ERM-1\ERD-1 Review

[robthorn]

The left speaker is normally between the wall and E.C. but it is tight so I am leaving it out until I am done testing. I had both center channels in the same place up top.

[robthorn]

Rear of room and sitting position. We have a new couch in the other room if someone wants to come help me lift it. Sometimes I face the rear speakers in so the wood strip is facing my ears. Less harsh I think. In fact I just turned them and much better.
Yes the tv is turned slightly right. Sony told me the remote would work without the ring and honestly it barely works with the ring unless you are pointed just perfect so I will see when I get a new remote. Towels are in there so I can move it until I get to put in permanent place. I really hate scuffs and scratches.

[doug917]

May 17, 2008 15:53:58 GMT -5 robthorn said:

The left speaker is normally between the wall and E.C. but it is tight so I am leaving it out until I am done testing. I had both center channels in the same place up top.

Is that the an ERD-1 turned horizontally in the right side of the E.C.? I assume this is where the L/R fronts are going. If so, are you tilting the speaker tweeters up just a tad?...looks like they are sitting below ear level from what I can see in the pics.

Looks like your room is more reflective than what I had thought from the discussion we had the other night with the tile floor and all. Very nice looking room and E.C. by the way

How far is the nearest wall from the right side of the E.C.? You may want to consider mounting whichever set of rears you decide to go with on the wall behind the couch and up a few feet and maybe moving them in a few feet so you get the one out of the corner a bit.

Thanks for the pics...it gives me a firm picture of what your setup is like instead of the one I built in my mind a few nights ago. I can definitely understand some of why we are hearing such differences coming from the same surrounds.

Enjoy the setup...whatever you end up using.

Regards!

[robthorn]

hey doug that is the erm turned inside the unit. I was standing while taking the photo so it makes everything look shorter. I did not tilt the mains up because the tweeter is probably within 2 inches of my ears when sitting and I am the tallest person listening.
When I am sitting on the couch the right side of our room opens up into the kithchen with our dinning area between . Just on the right of the right tower you can see our table leg. That short distance is why I wanted to put something inside the E.C. instead of worrying about people kicking an $800 speaker. so I would guess the nearest wall is 20 ft.s with cabinets that swing out in a u shape so it's half a wall tall at about 10 ft. from the right side of the E.C.
I thought I mentioned the tile floor when we talked but I could be mistaken. Once we get the new couch in there we are going to put a big rug on the floor.
About the corner if I used the erd-1 I totally agree with moving them away from the corner. There's no real way to turn them that is good for your ears in that corner being at ear level. If they where up it would be better because they wouldn't blast you. With the bp2x I turn them in so the wood is facing my ears and no driver is direct in my ear but it is coming at me still.
Thanks for the compliments on the room. There are some things to deaden some reflections like the left wall has a thick cloth type thing over our sliding glass doors that have cloth blinds all the way to the floor. Not the best but helpfull. A chair in front of the doors that matches the sofa and then the couch and love seat that sits to the right while in T.v. viewing. Right behind the table is another large window with the same treatments as the sliding glass doors. The wall behind the couch is the only clear wall and then again only right behind the couch.
The center channel is better than mine thats for sure but the more I listened with it in place the more I realized it just doesn't match. So it's unfortunate that I will be packing every thing back up today and giving lonnie a call to see what we can do with everything. Now I have to start a hunt for a new center channel speaker. The crappy thing is the def.tech centers are getting near the price of the whole emo package I bought.
Thanks again doug and everyone else that chimed in.

[doug917]

Robert,

Sorry to hear the speakers didn't work out for you. In the end, you gotta do what your ears tell you sounds the best.

Adding a big rug almost never hurts.

Are you setting your sights on the C/L/R 2500? Looks like it has the same drivers as your 7004's but with a smaller powered woofer. Let us know where you end up and how it sounds once you get there.

[robthorn]

I am thinking the 2500 or the 2002. Wondering if the sub will be all that or not. I am also freaking out about the $900 1 speaker price tag. I will have to do some listening Iguess. Only problem is finding a place with both on display. Hopefully I will be happy with the 2002.

