nOOb looking for more help

[Drumbo]

OK OK
I have been trying trying trying to make up my mind

I just went to a local speaker store that had some crazy $170k custom made speakers. But i went to test drive the KEF line

They only had the q700, the room was a little small, but they sounded great in the room.
My room 19 x 19 x 9ft ceiling
open to kitchen, about same size
speakers will be facing the back wall of living space, not toward the kitchen

I havent picked the sub yet, (hsu, epik, rythmik, or epik Im sure)

Here is where im at

KEF iq90 x 2 = $749
KEF iq10 = $190
Waiting for good deal on the KEF iq60, but have heard of them going for around $300

I was thinking not a bad deal for $1200 5.0 system. ? Any thoughts?
Music will be classic rock, hip hop, electronic

My finger is itchy

[Drumbo]

72 views and no repsonses???

No advice from anywhere?

[zieglj01]

72 views and no repsonses???

No advice from anywhere?

Are you really having a difficult time, making up your mind?

[Drumbo]

Just looking for as much advice as i can get

[psymonpsyko]

OK OK
I have been trying trying trying to make up my mind

I just went to a local speaker store that had some crazy $170k custom made speakers. But i went to test drive the KEF line

They only had the q700, the room was a little small, but they sounded great in the room.
My room 19 x 19 x 9ft ceiling
open to kitchen, about same size
speakers will be facing the back wall of living space, not toward the kitchen

I havent picked the sub yet, (hsu, epik, rythmik, or epik Im sure)

Here is where im at

KEF iq90 x 2 = $749
KEF iq10 = $190
Waiting for good deal on the KEF iq60, but have heard of them going for around $300

I was thinking not a bad deal for $1200 5.0 system. ? Any thoughts?
Music will be classic rock, hip hop, electronic

My finger is itchy

You can get speakers of just as high quality for a much lower price tag. then again for 1200 dollars you can get a full bowers and wilkins suite and get some crystal clear sound, but speakers are one half, what amplifier are you going for?

[FirstReflection]

Well here's the thing:

how many other speakers have you listened to? Have you auditioned many (any) speakers at home?

Very often, with a post that is worded the way your first post was, folks aren't looking for "advice" so much as they just want a big "thumbs up". And hey, if you've listened to several speakers in your price range, done a few home auditions and the KEF iQ speakers are the ones you like best and they really float your boat, then by all means, have at it! KEF is a reputable brand with many fans and good quality speakers, so nobody is going to tell you that you "wasted" your money or that you made a horrible decision (unless they're a troll ).

In that sort of $800-ish per pair speaker price range, there are quite a few very impressive speakers. So it might or might not be worth your time and effort to hear and compare at least a couple of them to find out, first-hand, if there is something you like even better than the Classic Q KEF speakers. But, like I say, if you've already listened and compared and the Classic Q speakers are the ones that "do it" for you, then "Thumbs Up!"

If you're interested, just off the top of my head, I'd consider an audition of the following three speaker lines:

Infinity Primus
EMP Tek Impression E55Ti Towers and E56Ci Center
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340SE Large Bookshelf Fronts and Center

The Infinity Primus speakers are fairly easy to find online for prices lower than the KEF system you're considering. They do a heck of a lot "right" for their rather remarkably low price point, including linear frequency response, very good dynamic capabilities, wide, even, but controlled dispersion, and an overall "balanced" sound that is really quite accurate and "tells it like it is". These are an excellent entry point for anyone who wants to experience accurate sound reproduction, but has a limited budget. In my opinion, this is the sort of speaker I wish more people would start with. I think if more people became used to this sort of sound reproduction, they'd be less inclined to go looking for speakers that "sound impressive" or "stand out" in a store demo. These are the sort of entry-level speakers that allow a person to learn how to listen critically, so I'm a fan of folks at least giving these speakers a try, especially when keeping the price as low as possible is a primary objective.

The EMP Tek Impression Series E55Ti and E56Ci are big, dynamic, beautiful speakers. They're an absolute steal when gorgeous looks are a high priority, and they're a great fit for anyone seeking LOUD output capabilities. These are a very "pleasing" speaker to listen to, with a very clear and slightly forward mid-range, and a more laid back top end that is never fatiguing. These are not "clinical" speakers. They are not ruthlessly accurate and revealing. These are more of a speaker that's meant to be "enjoyed" both visually and audibly.

The Ascend CMT-340 SE is probably my favorite speaker in this price range. The SEAS tweeter that Ascend uses in their SE speakers is really a cut above, IMO. It is very detailed, extended, free from distortion, precise, accurate and clear. But where I think it takes a step above the price competition is in its transient response, which I find to be faster, with cleaner decay than the competition at this price point, leading to better delineation between notes - more "air" between notes on the upper end. To me, it's a more refined sound that I don't expect at this price point.

I also happen to be a fan of large bookshelf speakers over towers. Towers are often designed just to play lower - using the larger cabinet volume to create a lower-tuned port so that the speakers sound "bigger" all on their own without a subwoofer. My personal stance is that everyone should always use a subwoofer. It's rarely the case that a tower speaker will be placed in the room such that it has good bass response at the seat. So I say, separate the bass frequencies, let a pair or quad subwoofers handle the bass so that you can place them in ideal (or at least better) locations in the room. And let the speakers handle the upper-bass frequencies above 80Hz on up, so that they can be placed for ideal imaging and soundstage, without worrying whether their bass reproduction is going to work in your given listening room.

