A little advice for a born again audiophile? :P

[JoeFLL]

Hi all, new to the forums here !

I have a bit of a dilemma at hand. I recently upgraded my TV form an old 2012 38inch Vizio with a 38 soundbar to a P55-C1 Series P 2016. Before 2012 I owned a Paradigm C90 with a Marantz AV receiver that I had to sell due to financial reasons (and I surely miss). Needles to say my audiophile cravings are starting to grow now that i have a UHD TV but the living room in my apt is VERY OPEN!! lol. I have a sliding door with blinds to my left, the kitchen to my right and 2 solid walls front and back but a Vaulted ceiling all in its 12' by 14' glory. for this reason I opted not to pursue the Yamaha's YSP soundbars.

After a long research I am at a loss

Here is what I would like:

1- a Slim AV receiver such as a Marantz NR1606 since I would like to upgrade the system next year when I move to a proper house.
For speakers tho:
1- Would an AV Powered soundbar with a sub would be ok?
2- the new slim Vizio 5.1 is tempting but I would wait for reviews on quality before buying.
3- I've also looked at the Paradigm Cinema 100 ct and the Klipsch Quintent 5.0
4- the budget for this is $1,000-$1,400
or do you recommend something else.
Any advice would be welcome !!
Thanks
~Joe

 

[lovinthehd]

First, I wouldn't put too much stock in the word "audiophile", it doesn't mean a lot.

I don't think many soundbars work with receivers as speakers. I wouldn't look at complete sets of speakers/sub, and maybe only start with a 2.1 or 3.1 speaker setup to begin with. Perhaps check out the Affordable Accuracy speakers and a sub from one of the ID companies or parts-express.com.

 

[JoeFLL]

I'll check it out, thanks. Not even Paradigm? I mean, is having the same type speaker for a 5.0 setup + a sub beneficial or is it all hogwash?

 

[lovinthehd]

I'll check it out, thanks. Not even Paradigm? I mean, is having the same type speaker for a 5.0 setup + a sub beneficial or is it all hogwash?

There's no particular reason why the sub needs to match except aesthetically or for those trying to sell them. You'll get better performing units as well as value shopping separately in most cases. Paradigm's high end subs are nice but the low end stuff is meh.

 

[JoeFLL]

Thanks a lot for the info. Just checked out the Affordable Accuracy monitors and they look sweet. I was also looking at Fluance for an ID option as well. what sub would you recommend? a 2.1 or 3.1 sound much more feasible at this time

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd look at SVS, Rythmik, Hsu Research, think they'll all have something in your price range that'll work well. Maybe RBH/Emptek, too. $500 is pretty much the entry level to better subs IMO, altho some of the less expensive Dayton subs from parts-express.com might work well enough, sort of depends on your goals.

I DIY my subs personally but that's more economical for multiple subs than single generally, even when your time is "free" but if interested that may be a good way to go too. I built a pair of the Dayton BR-1s the Affordable Accuracy is based on, and like them a lot even with the crossovers I assembled, they're my L/R speakers in my bedroom currently; so that's perhaps an alternative as well (and in the meantime I bought some of Phil's crossovers to try in those speakers but probably will just build stouter boxes for them as I glued in the other crossovers to the point not sure how to remove, something I didn't really think about when Phil said he's sell me a set of xovers separately....).

 

[JoeFLL]

Thanks a lot for the input. My goal is basically to have a semi decent setup for this small apartment that I can upgrade later when I move to a new home next year. The 3.1 option is looking good. I'm definitely getting that sub from Dayton audio. What would you recommend for. Center channel, I was checking the Dayton audio c33.
Thanks

 

[rojo]

Thanks a lot for the input. My goal is basically to have a semi decent setup for this small apartment that I can upgrade later when I move to a new home next year. The 3.1 option is looking good. I'm definitely getting that sub from Dayton audio. What would you recommend for. Center channel, I was checking the Dayton audio c33.
Thanks

Affordable Accuracy. Dennis doesn't have them on his website, but he sells a modded Pioneer center for $100. Email him from the Philharmonic contact us page for more info.