[doug917]

The time I tried the Def Tech towers, the local audio shop let me take a pair home for the weekend with my credit card number as collateral. I would suggest geting them in your home if at all possible for testing...this is the only way you will know what they truly sound like in your environement. Keep in mind you should also be able to get them down about 15-20% from retail. Good luck!

[robthorn]

Yeah besides best buy/magnolia there is only one place around worth a you know what and he's pretty much an audiophile jerk and if I second guess anything he's like you must not want them and says come back when I do. A real jerk in other words. I bought from him before but I am not sure I want to again. He doesn't want to talk unless you are buying today. There are some online places that I found the 2500 for like $650 shipped. One of the new york based places that you get scared of. Like the warranty is no good because they aren't authorized. HIM HAW time I guess.

[bigred7078]

robthorn,

From hearing your description of what you like in music and what not, have you ever considered Klipsch? Might be your cup of tea.
RF-82's maybe? OR the much better RF-83's that are in a totally different league of their own? Just a suggestion, i personally find Klipsch better at detail in acoustic guitars than Def Tech, so i was just seeing if you ever considered them.


Bigred

[robthorn]

I have considered them but find the horns too harsh. I am actually very happy with my mains and surrounds. I only want a new center for the most part and after finding emotiva I figured having a matched set would be my best bet. I think I will just match the def. techs and be done with it.
To my ears there is just no substitute for large cabinets. Small speakers just sound small. Probably why we will see emo towers soon. I think I like metal tweeters also after this test. I really think the deciding factor is the tweeter in these cabinets.

As for my description I only mentioned what I noticed. I am more of a Hard rock listener with more and more country all the time. Anyone who likes guitar should realize for the most part todays country has the best rock guitar players.

[placebo473]

Wow. These speaks look ultra slick! Initially I thought the asking price was too high but these seem to be in the upper echelon when it comes to performance without the being overdressed cosmetically.

[doug917]

These speakers are quite a deal. When you look at other companies with similar speakers with similar features they are easily 2-3 times the price of these units. The sound they produce is to die for!

[ribbonking]

May 28, 2008 17:54:25 GMT -5 @doug917 said:

These speakers are quite a deal. When you look at other companies with similar speakers with similar features they are easily 2-3 times the price of these units. The sound they produce is to die for!

Doug - I have to agree with you. I have only the ERD-1 surrounds but I am very impressed with these speakers, especially considering the price. Before I put them up on the wall I hooked them up as my mains for an hour or so to test them and was pleased with the sound they produced.

[doug917]

What are you using for the front soundstage ribbonking?

[ribbonking]

May 28, 2008 21:35:32 GMT -5 @doug917 said:

What are you using for the front soundstage ribbonking?

Aperion 6B mains and 6C center.

[doug917]

Never heard Aperions. How do they sound?

[ribbonking]

May 29, 2008 7:37:04 GMT -5 @doug917 said:

Never heard Aperions. How do they sound?

I like them. Became interested in Aperion because they offered a beefy 3-way center. Can't have towers so I needed a solid bookshelf / mini-monitor. The 6B's go down to around 48 hz at -3 db so I use them for 2-channel standalone as well. These Aperion speaker models were just released in the last couple of months.

I enjoy these speakers for both HT and music and, to my untrained ears, they are a good sonic match with the ERD's.

I will say that the ERD's, at half the price of the 6B's, were impressive when I hooked them as my mains and ran them with my sub just to check them out when I first got them. I have the Outlaw LFM-1EX subwoofer.

[audion]

How do the ERM-1 sound without a sub for stereo?

[majorloser]

Jun 9, 2008 15:59:27 GMT -5 audion said:

How do the ERM-1 sound without a sub for stereo?

Funny you should ask

forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=421752&postcount=46

[roadrunner]

ROBTHORN

After reading your thread detailing the layout of your room, I can see why you are having some troubles finding speakers that fit well within the environment. Have you considered trying the KEF IQ or the KEF XQ series. These speaker excell at maintaining a good soundstage in difficult environments. I have seen them used with excellent results with one side open into another room (like your setup). and... they can be had fairly inexpensively on ACCESSORIES FOR LESS web site.

KEF is famous for its SQ and imaging. Possibly they may what you are looking for. Good listening... hope you find what you need sooner than later.