Are HT speakers best for primary audio listening or not?

@blindjim-- I think you have to be more specific about the speaker, amplifier(s) and your room. For some years, I ran a large home theatre, using some big Snells in a D’Appolito configuration, with multiple basic amps from ARC. At the time, I was using Crosby Quads as my main two channel speaker, and did not want to subject them to the pounding that a HT system can impose at high dbs.
The size of the room and screen may also involve a spread between the L+R that aren’t conducive to stereo imaging-- (unless you are confining your music listening to 5.1 type mixes).
There’s also the complication of systems- I know some folks can get double duty from a HT and stereo system, but I didn’t want a bunch of additional electronics connected to what amounted to a simple, vinyl-only stereo, so I kept the systems entirely separate (even though both, over the years, as they evolved, were in the same room). This requires some intelligent use of the space, and room treatment, since the projection screen, unless a motorized drop down (which I used in an earlier HT system) is a highly reflective surface for acoustic purposes.
Generally, I would think some modern speakers would be well suited for HT use, such a larger horns, or bigger dynamic speakers.
There’s also the matter of how the subwoofers are crossed over for theatre v. music. I suppose if they are run through a processor that allows you to change the crossover point for different types of listening that solves one problem, but potentially adds another- I wouldn’t want to run my stereo through a pre-pro meant for home theatre. I gather that’s why there is a by-pass on many set-ups, but I avoided those complications by keeping the systems separate.

Hi Jim,

Just in general, kind of depends on how neutral a speaker you like for music, which I need to define for this conversation:

Neutral: Plays many types of music equally well.

Those types of speakers do really well with HT. However, if you like 80s R&R a lot, and buy speakers based on playing that loud the same speakers are probably not going to do quite as well in HT.

However, lets put this into perspective. It doesn't all have to be perfect. You won't live longer or less if you buy speakers better for Jazz than HT. :)

Best,


E

I have Aerial speakers for surround and music. Excellent for both formats.

@linnlingo
OK…. thanks much. Really.

@whart
Sorry man, I’m pretty sure you missed my point. My aim is to acquire speakers strickly for music listening.

I’m cluless as to how this got mixed up. I’m quite sorry about that.

For sake of argument, just figure the amp and room are more than adequate for the speakers, regardless the selections.


@erik_squires > Just in general, kind of depends on how neutral a speaker you like for music, which I need to define for this conversation:
Neutral: Plays many types of music equally well.

Blindjim > I sure hope they will play anything as my musical preffs are fairly wide ranging, apart from my usual defaults of Blues, R&B, Big band jazz, jazz, folk, country, and bluegrass. .

As well, the speakers I am interested in presently as specifically music listening units being reviewed were not being done by an HT reviewer, per se, and not in an HT magazine, save for one of them.

A couple of the one’s I’ve had on my short list get accolades from reviewers that they would be will suited to a high end home theater arrangement.

Again, such is not the goal.   It’s the sheer mention of the reviewer that these two could easily be used in HT, and I feel it was meant in addition to stereo listening duties. Again, not my plan, but it is that statement which has my radar up.

I tend to see HT speakers as well extended, more stark and edgy sounding bordering more on absolute neutrality or sheer transparency across its badwidth and leaning heavily on accuracy more than naturalness, so non musical sonics within film can be more vividly announced. . shell casings hitting the floor or roads. Explosions. Weird oscillator generated stuff spaceships, lasers, etc.

Gigantic critters fighting over who will take the trash out or possess the remote control.

Driving rains, earthquakes. Volcanoes.

Mainly I see HT units as having a far greater need to deliver the leading edge info so speed is an absolute prerequisite even if tonal aplomb is not as well mannered.

In other words, a critical, analytical presentation serves HT far better than it does music IMHO>

And it is this note that concerns me when I hear it applied to what would normally be seem as go to musical or primary 2 ch listening speakers in a review.

I believe both the VA Listz and Musics, KEF Blades were mentioned as well suited for HT and I think Magico was too but not sure on that last note.

The only written account on devore Gibbon tens made me come away with an idea even these speakers would be better suited to film than music.

I know one review on the Paradigm 3fs was done by an actual dedicated HT mag. But the Magico, and 3F, loudspeakers are near the bottom of my list as outside or remote choices.

Accounts from a friend on his perception of the Gibbon X, and a late review on the Para 5F also bade me shudder to closely consider them for music use only, which is the path I am on.

I get it, setup is everything. But it sure takes a lot to get wet and engaging out of dry and analytical.

Does that help any?

@blindjim - does "HT" mean 'home theatre'? I took it from there....