Stereo Receiver and Speakers

[Simba]

I am looking to replace my stereo system and have been researching components for the past few months. However, I have a few unanswered questions about what will work the best with a subwoofer. They system will be used 50% for music (mostly pop and rock although I listen to a wide variety of music), 40% TV & movies and 10% PS III gaming. I listed the components in question below:


VTF-2 MK3 (w/Turbo?).........................OR..........VTF-3 MK3 (no turbo)

Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 Speakers........OR..........B&W 685 speakers

Rotel RX-1052 Stereo Receiver...............OR..........Outlaw RR-2150 Stereo Receiver


The Sierra-1 speakers get excellent reviews and are praised for performing well all around. They excell in the lower tone levels/HZ but according to some they are a bit too bass heavy. The B&W speakers perform very well in the higher tone levels but according to some they are too light sounding. Which set of speakers would perform the best when combined with a subwoofer? The Sierra-1 speakers retail for about $900 + shipping and the B&W speakers retail for about $600. I should mention that the speakers will be placed in an entertainment center rather than on the wall or on stands. Sierras have flow ports on the backside of the speakers and B&W has flow ports on the front of the speakers. I assume that the location of the flow ports on the B&W speakers make them better suited for positioning close to a wall or in an entertainment center.

The receiver story is similar. Both sport 100 Watts per channel (2 channels). The Rotel performs well at higher tone levels and the Outlaw at lower ones. The Rotel has lots of inputs and looks great. The Outlaw has a Bass Management system and a dedicated subwoofer out. Is it a significant advantage to have the bass management system and a dedicated sub out? I understand that the subwoofers have their own crossover system. The Rotel retails for $800-$900 and the Outlaw retails for about $690 incl shipping.

What combo is my best option and should I be considering other receiver and speaker brands? Sourround sound got a veto. Besides, I am told that I get more bang for my buck by buying a stereo receiver rather than a sourround sound receiver. I was able to negotiate a budget of about $2,000 - $2,500.

[cschang]

I own Sierras and help moderate the Ascend forum.

The bass on the Sierras is exceptional, but not exagerated. If not placed too close to the rear wall, extra bass reinforcement could be an issue....but if you are using a subwoofer, the issue will not be as critical.

That said, like all bookshelf speakers, and most floorstanders too, they will benefit from offloading the bass to a good subwoofer.

That said, if you are going to use a subwoofer with any system, I think having bass management capabilities at the receiver is a welcomed feature. I use my Sierras with a VTF-3.3 crossed over at 60hz.

In any case, it is best if you could hear the setups you are considering so you own ears can decide. Not always easy to do...but maybe you have owners or shops in your area that will help you out.

[Simba]

Thanks for the feedback Curtis.

Are you saying that if I place the speakers close to the wall I will avoid bass reinforcement or that placement close to the wall will cause bass reinforcement?

How exactly would bass reinforcement affect my listening experience and is it true that the VTF2.3 or VTF3.3 would help with the issue because bass is channeled to the subwoofer rather than the speaker?

[cschang]

Closer to the wall usually reinforces the bass.

As for it being good or bad, it is a matter of preference.

Will the VTF-2.3 or 3.3 help? It is a matter of preference and positioning, but aleviating the speaker's woofer from doing the deep bass work is a good thing for any speaker.

[Simba]

I am leaning towards getting the VTF-2 MK3 with turbo but I wasn't able to locate the $99 add on price like they offer for the VTF3.3 + turbo combination. When I added the turbo to the basket it charged the full $199. Does anybody know if this offer is exclusive to the VTF3.3? If the lower add-on price isn't available for the smaller unit it would make more sense to go for the larger VTF3.3 model.

Also, since the turbo is a little large physically for the VTF2.3 does it really look ok and do you need any other modifications in order to fit the turbo to the smaller unit? I didn't see any info on the port size on the VTF2.3. Is it also 4 inches in diameter?

[cschang]

I don't think you can get the VTF-2MK3 with a turbo. The turbo is specifically for the 3MK3 and HO. The 2.3 uses 3 inch ports.

[Simba]

I found the following on page 6 of the VTF2.3 owners manual:

Improving low bass response

With the VTF-2 Mk 3 or VTF-3 Mk 3, you can get the same amount of clean, no port noise low bass output of two of them by adding the VTF-3 HO turbo to these models (the turbo is 2˝ wider than the VTF-2 Mk 3, but visually its not too obvious).

[cschang]

I would call and make sure. I thought they have made a change to that.

[Simba]

I called HSU Research to find out if the Turbo can be attached to the VTF2.3. The answer was that despite the fact that this particular subwoofer has 3 inch ports and the Turbo 4 inch tubes it can be attached in the outer part of the flares. However, the Turbo is larger than the subwoofer and will hang over to both sides and the connection would be less than ideal.

They highly recommended getting the 3.3 with no turbo over the 2.3 with a turbo.