Family room speakers

[Jay]

I have finished my home theater area in the basement using Axiom 60, 150, QS8 and an SVS sub. I love the setup and am happy with the speakers.

My next project is the first floor family room. Currently, all I have is a TV. Since we entertain and don't always want to be in the basement theater, I am looking for speakers for the family room. My room is 17X22 and opens to the kitchen behind the seating area (another 14X16). The speakers will be placed next to the TV and the sound will travel through the seating area to the kitchen. Therefore, the sound will travel 38 feet before hitting the back wall. The ceiling is 8 feet. The speakers will be used for only music and I am not looking to put in a 5.1 system in this room.

I was looking at the Axiom M22's but not sure if they can fill the room. I also don't have to stay with Axiom. Also, should I get a sub to go the the system? I would like to stay around 1K max for the two speakers and even less would be great. Thanks.

[zumbo]

Filling the room with sound is going to be more of a power issue using two bookshelf speakers.

Are floorstanders out of the question? While there are bookshelves that come close to covering the entire frequency range, a set of floorstanders would do a better job in the under 1k range.

Another option is bookshelves with a sub, as you mentioned. As long as you have the room for the sub, this would be a good option as well. However, if the source is a stereo receiver, I still say go with floorstanders.

[Jay]

Thanks Zumbo. Everything you mention is OK. Floorstanders or bookshelves with sub. I don't have anything to power it as of yet so I am open for options with this as well. Please let me know your thoughts.

[zumbo]

Thanks Zumbo. Everything you mention is OK. Floorstanders or bookshelves with sub. I don't have anything to power it as of yet so I am open for options with this as well. Please let me know your thoughts.

Well, if the system is to be 2-channel only, you can save using a stereo receiver. If you don't want a radio tuner, you could use an integrated amp. All depends on what you want.

Is the 1k for speakers only?

[Jay]

1K is for speakers only. However, I am flexible and can bump it a few more hundred if need be. When I say it is only going to be two channel, I may be play some DVD music concerts or DVD-A discs that are in 5.1 but will only be through the two speakers. I just don't want to be bothered with a full setup in the family room since I have one in the theater.

[zumbo]

1K is for speakers only. However, I am flexible and can bump it a few more hundred if need be. When I say it is only going to be two channel, I may be play some DVD music concerts or DVD-A discs that are in 5.1 but will only be through the two speakers. I just don't want to be bothered with a full setup in the family room since I have one in the theater.

Well, you need an AV receiver. That's good. Now we are open to the bookshelf and sub set-up for sure.

[zumbo]

How much can you spend on the receiver?

[zumbo]

Saturday Audio has the Monitor Audio S2 bookshelf speakers for $449.00 a pair. They are of the highest quality you can get for that price. I will post the link. Click on new gear on the left. Then, click on speakers in the middle. Scroll down to Monitor Audio S2's. Click for sale price. They will be out of these jewels soon. They only have the beech color left.

http://saturdayaudio.com/

Add an HSU sub, and you have one killer set-up.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3.html

[Nick250]

That 1k budget offers you so many choices, wow. I suggest you audition locally as many as you can in concert with ID route. Getting a tower vs a book shelf speakers with a sub will make know when you are auditioning and probably depend on each speaker system you choose.

I demoed the the B&W 602s recently, and for $600 I loved the sounded. There was no sub in the configuration I was listening to, so I will offer the 600 series B&Ws and Paradigm (I own the Studio 20s) for consideration.

Good luck!

Nick

[Jay]

Thanks, however, I don't like the beech color. Our furniture is darker wood so I think a dark cherry, mocha or black would be better.

One question, why are those better than the floorstanding series for about the same price.

[zumbo]

Thanks, however, I don't like the beech color. Our furniture is darker wood so I think a dark cherry, mocha or black would be better.

One question, why are those better than the floorstanding series for about the same price.

A bookshelf/sub combo works better because the sub is powered. Since it has it's own amp, all the receiver will be powering is the bookshelves. The woofers in a large floorstander will hog the power from the receiver.

[zumbo]

Also, you can usually get a higher quality bookshelf vs a floorstander for a certain $ amount.

