Aerial Speakers for Music and HT

I am a big fan of the Aerial line. I have enjoyed three different models and all of them performed well. I'm currently using LR5s, CC5, SR3s, and two SW12s. The 10ts are a little more musical but the LR5s are very fast and placement friendly. I think two things need to considered when looking at Aerial. They need power and allot of it, Classe and Theta match up very well. These speakers take longer to break in than any others I have known. They sound terrible new, good at fifty hours, and great at about 150 hours. The attention to detail, cabinet construction and finish are second to none. You can call Aerial and speak to Mike Kelly (owner) and he will answer any question you come up, he is a true gentleman.

Good Luck
Ken

I wasn't going to respond to this but I can't resist. Keriadums, my first reaction to your post was a little anger but then I just laughed. The sad part is that you actually believe what you are saying.

Your correct, many people keep two systems, I did for some time. This is in a desire for a different front end and the cost effectiveness of a two channel system. Many like the delicacy of tubes and a pure analog system for critical listening. Room sizes, sound treatments, listening position, and the like are critical if you are reaching for perfection. Some of these are comprimised when creating a home theater.

THX and Lucas have done some great things for the consumer. Many of the requirements for THX have improved home theaters and forced electronics companies to produce better products. I don't think Lucas would even claim that their M&K system would better the speakers that we all love.

Home Theater Architect or EE or whatever, please don't tell me that Aerial, B&W, Wilson, Logans, or any of the other fine speakers discussed on this forum are not up to M&K for sound reproduction. Speakers that reproduce sound accurately don't know the difference between music and movies. To loosely quote Mark Levinson "there is no way we can make music better than what you hear at live performance, we can only strive to get close. Movies on the other hand offer tremendous room for improvement. The systems, even in reference theaters, have compromised sound. This is mostly because of an absolute refusal to spend the money required for the best sound reproduction." Yes you can achieve some very impressive sound with a THX system but please don't tell me it's the best there is. Have you ever heard a theater with seven 10ts or B&W 802s?

I discontinued my 2 channel system when I had the financial resources to afford a combined system that met my expectations for both.

I don't think you will find a reviewer or even a manufacturer to tell you that some speakers are too good for home theater sound. Good sound reproduction is just that, there is nothing more to say. My system is good but far from the best. My LR5s, CC5, and SW-12s will give all the slam and power that you could dream of wanting.

I'm sure you design some great theaters but I think you ventured out of your area of expertise here. I don't know where you live but I'm sure you could find a home theater or two with the "delicate & dainty" speakers mentioned above that might change your opinion.

Ken