Need advice picking 5.1 system with 1500 budget

[zieglj01]

but I need to do my do diligence and check out the market, it's in my DNA.
-over analyzing engineer.

Enjoy the adventure

 

[TD4W]

Zieg I know you mentioned using the NHT superone 2.1 as a center but would the NHT Super Center 2.1 Center Channel Speaker do the job better for only 20 bucks more?

 

[-Jim-]

I agree do your homework. You and the Misses will be living with your choice for a long time. (I'd pull the wires as cheap insurance for the future.)

Check out this review:

http://www.thorntonhifi.com/the-cheap-speaker-shootout-elac-b5-vs-elac-b6-vs-nht-superone-21-vs-boston-a70-vs-klipsch-kg5-vs-monoprice-bookshelf-vs-dayton-b652-vs-micca-m42x-vs-pioneer-sp-bs22-lr.html

He was certainly impressed by the ELACs. He ranked the NHTs with my Pioneers and has the Bx's in a class of their own. "So, after spending some more time with both ELACs I can say that they are the first speakers I have reviewed that live up to their hype. "

 

[zieglj01]

Zieg I know you mentioned using the NHT superone 2.1 as a center but would the NHT Super Center 2.1 Center Channel Speaker do the job better for only 20 bucks more?

It can work if you want to go that route -- better, not really -- best option is 3 of the same
Your call

Also note, that all reviews are subjective -- never base your option/choice on one review alone. No one review can guarantee anything for your ears.

 

[-Jim-]

Zieg is making a very valid point about the center speaker. I've read that most center channel speakers are not as good as one of the fronts in a Home Theater Set-up; although I never had the opportunity to compare this.

It seems most folks like the "look" of a horizontal speaker in this location, and it's easier for some to lay it down on a TV stand, or hang it below (or above) a TV. Horizontal versions are also more money than their vertical brethren. Of course there is always a WAF at play for a lot of us.

I'd love to be in your shoes and be able to audition speakers for your system. Hopefully you've got enough time to check them out before you lock in on something. It may pay off big time if you engage your significant other in the auditions as well.

 

[Pogre]

I recently replaced my center channel with an identical matching bookshelf speaker and he difference is more than I thought it would be. Sounds much better. Zieg is right, the best option is to have identical speakers on your front stage if you can accomodate it.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Agreed. Matching LCR is the way to go.

 

[TD4W]

Great info, I'm learning a lot. LCR all the same is what I will do.
I need to find a place that sells what I'm looking for but particularly the NHT superone 2.1 so I can hear them, as well as a few competitors.
So far im interested in the following but will most likely be pairing one of these selections with the HSU recommended sub:
NHT superone 2.1 (sealed) $348/pr sold individually amazon
KEF Q100 (front port) $299/pr amazon
Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 (rear port) $300/pr amazon
Chane A1rx-c (rear port) $300/pr haven't found a solid source
Elac B6 (rear port) $280/pr amazon


I hope placing the speakers on shelves angled toward the listening position only 3-4" from the wall doesn't affect the quality of the sound too much. I'm taking a leap of an assumption here by thinking that a sealed or front vented speaker will be less affected by the wall. The main reason this is important to me is because when I go to hear these speakers they are not going to be next to a wall so I'm not going to get an apple to apple comparison, which bugs me. So I've gone ahead and ordered the speakers I'm interested in with regard to how they might be affected by close proximity to a wall. No idea if this is proper thinking but I'm trying here.

Also some of these choices seem to only be sold in pairs which makes getting the 3rd a little tricky. Any ideas here, or should I just eliminate those options.

 

[-Jim-]

TD4W, I'm so jealous you are doing this. I decided to try to help source a way to buy a single Elac B6 and stumbled across this review:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/elac-debut-b6-loudspeaker#tZwLboqJB1gthLpy.97

The bottom line is:

Conclusions
Who cares what they cost? Forget about recommending them to only your non-audiophile friends. Elac Americas' new Debut B6 loudspeaker is an extremely competent audiophile design that is more musical and concise than any other speaker I've heard that costs less than $1000/pair. The B6's sound was noticeably colored, but when powered by an excellent amplifier (it seems to like tubes), the effects of those colorations were minimized. Then it played all types of music with enough composure and vita navitas to let Andrew Jones's most clever new creation run with the big dogs in the up-to-$2000/pair field.

