[caper334@hotmail.com]

well everyone my choice is definately salk..I was leaning towards the rockets 850 sigs but I really only want to upgrade once so my question is...which salk speaker to buy I want to buy a set of speakers with the matching center to whatever i get so here is my story SUGGESTIONS AND OPINIONS PLEASE I will be ordering in May....My main interest is Hometheater..and I have a paradigm sub...which will be used...and I do listen to music...steve earle...rush....john fogerty all DVD and BLURAY music...that kind of music as well as some country...so that is my main interest of music...my room size is 12 by 18...so suggestions and opinions and the rationality behind their thinking would be greatly appreciated...I can't wait to hear really good music thanks

[rahimlee54]

If you got the cash the HT2-TLs, of course they are since they are double the cost.  You will have to get the matching HT2 sealed for a center so if you got the cash spend it.  of course if you do not have the budget for an amp to go with the speakers I'd step back and think a little harder.  You will be very happy either way you go, you can power both with an AVR if you need to, but the HT2s open up more with a dedicated amp, as I have just found.

Thanks
Jared

[taoggniklat]

Have you had a chance to audition either one?

They are very similar but the h2tl's really are a fantastic speaker and if you can afford them, that is the way to go.

[vintagebob]

...but I really only want to upgrade once...

If you want to avoid upgrading, I would make the stretch to the HT2-TLs (I am biased though).  I made the stretch and have never regretted it.

Here is why.  The normal path that I have seen followed here, which was also my path, is this:

1) Start with an AVR based system (believing you are 80/20 HT to music)

2) Buy Salks and be shocked by the clarity and musicality.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=68360.0

3) Rediscover music

4) Buy a separate amp and preamp (often AVA equipment) to create a 2CH system
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=48.0

5) Be shocked by the sound quality improvement you gain with a good 2CH preamp

6) Get involved with speaker placement and acoustic treatments
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=73.0
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78833.0

7) Get involved with buying new music
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=63936.0

If you end up going down this path you will find the added bass extension and impact of the HT2-TLs will make a 2CH system shine and also add to your movie and concert video enjoyment.

If you are 100% sure that you will stay in the HT realm and never be seduced by the dark side of 2CH music then I would recommend the Song Towers.  But...you have been warned.  ; )

[caper334@hotmail.com]

I do have an amp I have xpa 3 200 watt emotiva amp...and a yamaha v863 105 watt a channel amp to power the surrounds..so I think I have enough power to power everything fine...and I also have a paradigm sub...currently I have paradigm monitor 9's ok speaker but I want more quality way more and they are on the bright side...I bought the emotiva amp thinking it would get rid of my upgrade bug...but it made me realize I need a new set of speakers lol...so that is where i'm at.

[jtwrace]

If you got the cash the HT2-TLs
Thanks
Jared

This pretty much echos what I'd say...

[K Shep]

I agree with everyone that suggests stretching your budget and purchase as much speaker as you can.  You're going to hear more of each upgrade (separates, front end and acoustics) when listening through a higher end speaker.

[OgOgilby]

vintagebob pretty much hit it on the head - that is very close to what happened to me.

I have to admit that I am extremely happy with our HT2 TL's, so I am biased towards them. When I purchased the HT2 TL's my intention was to integrate them into our HT setup. Turns out we don't use our center channel, surrounds, and SW as much as I thought we would and I ended up upgrading the 2 channel portion of our setup. We both feel that DVD and Blue Ray audio sounds much better in 2 channel than surround. That is something I wasn't expecting. Our room is about 17x22 with 8' ceilings.

Of course... it really depends on your budget. If you buy the Song Towers will you second guess yourself for not having spent the extra money on the HT2 TL's?

The best thing to do is call Jim Salk and describe your setup and audio goals to him.

[coke]

I didn't see your budget mentioned, but one thing to think about is that if you went with songtowers instead of HT2-TLs, you'd have enough money left over for 2 or 3 nice subs, which can make a huge difference for home theater.

[MaxCast]

If you go with the songtowers I'd get the LCY ribbon upgrade.

[Nuance]

I agree with everyone that suggests stretching your budget and purchase as much speaker as you can.  You're going to hear more of each upgrade (separates, front end and acoustics) when listening through a higher end speaker.

+1

[floresjc]

I have both the dome SongTower and the HT2-TL's. If I could only pick one, I'd take the HT2-TL's. I like the look of the drivers.

Oh, and they sound great. 

Edit: You are probably leaving out a great choice in HT1-TL. If you want to spend a little more money than a SongTower but you consider HT2-TL out of your range for a home theater system.

[fluke242]

I would also factor how loud you like it and how large your room is.  HT2-TL's will fill the room more and play louder in general... Plus the midrange is a touch more revealing/clear.

I think it is worth the stretch.   

