Cant make up my mind

[JohnnieB]

This probably gets asked a lot, but who makes the best sounding speaker for both low volume and just plain too loud rockin out. I realise this is a highly subjective question, but im in the market and have a limited number of brands I can actually audition. I live in the midwest and with the economy and the conservative agenda most stores dont sell truly high end stuff. If they do it's one brand and of course its always the best, in their opinion. I used to have a set of C-V at80,s, they rocked but didnt posess the refined sound I look for as i've gotten older. None the wiser i'm afraid because I still like to crank metal shredding rock at high volumes, occassionally. I'm just starting to rebuild after I lost all my gear. My main focus is on stereo music listening, but would also like to have a nice 5.1 for movies. I've been looking in the 4-5k range for speakers. I've auditioned Paradigm monitor 11, (ok but not), studio 100's (pretty good but sounded restrained). Def Tech, not sure of the model but were 600 each for the towers, (not). Klipsch werent bad but the horns were too forward for my taste and had no bass to speak of. Finally I looked at Revel f208,s. Awesome, but never heard metal or cinema on them. Everyone plays jazz, which I like, but I like a wide range of music. The guy gave me a deal on them but its takes my whole budget for the towers. I have a Sherbourne 7030 pre/pro, and am looking at Emotiva amps, bang for the buck, they look good. Will probably go with an Oppo for playback. WHEW. Any suggestions.

 

[JohnnieB]

Had to repy to my own thread. Sorry for the question, and in such a broad form. Just read the rules for posting new threads. I'm such a newb. With so many options in my price range, I was hoping to narrow down my search. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ponzio]

Towers or bookshelves with a sub? Room size?

 

[JohnnieB]

I'm thinking towers, I like the sound from towers better than small speakers. At least thats been my experience, such as it is. I've looked at C-V again, but I cant audition them. I'm not opposed to a sub, in fact I like the idea of expanded bass range. Room size is 12x22x8. My Panasonic plasma is on the short wall, where it has to stay due to the room arrangement. I currently rent, and will be moving sometime in the forseable future. I didnt want to limit my system to the small rental I currently live in, so some unwanted problems will probably be incured with a larger system. I would like to be around 300 watts/channel, more if the price is right for a great sound. I have also looked at Axiom. Mixed reviews and again, not being able to hear before I buy concerns me. I know good sound when I hear it, though everyone is different. I'm just new to high end audio and trying to swim through the myriad of choices. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Ponzio]

So the 4-5K budget would include 5 speakers (L-C-R, sub & 2 surrounds), correct?

BTW at that budget you can do way, way better than the Cerwin-Vega line. I'm going to assume you like a bass heavy sound, which the C-V's are noted for. I would recommend a great sub like the SVS PB-1000 or the PB-2000, which would still leave you with $3,200 to $4,200 to spend on your mains, center & surrounds and give you a ton of bass. It is important that L-C-R mains be of the same brand and series and investing in expensive surrounds isn't necessary and you can get away with using other brand name bookshelves.

 

[JohnnieB]

Sorry bout the details. Yes 4-5k budget is for 5 speakers. You are correct, I do love bass, and I've read quite a bit on the SVS. I agree on the surrounds, and for the most part they can wait, which would open up the budget a little more. So this approach would leave me with L-C-R mains to consider. C-V werent my first choice, but I couldnt rule them out, perhaps due to some emotional attachment. What are your thoughts on mains, what should I stay away from. BTW I like 80's rock and some newer metal like Five Finger Death Punch. I know i'ts a lot to ask one type of speaker to go from Motley Crue to Marc Cohn, but this is my need.

 

[Ponzio]

Sound wise I'm at the other end of the spectrum. I'm more of a neutral mid's, detailed high's kind of guy. Hopefully some of the other members here will start recommending some models for you. Keep in mind though that with a SVS/Rythmik/HSU/EMP Tek sub you can crank up the volume to satisfy all you bass needs, while retaining some clarity in the vocals (mid's) and the details of the high's, coming out of the tweeter. Best of both worlds, you might say. While I don't have any specific tower models I could recommend, I do have some brands I think you should check out.

KEF "R" series
Ascend Acoustics Sierra towers (internet only purchase but a lot of people here speak very highly of them and you can return them if not satisfied)
Focal Chorus line
Epos Elan line
Tekton Enzo or Pendragon models (internet only with a return option, if not satisfied)

Good luck and let us know where your search lands you.

 

[JohnnieB]

Thanks for your help. Sometimes all you need is an experienced voice to help you sort it out. Very helpful. Thanks again.

 

[fuzz092888]

I would also recommend Source Technology. You an e-mail them and ask if they have any dealers in your area, or you might be able to get them to ship some out to you. Another member on the forum here has had a full surround setup for about 15 years and he certainly likes to crank them up and he hasn't managed to kill them so far. To my ears, they'll also give you a level of refinement at lower volumes as well. Some models that you can really crank won't have quite the tonality and accuracy as some of the upper end speakers, but they're still pretty darn good.

sourcespeaker.com

 

[Rickster71]

im in the market and have a limited number of brands I can actually audition. I live in the midwest and with the economy and the conservative agenda most stores don't sell truly high end stuff.

I would also suggest Audiophile Loudspeakers and Subwoofers for Home Theater and Music - Ascend Acoustics, renowned speakers,subs,audio Maybe they can give info on an owner in your area that would give an audition.
As mentioned earlier I too always heard good things about them, though never heard them.
I may be getting a chance to hear them this week.

I was confused by a part of your question.
What did you mean by? (I live in the midwest and with the economy and the conservative agenda most stores don't sell truly high end stuff.)

 

[fuzz092888]

I would also suggest Audiophile Loudspeakers and Subwoofers for Home Theater and Music - Ascend Acoustics, renowned speakers,subs,audio Maybe they can give info on an owner in your area that would give an audition.
As mentioned earlier I too always heard good things about them, though never heard them.
I may be getting a chance to hear them this week.

I was confused by a part of your question.
What did you mean by? (I live in the midwest and with the economy and the conservative agenda most stores don't sell truly high end stuff.)

I think he's saying that the Republicans want everyone to buy Bose. Although he could mean that they've circled back to "music is the devil" and inspires the youth to sin

 

[JohnnieB]

I live in Iowa. Not much here but corn fields and hog lots. The economy is based on farming pretty much exclusively. For some reason the majority of people here think that unless it's a combine or a pickup truck, its not worth much. So they don't go looking for high end audio. Best Buy is fine for the majority. My paradigm dealer only stocks monitor series. It's what he sells the most of. I had to drive 150 miles to even see a pair of B&W, Wilson and Revels in the same room. All of it boils down to my opinion, I wasn't trying to make a political statement. BTW is that your Torino in your avatar photo. Sweet.

 

[JohnnieB]

fuzz you may be onto something. LOL

 

[Rickster71]

I think he's saying that the Republicans want everyone to buy Bose. Although he could mean that they've circled back to "music is the devil" and inspires the youth to sin

Oh, why didn't he just say that?
I blame Elvis and The Beatles.

 

[fuzz092888]

Oh, why didn't he just say that?
I blame Elvis and The Beatles.

Those hips!!!!!!!!! Those wildly swinging hips!!!!!!!!!

 

[Adam]

Those hips!!!!!!!!! Those wildly swinging hips!!!!!!!!!

He shouted while desperately searching for the nearest red circle.

 

[fuzz092888]

He shouted while desperately searching for the nearest red circle.

Nah, mine has sparkles and is rainbow colored. I sure hope we're talking about the same thing.

 

[Adam]

Sorry, I guess that I should try to add to the discussion.

I'm a fan of NHT speakers, but I haven't heard their products after I bought mine in the late 90's. They have redesigned them, but I've read good things about them. I own 1.5 bookshelf speakers, and they play very well both quiet and loud - but you do need the proper amplification to play anything cleanly at louder levels. I've owned two Emo amps - don't recommend them based on my experience with quality and their customer service, but sonically the amps worked fine.

There are a few internet-direct companies that offer no-risk free trials (they pay shipping both ways with no restocking fees). Aperion Audio and SVS offer that, and others might, too. Hard to beat that opportunity to audition them side-by-side in your own home, with no financial risk at all.

 

[Rickster71]

I live in Iowa. Not much here but corn fields and hog lots. The economy is based on farming pretty much exclusively. For some reason the majority of people here think that unless it's a combine or a pickup truck, its not worth much. So they don't go looking for high end audio. Best Buy is fine for the majority. My paradigm dealer only stocks monitor series. It's what he sells the most of. I had to drive 150 miles to even see a pair of B&W, Wilson and Revels in the same room. All of it boils down to my opinion, I wasn't trying to make a political statement. BTW is that your Torino in your avatar photo. Sweet.

Now I get it; those people/types are down to earth and see many things as frivolous and wasteful.

The economy really changed things.
The Paradigm dealer near me used to have the entire Sig line on display and hooked up to audition. Now it's order from a catalog only.

Good eye.
Yes I owned that car from age 18 (got it with only 28k on it) and had it for about twenty years. Factory ram air, 4-speed, 351CJ and factory dual point distributor. I miss that car, wish I never sold it.

 

[JohnnieB]

Sorry to hear that.