Before you pull the trigger on your subwoofer, give this article a read.

 

[JoeFLL]

Thank you very much!

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks a lot for the input. My goal is basically to have a semi decent setup for this small apartment that I can upgrade later when I move to a new home next year. The 3.1 option is looking good. I'm definitely getting that sub from Dayton audio. What would you recommend for. Center channel, I was checking the Dayton audio c33.
Thanks

You probably would just want a third AA speaker if that's what you're thinking about for L/R, ideal front stage is identical speakers across the front according to some (and I've used both identical and not even same brand speakers, too); believe Phil would alter it slightly for use as a horizontal center if that's the way you need to use it. Not familiar with the C33 nor do I see it on parts-express' site at least...

 

[JoeFLL]

Sorry. I meant the CSS 33B . I only have about 6-6.5 inch clearance between the TV and the center of the furniture. I can't mount the TV on the wall till next year. That's what I was thinking about a horizontal center channel. I did sent an email to Philharmonic this afternoon also asling for recommendations on a center channel as well.
Thanks again!

 

[JoeFLL]

After doing some searching I'm going with a 3.1 Elac system, Not sure if I'd do B5 or B6 plus their S10 sub or get the Dayton Audio SUB-1000 and C5 center channel. Anyone has experience with the Elacs?

Thanks,

 

[rojo]

After doing some searching I'm going with a 3.1 Elac system, Not sure if I'd do B5 or B6 plus their S10 sub or get the Dayton Audio SUB-1000 and C5 center channel. Anyone has experience with the Elacs?

Thanks,

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/elac-b5-vs-philharmonic-affordable-accuracy-new-monitor.97171/

And in case you missed it:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-budget-subwoofer/

 

[afterlife2]

I agree with the members here. Philharmonic Affordable Accuracy, PAA Center + Dayton SUB1200.

 

[rojo]

I was thinking either Dayton SUB-1500 or Monoprice 9723 for the sub depending on placement restrictions; or possibly RSL Speedwoofer if that doesn't exceed the budget.

 

[JoeFLL]

thanks guys ! my living room is 12 6 by 13 6 only with an open kitchen on the right side so its kind of small. I also don't think I can accommodate another PAA for center (vertically that is, horizontally i have about a 7.9 inch clearance any higher will block my tv) as i don't have that much space there either. I did sent an email to PAA about 3 days ago. Waiting for reply

 

[lovinthehd]

I can't see the Elac stuff, especially their sub. Phil has been prompt in his communications with me via pm on AVS. Can you raise your tv a bit?

 

[rojo]

... believe Phil would alter it slightly...

Phil has been prompt...

You mean Dennis though, right? Dennis Murphy, crossover god, proprietor of Philharmonic Audio, contributing designer for Salk Sound and others?

Can you raise your tv a bit?

Are you suggesting that OP should not pursue the Affordable Accuracy center but instead get a third AA monitor? What deficiency does the AA center have that would make it worth the trouble of remounting his television?

 

[lovinthehd]

You mean Dennis though, right? Dennis Murphy, crossover god, proprietor of Philharmonic Audio, contributing designer for Salk Sound and others?



Are you suggesting that OP should not pursue the Affordable Accuracy center but instead get a third AA monitor? What deficiency does the AA center have that would make it worth the trouble of remounting his television?

LOL yes mean Dennis....been training a new guy named Phil....getting old plays tricks on ya?

I was thinking of his original center clearance dim of 6-6.5 inches and even updated to 7.9 inches when the BR-1 cabinet is 9 inches laid on its side (don't know about the Pioneer based center, tho).

 

[JoeFLL]

In order to raise my TV I'll have to get new Furniture, which I am going to get because I took measurements again and the space for the center is like 6 inches and that's really tight and I can't wall mount the TV until I move ..... I tried Phil's info@philarmonic email address, should I PM him instead? Don't want to look desperate I don't see the AA center on the website, is this the modded Pioneer center you mentioned?