What Speakers for $1,000 Pair

[AudioSQ]

The Solstice kit looks pretty nice. Flat packs would be a nice touch, although I'd obviously have to modify the one for the center channel. Like all of Jeff's designs it gets good reviews.

Also found the CSSCriton2TD, looksinteresting. Anybody ever try one of those?

[donc]

welcome back .
donc

[davidroberts]

I haven't been to Zaph's site in almost a decade.. glad to see he's still rocking that 90s web design look. I'll add that one to the list to read up on.

Almost doubling the price on the GR, that's rough.

I have had the chance to hear several of Danny's designs and can attest they are very nice.

While we don't agree on boutique wire, connectors, and cover components, The voicing on his speakers we definitely agree on.

Beieng that you had a dyisg speaker before have you looked at his Apollo kits?

[AudioSQ]

I have looked at the Apollo, but would be more inclined to go with the Helix MTM. It's cheaper than most of what I'm looking at, but more expensive doesn't always mean better. I imagine the other Bagby designs I'm looking at probably are better, but I do wonder to my ears on a less prefect source.. just how much?

[ugly woofer]

CSS would be my choice, but remember that everyone voices their speakers differently, so more $$ may not equal a speaker that you enjoy more.

[jtheisen521]

One thing not mentioned is EQ. I have a Denon AVR also and when I set it up with the built in Audessy it sounds great for HT, but sometimes flat and lifeless for music. You may want to play with that a bit. I’d try first bypassing it altogether with direct mode and see how it sounds. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AudioSQ]

CSS would be my choice, but remember that everyone voices their speakers differently, so more $$ may not equal a speaker that you enjoy more.

Have you heard them? I saw a review that wasn't glowing for their off axis response.

[AudioSQ]

One thing not mentioned is EQ. I have a Denon AVR also and when I set it up with the built in Audessy it sounds great for HT, but sometimes flat and lifeless for music. You may want to play with that a bit. I’d try first bypassing it altogether with direct mode and see how it sounds. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've tried all the difference settings, modes, various angles... I even recently bought the UMM Mic and started taking measurements. I do need to learn more in that regard. Truthfully the Fusions are a very nice speaker, particularly for theater application. It's just the nature of DIY.. I think I've had them for six years now and want to build something else, take the next project up a notch.

[ugly woofer]

I have heard them on multiple occasions, excellent speaker. Dan and Kerry did an fantastic job on the crossover. The Absolute Sound gave them a great review at Axpona 2018 I believe.

[ugly woofer]

I just realized you mentioned the TD version , haven't heard it, but I like their voicing, so I would not be afraid, that looks to be an incredible tweeter.

[AudioSQ]

I think I'm leaning towards the Solstice. I may try just two and run them on zone 2 of the amp for music only. I have this fear that while they will certainly improve my music listening experience they may not work as well for movies. I'm not sure I can fit two sets of mains in the room though. Maybe I'll bring in my Amigas and try them in the game room to see how a less effeceint dome tweeter rig works in the space for movies.

[oldloder]

I'm thinking since these are largely for TV/movies i would think a quality center channel would be a really good place to start. I thought of a Statements center that could go with Finalists or maybe even the Travelers as both are voiced by Curt. Honestly though, I'm intrigued with Dennis Murphy's BMR monitors. You mentioned his Er18MTM which have gotten really good press and the ER15 center would again be voiced by Dennis and still comes with a ribbon tweeter ... the BMR's sound pretty fantastic by their reviews. They do terrific with a wide range of music genres and also do well with movies. Since you have the subs already you don't need a floor stander. In a room that size you may not want to give up rhat much real estate or to placememnt. I've read Dennis recommends a foot of space to the rear wall, they are a 6 ohm load and though they are not very sensitve with 80 watts you are near 100db in a relatively small room. Sure a power upgrade would be good in the future but not a requirement ... and you a couple bills under the speaker budget. If you have the option for a verrtical.center you could do 3 and their dispersion seems so good anywhere in the HT would have great response.

That said, if you can do a vertcial center Zaph's SR71 comes with multiple BSC options.with a center option too.

I'm excited for you and look forward to your build!.

[oldloder]

There is also a Finalist center that would be voiced to work with Curt's other designs if bigger is okay.

[oldloder]

Occurs to me that with the BMR's midrange dispersion if there was ever a candidate for an LR tipped over with a grill for a center ....

[invaderzim]

I haven't been to Zaph's site in almost a decade.. glad to see he's still rocking that 90s web design look.

Based on his "goodbye" post in his blog on the site it looks like it has been even longer since he's been there. But it is really nice of him to keep the information there for us.