Aperion Speakers
Aperion Subwoofers
Miscellaneous Speaker Questions
Aperion Speakers
Which center should I get?
The center channel of a home theater system should be placed just above or below the television or screen. After taking this into account and measuring the available areas, start narrowing down your center choices based on size. Also consider the notion that your center should match your front L and R as closely as possible - for example, the 634-VAC works best with the 632-LR or 633-T front speakers. Generally speaking, the 533-VAC is a solid choice for anyone given its outstanding performance and average size. The 634-VAC offers the ultimate in dialogue reproduction, but it's larger size may not be for everyone. The 422-C is very compact while still providing excellent vocal clarity.
Which stereo speakers should I get?
You should consider several different factors when choosing your stereo speakers, such as:
1. Room dimensions - Larger rooms require a more efficient speaker with better bass capabilities. Generally, the bigger the room, the bigger the speaker needed to fill it.
2. Flooring and wall construction - Hard, flat surfaces reflect more energy and will create a brighter sound. Carpeting, drapes, and other soft sound-absorbing features will darken the sound.
3. Listening distance - The greater the listening distance, the higher a demand for a larger speaker. For instance, at a distance of 6-8 feet, a 422 or 532 is going to be plenty sufficient for theater and music applications. The greater the distance, the larger a speaker may need to be to offer a seamless soundstage. At a distance of 10-12 feet a 532 or larger is adviseable.
4. Personal preference - It all comes down to personal preference. You may have a small room, but you really just want a gigantic tower speaker. No Problem. Which subwoofer you choose will have an impact on what might be the best front channel choice. If your're still not sure, be sure to contact an Aperion Guru for suggestions.
Which surrounds should I get?
To determine which surround speaker will work best for you, you need to know where you can place surround speakers in your room. For a standard 5.1 configuration, surrounds sound best when placed along the walls to the left and right of your seating area. You can use stands, wall or ceiling mounts to achieve this positioning. Here's a rundown of each surround speaker we offer, and their benefits:
422-LR - Very flexible speaker - can be stand, wall, or ceiling mounted. If the surrounds will be pretty close to the listening area, 7 feet or less, the 422-LR is a great choice. 532-LR - More full range sound (better bass); flexible placement options - stand, wall, or ceiling mount options. Great for larger rooms, where the surrounds will be 8 feet or more away from listening area.
534-SS - Most realistic surround presentation for movies. Sounds best when mounted on side-walls. Can be close or far away from listener. Cannot be stand mounted. 632-IW - Great when aesthetics are top priority. Excellent bass for it's size. Mounts into Wall easily.
632-IC - Great choice when side walls do not exist. Mounts flush to the ceiling.
Which tower speaker should I get?
Aperion offers Three different models of tower speakers. Which one is right for you can depend on room size, flooring type, listening distance and listening habits.
533-PT - Our Powered Tower will offer a very big bass response and tends to be the best choice for movie enthusiasts.
633-T - The 633-T is a very musical speaker with a large midrange sound. It is equally comfortable in the home theater realm, but a seperate sub is recommended.
533-T - The 533-T offers some of the benefits of the 633-T, in a smaller package and is great for small to medium size rooms. It's great for home theater as well, but a seperate sub is required. If you aren't sure what tower to get, be sure to check with an [Aperion Guru].
Is the 5 series center channel speaker (532-C) the same as the 5 series bookshelf speaker? (532-LR)?
Yes. Except that the grille and rubber feet are oriented for horizontal placement of the speaker, so it looks good on top of a TV.
What's the difference between 532-C and 532-LR?
The "C" denotes a center channel speaker. The "LR" denotes a left-right speaker. The speakers are the same except that the grille and rubber feet are oriented for horizontal placement of the 532-C speaker, so it looks good on top of a TV. Some people wonder why the center is the same as the LR. Most systems have a larger center speaker, sometimes with three or more drivers. Because of the quality of drivers we use, and the HD-X3 crossover, it is not necessary to have a larger speaker. Plus, having the same speaker all the way around means you have a timbre-matched system. This is a good thing.
