Good home theater choices?

[cklim1955]

So still doing research but my top two choices for a 3.2 system with possible expansion to 5.2 are:

Sierra 1 x2
Sierra horizon
Rythmik LV12M x 2

SVS ultra elevation bookshelf x 2
SVS ULTRA elevation center
Rythmik LV12M x 2

Does anyone have any experience with these choices or does anyone have other recommendations? My HT setup is basically set up in living room of a great room setting that is 45’x15’. The HT is in a 20’x 15’ end of the great room with open kitchen at the other end. 90% of use is movies and tv with music being mainly Sirius XM. Movies are streamed

[racrawford65]

S1+ Horizon is a good option. Curtis and I also made some recommendations in your post in the Introduction section.

I’ll add here to give Ascend a call (or email) for their recommendations - they’ll give you honest feedback for your specific situation w/o any upsell

[cklim1955]

Thanks for the suggestion. I’m also considering going with Sierra LX x3 for RCL. I have room in my Salamander AV cabinet that my tv is on for an LX in a vertical position. It seems from the specifications and measurements of the LX looks good as a center. The off axis sound should be good and I have purchased some silicone audio wedges that will angle the speaker up 15 degrees

[curtis]

Thanks for the suggestion. I’m also considering going with Sierra LX x3 for RCL. I have room in my Salamander AV cabinet that my tv is on for an LX in a vertical position. It seems from the specifications and measurements of the LX looks good as a center. The off axis sound should be good and I have purchased some silicone audio wedges that will angle the speaker up 15 degrees

While putting a speaker in the cabinet will work, it isn't usually a good option for sound quality. No cabinet door even with openings, right?

Also, how far off-axis do you plan on sitting? Are you speaking of vertical off-axis? If so, what will the difference be between ear height and tweeter height? Also keep in mind if you put the speaker in a cabinet, depending on how far into the cabinet will also hinder off-axis performance. You want the face of the speaker, in the very least, flush with any fixtures/cabinetry around it.

[N Boros]

I auditioned the Sierra 2s against the Aperion Veras Grand Towers and Sierra Ultra bookshelf speakers. The Sierra 2s were more expensive than the Aperion or SVS speakers. I ended up with the Sierra 2s, since they were better in every regard compared to the SVS. The Aperions could likely play louder and projected a larger soundstage, but in Sierra 2s were better in every other aspect. The Sierra 1s use the new Titan tweeter which many have said is as good or better than the Raal ribbon used in the Sierra 2s. You can do an in home trial of the the SVS and Ascend speakers, but I feel confident the Sierra 1 is likely a far better speaker.

[cklim1955]

While putting a speaker in the cabinet will work, it isn't usually a good option for sound quality. No cabinet door even with openings, right?

Also, how far off-axis do you plan on sitting? Are you speaking of vertical off-axis? If so, what will the difference be between ear height and tweeter height? Also keep in mind if you put the speaker in a cabinet, depending on how far into the cabinet will also hinder off-axis performance. You want the face of the speaker, in the very least, flush with any fixtures/cabinetry around it.

The salamander AV stand is just a bunch of shelves with no doors or back or side cover. I plan to keep the speaker out to the front edge at least possibly having it stick out a little.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_537SQ2...num-Posts.html

[zeeke42]

You may find my thread here helpful: https://forum.ascendacoustics.com/sh...oom&highlight=

Being in a cabinet is far from ideal, but it's not as bad as I feared it would be. Based on dirac measurements even in a cabinet with grills on the front, the frequency response is fine. There's some weirdness in the impulse response, likely from reflections, but it still sounds night and day better to my old system.

I went with LX for LCR and I'm very happy with it. I think if you wanted to save on the budget a bit the S1v2 would be the next best thing. If I had a room that was just for HT, I'd go to a projector with an acoustically transparent screen and ELX towers for LCR, but IMO it wouldn't be worth it in a compromised room. Having compared the LX to the HTM200SE I use for surrounds, the LX is absolutely worth the price premium to me even in a cabinet.

[cklim1955]

Sounds like the LX is the way to go. I have a feeling that new speakers will be a big sound difference compared to using the Sonos soundbar

[curtis]

Sounds like the LX is the way to go. I have a feeling that new speakers will be a big sound difference compared to using the Sonos soundbar

Just say no to soundbars. LOL!

The LX's will definitely sound better.

That said, I have heard he Sonos soundbar offerings, and they impressed me.

[racrawford65]

Downsizing and making the switch to a soundbar, Curtis? LOL. Just kidding