it's creating a compromise.

This book is available online, search around. It'll explain the basics of what I'm trying to outline, and it's considered the "bible" for loudspeaker enclosure discussions.

http://www.amazon.com/Loudspeaker-Design-Cookbook-Vance-Dickason/dp/1882580478


On to what to buy, it's a few questions...

First question is, what will you be listening to? All home theater? Jazz? Rock? Classical? A mix? Your room will be bright and active with the wood; lots of windows? Upholstery?

Bandpass subs produce "splatty" bass (but scads of it) in a tight frequency response area, "tuned" to the length and diameter of the tube. If it's pure home theater, this isn't a bad sub. It'll produce a lot of "boom" cheaply, and efficiently.

Sealed is far better for tighter, more musical, response. But you need more power, and a better designed basket/woofer and cabinet to handle the load.

Ported is a mix between the two; and probably a decent mid-point.

The HSU listed above is truly a bandpass sized box (small) with the inlet/outlet port needed for that design on both sides of the breakwall; you can "make" it ported by sealing the inlet, or "make" it seald by sealing both, but volumetrically, it's an incorrect size for either piece, and the tradeoffs will be pretty severe.

For a good all-around ground pounding but tight sub, I've recommended this sub to people on a mid-sized budget. It's sealed, and has a capable, well-rated amp (not over-spec'd):

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-600-watt-...67&sr=8-1&keywords=jbl+subwoofer+home+l-8400p

It'll rip your walls down, but it's insanely tight and musical. The price on Amazon isn't the best price you'll find, by far. Check eBay, seller's name is harmanaudio, it's a JBL/Infinity/Harman Kardon factory reseller who sells "Last Year Models" and the like; you can get a great deal if you're not in a hurry. I own one, and still use it on one of my home theater rigs; it's probably the best overall value I've found in a sub, period.

I've owned a bandpass sub (Paradigm 10"), a few ported (A Velodyne Servo, another Paradigm), and a bunch of sealed. I keep buying sealed for a reason; if you ever want to hear why, and you're in Buffalo, bring over your favorite CD, LP, or MP3, and give it a listen.

Lastly, the Bose Acoustimass systems leave giant, gaping frequency response holes between the "sub" (which is actually a full range woofer), and the 3" paper-cone speakers in the cubes. The B&W's are fantastic. Move them forward, buy a good sub, put the AM cubes as fill, and replace them at your leisure.

You'd be amazed with some tuning what you'll hear. :)

-Andy
 
jacksonpt said:
Hard ot say as speaker choice is sooo personal.

Definitely get an active sub. After that, pick speakers based on what you like and how much you want to spend. I'm a big fan of PSB speakers for value/quality, but again... sound quality is very subjective.
Click to expand...

Yep,definately noticing how subjective it is.Spent several hours today reading reviews.
I'll have to checkout the PSB line sometime,thanks.

-Steve
 
oldimpala said:
Steve-

On to what to buy, it's a few questions...

First question is, what will you be listening to? All home theater? Jazz? Rock? Classical? A mix? Your room will be bright and active with the wood; lots of windows? Upholstery?
Click to expand...
oldimpala said:
Pretty much a full range.My wife likes rap , rock & lot of country.With 3 daughters ,2 that are teenagers liking mostly rap & pop music,the house has become popular on typical saturday nights.They seem to have staked claim after we bought a projector.There mostly into streaming of music video's ,and songlists from their phones.
Superbowl parties ,Big east games and movies,ect... it gets quite a bit of use ,and often loud.
Not a lot of furniture in the room,yes ,there are several windows and glass slider.


For a good all-around ground pounding but tight sub, I've recommended this sub to people on a mid-sized budget. It's sealed, and has a capable, well-rated amp (not over-spec'd):

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-600-watt-...67&sr=8-1&keywords=jbl+subwoofer+home+l-8400p

It'll rip your walls down, but it's insanely tight and musical. The price on Amazon isn't the best price you'll find, by far. Check eBay, seller's name is harmanaudio, it's a JBL/Infinity/Harman Kardon factory reseller who sells "Last Year Models" and the like; you can get a great deal if you're not in a hurry. I own one, and still use it on one of my home theater rigs; it's probably the best overall value I've found in a sub, period.

I've owned a bandpass sub (Paradigm 10"), a few ported (A Velodyne Servo, another Paradigm), and a bunch of sealed. I keep buying sealed for a reason; if you ever want to hear why, and you're in Buffalo, bring over your favorite CD, LP, or MP3, and give it a listen.

