Time to buy ???

[adriankelly]

I am new here and have been reading the forum for weeks now and I love the fact that Dr Hsu has such a loyal following. I am convinced that a ventriliquist VT-12 and a VTF-2 MK-2 would be perfect for my needs , I do have a few questions #1 Will I be able to incorporate a Klipsch KSC C-1 center channel and a set of Klipsch B-2 bookshelf fronts into my new VT-12 system ( Such as using my klipsch center for front or rear) (Or later on using the bookshelfs for additional surrounds?) I will be upgrading my receiver soon for now a Yamaha HTR-5635 will be doing the job.#2 Will there be a new version of the VT-12 coming out soon?#3 I live in Anchorage Alaska and would like to know the additional cost of shipping and also I would be willing to pay additional money for a faster shipping process. Neither cost is a deal breaker , everything shipped here just takes so much longer than most would realize .

[Kjohn]

In general you should keep your center channel of the same matching brand of speakers across the front.

[tafguy]

Originally Posted by adriankelly

#1 Will I be able to incorporate a Klipsch KSC C-1 center channel and a set of Klipsch B-2 bookshelf fronts into my new VT-12 system ( Such as using my klipsch center for front or rear) (Or later on using the bookshelfs for additional surrounds?) I will be upgrading my receiver soon for now a Yamaha HTR-5635 will be doing the job.

I don't know how good the Klipsch front and center speaker and how you want to use them with the VT12s. I had faced this problem before and end up using only the VT12 as it is. Why? You may want to try to play around with different bookshelf/center speaker but in term of matching driver and aesthetical touch as personal flavor, I gave up.

A possible use of a second center channel speaker that I have read in an article somewhere was like this. Someone suggests using a spare additional Dolby Prologic only receiver using that second center channel for rear surround stage in addition of DD5.1 from the first receiver. But I don't recall how he does this.

In the case of the VT12, the surround sound stage using more than 5 speakers would do the job nicely that you probably need an additional rear center channel. Remember it comes with 6 sats too where additional ones can be bought from HSU.

As said, I had additional Infinity center channel which costs me $200 Cad, which the VT12 center channel's performance blows it out of the water. IMO, you probably end up using the Klipsch set for other room, if not the front only for music.

Also, but if you intend to buy the VT12 set, the VT12 satellites needed to be used with its center channel because the Ventriloquist effect will make the front sats frequency go amazingly good, down to 80Hz. Besides, the sats and center channel drivers are already matched.

Originally Posted by adriankelly

#2 Will there be a new version of the VT-12 coming out soon?#

There were some talks about the VT12 mk2. Other than the slim design and silver color, I don't know if there is more refined driver but probably is because of smaller size. I haven't heard anything new from HSU.

You will need to wait if you have plasma/lcd TV because they fit perfectly into the decor. If not, for movies, the current VT12 sound excellent and coupled with a sub like the VTF-2 Mk2 sub is a decent system very hard to beat. I can say this because I do own them and I can't wait to use the turbocharger to extend the sub's capabilities.

[sirspe]

I trust you're not planning to use the Klipsch Center as your new center, right?
The Ventriloquist system is based on the Center producing some sounds that are typically produced by the sats.
From what I gather, the money is on the great sub and center... and the sats are only decent becauses of the system... but you could switch out the center...any replacement wouldn't have the wiring to make the rest go.

As far as using your current speakers as the sats, that's something I'll defer to the experts on the board.

My question (which may be refuted around here)... if you have 3 decent speakers and a receiver, why not opt for the Hsu sub alone? if you need a few more speakers to round out the surround sound, you can buy new rear speakers (Ascend 200's?) or upgrade your fronts (Ascend 340's or 170's) and move the Klipsch to the rear.

I am certainly not the audiophile nor technician that others around here are... so I'd get a second opinion from what I suggested. But I'm putting together a nice and simple system too, so my research and yours likely has a lot in common.

[AdilM]

The Ventriloquist function can be turned off on the center channel.

By ear it sounds as if the Center channel acts indepedantly when off. You should try it on and off if you are mixing lots of speakers.

[adriankelly]

I could always buy 2 subs and have a second system for the bedroom??? And Thanks Guys .

