System recommendation

[atcjeep]

First time post but have researched extensively here and avs forums. I know I want Ascend for my first home theater but not sure which set up to get. I know this might be an unfair comparison, looking for any insight. I am torn on wanting the very best but not sure if my money might have a better bang on the lower end.*

Looking for mainly 5.1 HT, music will be *limited but not out altogether. Most likely will buy the Onkyo 3009 for power.*

Money isn't an issue, but as my system gets more expensive I may need to wait a few extra months to get the cash.*

First setup. I love the idea of the towers and the matching center and 170s for surrounds or possibly 340s?*FV15HP for the sub.*

Second setup. Matching Sierra-1 all around with FV15HP.*

Third. 340s for the front with 170s on the surrounds and FV15HP.*

Obviously there is a major difference between each and again it might not be a fair comparison. But wanted to know if I go with the high end, will it be overkill for HT or *if I go with 2/3 will I regret not going all out from the beginning.*Was anyone else torn like me?*

Thanks
TA

[natetg57]

I don't think setup one is overkill at all. The towers will give your movies a more dynamic sound and the matching center will give the clearest, most intelligible dialogue. i don't think you would miss anything with smaller speakers in back.

[hearing specialist]

I would love to offer assistance here as high resolution HT is my thing. First off, your receiver will offer a huge amount of flexibility and the Mult EQ32XT will provide a crazy amount of correction for pure audio bliss. Awesome receiver!!!

Option 1. as mentioned: If the best is mandatory then I would have the Sierra Towers prepared for Bi-Amping. You would want to use as much of what your receiver will offer. The awesome side effect to this is a huge amount of flexibility and simplicity all balled up together. If THX listening is what your planning with available post processing of your receiver then go with the 340's for surrounds with possibly a higher than normal stand to somewhat match the tweeter height of the towers as a side surround configuration. Your sub choice is freaking awesome, maybe plan on tuning that bad boy for lower extension vs. output. With the towers playing as crazy excellent as they do, extension with the sub should be the focus.

Option 2. as also mentioned: All Sierra 1's have the capabilities for your THX post processing and can absorb the power the 3009 provides. If you plan on using this choice and using the THX suggested crossover point of 80hz, then audio dreamland will also be provided but a very different presentation. The Towers will deliver such a sound that its almost difficult to provide words to. I love the sound of the Sierra 1's but to maximize your 3009 I would shoot for the Towers. The Sierra 1's will sound awesome but your sub action may tilt the audio experience and you just cannot beat the midrange purity of the Towers, especially for movies! You may have to once again tune your subbage for more extension to bring out all the different layers of pre and post processing your receiver will offer and present. We live in the midrange remember and with movie watching this is very much important and the Towers are superior here.

Question for you: What will be your distance to your listening position and what are your room dimensions? Please read my audition post from 2 days ago. The Towers left me speechless and I cannot wait to measure them In-Ear with Real Ear Measurements. I would love to prove Audiologically that the Towers are the finest produced! That is how crazy awesome they are!

Brian in Bakersfield...

[JustaSheep]

ATCJeep,

Your first option is nearly identical to my setup. I have Towers, L/R/C, and 340's as surrounds. I am using a 12" Rythmik and Onkyo TX-NR809 with Audyssey. Minus the bi-amping, it is very similar to what Brian has mentioned and I am extremely pleased with it.

Just FYI, the tweeter on the 340 is about 33 1/2 inch off the floor with the stands Dave sells and the towers' tweeter is 34, both measured to the center of the cone.

Sheep

Warning: You may find yourself listening to more music than you do now once you hear these 3-way floorstanding beauties sing!

[hearing specialist]

I'm so curious how Audyssey will react to the Towers and the setup. I would also suggest allowance of the Towers to stretch their legs and if possible place minimum the depth of the enclosure from the wall. Its my opinion to start there when it comes to distance from wall, if space allows, more. Wifey factor sometimes comes into play when it comes to placement type stuff, imo.

Wife walks in...what the ...!!!


Brian in Bakersfield...

[JustaSheep]

The awesome Sierra Towers: WOW, where do I begin, the towers shocked the dog out of me leaving me shaking my head in complete audio nirvana the whole time. The quality of the sound is so resolute and defined with the RAAL high freq units that anything else NOW would just be "short changing" myself! Just complete sonic fidelity!!! The depth, realism, and transparent presentation in full frequency spectrum is absolutely the finest sounding design I have ever heard, and this includes all the crazy stuff auditioned at the past 2 years (THE Show Newport). Never over damped or thumpy, just full frequency spectrum realism that will honestly set the bar and expectation of what true fidelity brings.

Brian in Bakersfield...

Brian, given the above review and the comment you made about bi-amping, were the towers bi-amped in the demo? If not, do you still recommend it?

I ask because I've been thinking about getting the RAAL upgrade and would consider doing both as my receiver can do it.

I have the STC with the RAAL and like the way it sounds, but I'm very happy with the NrT tweeters, too.

Thanks in advance,
Sheep