The Apex Club

Nice one RickyDeg,

Ive just ordered another pair of A10's from Rick@ Musicraft to allow me to go 7.1, using my Radius R90HD's as front heights.

Enjoy

Thanks for that one, Rick! I'm hoping the same, as this will my 5:th speaker set-up in the last 12 years, going from lifestyle systems to floorstanders and now back to lifestyle system again.

I know you've written a few posts about the APEX speakers - but might I ask for your personal take on having two subwoofers, especially these in particular (the AW12). They will be placed somewhat symmetrically (?) on the front wall of my listeningroom, something like this (apologies for the primitive drawing):

 

Oi, I wish I had a possibility in my listening room to expant to two pairs of surroundspeakers. You are lucky there ric71. However, I do have the possibility to add another pair of A10's as front height (when I eventually get a newer DENON receiver). So I'd have a 7.2 system consisting of height-channels. I take it you enjoy the additional feeling of 'presence' that height gives you? I've experienced it at a friends place and it was interesting.

 

You're right Mark. Most people don't have the luxury of a dedicated room, so need something to fit into their living rooms, which they spend most of their time in, and don't want speakers to take over the room, but if they must, they need to be visually acceptable. Some speaker manufacturers have a hard time realising this, and continue to produce speakers that are just plain ugly, or just aren't going to be acceptable in at least 50% of UK homes - that's halved their sales possibilities before it's even left the drawing board!

Luckily, a few manufacturers have made great steps forward recently in their designs, and can now give dedicated AV speakers a run for their money. Some may not quite be as good, but as far as £'s go, value for money definitely falls on their side. And in these recessional times, everyone's looking for value for money.

It would seem to be a very common trait among THX speakers, for example - like M&K in other words  I've yet to lay my eyes on any THX system that looks delish and can easily melt into a "normal" livingroom environment. Well, maybe apart from the column speakers LT 6 THX Select from TEUFEL, perhaps. Then again, I assume most THX speakers are made for dedicated rooms in the first place. It's still ashame though. 

I think the most attractive THX speakers I've seen / heard are the Jamo's D500 package in White. Just a shame they are not very good with music.

Seems to be a common trait with AV speakers. I've changed to hi-fi speakers less than half the price of my old AV speakers and they're more than twice as good with music. They're not bad for music - on many levels quite acceptable, but the difference is staggering.

One of the major reasons I went with the Apex is their ability to play music.

I do not have the room or finances for two systems as  nor do most people ,so their needs to be a middle ground.

I demoed the Apex with an Arcam AVR600 and the Apex were fantastic with music. I did not feel there was a sonic compromise between them and dedicated small stand mounted speakers. Set the sub up correctly and superb musical reproduction is to be had.

Yes you either prefer a full range system or sub sat, two types of sound but I like the detail produced by good sub sat systems and I find them easier to live with ie placement,small children and fingers etc.

MK systems are fantastic and cant be beaten for movie veiwing. I have demoed some serious MK stuff over the years and yes I could live with their looks as I like them, used to have 2 MX V125THX subs and they were stunning with movies and music but the speakers just didnt handle music as well as more conventional designs.

ohhhh to win the lottery

 Hi

Just curious guys, which one is better:

Apex 5.1 vs Radius 270 fronts, Silver RX Centre, Radius 180 Rears and AW12 Sub - in terms of music and movies.

Cheers

I would say the Apex, they will produce a more even and spacious soundstage than the mixed setup of the others. if you went the Radius route I would suggest the R250 or R225 as a centre not the RXC. I've just cancelled my R90HD rears I was due to collect tomorrow and decided to pay the extra for the A10's as I believe they are worth it, even though the rears only handle around 20% of the sound track.

markjaspi,

I have been running Radius R90HD's as rears with the Apex, they are great but as previuosly stated I have just ordered another pair of A10's for rear duties as they are much better.

If you listen to multi channel music the rears often take a good work out and it is better if poss to match all speakersas we know.

I will use the Radius as front heights as I believe they literally are used for ambience and will tell myself that that I will not replace them with A10's as I am saving for a new amp to really drive the Apex!!

 

Gel,

I will agree with markjaspi,

I have had the Radius and they are fantastic but I would go for the Apex if poss.

If you are going to use the Radius use the R225 or R250HD centre along side the R270HD's

R180 rears and the AW12 sub will be the icing on the cake.

It will be a superb package with both movies and music.

 

 Cheers guys, much appreciated.

Hi RickyDeg

Your welcome.

Two Apex AW12 subs will be great On paper at least the placement for the subs should be fine and i hope this proves to be so later on today.

Btw, i've also got clients in Sweden

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

You do? Darn it, had I only known that.......lol 

Just found out my delivery of the system is delayed over a week. Ugh.

And all the new furniture that is going to house it won't come til may. 

But, no reason to complain. Sitting tight is in order.

Also, I were promised by my dealer that I could switch to 5 equal A40's should I not feel 100% about the integration since I'm incredibly sensitive to that. Using 5 identical speakers all-round is something I've now found to be pretty much essential. I didn't pick up on anything specific during my auditions of the system, but auditioning is one thing - living with them is another. What is your personal take on using A10's and one A40 in the "normal" package?