[adriankelly]

I was most interested in using the klipsch center for an additional rear center maybe bypassing the VT-12 connection and go straight from the receiver output. Also I would use the connections on the VT-12 as Dr Hsu intended it to be used , It is my intention to try and use any speaker outputs not utilized by the VT-12 setup. Also I have a set of Wharfdales now being used as rear surrounds .I can always put the extra speakers away untill they finish the so called 10-2 surround experiment??

[adriankelly]

My only other question would be which sub vft-2 or vft-3? Does either blend with the VT-12 better than the other??

[tafguy]

Originally Posted by adriankelly

My only other question would be which sub vft-2 or vft-3? Does either blend with the VT-12 better than the other??

I don't have the VTF-3 but IMO blending subwoofer and VT-12 should not change a lot from VTF-2 and VTF-3 but has more to do with whether or not your receiver allows you different settings of frequency xover if you intend to use the receiver's xover. This deals with lowest frequency response the sat can go down which is 80hz and subwoofer placements issues like I heard that blending is best when subwoofer is closer to mains. But again, one needs to experiment due to so much difference from one room to an another.

Now most of users will try to xover at 80hz with sub switch set to OUT, frequency response the VT-12 front sats can play will be filtered at that level. Thus filtering lower than that will not much useful.

As my receiver did not have frequency xover below 100hz, so I'm kind of stuck at 100hz so below that frequency is handled by the subwoofer.

Personnally, I don't think a VTF-3 will blend better than VTF-2 or vice-versa. HSU probably knows best how to answer this and I like to know too. But there is a big difference between VTF-2 and VTF-3 is how low the VTF-3 can go and bigger driver. If not using the receiver's xover, one will need to play around with the subwoofer's xover frequency range from 30-90hz.

In general, seemless blend between sat and sub is mostly tuned to about the same frequency. Some set sub's x-over at one octave above the 3dB point of the main.

Besides blending speaker and sub, each sat needs to level with sub in DD5.1. But this has more to do with subwoofer calibration before you can really enjoy ultimate HSU system sound experience!

[adriankelly]

I have a bit of research to do on my receiver before I make the call, and who knows maybe Peter or DR. HSU will see this and have some input for us all. Thanks for the info

[new_to_bass]

Adrian,
I recently bought a VT-12/STF-2 combination and can reassure you that it's a great, balanced system.
As for my receiver, a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR602B for $250.00 was an awesome deal, extremely configurable, clean and clear sounding, and very compatible with all the speakers and my other existing gear.
If you've got the bucks to buy the VT-12 in combination with a Hsu sub, and have another room to use the Klipsch speakers in, I'd sure recommend trying the Hsu speakers as a matched set for your Home Theater room.
If you need a sub, and are saving $100.00 on that sub by buying the VT-12 speakers, you really can't go wrong with that investment.
I'd agree with Tafguy in that the VTF-2 or -3 will probably both sound great and blend with the VT-12 really well.
Good luck with whatever you try, I really don't think you can go wrong with a Hsu subwoofer or a set of matched Hsu speakers.
Best regards,
-Glenn

[tafguy]

Originally Posted by adriankelly

I have a bit of research to do on my receiver before I make the call, and who knows maybe Peter or DR. HSU will see this and have some input for us all. Thanks for the info

If you intend to use both the VT-12 for movies/sacd/dvd-a and Klipsch front for 2ch hooked to same receiver, look for a receiver that has A/B inputs but most of today's receiver have them. This way you can still use the Klipsch with the sub for music specially when they are not bass capable since they are bookshelf speakers. I have this configuration using a pair of B&W VM1's with the VTF-2 in stereo mode and in each mode the blending is done so nicely. http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/ima...lies/smile.gif

[adriankelly]

Here is a thought, using one sub for both music and movies perhaps there should be a a/b setting to instantly switch back and forth without having to fine tune each to the proper settings.Peter, DR anychance of this happening anytime soon???

[tdekany]

Originally Posted by adriankelly

Here is a thought, using one sub for both music and movies perhaps there should be a a/b setting to instantly switch back and forth without having to fine tune each to the proper settings.Peter, DR anychance of this happening anytime soon???

A calibrated system doesn't need to be switched back & forth as far as I am concerned. Although you can do what a lot of others do - set the sub 3db high. Best of both worlds?