John

[caper334@hotmail.com]

My budget is about is about 5-6k on speakers so I figure buying online will get me the best bang for my buck...and I haven't thought anymore of another sub..the one I have works fine for me...but another could be a possibility if the right one comes available for the right price....as I stated before...I will use my paradigms monitor 9's for surrounds and use the salks for the front 3 and also power the front 3 with the emo amp I have  i was thinking on getting another amp possibly just a 2 channel amp from emotiva but that is after the speakers...then hopefully that's it cuz my wife is gonna kill me if I don't stop lol....

[mathgeek97]

My budget is about is about 5-6k on speakers

That sounds like a pair of HT2-TLs and a sealed HT2 center to me.   You'll be a very happy man with that setup.

[Rocket]

Hi,

I think you really need to decide how far you are going to go with this hobby. 

If you listen to home cinema and you aren't interested in 2 channel audio the ht2's are going to be overkill unless you decide to upgrade the rest of your system.  The problem with ribbon tweeters and seas w18's is that rubbish in is rubbish out.  Ribbon tweeters are not forgiving in my experience.

Only you know your personality and whether in the future you will want to upgrade your gear.  Unfortunately I suffer from have upgraditis and have a pair of ht2's and I continually want a pair of speakers that use accuton and either raven ribbon tweeters or raal.  This is my personality that I have to deal with when I purchase gear.

Btw the ht2 speakers are a great good sounding speaker and in direction comparison with nuforce s9's (rrp $5500us) they easily spank them.  Good luck with your decision.  Why not contact Jim and solicit his advise.

Regards

Rod

[davidrs]

1. If you have not already done so, consult with Jim Salk. Jim is not only a gentleman but is also a true gem within the audio business - he will give you a straight take on your issues.

2. You are already doing this - that is, figuring your needs and wants. Just understand that it is an ongoing process - the more you learn, the more you need to learn.

3. Do not over think your decision(s). Either choice of speaker is a very good one but both will ultimately leave you wanting, because it is never just about the speaker.

4.  The HT2s are the better speaker - Jim wouldn’t be selling them at the significant premium over the SongTowers, if they were not.

5. I am going to be direct here, your components need to be upgraded. Ask yourself, would you fuel a jet fighter with auto grade 87 octane? 

As Rod (aka Rocket) mentions, “rubbish in rubbish out.”  Since you are more on the HT side of the equation, a more forgiving system makes sense.

6. Unless you are a gamer, I would sell the PS3.  Most good standalone bluray players have now exceeded the PS3’s performance for movies. 

You also need a standalone CDP. A two-in-one-plus-plus option is the OPPO 83SE. When you do the real math on the 83SE vs. a bdp + cdp it is very very clear which direction to go in, and that is without even factoring in sacd/dvda/&other audio performance and format universality.

7. You need a new pre and good multi-channel ones are going to cost you.

A possible solution is to bypass the pre in an AVR by letting your bdp or cdp do the processing. So essentially you would be using the AVR as an amp with volume control (plus some other functionality like room correction, etc.). However, you will need to replace your Yamaha to get the most out of your system. There are many great bargains to be found with former ’real’ high end AVRs new and used.

Also, the higher end you go on the source, cdp/bdp in your case, the easier it is to justify not going with a pre - given your described needs and budget.

8. You haven’t mentioned which model the Paradigm sub is, but if it matches your current equipment you may want to consider replacing it, since a great sub is going to take your HT enjoyment to a whole new level, especially in the size of your room.

You may have to decide whether you want to go with a musically oriented sub or one that is more home theater focused, not to say there aren’t subs that give you both. The good news is that there are a lot of high value used subs available.

9. Cabling has not been mentioned in any of the replies to your three separate posts on this general topic. You are going to find an entrenched and vocal group on the side that cabling is over-rated.

I would encourage you to demo different cables in some dealer showrooms. It is an easy a/b comparison - just let your ears be the guide. To my ears, cabling does make a difference. Sometimes a huge difference. Minimally consider the interconnects and speaker cables to the front three. Again, lots of great deals on used quality cabling.

10. For my ten cents, I would strongly encourage you to consider the whole system. Given your stated budget constraints, if you spend most of your budget on the speakers, and that means waiting to upgrade the other links, component by component, you will be selling yourself short. 

Better components now means that when you do upgrade the speakers, you will still get more out of the speaker upgrade at that time. If however, your budget allows you to upgrade the entire system soon, then spend the extra money on better speakers.

11. For my eleventh cent, figure out where your room is on the dead-to-alive scale and treat appropriately. 

[Rocket]

Hi,

The above post provides you with really good advice.

If you have the money the ht2's are the way to go but only you can decide whether your budget can stretch far enough. 

Have a look around this site there are a number of equipment manufacturers that are keenly priced.  Virtue audio have a package deal going at the moment with the piano cdp and sensation integrated.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards

Rod