LOW KEY Ascend setup for PLASMA theater...

[ARI]

I've listended to a lot of speakers throughout the years including mainstream and internet speakers. This will be the first time I've considered demoing Ascend.


Since setting up the Plasma theater, I have sold off my floorstanding speakers in a favor of a more low key look. While I understand there are tradeoffs, I do not want to loose that much sound quality going with smaller speakers.


That said, I would appreciate members' opinions regarding some of my concerns:


- What is the best Ascend low profile front stage setup for 100% home theater (no 2-ch. whatsoever)? I WANT it to be place close to the wall much as possible for aesthetics and space reasons.

- I am not a believer in the M-T-M d-Apolito array in a horizontal placement pattern for a center channel offering. This means the 340 will be out and I was thinking of just doing all three 170 for the fronts. Alternatively, I can accept the 340 for L/R and 170 for C. Has anyone tried these configs?

Thank you for any opinions.

[dae3dae3]

How big is your room? I tried out my 170's in the front when I got them as surrounds just out of curiosity and they sure sounded great. My room is too big however and I need the extra oomph of the 340's for the front. I would absolutely recommend all 170's if your room isn't overly large. Just for reference, my room is 14'x19' with a 12' cathedral ceiling and is open on two sides to the rest of the house.

If you look in the reviews area for a review by Nicholas Mosher he has an all 170 system setup and loves it.

[ARI]

Daren,

My living room is a smallish 15x15x8 ft. and I was thinking putting all three 170s across the front stage. My only concern is if how close I would be able to put them close to the wall as I hate losing space.

Thanks for letting me know about Nicholas' review. I'll look it up.

[Quinn]

- I am not a believer in the M-T-M d-Apolito array in a horizontal placement pattern for a center channel offering. This means the 340 will be out and I was thinking of just doing all three 170 for the fronts. Alternatively, I can accept the 340 for L/R and 170 for C. Has anyone tried these configs?

Thank you for any opinions.

I don't think the 340 is a true D'Apollito. Dave Fabrikant has the drivers extremely close together to counter the lobing effect of some D'Apollito's. You can read more about the design choice here.

My 170s on Omnimount 20s end up just shy of 15" total off the wall. You may want to consider the HTM-200 as it has no port being an acoustic suspension design.

[mattepntr]

Also, are you mounting your plasma on the wall?
This is a popular choice, but I chose to set it up (via
table stand) on a low-ish cabinet, about 4 feet up from
the floor. My 340 L/R's are on floor stands about eight
feet apart, and my 340 center is on a center speaker
stand sitting behind the display on the cabinet. It rises
just above the screen and is angled slightly downward
to the listening position. All speakers are only about
9" away from the wall. 340's across the front, 4 170's as
surrounds, and a Hsu VTF3-MkII sub, and I have PLENTY
of sound. My room is about 21'x16' with an angled ceiling
(9' at the front, rising to about 11' at the back).

Rick

[ARI]

Rick,

Yep, my plasma is on the wall. I wish Dave made on-walls but I might have to wait a few years for that . For the time being, I really want good sounding speakers with small footprint (preferably NO footprint) and can live with something like the 170 w/stands as long as it doesn't require ridiculous away-from-wall placement. Can the 340s give me what I'm looking for as well?

[mattepntr]

The 170's and 340's both require the same amount of clearance
behind them to work properly, being rear ported. The HTM-200
isn't rear ported, so can be hung on the wall. I don't know how
they'd perform as mains, though.
The footprint of the 340 isn't much different from the 170, although
the 340 M is taller by several inches. My sister has 170's for L/R duty,
and the sound they put out is fantastic. I have 340's for L/R, and the
only way I can tell the difference between our setups is to turn off
the subs. My room is bigger than hers though.
The 170's will definitely do the job. People certainly used the 170
for center channel duty before the 340 C was released. If you can,
definitely give them an audition. I think you'll find that the superior
sound of the Ascends will far outweigh the perceived inconvenience
of having them in the room (and not by much) rather than in/ on
the wall. I have plant stands that take up more space.

Rick

[mattepntr]

Also, if space really is the critical factor in your decision, you
could pick up a sheet of foam core, a carpet knife and a hot
glue gun at the local art store, and mock up a couple boxes
based on the dimensions on Ascends web site. Then you can
determine in a real way if the size of the speakers will work
for you, and will save you the shipping cost of an in-home
audition.

Rick

[bikeman]

Good advice, Rick. The 170 is wider than the 340 so it won't necessarily "look" smaller in an actual setup. My wife much perfers the profile of the 340's to the 170's. They don't draw attention to themselves as much. At least in my setup.

David

[mattepntr]

I'm with you, David. I like the taller slim look of the 340's, especially
with their matching stands. I think the photos I've seen make them
look like big floorstanders that really take over a room, but in reality
that isn't the case at all.

Rick