Strong bass. Detailed reproduction.

None

Unfortunately a driver in one of the LR speakers was defective and I had to return it to OneCall (at my cost). Once I received the replacement set and connected the 5.1 System170 to my new Harman/Kardon AVR-525 I was overwhelmed with satisfaction. I did not experience the "boxy" sound that some others have cited in early use, but I must say that these speakers have matured and do sound better now than at first. As mentioned by others, the bass response of the 172 PBM is outstanding. It delivers powerfull, firm production yet avoids drowning out the mid and higher frequency instumentation and vocals, which are reproduced with great clarity by the LRs and center channel speakers. The dipole surrouds fill out the sound nicely. I bought the 29" Atlantic Technology 176 stands for both practical and asthetic reasons as they lend a sharp appearence to an already classy looking HT speaker system. The system sounds equally outstanding with music, DVD movies, or just watching TV.

Similar Products Used:

Energy Take5

Not bad looks

Poor imaging, soundstage and detail

I thought these speakers sounded very good, however once I heard the new Polk speaker, I realized that these weren't the speakers for me. The Polks LSi series are much better. For the price, I now realize that you should get more for your money.

Similar Products Used:

Polk LSi Speakers

The wide Range of High, Midrange and Lows

none

Looking for Great sound and Good looks The Atlantic Tech Sys 170 is the right ticket for you. After shopping around and Listening to Dozens of Home theater Speakers The System 170 was my Choice. Little did I know that They would put my System in the gotta have Range with My friends. Movies and Music the sound is Amazing You wont go wrong with these Speakers

Similar Products Used:

None

Price, Build, Sound quality,

None So Far

The Atlantic Technology system 170 is a great system! I have had people listen for comparison to thier higher priced systems and this one beats them hands down. This system is not THX certified but it curiously seen to follow THX specs. Mid Tweater arrangement, Dipole Surrounds, Vertical and Horizontal Dispersion all seem to follow the THX theory. Well I have no complaints on that part since I have always dreamed of having a THX system in my apt. This might be the cheapest way of getting it without those three little letters. I have paired this system up with a pioneer vsx-21. Now this is an excellent combo. You pair the re-eq of THX from this reciever and the THX spec of the speakers along with some tweaking and you have a mini THX system without spending an arm and a leg to get it. This is a great budget system that I would highly recommend to everybody. The sound and envelopment in the film that you get when you view a movie will astonish you for the price you paid. Go pick one up and you won't regret it!!!

Similar Products Used:

Take 5, Klipsch, M&K

Top quality construction and amazing audio for price!

Nothing to speak of

I sold my previous PSB system to my brother, that had 2X61/2" drivers with matching center and Alpha rears. I did not want to sell them but moving into smaller places required smaller speakers. I read the raving review in Home Theatre Mag and the reviews on this site to see what the critics had to say and I was surprised at the 5 Star consenus. I ordered the system unheard minus subwoofer, opting to keep my PSB sub. I was a little unsure if the speakers could live up to its reviews. After setting them up properly on 30" stands, level to center channel and some time to break in I have absolutely no regrets selling my PSBs and buying Atlantic Technology. The audio detail is surprising without lack of power, in fact the louder the level, the better they sound. Before proper set-up they sounded good, after set up they sound excellent with very good imaging and depth in music and movies. I highly recommend this system to anyone looking for a very good system restricted by money and room size.

System:
Using all top end Monster Cable
component/subcable/speaker Wire/AV cables and digital
Atlantic Technology 170 system minus sub
PSB Sub2i
KV27fv16 flatscreen
strda30es Sony ES reciever
cdpca7es Sony ES cd player
sony VCR

Similar Products Used:

Polk, JBL, Jamo,PSB

Bass, DVD performance

Like most of the reviews, I was first attracted to the Atlantics based upon the glowing Home Theater review. Went and auditioned them in the store and really liked them (definitely better, period, than the equivalent Polk's, better on movies than the Def Tech's).

Am using now using them with a Denon AVR 3300 receiver, Toshiba 3109 DVD player, Music Hall MMF 200 turntable, Pioneer CD player (7-8 years old, model escapes me), and monster cable.

The sound for movies is absolutely stunning. For example, "Saving Private Ryan" (the DTS version) is incredible (bombs literally shake room, bullets whiz by your ears, you can feel the ground vibrations of the tanks). The music sequences in "The Yellow Submarine" are a revelation; you've never heard the Beatles sound so good (or noticed all the details of the recordings).

