[stump4545]

i know ht2-tl's are taller but HT3's are wider and deeper a bit.

for those that have seen both in person, which one appears smaller and less intrusive (the wife factor coming into play here)?

thanks a lot.

[Big Red Machine]

I think the HT2 is deeper.  And Jim could make HT3's in rectangular cabinets as well if that helps in the wife approval department.  Also, no plinths may give it a smaller overall look as well.  Lots of options.  Even smaller feet.

[R Swerdlow]

I think the biggest difference is that the HT2-TL made with 1" thick MDF is deeper, 17" vs. 15" for the HT3.

You can get the HT2-TL made with 3/4" MDF and it will be 14" deep.  3" less depth may make the difference for you.

[Marbles]

My wife doesn't like the look of the HT3's, she thinks they look like small European coffins. 

You might want to show your wife pictures of the two speakers and see what she thinks of the styling.

[srb]

I have a pair of floorstanders that are only 8" in baffle width, but are a full 16" deep.  To me they look svelte, so I think that width is the primary dimension to consider if looking smaller and unobtrusive is the goal.
 
Therefore, I would say the HT2-TL over the HT3, even if getting the standard 1" thick 17" deep cabinet.  This seems to hold true in every photo I have seen of these 2 speakers.
 
Steve

[floresjc]

I've had both in my home (at separate times) and the HT3 definitely looks massive. The HT2-TL is a big speaker, but its pretty narrow giving it a svelte look. Most of its massiveness comes from the depth. My wife like the styling of either, but she definitely thought the HT3 was a monster looking speaker in terms of size. I was also able to see an HT2 next to an HT3 at Dennis side by side, and same deal, HT3 looks bigger because its so stout. If I had to wager a guess, most wive's would pick the HT2, because outside of mine, and maybe one other guy I've seen post on the forum here, its seems like most think they are "huge" or a "coffin".

[stump4545]

i thought it might be a toss up since the HT3 is 5 inches shorter then the HT2-TL's but i guess it seems since they (HT3s) are 12in wide at the base it makes all the difference.

if i go with the TL's i would go with the 3/4 mdf so they would be 14in deep, the least massive the easier the sell is to the chief.

[ctouhey]

The WAF is pretty critical.  My wife also saw the "coffin" look at first glance. I think you have to take your time and let everything sink in.  Mention that Jim also makes the HT3 in a rectangular shape and show her a picture of a pair.  Then let it go a while.

Next, just concentrate on picking the veneer.  Let her know that she needs to pick out the best match for your environment.  Try printing off (what seems like) a book of the 2005-2007 Veracity of the Month from Jim's site and sitting down with your wife and some sort of refreshing adult beverage and look through the pictures.  Have her mark the veneers that are possibilities and the ones that are rejects.  Then leave it alone for a while.

After a bit, while having a refreshing adult beverage one evening, bring out the possibilities she marked and ask her to go through them with you again.  Agree if she thinks it a good time to get some new accent pieces or change some fabrics.  Get it down to one or two veneers.  Then leave it alone for a short while.

Eventually, Julie said that the speakers had grown on her and she was fine with the way they looked.  In fact, she liked them better than the retangular shape.

Good Luck!
Chris

[jsalk]

Chris -

The WAF is pretty critical.  My wife also saw the "coffin" look at first glance. I think you have to take your time and let everything sink in.  Mention that Jim also makes the HT3 in a rectangular shape and show her a picture of a pair.  Then let it go a while.

Next, just concentrate on picking the veneer.  Let her know that she needs to pick out the best match for your environment.  Try printing off (what seems like) a book of the 2005-2007 Veracity of the Month from Jim's site and sitting down with your wife and some sort of refreshing adult beverage and look through the pictures.  Have her mark the veneers that are possibilities and the ones that are rejects.  Then leave it alone for a while.

After a bit, while having a refreshing adult beverage one evening, bring out the possibilities she marked and ask her to go through them with you again.  Agree if she thinks it a good time to get some new accent pieces or change some fabrics.  Get it down to one or two veneers.  Then leave it alone for a short while.

Eventually, Julie said that the speakers had grown on her and she was fine with the way they looked.  In fact, she liked them better than the retangular shape.

Good Luck!
Chris

Great advice.  Most spouses would rather not have any speakers if the truth were known.  When issues like this come up, I always suggest allowing the spouse to select the finish.  Once he or she puts his or her "thumbprint" on the project, it is all over.  We have had quite a few spouses comment on the shape of the HT3's.  But once they receive them in the finish they selected, they absolutely love them.  We get quite a few emails from spouses thanking us for their wonderful new furniture.  Most of them could care less about the sound quality.  But these new pieces of furniture are their pride and joy.  And its all because they had a chance to "design" them.

- Jim

[revrob]

I used to have Legacy Classics and now have the HT3s. My wife absolutely loves the smaller footprint and thinks they are the best speakers she has seen or heard. I love my HT3 and so does my wife.

[funkmonkey]

My guess would be that the HT3 looks more massive...  it takes up 7200 cubic inches, while the HT2TL takes up 6808 cubic inches.  The 3/4" MDF version of the HT2TL takes up a paltry 5607 cubic inches of space and would probably be your best bet for "looking" smallest...  because they are.  Commission Jim to build a pair in 3/4" Plyboo (bamboo ply) and you got the shiznay.  My HT3's are rectangular for the exact reasons mentioned above; and they are beautiful; my wife helped to pick the veneer; and Jim is 100% correct about our spouses really wanting no speakers at all.    Right now I think the HT2-TL is the sweet spot in Jim's line.  Would I trade my HT3s for them?  No freakin' way!  Pick your speakers based on sound vs. budget, not on footprint.  Your wife will come around and especially if she gets to pick the veneer, she will accept them, if not love them outright.

[nyc_paramedic]

I've had both in my home (at separate times) and the HT3 definitely looks massive. The HT2-TL is a big speaker, but its pretty narrow giving it a svelte look. Most of its massiveness comes from the depth...

I agree, but would like to add that the ht2-tl --to my eye-- has a much more svlete and pleasing appearance when it's built with the solid wood front edge trim.

From the Salk website:

The roundovers on the HT2-TL's are normally on the front baffle. However, it is possible to insert hardwood trim on the front cabinet edges and round that over, eliminating the need for a separate upper-section front baffle

My HT2-TLs look much less like a box with this simple option.

[mchuckp]

I think these two pix may help some.  I took these at the 09 AK Fest.  The Songtower is in the middle.  To my eyes in that room, I felt the HT3 looked much smaller than I expected.  The depth of the HT2-TL was a concern for me.  I was afraid it may be difficult to get it far enough away from the wall without being shot by my wife.  That wasn't my only decision maker but I ended up with some gorgeous STRTs (Thanks Jim  ).

[floresjc]

NYC -

That may be true, and I went with a claro walnut baffle, it is a very smooth looking front!

[revrob]

I also remember when I first saw the HT3's before I purchase them that they were much smaller than I thought they would be but they definitely have big sound.

[audiotom]

I have HT3's with a solid wood burginga front

one woman that have visited my audio room
said "wow, what are these? they are so elegant looking"

I also have V3's and the monster center
that seem to give the "these are huge" impression
(must be the center channel)

it is tastefully done

I like the driver only front look of the HT3's and V3s
then again you can get the screens on the HT2 and ST

that said - I no spouse WAF factor to contend with

I like the idea of getting your significant other involved in the selection process great post Chris - particularly letting them choose the finish.

For an additional reinforcement,  take her to a high end audio store or or flip through a audio magazine and show them some much larger speakers with higher price tags and massive footprints.