3.1 Set up for $4000

[Ironman129]

So I have about $4k to spend on speakers for a 3.1 setup. It will be about 50/50 between music and movies. I listen to a lot of jazz and vocals. I have been looking at Salk and Philharmonic 2s. Was wondering if there were any other suggestions for this pricerange. Probably going to be powering them with an Emotiva XPA-3. Thanks for the help.

[Swerd]

So I have about $4k to spend on speakers for a 3.1 setup. It will be about 50/50 between music and movies. I listen to a lot of jazz and vocals. I have been looking at Salk and Philharmonic 2s. Was wondering if there were any other suggestions for this pricerange. Probably going to be powering them with an Emotiva XPA-3. Thanks for the help.

Excellent choices! In my opinion, nothing else comes close in your price range. I've heard the Philharmonic 1 & 3, and own SongTowers. I don't know if a Philharmonic 2 has been built yet, but I'm pretty sure what it will sound like. For the same price as standard SongTowers, the Philharmonic 2 is an excellent deal (as long as you're OK with black cabinets).

With SongTowers, a SongCenter is an obvious choice. What are you thinking of as a center speaker if you get the Phil 2?

I know the SongTowers are an easy load to drive (any amp with at least 50 watts/channel at 8 ohms will get the job done), and suspect the Phil 2 will also be very easy for many amps. An amp as potent as the one you mentioned should very easily drive these speakers.

For a subwoofer, you should wait until you've heard your speakers in your home before you consider that.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get 3 Philharmonic2 towers for $3,000 + 2 Rythmik FV12 subwoofers for $1,000 = total of $4,000.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've heard the Philharmonic 1 & 3, and own SongTowers.

Do you think the Philharmonic speakers sound exactly like the Salk speakers?

[jcl]

I'll stir the pot a little. Why 3.1? Are you planning on eventually filling in the surround channels with the same speakers? That would be optimal, however, might not make the best economic sense.

For music I don't think you'll find the center adds anything, you may just listen in stereo. For movies a matching center is great, but probably overkill.

Many receivers have a setting for phantom center channel, where the center channel is sent to left/right mains. You might think about giving that a try before buying the center.

I think getting surrounds will have more impact for movies than the center. Maybe you can borrow speakers from a friend and decide what sounds best to you?

[Ironman129]

With SongTowers, a SongCenter is an obvious choice. What are you thinking of as a center speaker if you get the Phil 2?

I wasn't sure anout eh center. I was wondering how well the songcenter would work with the Phils

I'll stir the pot a little. Why 3.1? Are you planning on eventually filling in the surround channels with the same speakers? That would be optimal, however, might not make the best economic sense.

For music I don't think you'll find the center adds anything, you may just listen in stereo. For movies a matching center is great, but probably overkill.

Many receivers have a setting for phantom center channel, where the center channel is sent to left/right mains. You might think about giving that a try before buying the center.

I think getting surrounds will have more impact for movies than the center. Maybe you can borrow speakers from a friend and decide what sounds best to you?

I want to get the best speakers i can right now, then add to them when the money comes in. I've been debating on whether I should start with a 2.2 setup rather than a 3.1. Yes, the center would mainly be helpful in movies and eventually will add surrounds. I probably will not do full towers for the surrounds, but wondering where the place place to start is.

[3db]

I would like to add PSB Synchronies to that list;

the towers...



The Synchrony One's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.18/–2.24 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 56 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 50 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.32 ohms at 70 Hz and a phase angle of –37.55 degrees at 27 Hz.


It requires a stout amp to drive these however. They've garnered nothing but great reviews in the audio industry.

[Ironman129]

I would like to add PSB Synchronies to that list;

the towers...



The Synchrony One's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.18/–2.24 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 56 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 50 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.32 ohms at 70 Hz and a phase angle of –37.55 degrees at 27 Hz.


It requires a stout amp to drive these however. They've garnered nothing but great reviews in the audio industry.

They are a beautiful speaker, and in the price range as well. The amp is 200w per channel. I've heard good things about the Emotiva amp, do think it will be enough?

[3db]

They are a beautiful speaker, and in the price range as well. The amp is 200w per channel. I've heard good things about the Emotiva amp, do think it will be enough?

Yes...That amp will drive them nicely.

[Swerd]

I wasn't sure about the center. I was wondering how well the songcenter would work with the Phils

That would be my first choice.

I want to get the best speakers I can right now, then add to them when the money comes in. I've been debating on whether I should start with a 2.2 setup rather than a 3.1. Yes, the center would mainly be helpful in movies and eventually will add surrounds. I probably will not do full towers for the surrounds, but wondering where the place place to start is.

I think the front speakers are much more important than the rear speakers. If you skimp anywhere, skimp on the rear speakers.

I would not run out and get any subwoofer, much less two, until you first hear your main speakers and how well their bass works, or doesn't work, in your room. With the SongTowers, supplementing their bass with a subwoofer was rather easy in my experience. The Phil 2 goes a bit lower than the ST, so it should be that much easier. A powerful amp, like the Emotiva you mentioned, will help out the bass. I think many people mistakenly spend too much on subwoofer(s) and get little in return.

Do you think the Philharmonic speakers sound exactly like the Salk speakers?

Exactly is a strong word. I would say they are close enough to easily recognize their family ties. There are some differences in design that, under some circumstances, might make it easier to tell them apart. One is an MTM tower, and the other is a 3-way with an open back midrange. It probably requires careful comparison to notice these differences, but on first listen, these speakers are quite close.

The amp is 200w per channel. I've heard good things about the Emotiva amp, do think it will be enough?

Yes, 200 wpc will be plenty for any of these speakers.