I finally received my much awaited HT2-TL's and HT2C last week, and I have to say they surpass my expectations in every single area I was looking to improve on the SongTowers and SC I had for a few months before them. To be honest, there was always the nagging thought in my mind about how different they will be from the ST, given that so many have stated, including Jim, how similarly voiced they are. I did audition the HT2-TL beofre making the decision and liked what I had heard, but you never know how much you will hear in your room untill you actually hear it. But to me, in my room and settings, the HT2-TL take an already excellent design and make it truly exceptional; the difference is not trivial and is very audible.
My quick take on the differences between the two for those who may be considering the two:
1. Highs - Everyone speaks about the bass of HT2-TLs, and it is all true of course. But for me the bigger reason to upgrade was the highs. The ST while may not be bright in the regular sense of the word, did sometimes walk close to the fine line between very detailed and bright. There were a few recordings on which I wished the ST was a bit less bright and forward. Also, over time I became aware of some sibilance with the ST...the sssss that I could start hearing in regular dialog etc. I have realized I am VERY sensitive to brightness and sibilance, and this has become one of the first things I have started noticing in any speakers I hear. As for the HT2-TL, they are the smoothest and cleanest speakers I have heard so far (though I have only heard the several mainstream brands) while extracting all the detail and then some. Even I can NEVER call them as bright - they are not fatiguing AT ALL and the sibilance is pretty much non-existent. For the same reason, I am also happy I got the RAAL center as well. The RAAL is my new best friend
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2. Bass - No question here. The HT2-TL are in a different league here. I still find that I prefer running the SongSub with it as it seems to make the mids and highs slightly cleaner. But even then they are able to blend better than the ST.
3. Mids - I find them to be cleaner as well, and I am surely noticing nuances I didn't before that make the music all the more musical.
4. General sound - This is probably the biggest unexpected difference, and to me worth the price of upgrade by itself. All the sounds seem to be more 'full' and have more 'body' or 'weight' to it, while also providing the micro-details. Difficult to describe, but all the sounds seem so much more NATURAL and full-bodied. The ST were on the leaner side in comparison. It is possible that some of this difference could be because I am running these in a fairly good-sized room, not sure. Also, the music from HT2-TL seems so much effortless, for want of a better word. With the ST, while they did a great job creating musics trying to disappear, they were still TRYING. The HT2-TL truly disappear and I am surprised how often (most of the time!?) I notice I am enjoying the music and not the speakers (even though I am sure 'disappearing' will take on a different meaning with HT3 or Soundscapes).
5. Imaging & Soundstage - This one is kind of a mixed bag. I think the ST imaged slightly better in 2 dimensions - more precise. But the HT2-TL have a much more holographic feel to it...the effect is more 3D than the ST. Also, the soundstage with ST was mostly contained within the speakers, while HT2-TL goes beyond them. They have a very wide and deep soundstage. Combine this with the so-natural and effortless natue of the sound and it gives me a musical experience that I have not heard elsewhere yet.
6. Sweetspot - This was one thing I was concerned about with the RAAL. Turned out to be a non-issue (as Jim had assured me). They both had pretty similar sweetspot - almost one chair wide. This is one thing I wish was a bit better in both ST and HT2-TL.
In short, I am VERY happy with the upgrade, and to me the difference is well worth the the price difference. I had read figures like ST being close to 90% of HT2-TL etc. I won't try to put a number to it, but whatever the difference 'x' is, it is quite an important 'x'. Much as the ST were an excellent pair of speakers, the HT2-TL are more than a match for the ST. I truly don't see myself looking for an upgrade any time soon (ever?). And of course, I am sure there is much more to extract from these with placement, sub eq, DAC, pre-amp, more powerful amps etc etc....but I am in no big hurry!
As for the finish, I was concerned about this too and wanted to get as close to the SongSub I have as possible. Even thought they of course don't match completely, I am thrilled with what I finally received and like it even better than the ST I had. I actually prefer the color of HT2-TL over ST/SongSub.
One more note - the room treatments - 3 2x4 Acoustimac panels, 1 3x5 GIK Art Panel, 4 GIK tri-traps - made a pretty significant difference and helped reduce the reflections in this huge room.
Big thanks to Jim and team for these excellent speakers!
Finally, some pics:
