Rocket ELT or Swan 2.1 for HT?

[soonerczech]

I've pretty much narrowed it down to these to sets of speakers for a HT setup. Will be powering them with the Yamaha 5760. I've read several reviews of the Rocket ELT system but haven't found anything for the Swan's in reference to their soundstage for HT. So, has anybody compared the two, or have their own impressions of either one of the setups?

[bargainseeker]

You can read a professional review of the Swan Diva 2.1 speakers within a home theater system at Cheap Home Theater (http://www.cheaphometheater.com/Swan%20Diva%20Surround%20System.htm). The same site lists the Swan speakers as their "staff pick" for home theater speakers (http://www.cheaphometheater.com/staffpicks.htm) and as their winner of the CheapHomeTheater.com Speaker Shootout (http://www.cheaphometheater.com/Speaker%20Shootout.htm).

I recently bought home theater speakers and narrowed the choice down to Ascend Acoustics CBM-170s or Swan 2.1s. I ended up going with the CBM-170s because they were more compact and I wanted speakers that could be easily wall mounted. I have to say that I have been extremely pleased with the sound of the Ascend CBM-170s. They are extremely natural sounding and add no apparent coloration to the music. I expect that they will sound even better when the SVS PB10-ISD (http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb10_isd.htm) subwoofer that I have ordered comes in. If you are willing to consider the Ascends, you can get 5 CBM-170 speakers for $748 (http://12.181.171.123/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=S22-2000&Category_Code=HTS-5).

[soonerczech]

You can read a professional review of the Swan Diva 2.1 speakers within a home theater system at Cheap Home Theater (http://www.cheaphometheater.com/Swan%20Diva%20Surround%20System.htm). The same site lists the Swan speakers as their "staff pick" for home theater speakers (http://www.cheaphometheater.com/staffpicks.htm) and as their winner of the CheapHomeTheater.com Speaker Shootout (http://www.cheaphometheater.com/Speaker%20Shootout.htm).

I recently bought home theater speakers and narrowed the choice down to Ascend Acoustics CBM-170s or Swan 2.1s. I ended up going with the CBM-170s because they were more compact and I wanted speakers that could be easily wall mounted. I have to say that I have been extremely pleased with the sound of the Ascend CBM-170s. They are extremely natural sounding and add no apparent coloration to the music. I expect that they will sound even better when the SVS PB10-ISD (http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb10_isd.htm) subwoofer that I have ordered comes in. If you are willing to consider the Ascends, you can get 5 CBM-170 speakers for $748 (http://12.181.171.123/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=S22-2000&Category_Code=HTS-5).

I have also looked into ascend speakers. I would probably swap out the center 170 for the new 340. I don't have any place to hide speakers, so I was wanting something that looked a little more aesthetically pleasing. The Swan review from that site is a couple years old and I believe that they have changed some of their drivers. I'm also debating whether or not to go for dipole surrounds or just direct. Like I said, this is really only for HT so I could care less what music sounds like on them, I just want the best 3D soundstage.

[bargainseeker]

I have also looked into ascend speakers. I would probably swap out the center 170 for the new 340. I don't have any place to hide speakers, so I was wanting something that looked a little more aesthetically pleasing. The Swan review from that site is a couple years old and I believe that they have changed some of their drivers. I'm also debating whether or not to go for dipole surrounds or just direct. Like I said, this is really only for HT so I could care less what music sounds like on them, I just want the best 3D soundstage.I can't recommend the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 with the CBM-170s. The CMT-340 uses a different tweeter than the CBM-170 which trades off better maximum output for lower accuracy. In my experience, you get the best, most seamless 3D soundstage with identical mains, center and surrounds. Second best is having all of the drivers (woofers, tweeters, etc.) in all of the speakers the same. If I had gone with the Swan speakers, I would have gotten five of the Swan Diva 2.1s. I talked with Jon Lane of The Audio Insider (http://www.theaudioinsider.com/) and he was willing to sell me a single 2.1 as a center speaker.

As far as looks go, I think the CBM-170s look fine. I was not expecting much based on the reviews but they look better than I expected. They don't call attention to themselves in either a good way or a bad way. As for looks, it is hard to beat the Swans in this price range.

You may want to also post your question on the Home Theater Forum - Speakers and Subwoofers (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=46). You may get more responses from people familiar with the Rocket product line.

