Aerial Speakers for Music and HT

I wasn't going to respond to this but I can't resist. Keriadums, my first reaction to your post was a little anger but then I just laughed. The sad part is that you actually believe what you are saying.

Your correct, many people keep two systems, I did for some time. This is in a desire for a different front end and the cost effectiveness of a two channel system. Many like the delicacy of tubes and a pure analog system for critical listening. Room sizes, sound treatments, listening position, and the like are critical if you are reaching for perfection. Some of these are comprimised when creating a home theater.

THX and Lucas have done some great things for the consumer. Many of the requirements for THX have improved home theaters and forced electronics companies to produce better products. I don't think Lucas would even claim that their M&K system would better the speakers that we all love.

Home Theater Architect or EE or whatever, please don't tell me that Aerial, B&W, Wilson, Logans, or any of the other fine speakers discussed on this forum are not up to M&K for sound reproduction. Speakers that reproduce sound accurately don't know the difference between music and movies. To loosely quote Mark Levinson "there is no way we can make music better than what you hear at live performance, we can only strive to get close. Movies on the other hand offer tremendous room for improvement. The systems, even in reference theaters, have compromised sound. This is mostly because of an absolute refusal to spend the money required for the best sound reproduction." Yes you can achieve some very impressive sound with a THX system but please don't tell me it's the best there is. Have you ever heard a theater with seven 10ts or B&W 802s?

I discontinued my 2 channel system when I had the financial resources to afford a combined system that met my expectations for both.

I don't think you will find a reviewer or even a manufacturer to tell you that some speakers are too good for home theater sound. Good sound reproduction is just that, there is nothing more to say. My system is good but far from the best. My LR5s, CC5, and SW-12s will give all the slam and power that you could dream of wanting.

I'm sure you design some great theaters but I think you ventured out of your area of expertise here. I don't know where you live but I'm sure you could find a home theater or two with the "delicate & dainty" speakers mentioned above that might change your opinion.

Ken

Rather than get involved in the debate, i will just share my own experience. I have several HT systems, one of which is Aerial 7b and cc3 with Bryston and Lexicon amp and processor. I am extremely pleased with it, espeically in the ht mode, which gets most of the use in this system. The subs are sunfire btw. I would say that the Aerial has a sound quality-as do virtually all speakers-but with the right power and the right front end, I do think they are quite refined. The other HT setups use Thiel and Totem, and while they are all quite a bit different in character, I do enjoy them all. I have found the Aerial to perhaps lack a little "air" at the top, but that is it, and it is a minor quibble.

I own a pair of 10t's in santos rosewood with stands. Fit and finish are second to none. Bought them used at less than half price and find them to be an excellent value for music and occassional ht. I only have a 2 channel setup with a subwoofer.

The 10T's are an excellent full range speaker sonically just slightly on the warm sweet side of life. The bass (depending on the amp) fast, deep, and taught.

Of course, every now and then there is a piece of music(whether classical, pop, jazz, folk, etc) that goes to the lowest lows. Hence the subwoofer. I would highly recommend them.

But no doubt about it, they want as much power as you can throw at them. They are low in sensitivity at 86db @ 4ohm.
To maximize their value, you might consider an amp in the 250 to 500 wpc (8 ohm) range.

If a new amp is in your budget, then you may want to consider the new McCormack DNA 500 a 500 wpc ss amp for $6k. I own the McCormack DNA-2 LAE amp (300 wpc @8ohm) and am impressed daily by what I hear.

IAR (Intern'l Audio Review) rates the new McCormack DNA-500 as the best ss amp in the world. Based on their previous rating of the DNA-2 LAE, I wouldn't doubt it.

Other than agreeing with the majority of respondents here, the only thing I'd add is that apart from the larger financial commitment to a minimal-compromises combined vs separate 2ch system, the major reasons for their separation is the different seating/placement/room treatment issues you would want to optimize both. But in my opinion and experience, a system that can handle music well can also handle movies with aplomb.

A good compromise. The Sonic Frontiers Line series preamps have a 'SSP bypass' mode. With this, you can have a first class stereo only system, and a HT system in the same room using the same front speakers.