two questions regarding Sierra 2ex speakers

[Linda]

We're planning to do a 7.2.4 speaker system in our family room and the Sierra 2ex's are one of our leading candidates for the base layer of speakers. However, there are three questions that I have that I hope can be answered:

1. We'll likely be using a Denon X6800H AVR to drive these. From what I can interpret of the specifications this should be fine but I'd like to confirm that. We haven't purchased the AVR yet so we could change course there if necessary.

2. Since Ascend doesn't seem any timbre matched in-ceiling speakers, is there a recommendation that would blend well with the Sierra 2ex's? Given the layout of the room, on-wall height channels aren't practical but in-ceiling's would work nicely.

3. Assuming all the other questions have good answers, should we set things up so the middle of he tweeter is at ear height? And, if so, what is the measurement from the bottom of the speaker to that point?

Thanks!

[SunByrne]

1. Yes it will be fine in terms of power. Honestly, though, for that kind of money I’d get an Anthem, just for their room correction. I’m retiring my Denon this summer to be rid of Audyssey.

2. Dave has previously recommended Sonance for good match for in-ceiling.

3. Yes, for sure you want the tweeters at ear level. The middle of the tweeter is 11” from the bottom of the speaker. Honestly I’d go with LXs for home theater use and then you don’t need to be so picky about matching ear height.

[Linda]

Thanks!

Anthem is on my shortlist though I do like the on screen UI on the Denon. I'm still researching the pros and cons of Dirac vs. Arc Genesis on the Anthem.

I'm not familiar with Sonance so I'll dig into that as well.

And, thanks for your thoughts regarding the LX. Is that recommendation because of better vertical directivity or was it for some other reason?

[racrawford65]

I've not used Dirac but have used Anthem's ARC (and now ARC Genesis) for some time now. Genesis does an excellent job of correcting the room and integrating subs and is "tweakable" in professional mode (cross-overs, levels, roll-off, etc.). If you are on AVS Forum, there is a member there (Yonettes) who will work with you to review & modify your ARC file - free of charge - to get the most out of your room/system. He's done 1000's of files and everyone, myself included, has been extremely positive of the improvements.

Aside from the ARC software, the units sound terrific. The WebUI is well laid out and makes set up pretty easy. You can also save your configuration, both on the unit and to a PC. Also has the capability for 30 virtual inputs.

[Mag_Neato]

I have two friends who use Dirac & ARC. They each love the one they have, and neither wishes they had the other. The ARC is running from the top of the line Anthem pre-pro, AVM 90, and the Dirac is running from a top end jbl Synthesis pre-pro. I have a very modest Denon AVR (X3300) running Audyssey XT32. I could not begin to compare the differences of my humble setup to theirs, but I'm not using the HT system for serious music listening, and the whole surround experience is lost on my wife anyway. She already believes I spend way too much money on the music system!

[curtis]

I have used Dirac with an Emotiva XMC-1 (it's been a while) and currently use ARC Genesis previously with an AVM 60 and now with an AVM 70.
Both are excellent.
I have also used Trinnov a long while ago.

The main user difference is that Dirac requires an internet connection. At least it did when I used it for licensing purposes as well as EQ/filter calculations. Measurements are taken locally with your computer, and then uploaded to Dirac in real-time to create the filters, and then back down to your system. Someone correct me if this not the case.

With ARC/Genesis, the only reason for a internet connection is to get the correction file for the measurement microphone, everything else is done locally on the computer.

I don't think you will go wrong with either of them. Personally, I will always use one in my main system to correct mid-bass/bass room issues.

Currently I am putting together a small bedroom two-channel system. I am trying to keep the costs down, so room correction is currently not a priority...but that will probably change because I am spoiled.

[racrawford65]

Curtis - you only need a calibration file for the mic for previous generation hardware - the newest (MRX x40/AVM70/AVM90 mics don't need a cal file.

[Linda]

Thanks, everyone, for the Dirac/ARC Genesis feedback.

I'd like to return to the LX/EX point that SunByrne made. This will be in the family room so it's a mixed use space. Time wise it's going to be about 75% HT / 25% music. Though less time gets spent with music, it gets much more critical attention than the sound does when immersed in a movie. We're planning to put in a subwoofer, probably an SVS SB3000 (maybe two of them eventually if we find we need it).

With respect to music genre, we're pretty much omnivores. I tend toward acoustic and early music but depending on mood we could be listening to anything from rock to jazz to blues to country or even (gasp) pop.

The room is about 19' x 30' though it's open to a kitchen and has openings to a hall and another room. We'll be sitting about 9.5' from the from left and right speakers and slightly less to the center. There is a Sony 83" A90J that will be in between the speakers. Where the tv and speakers will be has walls behind the speakers/tv and on the sides but behind the listening/viewing area there is a lot of space and there is no left sidewall (it's open to the kitchen). We tend not to listen too loudly but dynamic range is always good when you need it. :)

Your thoughts are most appreciated!

[curtis]

You will be very happy with either the LX or EX. In your use case, I would lean slightly toward the LX.