I'll definately check out the site.Wish you were closer because I'd be right over (no kidding).

Lastly, the Bose Acoustimass systems leave giant, gaping frequency response holes between the "sub" (which is actually a full range woofer), and the 3" paper-cone speakers in the cubes. The B&W's are fantastic. Move them forward, buy a good sub, put the AM cubes as fill, and replace them at your leisure.

You'd be amazed with some tuning what you'll hear. :)

-Andy
Click to expand...


I've noticed that about the Bose,didn't want to knock'em but I think they're way over priced.I've never been happy with the sound at all.Especially in the size room there in.It's very much like you described ,to bright with no lowend or mid-bass at all.
I'm having my wife read your response here later.Might be able to convince her to get a sub and replace the cubes but will see. Might have to wait on the cubes.
Thanks so much Andy for your help & insight here,I'm eyeing that sub.

-Steve
 
Last edited:
Klipsch hands down. If you have B&W now for your rears, your going to want a better set of speakers for the fronts. With the cubes you missing you whole front sound stage. The cubes only put out feq. Higher that 100db. I would bet some nice towers and a center to match along with there sub.
 
I'd put my Rythmik up against anything within reason from a price perspective. It's clean base and digs deep. The aesthetics on the SE have an excellent WAF as well. I've never seen something packaged so well. Ships w/ white gloves, nice touch.
 
Ok so I guess I should chime in since I did home theater installs for years. I only told someone to buy bose if they didn't have the room for a full 5.1 or 7.1. Bose will give an amazing full sound but you are going to pay out for them. For a 25x25 home theater has no bounds. I would do something like this up front http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714R38W/Klipsch-R-3800-W.html
Then I would do something like this http://www.crutchfield.com/p_714KL7502T/Klipsch-KL-7502-THX.html to the side and behind you. Sub skies the limit. Of course this is if I had no budget or what not. Projector and screen would be a must for this room as well.
 
I have a denon and klipsch stereo from the 80's that still rocks; 30 years later, I'm glad to hear they are still a great combination. I'm sure this is not what you want, but Harman Kardon makes a very nice sounding low profile box set!
 
I have some stuff I'm not using that you could at the very least try out, and very possibly buy.

Let me see what exactly I have. I know I've got an NAD receiver (which doesn't sound like you need), a pair of PSB bookshelfs and an Energy center channel.
 
kcrush4989 said:
Klipsch hands down. If you have B&W now for your rears, your going to want a better set of speakers for the fronts. With the cubes you missing you whole front sound stage. The cubes only put out feq. Higher that 100db. I would bet some nice towers and a center to match along with there sub.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about what the poster oldimpala stated above. Move the B& W 's to the fronts and keep the cubes only as fill ,for now anyway and spend the money on a good sub.Then I'd be able to replace the cubes later on.

I think,not sure,but the cubes are limited to what the sub's crossover directs to them. With the Bose the cubes, as you said,missing everything below the higher frequencys.If I got rid of the sub I should be able to use the crossover (active) from the receiver,by running the cubes directly to it.Taking some of the highend out.As it stands the cubes are fed from the sub and it's inactive crossover.
I hope that makes sense.I just don't know how well it would work without distorting them to much ,or even blowing them.

-Steve
 
Gravesj1s said:
I was thinking about what the poster oldimpala stated above. Move the B& W 's to the fronts and keep the cubes only as fill ,for now anyway and spend the money on a good sub.Then I'd be able to replace the cubes later on.

I think,not sure,but the cubes are limited to what the sub's crossover directs to them. With the Bose the cubes, as you said,missing everything below the higher frequencys.If I got rid of the sub I should be able to use the crossover (active) from the receiver,by running the cubes directly to it.Taking some of the highend out.As it stands the cubes are fed from the sub and it's inactive crossover.
I hope that makes sense.I just don't know how well it would work without distorting them to much ,or even blowing them.

-Steve
Click to expand...

Ideally you'll want your fronts (mains) and center matched. It makes a noticeable difference.
 
Center channel is an Energy EC100 - older model, but back when energy was at its peak. I'd let it go cheap if you we're interested. I also have the matching mains (bookshelfs) and rears, but I'm using those so I'd have to think about the cost to replace them if you were interested in buying the package. Regardless, you could demo the center or the whole package if you wanted.

The PSBs I have are Image B16s, a killer bookshelf speaker.
 
Jackson, thanks for getting back to me,and offering to demo.


The PSBs I have are Image B16s, a killer bookshelf speaker.

Are you sure about the model #? I could only find Psb Image B6's.

-Steve
 
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