Boston Accoustics THX speakers
Kevin Ahmon
speakers. Any opinions on these or other economically priced THX speakers would be appreciated. Also, does it
matter what type of speakers are used for AC3?
Kevin
Phil Kim
I know I will be flamed for this, but I had a good listening experience with
the Altec Lansing THX speaker array. It consists of three AHT-2200 front
channels ($300 each), two AHT-2100 dipoles ($900/pair), and one AHT-2300
subwoofer ($1,200). It comes to a nice rounded price tag of $3,000. The real
gem of this package is the AHT-2300 powered subwoofer (100 W; 27-180 Hz, +/-3
dB), which is capable of producing really low bass with excellent details. The
AHT-2100 surrounds (150 W; 80-20,000 Hz) is really designed for in-wall
installation, but my friend placed them on the speaker stand (and it looks
pretty good). The main AHT-2200 (150 W; 80-20,000 Hz) is available in either
black or white, but if you want to match "ivory" dipoles, get it on white.
All in all, the Altec Lansing THX array had no difficulties producing even
the most demanding laserdiscs, such as Jurassic Park and Apocalypse Now.
--
Phil Kim (ki...@rpi.edu) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Connect to "http://www.rpi.edu/~kimp" to access laserdisc home page (finger me)
<A HREF="http://www.rpi.edu/~kimp">Mosaic users can click me now</A>
Warren Carbonell
Phil Kim <ki...@marcus.its.rpi.edu> wrote:
>In article <3h4n6g$6...@kaos.deepcove.com>,
>Kevin Ahmon <s-ke...@deepcove.com> wrote:
>>Has anyone auditioned or purchased a set of the Boston THX speakers? I am considering getting the three front
>>speakers. Any opinions on these or other economically priced THX speakers would be appreciated. Also, does it
>>matter what type of speakers are used for AC3?
>
>I know I will be flamed for this, but I had a good listening experience with
>the Altec Lansing THX speaker array. It consists of three AHT-2200 front
>channels ($300 each), two AHT-2100 dipoles ($900/pair), and one AHT-2300
>subwoofer ($1,200). It comes to a nice rounded price tag of $3,000. The real
>gem of this package is the AHT-2300 powered subwoofer (100 W; 27-180 Hz, +/-3
>dB), which is capable of producing really low bass with excellent details. The
>AHT-2100 surrounds (150 W; 80-20,000 Hz) is really designed for in-wall
>installation, but my friend placed them on the speaker stand (and it looks
>pretty good). The main AHT-2200 (150 W; 80-20,000 Hz) is available in either
>black or white, but if you want to match "ivory" dipoles, get it on white.
>All in all, the Altec Lansing THX array had no difficulties producing even
>the most demanding laserdiscs, such as Jurassic Park and Apocalypse Now.
This ain't no flame. I agree with your post because I too have this
system minus the AHT-2300. I bought the 2100s and 2200s by mail for under
$1400 delivered. For subs I bought a pair of Snell SUB 550s (THX) powered
with the NAD 2700THX 150 wpc stereo amp, all for about $1500. These Snells
blow away the AHT-2300 and give off more low, clear, and tight bass than
anyone will ever need (20-80hz). When I put on the THX Rattle test
frequency sweep at reference level I find that _everything_ rattles and my
whole 8 unit apartment complex shakes. I can even play it at over 40 db
over reference without strain, but I can't let it go too long because I
might damage the building (it's pretty old) and neighbors would call the
cops.
Anyway, where was I.... I auditioned the Boston set up and wasn't
impressed--especially with the wimpy surrounds. The 2100s definitely take
the prize of all THX surrounds I've heard. The front channels were okay
and the subs could rumble well. You might also want to wait for Enery's
THX system to come out. It's supposed to be under $3000 list. Klipsch's
system is a little bit more expensive, but I haven't heard it. I think
it's about $3500. Anyway, try to audition before you buy...it's a big
investment.
Oh, and all THX speakers should be able to reproduce demanding movies
well. That's what makes them THX. Further, they should be able to do it
at 105 db without strain. This is pretty loud. I don't know anyone who
would want to listen at that loudness. I can hardly stand THX reference
(75 db).
gigl...@shrsys.hslc.org
and I am curiuos as to why you chose the snell subs? DId they sound much better
and give MUCh better bass? If so, can I hook them up to my Kenwood THX
processor/amp? Since I have only one subwoofer connection on the amp, how
would I hok up 2 snell subs? What cable do I need? etc... I love the Altec
and Kenwood setup, but I'd like a lot more PUNCH with movies.
Frank
Warren Carbonell
Oh yeah, the Snells will definitely give you more punch than the 2300.
Excuse my French, but they'll most definitely KICK YOUR ASS. The bass is
overwhelming. They give out so much deep and clear bass that you can feel
the floor rippling under your feet and my miniblinds shake vigorously
with the THX rattle test. Like I said before, I've ran these babies
extremely loud (over 110 db) and did not hear one bit of distortion
or strain (I was running the intro music to Jurassic Park when I did this.)
The clarity of the bass is stunning, very articulate--even at low
levels. (I was listening to some old CDs of mine, one day after I bought
the subs at fairly low volumes, and was shocked at the amount of clear and
low bass I had never knew existed in some of the songs.) The only subs
I've heard that could compare were the KEF THX
model ($3500), the M&K ($2200), and it's big brother THX speakers that
come with the Snell Reference system ($2500 each--these could kill a man).
Don't get me wrong, the 2300 is more than enough for most people and is a
great performer. A pair of Snells and 100 watts to each is probably
overkill (output-wise) for even the largest rooms. If you really like
clean, tight, and LOUD bass across all low frequencies and all levels
with your movies like me (I boost my sub over 10 db over the other
channels), or if you like the idea of wielding the power to initiate a 3.5
earthquake to show all of your friends, or if you want to make your
apartment/house sound like a very loud thumpin' car that you can hear
within a two-block radius...the Snells are a sure thing. And for only a
few hundred dollars more than the 2300 (depending on the amp you choose)
they are a better deal.
I too only have one sub input. To bypass this, I bought a Vampire
y-connector (a small metal thing w/ 1 male end and 2 female ends) for
about 10 bucks (there are other brands--audioquest, etc.) and then ran rcas
to my amp and then Monster THX sub wire to each sub (they don't accept
rcas). You can also just run them in parallel to one channel by hooking
up the two pairs of speaker wires to one pair of posts on your amp. Their
impedence never drops below 5.5ohms so many amps should be able to
handle it.
One more thing...if you're thinking about getting a pair of these
consider buying a separate stereo amp with at least 80 wpc to power them.
I don't think they would perform quite as well ran in parallel to your
Kenwood amp. Models to consider are the Parasound HCA-1000 (110x2THX) for
about $450, NAD 2700THX (150wpc) for a little more than $600, NAD 216THX
(125wpc) for about $550, two Marantz MA-500THX (125wpc) for about $500pr,
NAD 214 (80wpc or 240mono--a great economical way to go) for less than
$400, Parasound HCA-1200 (205wpc) for ??? (I think about $800?), etc., etc.
The SUB 550s can be bought by mail for less than $500 each
delivered. Email me for my source if you're interested.