Rocket ELT or Swan 2.1 for HT?

[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 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!

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 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!

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?

[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.