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Are HT speakers best for primary audio listening or not?

Hello sports fans!

Regarding my picks for music listening, I’ve got a short list of loudspeakers which seems to evolve and diminish and then grow again. Although it sits with five or less models on it usually.

The one I feel is at the top of the list is as yet, an unknown entity. I ain’t heared it yet. If and when I do, it likely isn’t gonna be heard with the electronics I would use to support it. So, it will be as with so many at best ‘guess speculation’ if purchased.

Here’s the Dilly Dilly….

In one quite well written account by a popular long time reviewer, he states among other sterling attributes, this would make for an excellent hi end home theater loud speaker.

QUESTION:

What is the argument for or against HT speakers as primary 2 ch audio listening speakers.

Is there a decided separation in speaker land lately between HT speakers and stereo or primary music only speakers??

I’ve always sought music first speakers even if HT would or could be an added task for the main speakers later on, and simply accepted the results.

Not entirely positive this go ‘round, but most likely, whatever music first speaker I choose will NOT see any HT duty.

Thanks for your related experience.

blindjim

Showing 2 responses by audiotroy

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,875 posts
 
Guys I am a trained Home Theater designer, so here is the answer for you question based on the criteria that we use for selecting Theater speakers.

The reality is that a music speaker may make a good Home Theater speaker if it meets the requirements, while Home Theater speakers usually do not tickle the audiophile sensibilities the same way.

To build a real home Theater system your speakers need the following:

1: High power handling with low distortion
2: The ability to play to 110-120db continuous spl.
3: A wide well defined dispersion of all frequencies with limited vertical dispersion
4: Timberally accurate
5: Has matching center and rear speakers

vs: 

A high end loudspeaker

1: Power handling isn't necessarily an issue
2: Maximum SPL isn't usually an issue
3: Dispersion may be not limited in anyway ie Diapoles or Omnis
4: Speaker may or not be timberally accurate
5: May not have matching centers and rears

Dave owner
Audio Doctor NJ

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,875 posts
 
Twoleftears, 

Wrong completely wrong, I am a trainded Theater Designer and there is no special voicing for a Home Theater speaker, they are not brighter or duller than a Music Speaker.

As Shadorne said ATC make excellent Home Theater Speakers so do KEF it comes down to these factors:

1: Power Handling and efficiency.  A good Theater speaker has the ability to play loud so efficiency and power handling are inportant. 

2: Controlled Dispersion, you want to have a wide Horizontal dispersion and Limited Vertical dispersion so not to bounce sound off of the ceiling, the D'Appolito configuration was designed to do just this.

3: Timberally accurate a good Theater speaker will sound as accurate as possible with an even frequency response.

4: Dynamic capabilities: A good Theater speaker can track highly dynamic passages without distortion.

One of the biggest difference is the concept of imaging which is not really important in a Theater design but very important in a Music System. 

So when you place speakers against a wall you are not going to get the kind of depth of field in image that will happen when you  do so, so in reality that is one of the biggest differences between the world of Theater and Music systems.

Also a Theater room is going to have much greater damping to control reflections then a pure two channel Music Room.

Check out our Theater we built for DIY Network Rev Run's Rennovation

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58319891@N08/albums/72157650239108910

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58319891@N08/albums/72157650233548529

You will notice that we use KEF THX speakers which hit all the criteria required for a good Theater, high power handling, wide dispersion, low distortion, tonally accurate,wide dynamic range.

Dave owner chief designer
Audio Doctor NJ

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