Customer Reviews

AudioSource AST 220S Satellite Speakers for Plasma & LCD TVs (Pair)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have 14 of these speakers...7 for the home theater and 7 for the master bedroom. These come under a couple of different brand names; Carver and Audiovox but they contain the same exact speakers and crossovers (I've taken them apart).

Phoenix Gold is the real manufacturer...but I don't get hung up on names. Just know that the speaker stands and bases for the Audiovox don't fit the Carvers and vice-versa. The Carvers are 16" long and the Audiovox are 20" long. Each are only 3 1/2" deep. The enclosures and grills are aluminum and I think the end caps are plastic.

Ok, I'm in my fifties and have been a life-long lover of movies and music. In my younger years I also played saxophone professionally. I've had many major brands of speakers and my favorites had always been my 1969 Wharfedale 4-way speakers with solid walnut wood enclosures filled with sand. These models were auditioned at Carnegie Hall by Wharfedale and supposedly the audience couldn't tell the difference between a live orchestra and the speakers. Now, I find that hard to believe but at least the demonstration shows the Wharfedale Company put some sort of faith in their products.

These Audiovox/Carver speakers are superb. They are rated up to 20khz and down to 90hz +- 2.5 db. This lower level seems to be an accurate description as the Audyssey setup on my Denon 1909 receiver shows a minimum of 90 and even 80hz. As for the 20khz, I can't measure that but they produce crystal clear highs and midrange without being the least bit boomy or muddy. My wife has sensitive ears (they hurt easily) and this is one of the few speakers I've had where she says she loves the sound. I'm sure in a blindfold test the so-called high-end speaker company's products couldn't be told apart.

The all-important dialogue in movies that comes out of these speakers is phenomenal. I've been using these for over a year and still marvel at the sound quality. The build quality is also extremely well done.

Ok, that's my take...but it's just an opinion...but I can't see how you could go wrong. If you're thinking of buying these start out with one pair like I did. I don't think it will be long until you're up to 5 or 6 or 7 or 14.

These are good for the price if you are putting your system together on a tight budget. The picture makes them look black and the desription said "charcoal grey". I don't think that they are charcoal, more like a pewter color. So for those of you tring to have everything match you may have to paint them. The awkward dimensions fit perfectly for what I needed. Just wondering if I had used two of the 220C instead if they would be any clearer or if it is just the same speaker with the logo on the side of the grill inseated of the bottom.