Stick with Aerial 20T to play above 100Hz? Or MBL?


Hello,
I have Aerial 20T mkII, but because of room limitations I feel they output too much bass. If I am placing the 20Ts where they produce a large soundstage, which is close to the side walls, and where the midrange is fantastic I get problems in the 80Hz region. I have two Aerial SW12s and when I use these under 100Hz (and with their built-in EQ) and the 20Ts from the high pass output to play above 100Hz I am quite happy, much better result than with 20Ts alone.

This has led me to think maybe there are other speakers that would be better than the 20Ts, superb performers above 100Hz and that also would do a great job in HT, although music is no. 1 priority.

I am thinking of MBL 111f or maybe monitors like Tidal Amea Diacera.

I use my speakers in a combined 2ch/HT setup. The rest of the speakers are all Aerial Acoustics. My room is 14x18. Speakers along short wall.

What do you think?
cappuccino

Showing 5 responses by brf

It is not your speakers, it's your room that is causing your problems. Invest is acoustic treatments or maybe even hire an acoustical engineer. The 20T are awesome speakers.
Your room has standing waves which are causing a bass mode in the region you have defined. You have two options 1) fix the room or 2) buy speakers with a built in equalizer or purchase a stand alone room equalizer such as the PARC to use with the 20T. Both aforementioned solutions tackle the same problem but from a different perspective.

Any speaker with a flat response will exhibit the same problem if put in the same the room. If sonic performance is your first priority, then additional room treatment is required. If you need to balance sonic performance with room aesthetics, then something like the PARC would be the solution.
Okay, now I understand your question. You are wasting your money only running the 20T from 100hz and up. There are a lot of monitor speakers out there that work well in the 100hz plus region, BUT before you goes down this route, how about trying the Rives PARC with just the 20T to help out with the 80hz bass problem and loose the subs?
Ariel has spent a lot of research and dollars in developing the 20T lower bass capabilities, and not utilizing the 20T lower bass capabilities, is not fully maximizing the 20T abilities, therefore, one could consider it a waste of money if you are not going to drive them as they were designed. I do not disagree that the 20T does an excellent job from 100hs and up, it was just designed to be full range.

Which line source are you considering?
I am not sure if they are classified as line source speakers but I once heard the Nearfield Acoustics Pipedreams speakers (they look similar to the Adyton)and sounded wonderful. Please keep us updated on your quest.