The sound for music is very good (I use the 5 channel effect on the Denon for music), though not quite at the level of DVD perfomance. Basically, the better the recording quality, the better the speakers sound. Thus music like Morphine, Nine Inch Nails, Amon Tobin, etc. are excellent, though some older recordings (50's rockabilly, early 70's reggae) sound a little flat untweaked (that is, the CD versions; on vinyl they have much better highs and lows).

I've been debating whether or not to add a second set of rear speakers (Acoustic Energy Aegis One's which I think are a great value, check them out) for use with music as the bipole rears diffuse the sound a little on music with the result that, with 5 channel performance, the front three speakers tend to dominate (the Denon has the sweet ability to support two different set of rears).

The only negative with these speakers is that they're just too damn good, particularly the subwoofer which is a beast straining at its leash, just wanting to be let loose. They sound great at low values but the louder you turn them up, the more you're stunned by the performance. Why is this a negative? Well, it's not really, but I live in an apartment. At half volume, the bass is a palpable force, let alone higher (I've had my downstairs neighbors pounding on my door, saying their walls were shaking, and that was a little over half volume). If you live in an apartment building, you will never really be able to put the true power of the system through its paces. I've tried to be moderate and they still may get me evicted.

I've had these for five months and I truly don't believe you can find better speakers for the price.

Similar Products Used:

Polk, Definitive Tech

Boomin' Bass, Crystal Clear Sound

High Frequency control behind center channel doesn't seem to
do much

After reading Home Theater Mag's(not to mention you fellow reviewers) recent review on the System 170 I got very excited because there was finally a Home Theater system within my price range that did what I wanted(ie: Killer bass output, Crystal clear dialogue in movies and great 2 channel stereo for music) Unfortunately out of all the reviews I've read, there was one bad apple in the group(a review of the System 170 on Etown.com) that tore the 170 a new @$$----! I disregarded Etown's opinion based on sheer review numbers and ordered my system anyway! At first when I received my system and fired it up I tended to agree with most of Etown's review and was about to ship my 170 back in utter disappointment, however the more I listened the better the sytem began to sound, solidifying the theory that new speakers need to be "broken in"!!(My setup is as follows: Yamaha RX2092, Toshiba 2108 DVD Player(Damn Audio DropOuts!Does someone have an antidote??)Yamaha 5Disc CD player, all hooked up with top quality Monster Cable)
The major knock by etown was that dialogue in movies sounded
"dark and boxy, like someone talking behind a thick velvet curtain" This is true at first, but again as I kept playing my DVD movies this was no longer an issue! It's just too bad the High Frequency control behind the center channel, whether it was turned all the way up or all the way down didn't make much of a difference! The System 170 is a killer setup that sounds like a million bucks after it is thouroughly "broken in". Patience gives this setup a perfect score!

Similar Products Used:

JBL Music and Movies II

Clean sound, awesome DVD DD playback, great packaging and design and space efficient

The boxy sound but like I said "after the breakin period" forget it. no weaknesses.

I'm no Audiophile but I couldn't believe the awesome power these speakers showed when I first played "Lost in Space" DVD (Reference DVD). It was amazing, I'll admit they did sound a little boxy but it's true after the breakin period it sounds even better as well playing CD's. I would recommend these speakers to anyone who starting their own HT and I haven't even calibrated them with AVIA DVD yet. I have these connected to a Yamaha RX-V992 and Toshiba SD-2008 (Damned Audio Dropouts just started), Pioneer FD-908 101 Cd player,14 gauge Flat wire to the Dipoles and 16 Gauge FlatWhite MonsterCable to the L/C/R, Interlink 201 to SUB and my Hitachi 61SBX59 RPTV. I am very happy with my AT SYSTEM 170's and would have purchased the 270's if I could have afforded them.

Clear, Flat, relaxed response. Subwoofer integration and peformance. Dipoles and value

May have to lower subwoofer at high volumes(with heavy bass music) -1-3db, to re-integrate. Not a big deal

When it came time to replace my old stereo system, I wanted a excellent home theater/hi fi set that wasn't going to have me dipping in my 401k and selling off my stock.

I had narrowed my choice down to the MK 750, Infiniti IL 10's with IL 25 center, with Velodyne C-120 or M&K Mark II 125 (if I was willing to shell out the cash)or one of the HSU subs). I also looked at Atlantic Tech 270. I was able to audition all of them one way or the other.

