Advice on HTM2D Center Speaker vs. Other Options

[moonlightdrive21]

Hey guys, I have B&W 802D's as my mains and am considering getting the B&W HTM2D center channel speaker. Looking for multiple opinions on the following:

1) Is the HTM2D worth the money? How is this speaker?
2) Is there a better alternative for the same money or even cheaper?

Thanks!
Dave

[Aldo]

Shure it worth the money!
If you heve 802D there will be no better center channel except for the HTM1D with is the exact match of the 802D, but GO for it I'm shure you are going to love it!

[Race Car Driver]

MMMM... HTM1D..... Now THERE is a center channel!!!! Weighin in at MORE than an 802!!! Some day....

[Glenee]

I just purchased the HTM3S with a pair of the 802D's. It was a very hard decision, in that I had a special situation. The Center had to go on a shelf below the TV. The HTM2D is rear ported and there are port plugs you can stick in them. In my case I was scared of the last rear ported CC that I had with Puffing. I could hear it or sense it. Then there was the case of going beyond 20K for a CC how much past that do I need. The difference between lows was 1 HZ. Now that I said enough to get my tail fitted for a flame suit. I had great concern for use in multi channel audio would the 3S be enough to keep up with the 802D's. Answer not quite it is noticable. What I found out was that in 2CH the 802D's did not miss the CC it sounded as if the CC was still on when it wasn't due to the great sound stage and imaging ot the 802's. The 3S is not as good as the HTM2D but I am not sure that is $1500.00 better. The 3S is a very good CC and I am sure that you would be happier with the HTM2D CC if nothing else in your own mind. If money is no object go for it but you will be happy with the HTM3S. Now that mental stuff is some serious buisness in this hobby and you know that you kick youself in the A$$ several times before this is over.

Glenee

[Kal Rubinson]

Shure it worth the money!
If you heve 802D there will be no better center channel except for the HTM1D with is the exact match of the 802D, but GO for it I'm shure you are going to love it!

The HTM stand puts the mid/HF drivers lower than those in the 802Ds. An exact(!) match would be a 3rd 802D! Works for me. :T

Kal

[Race Car Driver]

Mmmmm... But three 8" Rohacel drivers....




Also... isn't the HTM1D like $8000 US? The HTM3S is only $1500 less then that? The 3 doesnt cost close to that much does it?

[RNKC]

The obvious cheaper alternative is an HTM3 or HTM4.

I have an HTM4 myself (got it when it was the HTM2) and my Dad has the HTM3 (HTM1 in its day). The difference between the two is dramatic. Sonically the HTM3 beats the pants off the HTM4 - improvement on detail and clarity is immediate. If you have space for it, I personally would recommend at minimum an HTM3.

Between the HTM3 and HTM2 the obvious difference is the diamond tweeter. Since you have 802D as your mains, I would think the HTM2 is a better sonic match. You'll probably be adequately happy with HTM3, but I think you'll notice a sound quality mismatch here and there. The HTM2 on the other hand will match perfectly your mains.

Ultimately the real question is going to be how much will you use your centre channel. Personally I tend to use my system much more for 2 channel audio, so I've spent the most time & effort (& $$$) building that part of the system. I don't watch that many movies and I don't listen to multi-channel audio so I'm OK with the HTM4. But if you spend a lot of time watching movies &/or listening to multi-channel audio (SACDs for example) then I think you'll be happier with HTM2.

[RNKC]

One other thing ... let's not forget that your amp will play a role in your centre channel sonic quality as well. Is your centre channel amp comparable to what you use on the 802D?

[Aldo]

The HTM stand puts the mid/HF drivers lower than those in the 802Ds. An exact(!) match would be a 3rd 802D! Works for me. :T

Kal

I mean that it is the exactly same coloration, size, divers, etc!
If you do not have a transparent screen it will be very hard to put an 802D in the center! :B

[Kobus]

If the center is used only for HT and not multi channel, then the 3s would be OK.

Kobus

ps: I have to say that as that is what I will be sitting with soon.

Kobus

[Kal Rubinson]

I mean that it is the exactly same coloration, size, divers, etc!
If you do not have a transparent screen it will be very hard to put an 802D in the center! :B

I know. Just giving you a hard time. As for the screen, that's not a problem for me; I don't have one in that system.

Kal

[Glenee]

What RNKC speaks of is definetly something you will have to take in to consideration. I have my 802D's powered by a Crown K2 500 watts into 8ohms and can carry a 2ohm load Effortlessly since the 802's like a 4ohm load Amp. I have the HTM3S on another K2 running on one channel of two same 500 @ 8ohms. When thay drop to 4ohm's supplying 800 and have 1250 watts availible at 2ohms. No problems. Heard them on a Rotel 1077 sounded squashed or somebody had thrown a matteress over the low's just couldn't do the work. No Amp You won't like"em.
Glenee

[moonlightdrive21]

Great advice and info guys.

