Ready to Plunge into Aerials; One more question...


After weeks of consideration including surfing the posts on this site and intensive listening, I have finally decided to go with either the model 7B or 10t for mains (depending on which I can find on the used market with the best condition/price, etc.)

However, I am having an extremely difficult time deciding between the CC5 and the CC3B center. Many people here who own the CC5 rave about its performance but many others say that the CC5 is not that much better than the CC3B to justify the diference in price. The significant weight and difficulty handling has been a negative for some.

Come on guys, I know this hobby is addictive and can eat a person up like cancer. However, knowing that, a lot of people probably bought the CC5 just because it is now considered the best and people in this hobby can't stand not to have the latest and geatest. So, realistically, is the CC5 really worth the extra cost over the CC3B?

By the way, to the owners of CC5's, I hope I did not offend anyone. If money were not a consideration, I am sure I would buy the CC5. However, money is tight in my household. If the CC5 really is that much better, I will find the money somehow because I too am sucked in tight to this ##@@ hobby.

Thanks guys, you have been a geat help thus far.
jdlynch
My finalists were the B&W Nautilus and the Aerials. The B&W's came in at a DISTANT second.
Someone just listed a cc3 for sale at a good price. Maybe that will help with your choice.
I went with the 7B's (front and rear pairs) and a CC3B center. These are excellent pieces that all happen to use the same drivers...so they match particularly well. Of course, all Aerials will match pretty well, but I always like the drivers to be the same. I wouldn't recommend spending more money on the 10t's (which by the way use the same tweeters as the 7b) or the CC5. They simply don't offer as much "bang for the buck."
Not to stir the pot, but have your heard the Talon line? Everyone's ears are different, but to mine, the Raven X's (best bang for the buck) or Khorus X's (for more $) are a measurable step ahead of their Aerial counterparts. Even the original Khorus' for $4K used with a Peregrine center channel would be a better investment IMO, but this is an admittingly subective evaluation. I happen to agree that the Aerials you've mentioned outperform B&W Nautilus in most respects, so maybe our listening preferences are similar. Whatever you decide, do enjoy and do not fret!