Theory Audio SB25 Speaker System Review

[amirm]

I can assure you that our published data is not manipulated

I didn't mean to imply that you manipulated the NFS data. NFS allows for setting the per octave resolution and I suspect the value is set low to get such smooth graphs as you have posted.

 

[LPH]

I think they're extremely pricey at $3398/pr, especially when you can get a pair of Neumann KH 150's for $3500 with full amplification and optional DSP for another $300. The Neumann's will outperform these guys in every single way that can be measured, I don't imagine they'll sound worse either.

ASR had the prices incorrect in their original post. The sb25 US MSRP is $1095 each. Amir has updated the prices in his review.

 

[amirm]

ASR had the prices incorrect in their original post. The sb25 US MSRP is $1095 each. Amir has updated the prices in his review.

I went by what I could find online: https://acoustipower.com/product/sb25/

"Theory Audio SB25 Surface Mount Speaker -Each
Original price was: $1,999.00 $1,699.00"

 

[LPH]

I went by what I could find online: https://acoustipower.com/product/sb25/

"Theory Audio SB25 Surface Mount Speaker -Each
Original price was: $1,999.00 $1,699.00"

No worries. But Acoustipower is in Canada, so those are Canadian dollars they are showing. Even still, that doesn't track US MSRP which is $1095. We got it straightened out, so it's all good.

Very shortly Theory will be available from Audio Advice at the US MSRP for anyone interested.

 

[Speeddeacon]

Very shortly Theory will be available from Audio Advice at the US MSRP for anyone

That’s great news Paul.

 

[Brucemck2]

These are great speakers. I have used these (and other from the same manufacturer for several years). I’ve gotten great customer service too.

The price of the total package is more cost effective for multichannel applications because the amplifier can handle more than two speakers - you can spread the amplifier cost across more than two speakers.

 

[xavierjohn]

I listened to these speakers at CEDIA 2024, and they sounded impressive. The spinorama appeared unusually smooth, which I attributed to some DSP magic similar to the Grimani systems, but they likely used the low setting.

The amp is 9 channel and not 8 as mentioned in the review. I don’t know if it can power their sub. I was interested in knowing how a 9.4.4 configuration would look like.

 

[Speeddeacon]

I listened to these speakers at CEDIA 2024, and they sounded impressive. The spinorama appeared unusually smooth, which I attributed to some DSP magic similar to the Grimani systems, but they likely used the low setting.

The amp is 9 channel and not 8 as mentioned in the review. I don’t know if it can power their sub. I was interested in knowing how a 9.4.4 configuration would look like.

The ALC-1809 is an 8 input channel amp that has a duplicated mono channel for powering a second sub. So 9 amp outputs for 7.2 configuration (or 5.2.2). Two 1809s amps can then do a 9.4.4 config with 300w each to four subs, 300w to the LCR and 100w to the remaining channels.

 

[xavierjohn]

@LPH I listened to Theory Audio at Definitive Audio in Bellevue,WA , but it didn’t sound as good as it did at CEDIA. Were the speakers at CEDIA a new version, or is the room at Definitive Audio not set up correctly?

 

[TallMartin]

I'm in the midst of building out a Theory 9.6.6 system in a dedicated room using the Theory IW25 (the in-wall version of the SB25) for base layer, the IC6 for height, and the IWS 12-6 subwoofers. I'm in the SF Bay Area, and would be happy to have someone subject them to measurements (in the name of SCIENCE!). ETA on system completion is ~3 weeks. I'm working with Matt Poes on acoustic design, and with Daniel Fitterer on system A/V calibration

https://planner5d.com/v?viewMode=3d&key=e68a64062f3f402118f61c200d3f1146
Storm ISP Elite 24 Analog MK3 receiver
MadVR Envy Extreme Mk2 video processor
JVC NZ800 projector
r_volution PlayerOne 8K local network streamer
21TB Synology NAS for video storage
nVidia Shield Pro internet streamer
Amazon Echo Link music streamer
Panasonic DP-UB820-K 4K Blu Ray Player
Stewart Studiotek 130 G4 THX Ultra 138" 16:9 screen

Details on room construction (including wall and ceiling composition) here: https://docs.google.com/presentatio...zbx4pb_aeLxgk8/edit#slide=id.g28ab549acde_0_0

 

[amirm]

I'm working with Matt Poes on acoustic design, and with Daniel Fitterer on system A/V calibration

Matt should be more than capable to measure them. Please post them when have the system running.

