Hi-Fi in Hong Hong ...

[Bolthouse]

Hi,

I just moved to Hong Kong and have started my search for quality 5.1 sound system.

In terms of budget, my wife would like me to spend $500 USD ... I feel like it's going to take $2500 (maybe $3000) to get the system to be where I want it to be. To keep my wife from neutering me, I intend to buy this system in phases. Starting with a great amp and 2 solid tower speakers, then adding a quality sub and finally the surround speakers.

I've read through the site (seen the recommended $2500 package) and decided to join the forums because the information I've found has been very concise and educated. However, the recommendations are geared toward the US market and most are not available in HK. While I can ship from the US to HK, the shipping ends up costing as much as the components.

There are many, MANY hi-fi shops in HK selling what looks to be fantastic gear, but all brands that I've never heard of before ... either obscure niche brands or so high end I have no need to be aware of them. I'm sure that some of what I'm finding is excellent ... I just don't know enough to look at the exterior of the speaker, look at it's spec sheet and be like, "Yes, this speaker is sufficient for my needs.". Instead I just say, "It looks cool, it's heavy, made of wood, has lots of drivers and it's really expensive!"

I need to know the basics of what makes a good amp/sub/speaker and what kind of cost I should be paying for what kind of quality?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[herbu]

Hi,

I just moved to Hong Kong and have started my search for quality 5.1 sound system.

In terms of budget, my wife would like me to spend $500 USD ... I feel like it's going to take $2500 (maybe $3000) to get the system to be where I want it to be. To keep my wife from neutering me, I intend to buy this system in phases. Starting with a great amp and 2 solid tower speakers, then adding a quality sub and finally the surround speakers.

I've read through the site (seen the recommended $2500 package) and decided to join the forums because the information I've found has been very concise and educated. However, the recommendations are geared toward the US market and most are not available in HK. While I can ship from the US to HK, the shipping ends up costing as much as the components.

There are many, MANY hi-fi shops in HK selling what looks to be fantastic gear, but all brands that I've never heard of before ... either obscure niche brands or so high end I have no need to be aware of them. I'm sure that some of what I'm finding is excellent ... I just don't know enough to look at the exterior of the speaker, look at it's spec sheet and be like, "Yes, this speaker is sufficient for my needs.". Instead I just say, "It looks cool, it's heavy, made of wood, has lots of drivers and it's really expensive!"

I need to know the basics of what makes a good amp/sub/speaker and what kind of cost I should be paying for what kind of quality?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks!

For speakers, YOU'RE IN LUCK!!! One of the most highly respected speaker guys, Dennis Murphy, has a joint venture with Alexis Sound in Hong Kong. The speaker in the US is called the Philharmonitor, http://philharmonicaudio.com/philharmonitor.html. In Hong Kong it's called the Rebecca. http://www.alexissound.com/rebecca/
It's not a tower but it's relatively inexpensive, and being a customer of Dennis, I can say it is unlikely you will find a better sounding speaker for the money, AND you can get it in HK w/ no shipping charges. You may want to look at a small subwoofer to provide the low lows. And it will be easy to stay in that speaker family for a center and surrounds as you expand. Highly recommended.

BTW, Dennis is a frequent contributor on this forum. You can ask him questions here, and also hear what other Audioholics think about his products.