[zumbo]

While I do like the B&W 602 option, I believe the Polk Audio RTi 8's sound better for the money. This will put you a little over budget, with the sub I recommended, but they are truly a good sounding set of speakers. They are not full range, so a sub is still needed.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28507

[zumbo]

Another bookshelf option.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENRC10

[mouettus]

Hey whatever you choose... don't go with a sub. 2-channel music is WAY more enjoyable only with a good pair of full-range speakers. With 1k$... you can go a long way. At that price point, I auditioned Energy Conoisseur (which you don't have in the US I think). But the point was that the speaker was built with a tweeter, a mid-sized woofer (5¼") and two woofers (6'). In terms of bass, you could almost go as low as you want. You won't get the power and the extremely low frequencies at high level but you can certainly feel the oomph on bass drum or hear the full potential of bass notes.

In terms of amplifiers, I REALLY recommend NAD for music. Something around 100 cwpc should fill your area quite well.

btw, don't even bother auditioning rti8's for music, they sound awful (I own them)(Really good for movies). The Rti10's are very different though... giving you the woofer setup I speaked about

[zumbo]

Hey whatever you choose... don't go with a sub. 2-channel music is WAY more enjoyable only with a good pair of full-range speakers. With 1k$... you can go a long way. At that price point, I auditioned Energy Conoisseur (which you don't have in the US I think). But the point was that the speaker was built with a tweeter, a mid-sized woofer (5¼") and two woofers (6'). In terms of bass, you could almost go as low as you want. You won't get the power and the extremely low frequencies at high level but you can certainly feel the oomph on bass drum or hear the full potential of bass notes.

In terms of amplifiers, I REALLY recommend NAD for music. Something around 100 cwpc should fill your area quite well.

btw, don't even bother auditioning rti8's for music, they sound awful (I own them)(Really good for movies). The Rti10's are very different though... giving you the woofer setup I speaked about

6" woofers can go almost as low as a sub? Are you out of your mind?

RTi 8's sound superb with music. You must have a power/set-up/placement/room issue.

I use my sub for 2-channel listening, and my speakers smoke RTi 8's.

[zumbo]

Never-mind. I see it in your sig. A $300 receiver is not going to even get the RTi8's going. Also, they don't do well in the lower-end. This is why a sub is needed. They absolutely sing crossed-over @60Hz.

[Jay]

OK. I like the look of the polks. How do they differ from the Energy bookshelf you provided? I like the HSU subs. Almost bought one for my theater but went SVS instead. I know they are better musically so I am fine with the purchase of one for this setup since it will be for music.

Now what about amp? I am open to anything, say $500 or less for an amp budget or should I go higher.

[zumbo]

OK. I like the look of the polks. How do they differ from the Energy bookshelf you provided? I like the HSU subs. Almost bought one for my theater but went SVS instead. I know they are better musically so I am fine with the purchase of one for this setup since it will be for music.

Now what about amp? I am open to anything, say $500 or less for an amp budget or should I go higher.

I would say Energy has an edge on Polk in general. But, IMO, the RTi8's are a better move here.

Best deal around on a receiver.
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=29695

[Jay]

I have a Yamaha 2500 in my theater. Is this better than that? If so, I could switch them out. Or, would another last year model work as well. For music, I am not sure I need all those bells and whistles which is why I am thinking an older model will do. What do you think?

[zumbo]

There is an Energy tower option for the same price as the Polks. It's a toss-up.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC500

[zumbo]

I have a Yamaha 2500 in my theater. Is this better than that? If so, I could switch them out. Or, would another last year model work as well. For music, I am not sure I need all those bells and whistles which is why I am thinking an older model will do. What do you think?

It may be better. Don't know. It does have HDMI. For the price, I think there is no need to look to another option. It's a killer price for what you get. You could switch them around once you get it and see.:confused:

[abboudc]

I was looking at the Axiom M22's but not sure if they can fill the room. I also don't have to stay with Axiom. Also, should I get a sub to go the the system? I would like to stay around 1K max for the two speakers and even less would be great. Thanks.

There are so many options in your price range, it isn't even funny. It's all subjective as to what sounds/looks best to you.

I'd check the usual places:
Accessories4Less (http://www.accessories4less.com/)
The Stereo Trading Outlet (http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/tsto.storefront)

as the best MSRP is usually not the best deal to be had. These places have great speakers at deals sometimes too good to pass up. I got a great deal on speakers that i wouldn't have even considered otherwise as i thought they were out of my price range. I'd also check Audiogon if you don't mind picking up used:
Audiogon (http://www.audiogon.com)

Your 2500 should be fine to power them. The other receiver mentioned has bells & whistles, but if you're using it in 2ch stereo anyway, most of them would be wasted. Why pay for what you don't need?

