Question: 2EX or Horizon Center for mains

[Neotinto]

Finalizing selection of speakers for my setup.
Pictures below - media cabinet is here to stay (spouse fav), so we have to work with this.
Two setups I am considering – below.

IMG_5047.jpg

Characteristics:
• Shelf dimmensions: width 60'', depth 16'', height whole unit 26'', heigh each shelf 10.7''
• Top shelf will hold TV
• Subwoofer NOT an option: won't fit on shelf, and otherwise spouse wants to limit number of boxes in the room
• Listening position 11 feet away
• Room opens into nook (open space) and kitchen (doorway)
• Receiver will be Denon x3500h
• Speakers ideally on middle shelf, so that TV can be larger

Listening preferences:
• 80% music / 20% movies
• Low-to-moderate volume (got a 2yo child, plus neighbors beyond living room wall)

Setup 1:
2x Sierra-2EX in horizontal position
RAAL tweeter will need to be rotated
Distance between speakers: 32''

Setup 2:
2x Horizon Centers RAAL, in horizontal position
Distance between speakers: 14''

Questions:

1. Sierra-2EX: how hard is it to manually rotate the RAAL tweeter at home?

2. Horizon Center RAAL: distance between speakers 14'', too close together to create a stereo image?

3. Horizon Center RAAL: What is the exact height of the speaker? 11'' exactly? Or otherwise? Height of shelf is exactly 10.7''

4. Any other thoughts?

[white_darren]

The Horizon definitely isn't going to fit on that shelf, too tall. You won't be disappointed with setup 1 and it will also give you enough space to angle the speakers up toward the listening position a bit. The 2EX is a fantastic speaker.

It is super easy to rotate the tweeter at home but Ascend will ship either configuration. Just let them know you need the center channel configuration with the tweeters rotated.

Also, I'd recommend sliding the speakers forward all the way to the front edge of the shelf (perhaps even overhanging a bit) instead of recessed as shown in your picture.

[Neotinto]

Done – speakers moved to forward edge of shelf, and angled up.

IMG_5076.JPG

Result:
• bass became less boomy
• better imaging

Good points – thank you!

For my listening habits – lots of female vocals – mid-range is key.
If there is a way to make Horizon work in this space, that would be ideal.

Shelf height 10.7'' – what exactly is the height of Horizon?

[diesel79]

11” H which is exactly what it says in the specifications page of the Horizon.

[Neotinto]

11” H which is exactly what it says in the specifications page of the Horizon.

Yes, Horizons specs page says 11''.

My question is about real-life measurements.
You will appreciate – specs sometimes get rounded.

With shelf space exactly 10.7'' tall – it would be great to get a real-life, exact measurement of Horizon's height.

What is it?

[diesel79]

Uh, I just told you. I have one I’m listening to right now.

Unless the fine folks at Stanley don’t know how to make a tape measure, it’s 11”.

[Neotinto]

Uh, I just told you. I have one I’m listening to right now.

Unless the fine folks at Stanley don’t know how to make a tape measure, it’s 11”.

Got it. You took time to take a real-life measurement here – appreciated!

[Jack1949]

Dave made a custom "skinny" horizon (8.5" tall) for a customer, but I think the 2 of them would be too wide for your shelf. Here's a link to that custom horizon if you are interested: http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/sho...5009#post45009

[white_darren]

Dave made a custom "skinny" horizon (8.5" tall) for a customer, but I think the 2 of them would be too wide for your shelf. Here's a link to that custom horizon if you are interested: http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/sho...5009#post45009

Custom low-profile Horizons could be an option and Dave has some flexibility with the sizing - generally recommending a 26" width which is the size I have for my center. The OP's shelf is wide enough for 2 but with only about 8" separation between cabinets which doesn't seem ideal. Being custom built, they are non-returnable and there is a significant cost increase - 2 custom low profile Horizons will run considerably more than twice a pair of S2-EX. Based on the pic, I also can't be sure that shelf is structurally capable of holding 80+ lbs of Horizon on the middle shelf plus a TV on top and receiver on bottom. I think the S2-EX is a far better fit for this placement.

[Neotinto]

Yes, I am leaning towards S2-EX.
Shelf's structural support is a concern...
Another issue is stereo separation, with only 8'' between speakers (for "skinny" Horizons).

For Sierra 2-EX: I might experiment with speaker placement – horizontal vs vertical, assuming we get a smaller TV.

Rotating the RAAL tweeter at home – how difficult is it?