What's the deal with your HD-X3™ crossover?
Our HD-X3™ crossover is the product of evolution. Our previous crossover didn't allow us much creativity in design - we were stuck with just a two way crossover design. As we grew our product line, we knew our engineers needed more tools in the shed to design larger three and four-way models. HD-X3™ allows us to do this. (For you techies, it's a linkwitz-riley crossover, 2nd order, "with tweaks".) Plus we also get better power handling, and because it flattens the impedence curve, it negates any ill-will caused by long runs of speaker wire. Learn more about the HD-X3™ crossover.
How many watts do your speakers have?
Our speakers (like any speaker) don't actually have any watts. Your amplifier does, though, and that's what the speaker feeds off of. Power handling may be what you're talking about, and our speakers range from 100 - 300 watts power handling. Check each individual speaker for specifications.
Are Aperion speakers Bi-wireable?
No. Bi-wiring does not make any noticeable improvements to the imaging, soundstaging, phase-coherency, or frequency response of Aperion speakers. In fact, biwiring can diminish phase-coherency, which negatively affects the performance of the speaker.
Are your speakers made of real wood?
There's two parts to the cabinet - the cabinet itself and the finish. The cabinet is made from HDF (High Density Fiberboard.) For the finish you have two choices. Real Cherry Wood is just that, with a satin finish. High gloss black is a painted finish, with 7 coats of hand-rubbed clear lacquer.
Are your speakers magnetically shielded?
All of our speakers are magnetically shielded, except our subwoofers and dipole/bipole speakers. Subs and surround speakers are normally placed too far from the TV to affect the picture.
Can I connect the speakers to my computer?
Yes, but you'll need an external receiver or amplifier. That is to say that there is no built in amp to take the signal from your computer's sound card and boost it for playing through the speakers. To get sound from your computer out of your Aperion speakers, you will need an amplifier of some sort. Most folks use A/V receivers but there are more options for those that need something more compact or portable. Check with an Aperion Guru for options or read our Aperion U course "Using Your Digital Media".
How do I find out about previous models?
The only previous models not on our site are the 502D, 512D, 522D bookshelf speakers, and the S-8/150 sub. We hope to have an online directory of previous models soon. In the meantime, please email us to get info on those products. You can also read review about our previous products by visiting our Archived Reviews.
How many internal braces do your towers and subs have?
The 633-T, S10 sub and S12 sub each have one asymetrical internal brace.
What are the little brass spikes and discs for?
The spikes and disks are for the bottom of your towers and subwoofers if you want to raise them off the ground. The discs are used to protect a wood floor from the spikes.
What are the threaded inserts on the speakers for?
The threaded inserts on the 422-LR, 422-C, 632-LR, 532-LR, 532-C, and 533-VAC are for connecting the speaker to various mounting devices. The two threaded inserts on the back of the speaker are for wall or ceiling mounting with the OmniMount 20.0 mounts. Some of the speakers also have a threaded insert on the bottom, which is for connecting the speaker to a stand.
What are your black speakers finished with?
Our high gloss black finished speakers are finished with black paint with 7 coats of hand-rubbed clear lacquer.
What is DiAural?
It's a patented crossover design that we used in previous products. We have since evolved into our own HD-X3™ crossover technology. Learn more about DiAural and our HD-X3™ crossover.
Which finish is more popular, black or cherry?
We sell equal amounts of both! Pick which one looks best and will fit best with your home decor. The cherry wood is richer and has a softer finish. The black finish is sleek and modern. They are both gorgeous.
What's the weird looking speaker at the bottom of the 633?
That's actually a flared port, which helps give the speaker better bass response.
Why are your speakers better than the competition?
By cutting out the middle man, the most cost saving advantages are clear. Better build quality, warranty and customer service. Sound quality is up to you. But we think you will be impressed! Read the reviews!
How do your speakers compare to other brands?
