I got my Onkyo 160! Thanks guys for your input!

[Kaspian]

You guys helpped me decide on the AV receiver on a different thread: (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...2321719&enterthread=y)

Now its time for the speakers. I like the following two sets:

Set #1

Polk Monitor 70 for the main front left and right speakers.

Either the Polk CS20 or the CS2 for the center speaker. I dont know which one. They both look really similar.


Set #2

From tSc I like the TST3 line for the main front left and right.


For the center I like the TC2.



The pros' from set one:

*Everything I order from Newegg is at my house in one day...two tops.
*I like the size of the center speaker. Its quite large for a center speaker with 6.5" drivers.
*I like the Polk Audio name.
*Its about $40 to $90 cheaper (depends on which center I buy) than set #2.
*UPS will deliver it to the front door of my house. (Fed-ex doesnt. I have 10 acress. My house sits in the middle of the land. You cant see the house from the main road. Whenever fed-ex delivers something it goes to my closest neighbour...over 1,000 feet from my house.)


The pros' of set two:

*I really love the looks of the TST3s! They are large and I love the all aluminium drivers (although I have no idea if thats a good thing, am an audio moron).
*Quality internal components (per some proffesional reviews).


So, what do you guys think?

Thank you in advance for any input.

Kas

 

[Slick5150]

The tSc speakers will sound much better from my experience. The Speaker Company's service is top notch, by the way, so if you get them and decide you don't like them, you can send them back on their dime.

 

[mshan]

I haven't heard either speakers, so I can't make any specific comments.

I would suggest that you describe your primary uses (how much home theater, how much music, which is more important), your listening habits (do you like it really loud, do you have to have visceral impact that shakes the walls, etc.), and your taste in movies and music.

If music is important, more full range floor standers like you linked would be appropriate if Onkyo has some sort of pure direct mode that bypasses all dsp and sends full range signal to left and right fronts only. If dvds and music mixed specifically for multi-channel is prime use, bookshelf front left and right would be fine, as sub would be where most low frequency info is directed natively. Full range fronts will probably give more bass impact, if that is really important to you.

I would assume the Onkyo has a clean solid state sound, so most of the character of your system will come from speakers you choose.

If nothing else, read some reviews about speakers from each company and try and glean what that manufacturer's house sound is (i. e. what do they feel is important sonically and how do they voice their speakers to achieve that end).

Good Luck!

 

[Kaspian]

Originally posted by: mshan


I would suggest that you describe your primary uses (how much home theater, how much music, which is more important),

I apologize. The speakers primary use will be for home theater.

Thank you.

Kas

 

[mshan]

What's most important about movie sound tracks to you: loud, visceral bass and impact you can feel, dialogue clarity, other?

I glanced at TSC website and seems like they are directed towards home theater market; Polk has long history as music speaker producer (don't know much about their expertise in home theater market).

Home theater and music I think represent different challenges, which is why I think it is easy to produce AVR that sounds good with home theater, more difficult to produce a musical budget avr, and rather hard and expensive to produce avr that excels at both music and home theater.

Read some reviews, read around website thinking about how they present their products, and see what clicks with your own personal listening habits.

You could also call the Speaker Company, describe how you listen to movie sound tracks and what you like and dislike, and maybe they can direct you towards the speaker in their lineup they recommend. You could start with front right and left mains to make sure you like The Speaker Company's house sound, but I would try and get their recommendation for a full surround system of timbrally matched speakers that were designed to work together from outset.