Highly recommended to all my friends.

I forgot to ask where do you live (country) as there are differences in how things are marketed depending on where you live. For the moment I'll assume Canada, or the USA; and keep looking.

 

[TD4W]

USA, Connecticut

 

[zieglj01]

Also some of these choices seem to only be sold in pairs which makes getting the 3rd a little tricky. Any ideas here, or should I just eliminate those options.

Do not eliminate -- some centers can work good enough -- also with KEF and their current cheap price, buy another set and use one as a center, as it is cheaper than the center price. Plus with some the other speakers you can go the next level down bookshelf, and use one as a center even if having a spare speaker. Center channels can tend to be expensive for what you get.

 

[Pogre]

I'm finding myself wanting to watch movies more often since I upgraded my center to a matching bookshelf.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I recommend Denon/Marantz/McIntosh , but only because they have Audyssey Dynamic EQ (DEQ), which IMO is a must-have for enhancing subwoofer bass performance if you don't already have a great Subwoofer EQ system.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I'm finding myself wanting to watch movies more often since I upgraded my center to a matching bookshelf.

If you want to see what those "shoes"(hsu's) are made of try the DVD version of master and commander. Chapter 4 "under attack". It's still one of the best (the BD is filtered around 30hz though).

 

[Audiosaur]

If you want to see what those "shoes"(hsu's) are made of try the DVD version of master and commander. Chapter 4 "under attack". It's still one of the best (the BD is filtered around 30hz though).

I've never seen that one so on your advice I just borrowed the DVD from the library for tonight's entertainment. Excited to try with dual Hsus!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I've never seen that one so on your advice I just borrowed the DVD from the library for tonight's entertainment. Excited to try with dual Hsus!

Buckle up! Chapter 4(can't remember others) is awesome. Wood chips everywhere, and gut shaking cannons. I can't believe they neutered the BD. Dts is still amazing.
I should add that it is a good film overall.

 

[Audiosaur]

Buckle up! Chapter 4(can't remember others) is awesome. Wood chips everywhere, and gut shaking cannons. I can't believe they neutered the BD. Dts is still amazing.
I should add that it is a good film overall.

It was awesome! And that first see battle was intense! Great sound.

I don't know why I never saw it before this. Good recommendation.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

It was awesome! And that first see battle was intense! Great sound.

I don't know why I never saw it before this. Good recommendation.

Nice! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I gave my BD copy away, but still use the DVD for demo material. Well done all the way around. I just watched band of brothers, and pacific. They don't go as deep as M&C but they do slam here and there with great sound design overall. If you're into the WWII stuff.

 

[Audiosaur]

Nice! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I gave my BD copy away, but still use the DVD for demo material. Well done all the way around. I just watched band of brothers, and pacific. They don't go as deep as M&C but they do slam here and there with great sound design overall. If you're into the WWII stuff.

Huge history buff and WWII was always my favorite time period to study. Not sure why but was always more interested in the European campaign than the island hopping. Saving Private Ryan is my favorite. I have band of Brothers too. I should rewatch those with my new gear.

We've come a long way from the greatest generation, IMHO. Sometimes I'm ashamed of how the US has devolved. I retired last year from 25yrs of military service (although some will describe my Air Force time as airline time) and I honestly think we are not what we once were.

Apologies to the OP for rambling

Edit: I'll bet the artillery barrage at Bastogne in BoB is intense with real bass! Yeah, need to watch that again.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Apologies to the OP, but must say thanks for your service and sacrifice. I agree we're devolving at increasing rates daily, and I'll leave it there.
Yes Bastogne is pretty intense. Not super deep, but still very powerful and dynamic. I like the European theater a little better also. You really should put in BoB. Yep, right now...