My only suggestion is to look into Rythmik sub(s).

[curtis]

Curtis - you only need a calibration file for the mic for previous generation hardware - the newest (MRX x40/AVM70/AVM90 mics don't need a cal file.
really? OK, but I could swear the software pulled in a cal file when I setup my AVM 70.

[racrawford65]

really? OK, but I could swear the software pulled in a cal file when I setup my AVM 70.

if you were using the mic from the 60, then yes it would probably ask for a cal file (or serial number of mic) - I don't recall as it's been awhile. On the 70, I think it just asks you to select a mic.

[curtis]

if you were using the mic from the 60, then yes it would probably ask for a cal file (or serial number of mic) - I don't recall as it's been awhile. On the 70, I think it just asks you to select a mic.
I used the mic that came with the 70. No worries, it is all working fine.

[racrawford65]

Cool

[SunByrne]

I own both a pair of EXv2 and LXs. Let me be clear: they are both great speakers, so it's not like it'd be a bad choice to get the EXs.

That said, if I were building a new HT where I was choosing between LX and EX, I'd get the LX. This is partly due to vertical directivity but really because I think the LX is just better for HT and for most music, regardless of directivity. The mids are a little better on the LX, and the midbass slam is definitely better on the LX, which for HT is something I want. I do like the EXs better for some things, mostly acoustic music, like classical—nothing beats those RAAL tweeters for violins—but if you are, as you said, ominivores, I think the LX is the better all-around music speaker and the clear choice for HT. Plus they're a little cheaper, which is nice when you're buying six of them.

Six? Not seven? Yep. Take the money you saved on the other six and get a Horizon center if you can fit it. I know there are a lot of recommendations to get exactly the same 7 in the base layer, but trust me, you want a Horizon for the center channel if you can swing it space-wise. It's a bit of a monster but it sounds glorious, particularly for voices, which is what you want your center for.

Just my $.02.

[Linda]

Thanks for expanding on your thoughts. Between that and some other reading I've done, the LX does seem the better choice for me. The Horizon does seem like a fantastic choice for a center. Putting it in would require removing the table under the television (it's wall mounted) and finding a short stand where I could angle it up some. It's likely going to take us a few months to put this all together but we'll start with a pair of LX's and go on from there.

Hopefully Dave can chime in on which particular Sonance in-ceiling he favors. Their website leaves a lot to be desired in terms of understanding their products...but those will be the last to go in so I have some time to get that figured out.

[merrymaid520]

I have 4 sonance vp66r’s for Atmos with my ELX towers and horizon …they sound very good and match very well sound wise with the ascends. Plus you can rotate the tweeter too.

[Linda]

I have 4 sonance vp66r’s for Atmos with my ELX towers and horizon …they sound very good and match very well sound wise with the ascends. Plus you can rotate the tweeter too.

Thanks so much for that info! I've got an order for the first two LX's in. If we like those then we'll place an order for the rest. Honestly, it's hard to imagine that we won't. Hopefully I can find a local installer for the ceiling speakers as nobody, including me, wants me crawling around an attic.

Now, off to learn about those in-ceiling speakers!

[davef]

I have 4 sonance vp66r’s for Atmos with my ELX towers and horizon …they sound very good and match very well sound wise with the ascends. Plus you can rotate the tweeter too.

Yes, the Sonance VP66 are a very good choice.

[racrawford65]

looks like best buy has the vp66r on clearance at the moment.

[Linda]

Thanks, Dave, for that confirmation regarding the VP66R speakers! And, racraword65, thanks for the heads up regarding Best Buy!

I see my speakers are shipping out today. Now I have to impatiently sit until they arrive. :)

[Linda]

Our first pair of Sierra LX speakers arrived late yesterday afternoon. I haven't had a lot of listening time yet but so far, I'm very impressed. The imaging is great and the amount of bass from such a small speaker is surprising (even having read the reviews). Somehow I adopted this tradition of playing Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor as my first track on new equipment and it didn't disappoint. The deep notes don't hit like a subwoofer would, of course, but it was still very satisfying.

On more delicate music, they were a delight to listen to. I think we're going to be very happy!

Right now, we're running in a 3.0 system. The Sony A90J television's speaker can be used as a center. I need to do some A/B testing between it and a phantom center to see if it's acceptable or not (though the first impression in that role was not horrible). Anyway, I ran the DTS:X Object Emulator demo and I was surprised at how well the speaker virtualizer did. I was clearly hearing objects move behind me even though there were only three front speakers. Height virtualization was not nearly as successful but surround virtualization worked surprisingly well. It wasn't 100% successful, especially if I moved my head but the LX's must have been doing a good imaging job for the phasing tricks to work so well. The first time I heard it I wasn't expecting much, but it worked so well I made me look over my shoulder for a speaker I knew wasn't there!

I'm looking forward to spending some time over the weekend really doing some quality listening. I'm pretty sure we'll be ordering four more for the surrounds soon! And, then a decision will need to be made about how we're going to handle the center channel.