[billmcc]

I am looking to go with a different surround speaker to better match up with my SongTowers and SongCenter. I currently have Definitive Technology BP2x bipolar surrounds. I would love to get a pair of Song Surrounds but the placement of the surrounds are limited as is my budget. I will have to place them on the ceiling due to my room being open on one side. So I would like have a direct radiating speaker with a soft dome tweeter. White would be the preferred color but I could paint them if the grilles are metal. So any suggestions in the price range below $500.00 would be appreciated .

Here are a few pictures of my room to better show where the surrounds would be placed. I will need some type of mounting brackets as well. And yes that god awful coffee table has got to go





Bill

[Charles Xavier]

If you can snake speaker wire in the ceiling I would suggest inwalls

[billmcc]

If you can snake speaker wire in the ceiling I would suggest inwalls

Charles,

Thanks for the suggestion . I would prefer not to cut holes in the ceiling. My thoughts are a small monitor speaker that can be mounted on swivel brackets for the best directional placement. There are speaker cables in the ceiling already so I'm all set there.

Bill

[Mudslide]

Hi Bill,

My first thought is for these little guys, Usher 520's ... http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1205usher/ ... already front-ported for your mounting setup.  These are nicely appointed and the white finish I've seen is quite nice.  Sub-500 bucks.  A pair should do nicely for your ceiling mounted surround duty (lacking, of course, a larger room and budget  ).

Mud

[qwknuf6]

I use Ascend 170s for surrounds,348.00, I have seen them done in white ,the speakers are light enough to use the omni brackets for mounting . I am looking upgrade to some Salk surrounds.

Mark

[jd3]

Bill,
I used NHT SuperZero XU's in a white finish for several years with my SongTowers.  I thought they integrated pretty well as surrounds with the Salks.  They are an acoustic suspension design, and came with an omnimount bracket for each speaker.  NHT doesn't make them anymore though.  .  You might be able to find some on the used market.  I do still have them but they are in use at my other house right now.  I also know of another AC member here who has used them for surround duty with his ST's.

John

[billmcc]

Mud, Mark and John (sounds like a law firm ) thanks so much for your suggestions ! I have been looking at the Ascend 170s as well as the NHT Absolute Zero or Two Bookshelf. So I'm glad to see that they work well with the STs. I will definitely have to look at the Usher 520s as I have heard they are an excellent speaker as well. Thanks again guys !

Bill 

[Saturn94]

Bill,
I used NHT SuperZero XU's in a white finish for several years with my SongTowers.  I thought they integrated pretty well as surrounds with the Salks.  They are an acoustic suspension design, and came with an omnimount bracket for each speaker.  NHT doesn't make them anymore though.  .  You might be able to find some on the used market.  I do still have them but they are in use at my other house right now.  I also know of another AC member here who has used them for surround duty with his ST's.

John

I also use small NHT (SB1) bookshelf speakers for surrounds and they work very well with my Salks (HT2-TL).

[Mudslide]

Mud, Mark and John (sounds like a law firm ) 

...or perhaps sounds like the names of saints?!   

BTW, Bill, I think you can pick up a new pair of the Ushers in white, with mounting brackets for ~4 bills (pardon the expression  ).

I've heard Ushers and Salk ST's...should be a reasonably good timbre match (for surround purposes).

[billmcc]

...or perhaps sounds like the names of saints?!   

Mud,

Certainly better than a law firm .

BTW, Bill, I think you can pick up a new pair of the Ushers in white, with mounting brackets for ~4 bills (pardon the expression  ).

I've heard Ushers and Salk ST's...should be a reasonably good timbre match (for surround purposes).

Any idea where I can buy the Ushers online? I can't seem to find any dealers as well. Thanks.

Bill

[srb]

Theyr're a bit hard to find.  Don't know where to pick them up for ~ $400.  It appears that they are available at Audioholics Home Theatre Store for $479 w/ free shipping.  They do have a toll-free number. 
http://store.audioholics.com/speakers/bookshelf-speakers/usher-audio-s-520-bookshelf-speakers-pair-white.html
 
There is also is no mention of any included mounting brackets.
 
Steve

[DMurphy]

I've worked with the Usher  and the new version of the NHT Super Zero--the 2.0.  The Usher has solid parts and build quality, and would work well as surrounds.  They don't have a lot of power handling (not a problem as a surround), and they're a little forward and bright for my taste, but that would be much more or of an issue if they were used as mains at high volume.  The Super Zero measures well, although with a little edginess in the mid treble.  The tweeter isn't great in terms of extension and dispersion, but I don't think you would notice that on surround material.  The basic voicing blends well with the Salks, they're cheap, they're small and inconspicuous--a good economical solution. 

[billmcc]

Steve and Dennis,

Thanks for your help I really appreciate ! It looks like I'll go with a speaker from NHT as there are several choices in white that are small and are priced quite well.

Bill