So I really like the large CMT-340 SE bookshelf speakers. And they have a matching stand available that makes them LOOK like tower speakers

Ascend's SE speakers are very accurate - so much so that they really sound (and are often used) as recording studio monitors. For MY money, they're the way I'd go at this price point. But that is MY taste, plus I don't mind the very plain, big black box looks

Regardless, if you decide to go with the KEF Classic Q series, I'm certainly not going to berate you or say that you made a "bad" choice. Quite the opposite! I'd give you a pat on the back and say congratulations for buying some good speakers that you've auditioned and liked a lot! They're a good choice, so if they "do it" for you, there's no reason to worry about it

If you haven't heard and compared many other speakers though, I'd recommend simply giving some of the speakers I've mentioned a try. I happen to like the Ascend CMT-340 SE speakers the most at this price point. I think the Infinity Primus speakers are a superb entry-level speaker for pretty much anyone, especially if you want to keep the price down. And you can't beat the looks, pleasing sound and output capabilities of the EMP Tek Impression speakers at this price point. And it's not like those are the only other options either - they're just speakers that I've heard personally, and I think are worth a listen at this price bracket

As for the sub, it sounds as though the total volume of open air (your "theater area" plus the kitchen to which that area is open) is around 19' x 28' or so, which is definitely a "large" space, getting up around 5000 cubic feet. That can be quite a challenge for a subwoofer, particularly if you're trying to keep the price down.

Personally, I'd be pointing you towards some very capable subs that come in around the $750 price range, once you factor in shipping. These would include the SVSound PB12-NSD or PC12-NSD (cylinder version) and HSU VTF-3 MK4 as my top choices. The VTF-3 MK4 is highly adjustable and might be a better choice if you listen to more music than movies. It gives you a lot of options for tuning the very low end output that the PB12-NSD does not offer. The PB12-NSD (or PC12-NSD cylinder) is an absolute champ for movies, IMO. You won't find a sub at this price point that plays flatter right down to 20Hz and STAYS flat, even as you crank up the volume. Plus, the PB/PC12-NSD is "unbreakable" thanks to its excellent limiters and filters in its Sledge amp. Like I say though, the VTF-3 MK4 gives you more tuning options, including the option to run it as a sealed sub, if you like. So if sheer output down at 20Hz isn't your #1 priority, the VTF-3 MK4 is the way to go in your room size

Hope that helps!

[Drumbo]

now THATS a reply..

holy moly.

I have listened to the speaker selection at about 4 frys around me and 2 best buy magnolias, and one specialty shop where I there the kef700 and the paradign 100

I have heard klipsch(i liked the bright sound with MY music on the rf62), polk, def tech, bw, martin logan, one pair of jamo, energy

The energies sounded pretty ok too, the problem with best buy, they didnt let me put my own music on or turn up the volume even close to where I would listen to it

I was really considering the emp tek 55ti, but I was kinda hoping they would go on sale; i havent heard them, but have heard good things. I was considering aperion and ascend, but nowhere around me, or the emp teks has them for test drives

So you would take the emp tek 55ti over the kef iq90? BTW, i dont care about how they look

[shadyJ]

For subwoofers, if the OP wants raw output, I would look at the Epik Empire. That has a lot more overall output than the Hsu VTF3 or SVS PB12, and its only $100 more shipped. That would absolutely slam for the types of music that the OP listens too. If the OP can swing $100 more than that, the Hsu VTF15h would have similar monster output and at deeper frequencies too. It is a large subwoofer though, but then there aren't many good small ones (with a couple exceptions). If the choice is between a VTF3 and a PB12, I would swing for the VTF3 every time. More output, deeper extension, more sound customization, in my opinion the advantages of the VTF3 outweigh the advantages of the PB12. Next to the VTF3, I would go for the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX, which is similar to the VTF3, but lacks Q control and doesn't handle deep frequencies quite as well. But with the VTF3 and LFM being so close in price currently, there is no reason not to go for the VTF3. Given the OPs listening tastes, it would be well worth it to splurge for a good subwoofer (or two).

[shadyJ]

now THATS a reply..

holy moly.

I have listened to the speaker selection at about 4 frys around me and 2 best buy magnolias, and one specialty shop where I there the kef700 and the paradign 100

I have heard klipsch(i liked the bright sound with MY music on the rf62), polk, def tech, bw, martin logan, one pair of jamo, energy

The energies sounded pretty ok too, the problem with best buy, they didnt let me put my own music on or turn up the volume even close to where I would listen to it

I was really considering the emp tek 55ti, but I was kinda hoping they would go on sale; i havent heard them, but have heard good things. I was considering aperion and ascend, but nowhere around me, or the emp teks has them for test drives

So you would take the emp tek 55ti over the kef iq90? BTW, i dont care about how they look

Fry's recently had a absolutely killer sale on the Infinity Primus line: the p363s for $200 a pair. For that quality of speaker, there is nothing even close to being that good of a bang-for-the-buck deal. I do like the Klipsch Reference series myself, the RB61s and RB81s are terrific bookshelf speakers.

One thing I would advise is to not spend a lot on the surround speakers. In most soundtracks the surrounds aren't typically tasked to do much. I would certainly avoid bipole and dipole surround designs, they are more expensive than bookshelf speakers and lesser performing. Put your money in the front stage and subwoofer! Here is a bookshelf speaker that is inexpensive and more than adequate for surround duty: the BIC America DV62si, $110 for a pair, shipped! If you need wall mounts, the best affordable wall mounts are the AM40 Pinpoint side-clamping wall mounts, nothing else is near as good for the price, trust me on this one.

[Drumbo]

So I picked up the iq10's and a pair of the iq90's- $800 total, not bad I would say.

Any advice of the best receivers for this set?