Favorably. But don't take our word for it! Read some reviews, ask other customers on our forum and other online forums, and most importantly -- take a listen in your house with music and movies you like to listen to and watch! The most important opinion is your own. Take advantage of our No Risk 30 day In-Home Audition™ and compare our speakers with some others that you may be interested in hearing. Check out what the pros think.
Do your speakers come with speaker wire?
Aperion Audio speakers do not come with speaker wire. Wire can be purchased separately in our wire and cable section or from a local vendor. If you have questions about what speaker wire will work best for your, please contact us.
How big are your speakers?
They're bigger than they look! Please double-check the dimensions. The dimensions for any Aperion speaker will be listed in the "Specs" tab on any product page. Please note that the dimensions offered might include the base on a floor standing speaker or speaker stand.
Are your speakers good for classical music?
Absolutely! Engineers and musicians working in concert to get the best possible performance voice our speakers. Once the engineers have created a speaker to their specifications, it's up to the musicians to tailor the sound. And we run it through the ringer. Jazz, Classical, Pop, R & B, Soul, Acoustic, Rock 'n Roll - the speaker must sound great for all. After many hours and much trial and adjustment, a new speaker is born.
Are your speakers digital?
Since loudspeakers translate electrical signals into sound waves, it's impossible for them to be completely digital. Otherwise, we'd be listening to the distorted electronic hiss of ones and zeros! Some high end speakers have built in digital amps and digital signal processing, but they still have to translate the signal into analog so we can hear it. The most common "digital speakers" we’ve seen are the ones being sold out of a white van in the middle of a parking lot!
Are your speakers THX certified?
No. THX certification is very costly and if Aperion speakers were THX certified, there certainly would be an add-on to the price. But be at peace - we have extremely high standards toward the design and manufacture of our speakers.
Which speakers are best for surround sound?
Depending on your room set up, usually either a bookshelf or dipole/bipole speaker. In some cases an in-wall or in-ceiling speaker will work best, especially if you're really close to the surrounds. Check out our Aperion University course on "How to Choose Speakers" or visit our interactive system builder.
Will my mp3 player work with these speakers?
Yes, but you'll need an amp. That is to say that there is no built in amp to take the signal from your MP3 or Ipod and boost it for playing through the speakers. To use an MP3 player with aperion speakers, you will need an amplifier of some sort. Most use A/V receivers but there are more options for those that need something more compact or portable. Check with an Aperion Guru for options or take our Using Your Digital Media course at Aperion University!
Aperion Subwoofers
Do I need a subwoofer with the Power Towers?
Depends on your room. If you have a small to medium sized room, you may not need one. The 8" subs in the 533-PT power towers are great for movies and music, in average size rooms. The bass will be nice and tight, and musical. However, if you wish to go for more of a earth-shaking affair, adding one of our S10 or S12 subs will rock your world.
Do I need a subwoofer?
That is up to you. If you feel like you are missing some bass in your home theater system, a sub is a great addition to bring everything together. If you watch mainly movies, we always recommend a subwoofer.
Is more than one sub better?
Yes. Having two or more subs (up to 4) can really balance out the bass response in your room. It's not necessarily louder, but more even-keeled and balanced, no matter where you're located in the room. You see, bass waves are HUGE - some are longer than 20 feet. So with just one sub, the bass waves bounce around the room creating peaks and valleys of sound. With mulitple subs you create a matrix, or grid, of bass waves which makes the bass more musical and balanced. Try one in each corner and see how good that sounds!
Which subwoofer should I get?
Aperion offers 4 different subwoofer models. Which one is right for you can depend on room size, flooring type, listening distance and listening habits. S8-APR - Tight and musical, this sub works great for smaller spaces or in cases where floor space is at a premium. S-8 - This sub does it all. Lots of home theater "boom" in a small box. S10 - great for medium to larger rooms, for the listener who likes deep bass, without sacrificing tight bass. S12 - Offers very substantial low end extensions for larger rooms. The S12 oes lower and gets louder than any other subwoofer.
What's the deal with two extra speakers on the S8 APR?