 

[LPH]

@LPH I listened to Theory Audio at Definitive Audio in Bellevue,WA , but it didn’t sound as good as it did at CEDIA. Were the speakers at CEDIA a new version, or is the room at Definitive Audio not set up correctly?

I have not heard the Definitive room but I believe they used an EQ scheme, DIRAC or TRINNOV, which we don’t recommend. If they did, it would definitely not sound like our setups, which have minimal additional processing.

If you want to learn more about my (our) view on so-called “room correction” schemes you should listen to the Soundstage! Podcast from a few weeks ago with me and Jorden Guth. I go into it a bit and we’re going to do a follow up podcast to discuss the topic in more depth.

 

[xavierjohn]

They are using your amplifier and Trinnov.


I will checkout the podcast

Marrying Hi-Fi with Pro Audio - Paul Hales | Pro Audio Technology Origins | What Matters

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Pro Audio Technology owner/president L. Paul Hales to discuss his history in audio, how audio research has guided the development of his speakers over the years, what really matters in audio and what doesn’t, and why most consumer speakers fall short in...

www.podbean.com

 

[xavierjohn]

@LPH
I listened to the podcast. It seems the secret sauce is after the 1-hour mark—no one likes a flat curve, and no one can pinpoint what it should look like. I think it might be linked to genetics and upbringing. Observing friends from various backgrounds, I’ve noticed the same pattern with food preferences. Was there a specific curve applied to the demo room at CEDIA?

On a different note, I also dabble in drums. I got a Roland VDrum to keep the noise levels down and avoid getting thrown out of the house. Also, “Invincible” from Tool sounds intriguing—thanks for the introduction!

 

[LPH]

@LPH
I listened to the podcast. It seems the secret sauce is after the 1-hour mark—no one likes a flat curve, and no one can pinpoint what it should look like. I think it might be linked to genetics and upbringing. Observing friends from various backgrounds, I’ve noticed the same pattern with food preferences. Was there a specific curve applied to the demo room at CEDIA?

On a different note, I also dabble in drums. I got a Roland VDrum to keep the noise levels down and avoid getting thrown out of the house. Also, “Invincible” from Tool sounds intriguing—thanks for the introduction!

That's the point - there was *no curve* applied at CEDIA. We took the speakers out of the box, installed them and played them. That's just what they all sound like. If you're speakers are good, you don't need any EQ.

(Except the room was the second worst possible shape you can have : 1/2 of a perfect cube. It was 30' x 30' x 15'. We placed a single parametric filter at 42Hz on the subs only to knock out a HUGE resonance at that frequency due to the square room. No other EQ was used).

Even in a horrendous room, that's what our products sound like.

 

[Iansl]

Hi all. I am a new member here. I found the site to be very helpful over the years.
I am installing a 5.2.2 Theory system in a small TV room, 11 by 16 by 9. Seating has the couch on the back wall, which puts the listener 10 ft away.
The design calls for 3 IW-25 on the front wall with the center turned 90 degrees. It has been pointed out the off axis response with the speaker rotated is not very good in the frequency range of dialogue. I have been thinking of a few options and would love input from anyone who has used the Theory products.
Options
1. Mount center under 77" Oled vertically. Issue is it very low to floor.
1a. add second IW-25 above TV and use DSP to create a vertical phantom center

2. instead of using the IW25, use The IC-6 which is coaxial.
2a.add second IC-6 above TV and use DSP to create a vertical phantom center

3. mount the center rotated 90 degrees and hope for the best.

Any advice is most welcome.
Thanks.

 

[Brucemck2]

I’d ask the manufacturer their opinion. They’ve given me great advice over the years.

 

[amirm]

1. Mount center under 77" Oled vertically. Issue is it very low to floor.

Are you worried about the performance? If so, DSP will correct for that so I would not worry about that. It is much less of a compromise than using the speaker horizontally.

 

[nathan]

Good idea. It is worth asking the manufacturer of course but since the tweeter is at the top of that speaker, it will be as close to ear height as possible.

What I would consider is whether mounting the left and right upside down, to get their tweeters closer to ear height and to the center speaker tweeter, is worth considering as well.

 

[Iansl]

Thanks for all the replies. Helpful, and confirms my assumptions.