Floor standing speakers
Discussion
How much free space have you got where you plan to put the new Wharfedales?
In order to avoid bass boom swamping the sound, larger bass reflex speakers generally need 12"~18" distance from the back wall so that room boundary effect doesn't mess up the sound balance. The 12.3s are no exception to this rule. Can you have the speakers sitting that far forward into the room?
They'll need a similar amount of space from the side walls. These space requirements are very different from the small monitor speakers in kits such as the HTS101. With them, the bass isn't nearly so deep or so prominent. The sub is doing most of the work. It's still possible to mess up the sound of small monitors with bad positioning, but they're far more forgiving before they really start to complain.
The other general advice with home cinema speakers is to keep to the same sound signature across the front three speakers. This is normally achieved by staying with the same brand. (It's less critical with the surrounds.)
Diamond 12.3 are good speakers, but whether they're going to work well for you where you might have to put them in your room is a very different question. This is where you need a demo to answer two questions.
1) What happens to the sound when you mimic the positioning you'll have to have in your own room? Let the staff do the demo. Then reposition the speakers to the same spot relative to the room back and side walls that you'd have to use at home. Do the speakers still sound as good?
2) Take in your HTS-101 centre speaker. Set up a 5.1 with your centre and the 12.3s. Have a listen. Do they blend properly, or does the sound character change enough that the centre seems out of place?
Getting a speaker to work properly in your room will account for 80% of your impression of the sound. This isn't something you can afford to ignore.
In order to avoid bass boom swamping the sound, larger bass reflex speakers generally need 12"~18" distance from the back wall so that room boundary effect doesn't mess up the sound balance. The 12.3s are no exception to this rule. Can you have the speakers sitting that far forward into the room?
They'll need a similar amount of space from the side walls. These space requirements are very different from the small monitor speakers in kits such as the HTS101. With them, the bass isn't nearly so deep or so prominent. The sub is doing most of the work. It's still possible to mess up the sound of small monitors with bad positioning, but they're far more forgiving before they really start to complain.
The other general advice with home cinema speakers is to keep to the same sound signature across the front three speakers. This is normally achieved by staying with the same brand. (It's less critical with the surrounds.)
Diamond 12.3 are good speakers, but whether they're going to work well for you where you might have to put them in your room is a very different question. This is where you need a demo to answer two questions.
1) What happens to the sound when you mimic the positioning you'll have to have in your own room? Let the staff do the demo. Then reposition the speakers to the same spot relative to the room back and side walls that you'd have to use at home. Do the speakers still sound as good?
2) Take in your HTS-101 centre speaker. Set up a 5.1 with your centre and the 12.3s. Have a listen. Do they blend properly, or does the sound character change enough that the centre seems out of place?
Getting a speaker to work properly in your room will account for 80% of your impression of the sound. This isn't something you can afford to ignore.
Wharfedales are crap. Get some used monitor audio instead. For example.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325568855285?mkcid=16&a...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325568855285?mkcid=16&a...
Douglas Quaid said:
The reason speaker grills were invented! They’re mega fugly without them, aren’t they!pocketspring said:
Massive thanks to everyone especially lucid for the replies. I have quite a few days off work now so might have a pop down to richer sounds and check out some of their products.
By all means, pop in to your local branch for a chat. But before you spend any dosh, make sure you book for a proper demo. You don't want to be spending money on something you've only heard on a shop floor. A demo will usually involve calling back on another day so that the staff and the gear you want to listen to are both available. The demo room shouldn't be crammed with gear, especially speakers. Take your centre speaker too and some measurements for the rear and side wall distances.
If the demo isn't going well, and the staff member can't advise or improve things, then don't hesitate to walk. Just because someone works in a Hi-Fi or AV store you can't assume that they're knowledgeable and experienced. I've seen it where staff knew less than the customer.
Also have a look at Sevenoaks if there's a branch handy.
Tony1963 said:
Douglas Quaid said:
The reason speaker grills were invented! They’re mega fugly without them, aren’t they!I found these .....
https://www.homemedialimited.co.uk/product/avalon-...
Seriously, after what Lucid said, I think I'll give it a miss. As he says, there might be a good difference in between my centre and the fronts and I'm also thinking the over load of bass with the fronts combined with my sub.
https://www.homemedialimited.co.uk/product/avalon-...
Seriously, after what Lucid said, I think I'll give it a miss. As he says, there might be a good difference in between my centre and the fronts and I'm also thinking the over load of bass with the fronts combined with my sub.
TBH i wouldnt buy any loudspeakers without trying them at home irrelevant of price as room acoustics have a major impact..all bass reflex speakers boom in my room so unless you want to spend hundreds on acoustic damping etc you need to find something appropriate...most good dealers will lend you speakers to try.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff