Of Experts, Advice, Marketing and $1500

[LitoGeorge]

Thank you for clicking on my thread. I know how it is on forums when a newb joins, asks for advice (clearly in the uninformed category) and then disappears. I hope to buck that last trend.

I've spent weeks reading similar threads, advice from real enthusiasts and reviews from those esteemed on this site. The end result is a much better understanding of whats current, whats appropriate for $500 - $1500 odd (all the way to $2500), and lastly, confusing. The confusion rests with different audio tastes and this is where I hope to gain some clarity.

Who I am:

a) Someone who can get along with a HTiaB, but whose audio tastes run into much higher leagues. I certainly appreciate clarity, no distortion and beautiful crisp seperation of notes

b) I havent had an audio system since 1994. Lots of financial discipline to get to this point.

c) My movie/ music ratio is 65:35 at the moment, probably go to 50:50 soon

d) My basement is my entertainment area. L shaped room, probably 500-700 sq ft. Concrete floor, drywall walls separating the concrete/insulation from the basement foundations. Live in our house, own property.

e) I am not buying for now, but for the next 5 years at least. We will be living in a larger house by then.

f) My TV is a Panny 65ST50. Larger than we need right now, but looking to the future as above.

g) Standard AppleTV3, and I airplay a lot through that device.


Components I've reviewed and shortlisted:

Receiver:

Denon 1712. I like the 7.1 aspect of this (5.1) down and 2.1 for living room music upstairs. As well as the Audyssey aspect.


Sub:

VTF -2 MK4 Subwoofer or SVS PB-1000 & SB-1000 Powered Subwoofers

I know either will be really ample for our current space, but at similar pricing.... what is the preference here? I like to learn and will certainly learn to take advantage of finely tuned bass.

Centers:

SP-C22 - Andrew Jones Designed Center Channel Speaker, re-engineered for 2012
NHT SuperZero 2.0

Any other suggestions?

Fronts:

SP FS 52 Andrew Jones Pioneers
NHT SuperZero 2.0
Jamo S 426 HCS 3 WENGE (I can get all 5 speakers for $200 currently on special)


Surrounds

Andrew Jones SP BS41
NHT SuperZero 2.0


I would have posted links but need 5 posts before I can do that. I'd truly appreciate your thoughts and to reiterate, all of those choices above come from specific advice from well respected forum members here.

Lastly, I am coming from Canada to buy and pick up these items at one central point in America, as the prices are superior.

Many, many thanks.

George

[3db]

Welcome to the forum. Its important that you keep the front speakers and the center channel speaker from the same series of a manufacturer for the best timbre matching possible. I mention that just in case you didn't erroneously didn't include the Jamos in your center channel selection.

[markw]

Lastly, I am coming from Canada to buy and pick up these items at one central point in America, as the prices are superior.

Since many of these items are available only via the internet (like the subs) or from various different sources, how do you expect to accomplish this? Also, warranties may not be transferrerable from one country to another.

[LitoGeorge]

Thanks 3DB! I forgot to add those Jamos to the centre list, but thank you for the timely reminder. I will happily edit my post.

MarkW, I aim to buy and ship to a central collection point. I've done it many times before many different items. As for warranties, I've largely never needed them, and while I know there is that "one time" it will be necessary, I am happy to take the risk.

edit: seems that I cant edit my original post again. Cant submit those Jamos for each category (except subs).

[hizzaah]

Thanks 3DB! I forgot to add those Jamos to the centre list, but thank you for the timely reminder. I will happily edit my post.

MarkW, I aim to buy and ship to a central collection point. I've done it many times before many different items. As for warranties, I've largely never needed them, and while I know there is that "one time" it will be necessary, I am happy to take the risk.

edit: seems that I cant edit my original post again. Cant submit those Jamos for each category (except subs).

Out of those I would vote for Pioneers all around and the HSU sub. I'll admit I haven't heard any of them, but the Pioneers are outclassing a lot of speakers for their low price and I love my HSU sub. HSU will actually will ship to Canada, so you may get in touch with them and see if they'd honor the warranty in Canada..

And this is the only forum I've come across that has a time limit on editing your posts.. Takes some getting used to

Edit: the Jamo set is list for $129 on Amazon currently. They would be at the bottom out of the three options though, assuming money wasn't a factor.

[LitoGeorge]

Thanks Hizzaah, lots to get used to here. I will post two more empty posts in order to post links to the products.

Opinion seems to favour the Jamos at the bottom end, so thats useful confirmation. Tx

[LitoGeorge]

Fourth post to speed up process and enable link additions.

[LitoGeorge]

Fifth post to speed up process and enable link additions.

[zieglj01]

Opinion seems to favour the Jamos at the bottom end, so thats useful confirmation. Tx

I do not favor Jamo - I have bookshelf speakers, that weigh
as much as them towers. However, your call.

[LitoGeorge]

Here are the links described above:

Super Zero: SuperZero 2.0 | Bookshelf Speakers | Premium Audio Equipment

HSU: VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer

Denon: FRYS.com*|*DENON

Pioneer Speakers: Home Theater Speakers | Pioneer Electronics USA

Subs: SVS PB-1000 & SB-1000 Powered Subwoofers Preview — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Jamos: Amazon.com: Jamo S 426 HCS 3 WENGE 5-Piece Home Theater System (Wenge): Electronics