[soonerczech]

I can't recommend the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 with the CBM-170s. The CMT-340 uses a different tweeter than the CBM-170 which trades off better maximum output for lower accuracy. In my experience, you get the best, most seamless 3D soundstage with identical mains, center and surrounds. Second best is having all of the drivers (woofers, tweeters, etc.) in all of the speakers the same. If I had gone with the Swan speakers, I would have gotten five of the Swan Diva 2.1s. I talked with Jon Lane of The Audio Insider (http://www.theaudioinsider.com/) and he was willing to sell me a single 2.1 as a center speaker.

As far as looks go, I think the CBM-170s look fine. I was not expecting much based on the reviews but they look better than I expected. They don't call attention to themselves in either a good way or a bad way. As for looks, it is hard to beat the Swans in this price range.

You may want to also post your question on the Home Theater Forum - Speakers and Subwoofers (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=46). You may get more responses from people familiar with the Rocket product line.

I was reading a review where they used the 340 as the center and said that it blended flawlessly with the others, I believe that ascend does use the same drivers in the two speakers with the 340 having an extra woofer and larger volume. The only thing holding me up with the Swans is the lack of any real review of them used in a HT setup. I also read a good review of the Rocket ELT system. I've tried posting this question in the speaker discussion but nobody responded except some guy that told me I needed to try Magnepans. Which sound nice but my dogs would tear them to shreds or urinate all over them.

[Bryan]

As far as HT is concerned, among the best, IMO, is the nOrh 4.0 video package ($850 delivered - available in wood or ceramic). However, you will either love or hate the looks. This is not to say they are the be all end all for I have migrated over to an all Rocket HT (RS550 mains, RSC200 center, RS150 surrounds, UFW-10) though at close to $400 more than my nOrh 4.0/SVS 20-39 combination. Keep in mind with the Rockets I went B-stock for the majority and used for the surrounds, hence the $400 price difference.

The Swans are supposed to be a very nuetral speaker. Assuming you go with the faux black cherry color, you are looking at roughly $947 (2 pairs of 2.1s and a C3 center) plus shipping plus sub ($400 minimum). If you want the rosewood color, add another $650, giving you a total of $1,997 plus shipping. I'm guessing here you are looking at five faux black cherry 2.1s ($747.50 plus shipping though am uncertian how much a shielded center would be).

For balance, you have several B-stock ELTs (http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=stock&brand=35) available. The ELT center is only available in cherry if you go B-stock. Here you are looking at $557 plus shipping for a B-stock ELT system plus $425 for a B-stock UFW-10 (birds eye maple) plus you can add on a pair of Powered Bass Stands ($499 for the pair?) later on if you would like. Note: Those will not replace the subwoofer.

The Ascends offer a potent combination, especially if you have the VTF-2.

It is difficult in this price range to go wrong. Even Magnepan offers the MMG C and MMG W system for $897 (unsure about shipping) though you will need to put in an excellent sub (perhaps the UFW-10 will work). Whatever package you decide to go with make sure you have a quality subwoofer (of which my SVS 20-39CS and Samson S700 are now up for sale). I'm certain you will have a wonderful system that will last you for years to come. Enjoy it! :D

Quickly edited to add: To further complicate things, you could go with B-stock Rockets rather than the ELTs. Check those asap as they go quickly!

[soonerczech]

As far as HT is concerned, among the best, IMO, is the nOrh 4.0 video package ($850 delivered - available in wood or ceramic). However, you will either love or hate the looks. This is not to say they are the be all end all for I have migrated over to an all Rocket HT (RS550 mains, RSC200 center, RS150 surrounds, UFW-10) though at close to $400 more than my nOrh 4.0/SVS 20-39 combination. Keep in mind with the Rockets I went B-stock for the majority and used for the surrounds, hence the $400 price difference.

The Swans are supposed to be a very nuetral speaker. Assuming you go with the faux black cherry color, you are looking at roughly $947 (2 pairs of 2.1s and a C3 center) plus shipping plus sub ($400 minimum). If you want the rosewood color, add another $650, giving you a total of $1,997 plus shipping. I'm guessing here you are looking at five faux black cherry 2.1s ($747.50 plus shipping though am uncertian how much a shielded center would be).

For balance, you have several B-stock ELTs (http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=stock&brand=35) available. The ELT center is only available in cherry if you go B-stock. Here you are looking at $557 plus shipping for a B-stock ELT system plus $425 for a B-stock UFW-10 (birds eye maple) plus you can add on a pair of Powered Bass Stands ($499 for the pair?) later on if you would like. Note: Those will not replace the subwoofer.

The Ascends offer a potent combination, especially if you have the VTF-2.

