I'm looking at buying a nice introductory speaker setup for my parents.  I'm wondering though, which will present a better soundstage between those two options listed in the title?  It'll be mostly used to watch television, with the occasional classical/country/rock CD thrown into the mix.  Note: I'm also going to be adding a center channel, but the surrounds will come sometime in the (most likely near) future.  Thanks!

Redhawk - traditionally monitors have the ability to soundstage and 'dissapear' better than a floorstander, but that is mostly based on the front baffle size or width of the cabinet.  Aperions front baffle is minimized to just contain the drivers w/ little excess for sound to bounce off of.  The diminutive size of the 533-T will allow it to image as well as many monitors out there! 

Also, if you are using a center channel speaker, this imaging won't be as noticable or as important while using the center channel along with the fronts.  Sadly, one of the worst things to get in the way of any speakers imaging is a large TV between the speakers - pulling the speakers out in front of the TV as far as possible will help!

Good luck with your decision!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9562868&&#post9562868

having had both types of setups, I would take a pair of towers any day over the bookshelf/sub combo.

also, I can say that the 533-T is a nice tower, not too big, with good imaging and soundstage.

to enhance the soundstage and fill in the low end you could always add a sub later on. 

Nick, could you describe the speakers/subs in your bookshelf  and tower setups ?

To get a realistic soundstage, I believe you need a Sub best for movies.

 

I would certainly not take a pair of towers over a good quality pair of bookshelf speakers such as the Aperion 632’S matched with the S8-APR or the S-10 Sub.

 

Movies come alive with a dedicated Sub.

 

I am not degrading the 533-T in any way but I think they lack in bass when used without a Sub.

 

Jack

well, lets see how well I can remember....

the bookshelf speakers were some midrange Boston Acoustics mated with the Aperion S-8 APR subwoofer. The speakers were capable of 80 hz and up, so I set that as the Xover point on the sub along with setting my receiver for small speakers (which means Xover at 80hz). Realistically, this is too high for the subwoofer, but the speakers themselves couldn't do much below that point. The sound was good, but you could definitely tell where the sub was at.

With my towers (B&W CM-6) there is no need for a sub. These towers are designed to run full-range and are very capable of doing so when it comes to music. For movie soundtracks they can lack a bit of low-end extension, but since I live in an apartment (and I don't want to blow out my neighbors) they are fine.

the reason I recommend towers for you is that you should be able to run them below 80 hz, like to around 60, or maybe even 50. This would allow you to set your sub at a lower Xover point which help it to blend in better, soundwise. Also, the towers simply sound better.

I am fortunate enough to live a short distance from Aperion and I have done some comparing (in their showroom) of the different models. The 533-T is my favorite model for music. They have a fuller, more open sound, with better imaging than the bookshelf version. And they're quite nice looking in either of the finishes (though I would love to see a walnut or maple finish added in the future).

Another option to consider, depending on your desire for SQ, would be the powered towers. The nice thing about these is that each tower has a built-in sub with amp (and it has a Xover). The SQ won't be as nice as the 533-T/sub combo, but it will still sound good.
 

It would help if you specify how much you plan to spend on the front and center setup.

Aperion offers a wide range between $300 for (3) 422 bookshelves and $1478 for (2) 533-PT’s and a 534 VAC just as an example.

I own the         422’S

                        532’S

                        534-SS’S

                        632’S

                        S-10 Sub

All are great speakers and have their own characteristics, which you can check out on the Aperion site.

Jack