The two extra "speakers" on the APR sub are actually passive radiators. In some ways, they act like a port. Since the sub cabinet is sealed, the movement of the active 8" driver causes fluctuations in the air pressure within the sub cabinet. This fluctuation essentially drives the passive radiators. The result is an exceptionally smooth and percussive subwoofer.
What is the difference between ported and sealed subs?
Ported subs use a "port" or "vent", often in the back of the sub cabinet to let large volumes of air escape at a high velocity. This movement of air contributes to the ultra low rumbling effects you often get in a movie soundtrack. A sealed sub does not have any holes to allow air to escape. Instead, it uses the compression of air inside the cabinet to help create very fast, tight and smooth bass response. Some music enthusiasts may prefer a sealed sub while those more interested in home theater use may prefer a ported subwoofer.
What is the difference between your two 8" subs?
The S-8 subwoofer is a standard 8" subwoofer with a port on the rear to allow high velocity air flow. This results in a very visceral and low bass response. The S8-APR sub uses a sealed enclosure with two passive radiators. These passive radiators are energized by pressure fluctuations inside the cabinet- the result is very even, smooth and "punchy" bass response, perfect for music.
Is your Power Tower totally powered?
Only the subwoofer portion of the Power Tower is powered by the built in amplifier. The top half of the speaker, which includes the tweeter and 5.25" midrange driver, is driven by your receiver or amplifier.
What are the jacks on my subwoofer for?
The jacks on your sub are for input (receiving a signal from your receiver) and output (sending back to your main amp). The inputs are necessary to make the sub work, The outputs are optional and usually used only if you have a very old amplifier. The inputs on the S8-APR, S10, and S12 subs have both speaker-level connections (that accept speaker wire) and line-level connections (that accept RCA type wire). The S8 sub does not have any speaker level connections - just line level. Line level connection is usually the best and easiest way to go.
Miscellaneous Speaker Questions
What is a bipole speaker?
A bipole speaker is a single speaker cabinet that contains two baffles. In the case of a bipole speaker, the two drivers are in phase and work together. This allows for sound to be sent in multiple directions and, in some cases, refracted off of other surfaces in the room.
What is a dipole speaker?
A dipole speaker is a single speaker cabinet that contains two baffles, usually offset by 45 degrees or more. In the case of a dipole speaker, the two drivers are out of phase. This means that the sound will be difficult to localize and may seem to come from many different directions. Dipole speakers are ideal for surround sound application.
What makes a tower speaker better than a bookshelf speaker?
Generally speaking, Tower speakers offer a bigger sound. This is usually due to their ability to produce more bass and, often, a bigger sounding midrage. This can be particularly useful in larger, more open rooms.
What is a Y adapter?
A Y adapter will split a single RCA cable into dual mono signals. Can be use to split an output from the receiver, or into a sub.
What is impedence?
All Aperion speakers are designed for use with commercially available receivers. Most operate at an average 8 ohm load. Put simply, they will work with your receiver. Specific impedance information is available under the specifications tab on any given product page.
What is speaker "break-in"?
Speakers sound better after they've been played a while. Usually 50 - 100 hours. You can play them at any volume level you want during break in; the speakers won't blow up. During this process, the voice coil becomes acclimated to moving quickly. Also, the rubber surround material gets worked-in so it becomes more sensitive and responsive. You'll notice better bass response and smoother mids and highs after break in.
What is the benefit of floor spikes and footers?
Raising a speaker or a sub off the ground can improve the sound of your system by decoupling any vibrations from the floor. Also, the spikes add additional stability.
Are bigger speakers always better?
Yes! Well, usually. Larger speakers will give you a more defined full range sound. However a good set up of bookshelf and subwoofer can be just as good.
What's HDF?
HDF stands for High Density Fiberboard. All of our Intimus speaker cabinets are made from this material. It is a uniformly dense material that minimizes cabinet resonances.
Architectural vs. Box speakers - what is better?
In terms of sound quality the nod goes slightly in favor of boxed speakers. This is mostly due to a box speaker having full control over the mass of air in the box. However, in-wall/in-ceiling speakers offer much more flexibility for placement and are very aesthetically pleasing while still sounding great.