It has been a long time since I invested any money in my surround system. Looking to replace my very well used JM-Labs Symphony Sevens and assorted surround gear and SUPER old (40 years old) NEC sub.....

Just bought the 2 - SSat3 for surround. Have a SSat3C for my center. I have a few options and wondering which might be best.

2 - Aon 3 for main, the ForceField 4 Sub and call it a day with a 5.1 setup.

or

2 - Aon 2 for main, The ForceField 4 Sub and run with that as a 5.1 setup.

With either of the above and save for 2- SSat3 for Atmos

Or right now get 4 SSat3s now....2 for the mains, 2 for the Atmos and the ForceField 4 sub.

My curiosities are as follow.

1. Is there much of a difference between the Aon 3 or Aon 2 for mains. (Enough to justify the cost difference between them.)?
2. Would an entirely balanced Atmos sytem with SSat3s have any advantage?
3. Would I get respectable volume from a full SSat3 system? Or would the Aon units give me a stronger sound (volume level)

My head unit is the new Onkyo TX-NR636 unit with 115 w/c With the possibility of putting a better amp section in later.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Roman

Roman,

Tough call on limited information. If you spend a significant percentage of your time listening to music and will use 2.0 or 2.1 audio to listen, go with the Aons. If you mainly use the system for home theater, matching SS3s will provide the most cohesive sound. Both the Aon 2s and 3s are great speakers. Personally, I would do the Aons and a SuperCenter up front and the SS3s for everything else but you are already invested in the SS Center.

Regardless of your decision, you're going to have great sound. GoldenEar does a phenomenal job in matching sound across their models. Of course, I'm a little biased. Happy hunting and listening. Please let us know how it goes.

Cheers,

T Cobe

Have a week to come up with my plan. Actually since I am in a rental and want to be least invasive. I think I will go with the Aos 3, the FF4 and call it a day for now. Will be 50% 50% music and movies/TV. My thinking is when I get my new home in the next year or so, I will upgrade to a larger tower and use the Aos 3 and a smaller sub like the FF3 for my office and then when it is my ceiling to cut into I will get the Triton 2 and the HTR 7000 for my Atmos setup.

5.1 for now it seems....unless I change my mind a million times before next week...LOL!!

Roman

Roman,

I started with the Aon 3s and couldn't be happier. I plan to upgrade my front L/R to the Triton Ones as soon as I can save enough money to offset the WAF and will move my Aons to surround channels. Try out the boundary compensation gain on your Onkyo if it has it, your neighbors will thank you or at least complain less. My Integra has that feature so your Onkyo may as well.

Think you're on the right track. Triton 2s and Aons would sound great together! SS3s would go great in an office. If cost is an issue, I don't think there is a significant benefit in choosing the 3 over the 2. Both are great and the Aon 2s actually received better reviews. I went with the 3s for the increased bass response. I think the GoldenEars sound great with Onkyo/Integra. I look forward to hearing what you decide and how it sounds.

Cheers,

T Cobe

Thanks for the advice....renting a two story home right now so neighbors are not an issue. I think I am going to have to re-listen to the two speakers. I auditioned both with the FF4 Sub playing (as I intend to listen).

The listening room had the 2's about 6 feet apart and about 12 feet away....and the 3's were about 17 feet apart at the end of the shelf along the narrow room. That's probably why the 2's did not sound as good and the 3's sounded awesome. Just read about speaker placement for the GE units.

Since bass is handled by the very nice sub...the 2's might be my best choice and save me a few bones. I too have heard the 2's get a bit better review. I will do a final listen to both on a set of stands at optimal positioning before I make my final decision.

Now I have to figure out all the different options on my new Onkyo. My old Yamaha was back when I got my first laser disk. And Digital Dolby was a big deal. (that was the 80's.) so its been a while. I think I have to re-learn all the new controls....what the different modes are....wow. Crazy stuff I tell ya!

Final decision has been made.

Downstairs remains the same. 2 more SSat3s' an FF3 and were done.

I was able to adjust my budget a tad....and the store was able to meet me a little more toward the middle and I was able to get a much better amp.

Office will be

Aon 2's, FF3, and a Rotel RA-12.

I am STOKED! Thursday I will purchase it all. Now will just have to wait for the speakers to arrive (they are sold out) I so wish I had the Aon's for this weekend. I have a huge editing project to get done and could use the super quality tunes to drive me through it. Will report once I get it all hooked up.

Banana Clips just came in yesterday, and the Monoprice wire arrived today so going to re-wire everything while I am waiting.....I haven't felt this excited since I was a kid at Christmas.

Till then my little Klipsch THX computer speakers will have to suffice. Sigh......

Roman