I have a Classe power amp powering my 802D's and another one that will power my center channel.

Sounds like the HTM3 might be a good option because of the costs savings. I usually use 2 channel audio for both CD listening and concert DVD's. This is because 2 channel sounded better in my system/room than using my 3 or 5 channel setup (bypassing the surround sound processing).

I was using the old B&W HTM center channel for this setup (my 4 yr old son just blew out this speaker on me), so maybe if I got a much better center channel, the audio would be much better and I would use it more for audio? I'm not sure.

So, if I continue to use my center channel just for movies, then can I assume most people would suggest me getting an HTM3 and not having to spend the extra cash on the HTM2? However, I am ready to spend the money on an HTM2 if there is a dramatic difference.

Thanks!!!
Dave

[misterdoggy]

Dave,

I have had the htm4s htm3s and now have the htm2d. If I understand right the htm3s is like the old htm1. If you have 802D's the htm1d will match perfectly.

Having said that and having listened extensively to the htm3s and htm2d the difference it really very slight. A bit more punch in the bass and the D tweeter offers slight more clarity.

THE most important single speaker in a HT IS the center speaker. Its where most information goes

[sikoniko]

Great advice and info guys.

I have a Classe power amp powering my 802D's and another one that will power my center channel.

Sounds like the HTM3 might be a good option because of the costs savings. I usually use 2 channel audio for both CD listening and concert DVD's. This is because 2 channel sounded better in my system/room than using my 3 or 5 channel setup (bypassing the surround sound processing).

I was using the old B&W HTM center channel for this setup (my 4 yr old son just blew out this speaker on me), so maybe if I got a much better center channel, the audio would be much better and I would use it more for audio? I'm not sure.

So, if I continue to use my center channel just for movies, then can I assume most people would suggest me getting an HTM3 and not having to spend the extra cash on the HTM2? However, I am ready to spend the money on an HTM2 if there is a dramatic difference.

Thanks!!!
Dave

If I am reading this right, you had the matrix htm correct? When I first upgraded my MHTM to NHTM2, there was a night and day difference. When you get your new center (I wouldnt do anything short of the HTM3) you will begin to notice sounds that you never knew existed. Prepare youself to be amazed!

[Race Car Driver]

Dave,

I have had the htm4s htm3s and now have the htm2d. If I understand right the htm3s is like the old htm1. If you have 802D's the htm1d will match perfectly.

Having said that and having listened extensively to the htm3s and htm2d the difference it really very slight. A bit more punch in the bass and the D tweeter offers slight more clarity.

THE most important single speaker in a HT IS the center speaker. Its where most information goes

Correct, the HTM3s (new) Is like the (old) HTM1. The HTM3d of course has the diamond tweeter.

Then the HTM1D (not to be confused with the old HTM1) is the big 200+ pound center pictured earlier in this thread. :twisted:

[moonlightdrive21]

Thanks so much everyone!

If I am reading this right, you had the matrix htm correct?

Yes, that's right. So I am very much looking forward to an upgrade, though I am in a tough financial position.

Part of me is saying that to spend around $2500 for the HTM3S is already a lot of money, so I might as well go all the way and spend $1500 more for the HTM2D so it matches my 2 front main speakers.

I'll have to think about it.

Thanks all!!

[sikoniko]

Thanks so much everyone!



Yes, that's right. So I am very much looking forward to an upgrade, though I am in a tough financial position.

Part of me is saying that to spend around $2500 for the HTM3S is already a lot of money, so I might as well go all the way and spend $1500 more for the HTM2D so it matches my 2 front main speakers.

I'll have to think about it.

Thanks all!!

Perhaps your dealer will let give you the 1 yr trade in value so you can upgrade to the htm2d when you are able to financially.

[misterdoggy]

Correct, the HTM3s (new) Is like the (old) HTM1. The HTM3d of course has the diamond tweeter.

Then the HTM1D (not to be confused with the old HTM1) is the big 200+ pound center pictured earlier in this thread. :twisted:

Race Car Driver,

Just a correction. There is no such thing as a Htm3d. Only an HTM3S, meaning it does not have the Diamond Tweeter.

The HTM3S has great similarities to the Old N htm1

Only the the htm1d and htm2d had the diamond tweeters.

The difference is so slight between the htm2d and htm3s i can't really say its worth the extra $$.