7.1 setup - KEF Q series or JBL L series

[fuzz092888]

Another option for the same speakers is onecall.com. The nice thing about onecall is that if you call them to order you can ask them if they'll do better on all the listed prices so you will actually end up paying a few hundred less that vanns.

[zieglj01]

Another option for the same speakers is onecall.com. The nice thing about onecall is that if you call them to order you can ask them if they'll do better on all the listed prices so you will actually end up paying a few hundred less that vanns.

Yes, a good option.

[ananth.gutta]

No local KEF dealers here in Omaha,NE :-(

[zieglj01]

No local KEF dealers here in Omaha,NE :-(

You can always buy a pair of bookshelf speakers, for a in
home trial period, to hear what they sound like. If you do
like them, then go for it - if not, then send them back.

[ananth.gutta]

You can always buy a pair of bookshelf speakers, for a in
home trial period, to hear what they sound like. If you do
like them, then go for it - if not, then send them back.

Thanks I will try that. Not sure if KEF (or dealer) does free shipping both ways.. I will check.

[lsiberian]

600 dollars for a pair of surrounds is silly. Especially in a 7.1 setup.

You can get the JBL cinema surrounds for less than that and given your budget it's still a poor choice IMO.

Surrounds don't really play critical sound so using a cheap satellite is plenty.

KEF Hts1001.2 Bookshelf Speaker w/ Wall Bracket Each Gloss Black | Accessories4less would fill the bill.

Then spend the remainder of your budget on better fronts. What's the best pair you can get for 2500 bucks? I bet it's an amazing pair of speakers. Even if you want a sub a 1500 dollar pair and a 1k sub will be much better than some high price dipoles.

[ananth.gutta]

600 dollars for a pair of surrounds is silly. Especially in a 7.1 setup.

You can get the JBL cinema surrounds for less than that and given your budget it's still a poor choice IMO.

Surrounds don't really play critical sound so using a cheap satellite is plenty.

KEF Hts1001.2 Bookshelf Speaker w/ Wall Bracket Each Gloss Black | Accessories4less would fill the bill.

Then spend the remainder of your budget on better fronts. What's the best pair you can get for 2500 bucks? I bet it's an amazing pair of speakers. Even if you want a sub a 1500 dollar pair and a 1k sub will be much better than some high price dipoles.

Would you recommend Hts1001.2 for sides as well as rears?

[fuzz092888]

I don't see why not. IMO, I think 7.1 is a bit overrated and that with good speakers a 5.1 is more than anyone would really ever need.

If you buy good speakers, that image well (hope I used the right term there) and have a wide sound stage, then they will fill the room with sound.

This goes back to what lsiberian said about getting good front speakers and a good subwoofer. Most of the noises you hear from home theater use would be coming from the front 3 speakers anyways and if those are good, the speakers should just fade into the background and you should forget they are even there all the while being enveloped by the sounds of the movie/tv show/whatever.

I got to audition some high end B&W speakers not too long ago and it was one of the first times I've heard high end speakers and I can tell you that if the speakers are great, and the content isn't half bad then you will hear sounds coming from the speakers that seem to be above, behind, to the sides, and in front of them.

All in all, I think you should save the extra $70 and not go with a 7.1 system and put every last penny you can muster from your budget into the sub and great fronts. Just MO.

[zieglj01]

I would aim for 5.1 - get it set up and listen for a while.
You may find, that you are not missing anything.