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Review 1 of 9
Price Paid:
$99.00
from Fluance Direct on Eb Summary:
These are not huge wall bipolar speakers. If you are looking at these for a system, you need either large main speakers to cover the lows below about 180 Hz, a designated powered subwoofer, or both. Either way, you need a receiver that allows you to cut frequencies below their range to prevent damage to the speakers. For anyone out there that might think a few of these will displace a big box for the low frequencies somewhere in the room, you are wrong. Then again, that is the case with any surround speaker and that is not their design in the first place. There is a quick audio buying education below.
I have built and designed many full home theater systems that ran into the several thousand dollar ranges on audio components alone. I get paid for my services. These systems have included Nakamichi, McIntosh, Krell, Velodyne, Definitive Technology, and the high-end components of Harmon Karden, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Klipsch, including many tube-amplified systems, just to name a few. Saying I am “picky” about audio is a gross understatement.
One might ask, “Why would he buy these for his own system?” It is a very valid question with a very valid answer: PRICE. These were part of my second home theater room. I originally bought these speakers as “disposables” that I could use temporarily until I got the money for others. After installing and adjusting them, I have no plans to replace them whatsoever. They sound far better than many of the bipolar speakers I have installed costing several hundred dollars a piece. They are an excellent bipolar speaker; they are an UNPRECEDENTED bang for the buck.
I have pieced together and installed hundreds of home and car audio systems. I have not dealt with, nor will I deal with, crappy components. I always felt the end-result sound was a reflection on me, and I did not want that reflection to sound anything less than impressive. While many of my customers and friends have ridiculous money to invest in things like this, I allotted less my budget for financial and other reasons offered below. Over the 25+ years, I have come to realize many things. Here are some words of wisdom if you have the time.
MORE EXPENSIVE DOES NOT EQUATE TO BETTER. Often, manufacturers price an item way high and get away with it just because it is unique, not because it performs well. Listen to an “Acoustimess” system as a perfect example. If you think it sounds good, either you are impressed by the name, or you have never heard decent speakers. They are “neat”, but that is it. VERY tinny highs, lacking mids, and VERY limited bass. B0SE 901’s: yes; “Acoustimess”: no. There are countless other examples with other manufacturers. BTW: These crush the sound of the “Acoustimess” cubes.
YOU WILL NEVER KEEP THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY. What may be “new and hot” at the time will turn into standard amenities a few months later. Decent receivers made two years ago exceed the needs for most buyers and have more features and functions than most people could ever hope to understand, or even need to understand. Buying a top-end component when it has been out for a few months saves from 20-60%. Having the coolest new thing quickly wears off, quality and money saved are permanent assets.
LOUD DOES NOT EQUAL BETTER. I have always tried to “overbuild” systems so that they could handle more power than the listener’s ear cared to endure. That is not to say that a system needs to be “earth rattling” loud; it just needs to sound clean at the maximum volume that the listener would need or want. If you live in an apartment or town home, save your money and do not buy a ‘mega-watt” system. If you ever turn it up to the limits, you will likely be looking for a new place to live. Another technical note: peak wattages should never be confused with RMS wattages. Speakers rated at 100 watts peak will sound like crap and distort terribly when you pump a genuine 100 watts RMS into them. Speakers rated at 100 watts RMS will produce an almost infinitely cleaner sound. Ignore peak values and go by RMS on amps and speakers unless you fully understand slew factors, headroom, and other technical parameters.
SUMMARY: Get the best bang for your buck. Sampling rates and features have far surpassed what most listeners could ever hear, let alone understand. Avoid the Superstores when possible. They have good deals on some components, but they will make up for it with pricing on cables and assorted other crap they push on the buyer. Need a good bipolar? Buy these. You will not be disappointed and your wallet will be thrilled.
Strengths:
Superb Sound Quality for any speaker! Unheard of quality for any speaker near this price! Wattage capabilities well beyond most system requirements! Weaknesses:
I would like a little broader frequency response on the low side, but that is not attainable from any speaker this size. Similar Products Used:
Nakamichi, McIntosh, Krell, Velodyne, Definitive Technology, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Klipsch, etc.
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4.78 of 5
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