I read all the reviews of this product on this site (and others on the internet). Needless to say this speaker had a lot to live up to.

When I compared the price to the listening experience with the others, the system 170 really stood out. I didn't bother to listen to the others as much anymore (M&K was missing rears)for the $1000 extra dollars (that includes infinit set up). The 170 sounded good enough for me. Why go through the torture of comparison. The AT 170's kept seducing me. I went to Sound City several times after with my own CD and DVD's to further audition. At that point I focused on the 170 to see if I could live with it.

My main concern (before purchase)was, would the satelites (90hz crossover)integrate with the subwoofer, compared to the lower infiniti's (56hz) and M&K and 270 system (crossover at 80hz).

Yes they do. I'm happy to say. This system is clear and loud. The speakers sound mature, their not bright or agressive for 90hz handling. They sound very composed as if they're actually larger. The P172(sub) picks up seamlessly where the satelites crossover. I did mention on high out put, heavy bass music, you may want to lower the sub for localization. But most people may not care or notice, and I'm telling you I was playing some very bassy Reggae very loud to notice (and that's only because I sit in front of the sub and I was looking for it(it's behind the couch) I felt it. Nothing a -1-3db adjustemtnt or enjoying the music and not nitpicking couldn't fix. It's a Beast.

For stereo The imaging is excellent. MY satelites are 9' a part, and I sit 9' away. Sometimes I forget that I'm in stereo mode and not five chanel or some DSP.

The sound stage is wide, full and deep. You can pick out instruments clearly vertically and horizonitally. My Sarah Vaughn Verve and Blue note CD compilations sounded down right intimate. It's as if she was their. The more you play them, the more expansive they become. These aren't boxy speakers.

When your receiver is properly calibrated the 5 channel stereo sounds excellent with the Dipoles. My other concern with this unit (before purchase)was, would the dipoles defuse too much of the 5 channel audio. It sounds good to me. The great thing with dipoles, depending on how you position them, you can get a more direct radiating sound, and always turn them back for diffusement (or find a sweet angle for both as I did).

This thing sounds great in 5 Channel audio and Matrix on the Denon 3801.

The system sounds probably even better in home theater. The speakers hit hard and fast and keep up with the action on the screen. The center is clear and intelligble. The LR speakers offer expansiveness and proper intergration with the fronts. The Dipoles create both a immersive sound field and provide excellent panning. The sub is quiet when it needs to and hits hard then dissapears. This all seems to come from the appropiate speakers as well. The front back pans are seamless as well.

Maybe in the future another P172 sub (for the far corner of my irregular shaped basenent) further away from the optimized listening position. But that's another quibble.

My room is 15'x20x7'.

The speakers sound Great. They sounded great when I first got them (the center may of been a little tight knowing how much use it was going to get)and it seemed to loosen up also with further use. They seem to become more expansive with further use. Great clean sounding system for music and movies.

Note: Wagner and the guys at Sound City gave me excellent service and advice. Check them out.


My system is

Denon 3801 AV receiver-Great unit
Atlantic Technology System 170
Bell Ogetti 39" curved metal stands
Pioneer DV 603 DVD-excellent performer
RCA 715 32'' So far excellent as well
Audio Quest type 4 hyperlitz 16gauge cable
Audio Quest Silver Plated Componet imputs
Audio Quest silver plated Digital Coaxial
Audio Quest Digital Optical interconnects
Scientific Atlanta 900 channel Digital Cable Box

Similar Products Used:

M&K 750, Infiniti IL 10,30's, Atlantic Technology 270

Surrounds, Subwoofer

None.

Read a glowing review of this set in Home Theater Mag and had to hear them from myself. They sounded fine in the store (can anyone really tell how speakers will sound in a store?) so I got them.

Wow. I have a pretty small apartment but these sound incredible even in a small space. The subwoofer is going to get me evicted pretty soon, I'm sure.

The surrounds are dipole and create a very open soundstage. My girlfriend and I have both been fooled several times into looking behind us during a movie.

The center channel is small but makes big sound. It also fits nicely under my 36XBR WEGA.

The LRs sound clean for music and integrate perfectly with the sub (duh, they were meant to.)

Highly recommended. Very good system for the money.

If you want to see the rest of my setup, check my dvdtracker page