It is difficult in this price range to go wrong. Even Magnepan offers the MMG C and MMG W system for $897 (unsure about shipping) though you will need to put in an excellent sub (perhaps the UFW-10 will work). Whatever package you decide to go with make sure you have a quality subwoofer (of which my SVS 20-39CS and Samson S700 are now up for sale). I'm certain you will have a wonderful system that will last you for years to come. Enjoy it! :D

Quickly edited to add: To further complicate things, you could go with B-stock Rockets rather than the ELTs. Check those asap as they go quickly!


Thanks for your input. I will be adding a sub, I am thinking of trying out the new SVS PB10 ($399) as it doesn't look quite as large as the other ones and placement will be an issue. What are you asking for your SVS?

[bargainseeker]

I was reading a review where they used the 340 as the center and said that it blended flawlessly with the others, I believe that ascend does use the same drivers in the two speakers with the 340 having an extra woofer and larger volume. The only thing holding me up with the Swans is the lack of any real review of them used in a HT setup. I also read a good review of the Rocket ELT system. I've tried posting this question in the speaker discussion but nobody responded except some guy that told me I needed to try Magnepans. Which sound nice but my dogs would tear them to shreds or urinate all over them.Unfortunately, the Ascend CBM-170 and CMT-340 speakers, do NOT use the same tweeter. I have verified this fact directly with Ascend Acoustics. You can also see it when comparing the CBM-170 frequency response (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170meas.html) to the frequency response of the CMT-340 (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340mmeas.html). The CMT-340 shows a dip at 3000 Hz that gets worse off-axis. It also has a rising frequency response from there to about 18,000 Hz. If you read the reviews of the Ascend Acoustics speakers carefully, at least one reviewer mentions that the CMT-340 gets shrill at high volume levels. Such shrillness would be expected from the CMT-340's frequency response. If I had wanted somewhat shrill sounding speakers, I would have bought Axioms. At least the Axioms have a smoother midrange than the CMT-340. Fortunately, Ascend makes a center version of the CBM-170 that has the logo located on the side of the grill so that it looks OK when placed on its side.

I had to eliminate the Magnepans as well because my wife and I didn't think they would survive our 6 year old son, his friends and our 18 month old dog. Such thinking also led to the decision to wall mount the speakers out of harms way rather than use speaker stands. And, as I mentioned before, the decision to wall mount the speakers led to the choice of the Ascend CBM-170s which are fairly compact and have built-in threaded inserts for attaching to wall mounts.

[Bryan]

For mine, it is $500 firm for the sub and amp plus $25 packing materials for the sub as I needed to order a new box off the SVS website plus shipping. Will separate for $300 firm plus the $25 for the box plus shipping for the sub and $250 firm plus shipping for the amp. I do have the original packing materials and instruction manual for the amp. I have the spikes and believe I have the manual as well for the sub. The sub includes the Improved Standard Driver and grill upgrade kit (that is only a cosmetic upgrade).

If you are thinking of going with the PB-10 you should consider the B-stock UFW-10. For $25 more plus shipping (should be around $450 or so delivered) you can get a better sub. Even Ron Stimpson, co-owner/founder of SVS, has and will agree with that.

[soonerczech]

For mine, it is $500 firm for the sub and amp plus $25 packing materials for the sub as I needed to order a new box off the SVS website plus shipping. Will separate for $300 firm plus the $25 for the box plus shipping for the sub and $250 firm plus shipping for the amp. I do have the original packing materials and instruction manual for the amp. I have the spikes and believe I have the manual as well for the sub. The sub includes the Improved Standard Driver and grill upgrade kit (that is only a cosmetic upgrade).

If you are thinking of going with the PB-10 you should consider the B-stock UFW-10. For $25 more plus shipping (should be around $450 or so delivered) you can get a better sub. Even Ron Stimpson, co-owner/founder of SVS, has and will agree with that.


Really? The UFW-10 is that good

[Bryan]

The UFW-10 is that good. A better comparison probably would be the upcoming ULW-10 vs. the PB-10. The PB-10 isn't designed to compete with the UFW-10. According to Ron, SVS has something else in mind. I'm certain it will be excellent.

In going from the 20-39 to the UFW-10 I'd say it was more of a sideways move. That being said, the SVS gave a tad more down low but the UFW-10 is better for music, plus it features a semi-parametric EQ (one adjustable frequency) and a continously vairable phase control. Another factor could be size. For example, a small cube goes over much better for SAF (spousal/significat other acceptance factor) than the tall cylinder.

If it makes a difference, my girlfriend said she could easily live with either one. I still see the happiness in her eyes, however, whenever the UFW-10 fires up. She enjoys the smaller sub but, as I said, she said she could easily live with either one. Eventually I'll either sell or trade the UFW-10 to upgrade to a UFW-12.