[zumbo]

Your 2500 should be fine to power them. The other receiver mentioned has bells & whistles, but if you're using it in 2ch stereo anyway, most of them would be wasted. Why pay for what you don't need?

Because it's a good deal with sub-out, and multi-channel in for dvd-a.

The 2500 is being used in another room. However, if OP decides the 5990 performs better, there is the option to swap rooms.

[abboudc]

Because it's a good deal with sub-out, and multi-channel in for dvd-a.

The 2500 is being used in another room. However, if OP decides the 5990 performs better, there is the option to swap rooms.

It definitely won't perform better, it just has more bells. If he needs HDMI, iPod, etc, it may be worth it though, it is a good deal.

[zumbo]

It definitely won't perform better, it just has more bells. If he needs HDMI, iPod, etc, it may be worth it though, it is a good deal.

They look equal to me. 10WPC is not going to make a definite difference.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=&compitem2=200004&compitem3=200015&CTID=5000200&VNM=LIVE&comp_items=200004&comp_items=200015&B_compare.x=41&B_compare.y=7

NOTE: HDMI is (Deinterlace 480p)

[Jay]

Everyone's help has been great. I really appreciate the assistance.

One question about the sub recommendation. You recommended the VTF-3. Any reason why I can't go for the VTF-2. I notice the 2 is about $150 less. Was there a reason the 3 was recommended (i.e., room size, etc.)

[Jay]

Also, how would these compare to my Axiom M60's? After having my M60's, will I be dissapointed in the sound of the Energy or Polk's? Will I get a lot more if I increase my budget a bit?

[abboudc]

Everyone's help has been great. I really appreciate the assistance.

One question about the sub recommendation. You recommended the VTF-3. Any reason why I can't go for the VTF-2. I notice the 2 is about $150 less. Was there a reason the 3 was recommended (i.e., room size, etc.)

The VTF3 will handle a bigger room better.

[highfihoney]

6" woofers can go almost as low as a sub? Are you out of your mind?


You saved me some typing:D

[Jay]

I found the Energy's here for a price of $549. Anyone have any experience with this company. I think that is a good price. I can't seem to find many places online to purchase from. Unfortunately, the closests Energy dealer is about 60 miles away.

http://www.audioexcellence.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=873

[ParadigmDawg]

60 miles isnt too far to drive to audition speakers make a day out of it and check out everything the dealer has to offer. If you are going with a sub I wouldnt woory too much about the ability to go low with the mains. You may want to consider some of the large bookshelves and a sub.

[wire]

I have finished my home theater area in the basement using Axiom 60, 150, QS8 and an SVS sub. I love the setup and am happy with the speakers.

My next project is the first floor family room. Currently, all I have is a TV. Since we entertain and don't always want to be in the basement theater, I am looking for speakers for the family room. My room is 17X22 and opens to the kitchen behind the seating area (another 14X16). The speakers will be placed next to the TV and the sound will travel through the seating area to the kitchen. Therefore, the sound will travel 38 feet before hitting the back wall. The ceiling is 8 feet. The speakers will be used for only music and I am not looking to put in a 5.1 system in this room.

I was looking at the Axiom M22's but not sure if they can fill the room. I also don't have to stay with Axiom. Also, should I get a sub to go the the system? I would like to stay around 1K max for the two speakers and even less would be great. Thanks.

I say go for it :) take a step up .
Start with Midfi stuff , LSI series polks to start :) . Then you have to pick up something better than a receiver to power them , maybe audiogone .
I also like idea of Klipsch Hersey's and a tube amp ( if i could get a hold of a pair in Canada for a good price i would try it ).

[zumbo]

I found the Energy's here for a price of $549. Anyone have any experience with this company. I think that is a good price. I can't seem to find many places online to purchase from. Unfortunately, the closests Energy dealer is about 60 miles away.

http://www.audioexcellence.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=873

It's worth the drive to audition. They are winning the shootout!;)

[Matt34]

You can find some pretty decent deals on Audiogon if buying used isn't out of the question. These are all floorstanders I've listed but there are plenty of bookshelves on there to pick from if you go that route.

Revel Concerta F12
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1178215384

Wharfedale Evo 40 Series II rosewood demos
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1177870202

Onix Reference 2 birds eye maple
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1177571058

[apatel25314]

you should get m80's and then use ur m60's for the living room:)