BIC America FH6-LCR Dual 6.5-Inch 175-Watt LCR Speaker with Mid/High Frequency Horn
- Dual injection molded woofers with rubber surround
- 6 1/4″ mid/high frequency horns, neodymium magnets
- High efficiency output to 116dB
- Frequency response: 40Hz-23kHz
- Includes 5-year warranty
Product Description
For more than 50 years, midrange and high frequency horns have been the hands-down choice for movie theater sound engineers. From the softest whispers… To the highest impact sound… Hrn drivers have no equal when it comes to clarity and dynamic range. The BIC Formula Theater Series carries on the legacy of the first Formula Series introduced in 1973. They offer an output capability of up to 116dB (live rock band levels), while offering refinements that surpass all of its predecessors. Dual injection molded woofers with rubber surround. 6 1/4″ mid/high frequency horns. neodymium magnets. High efficiency output to 116dB. Frequency response: 40Hz-23kHz. 22″ W x 8″ H x 6″ D. Sold individually…. More >>
BIC America FH6-LCR Dual 6.5-Inch 175-Watt LCR Speaker with Mid/High Frequency Horn
BIC America makes many high quality speakers for affordable prices, but this could be the best value of the bunch. While not a part of the slightly higher end Acoustech series (for example this slightly larger BIC Acoustech PL-28 Center Speaker – Black), this speaker shares many of the components you’ll see there (more than other BIC America speakers). These welcome upgrades include a horn loaded tweeter similar to what one finds on Klipsch speakers (supposedly BIC was forced to forgo their orange drivers in favor of the new platinum ones on Acoustech speakers as they looked too much like Klipsch’s reference series), attractive cabinets, broad range (40Hz-23kHz), and high levels of sensitivity (95dB). One bonus this speaker adds over the similar Acoustechs is the ability to mount the speaker vertically on a wall (thus allowing it to operate more easily as a left or right speaker). The included wall mounts work very well, which they need to, as this is a hefty speaker (16lbs).
Look around for a similarly priced speaker that offers most of these features, and you’ll start running out of luck. Try finding them all, and you’ll either be looking at a 2nd hand Klipsch (if you’re lucky) or this one. Others may seem similar, but lack the sensitivity (require more wattage for a given level of sound) or the range (you won’t need to rely as much on a sub as with other speakers). Pair three of these (left, center, and right–what the LCR stands for in the name) with BIC America F12 12-Inch 450-Watt Front Firing Powered Subwoofer and some nice surrounds (BIC offers nice Acoustech PL-66 surrounds) or these sweet Klipsch S-3 Synergy Surround Speaker (Pair, Black) (my setup), and you’re good to go!
OK – I first bought the other Bic DV-62CLRS center channel – then the Bic DV-64 tower speakers – and kept on looking at this FH6-LCR center – but there weren’t any reviews – so I just sat on the fence until the first glowing review from Marc Jordan showed up – then I pounced and bought this guy.
What a correct decision that was – don’t get me wrong – the DV-62CLRS is an extremely capable center – but this FH6-LCR center is simply outstanding. You can hear very soft whispers in the dialog without driving your system at insane levels (even our neighbors complemented us on the changes).
I ordered another DV-62CLRS and will use them as the side speakers. I am tempted to order two more FH6-LCR’s as replacements for my Mission rear speakers because of the ‘amplified’ characteristics of this speaker. (Have to let the dear wife get used to the changes first-eh).
Bottom line = this FH6-LCR’s is a GREAT center channel – it blends in with and complements the other speakers perfectly – and at a ridiculously low price – you will NOT be disappointed-eh!!
(btw – if you do some research – you will find that this exact same design with the center horn – is used on BIC’s top of the line speaker system – and now I know why-eh)
Edit 08/22/2009
Ok – I’ve been listening to this FH6-LCR center for the past six weeks – and have just bought TWO MORE to use as my rear surround speakers – as the sound (now ‘broken in’) is just getting better with time. Again an OUTSTANDING speaker for an OUTSTANDINGLY LOW PRICE price-eh!!!
Don’t be fooled by the price of this center channel speaker. I don’t know how they offer this kind of sound quality and sheer power for this price. It is a mystery to me why most speaker companies use such small drivers in the center channel of their speaker lines. I consider myself an audiophile,but anyone with a 5.1 home theater system knows that between 70 and 95% of a movies sound is channeled through the center channel; that’s most of your movie! Why speaker companies skemp in this area in quality or size of drivers is beyond me. The exception to this small LCR model may be Paradigme,Def.Tech, and in some instances, Klipch and Martin Logan. These companies utilize either powered centers (built in amps.), larger bass drivers in the center or a wide array of mid woofers. You have to understand that there are frequencies and nuances of midbass that the Pre-Amp./Receiver will only send to the center speaker. That is why Center Channel speakers with powered, large, or an array of midwoofers sounds so good to most people, and that is also why so many people miss or strain to hear dialogue in an otherwise nice sounding set-up! Enter the BIC America FH6-LCR; It misses nothing and in fact sounds so rich, powerful and clear that you would swear it was an active/powered, high end center channel! I thought that other reviewers were off their Med.s when they said that this brand could compare with speakers costing 6 times as much, but I am now a believer. It amazes me that this speaker sounds almost as good as my $1,000 B&W Center and matches up with my B&W 703s and Pioneer Elite SC-05 fairly well. Don’t pass this one up. Amazon has the best price on this center, but can you believe they sale a speaker this nice at Wal****! Yes, I said, Wally World…. Go figure!