The Phil 3s were the splurge. Not gonna lie about it. It started by being interested in the possibility of building a second, smaller system which was going to just be the BMRs up front, and sealed Mini Phils to round out a 7.x rig. When the Phil 3s entered the equation, I knew I had to cut a corner somewhere... and at the same time found a way to spend more?! My corner cutting had me eliminate 1 pair of Mini-Phils for the AAs... knowing that when the 3s arrive, I would move everything back a channel... and up. So in May when the 3s should arrive, I'm going to get another pair of AA's to build a .4 Atmos system... with Phil3s and BMRs handling my exploration of 5-channel audio.
In a way, the oddball is the Mini-Phils. I really wanted good speakers at L/R surround for the 4 months or so I am waiting for the 3's. And since I was saving on my planned budget by going with Dennis for this work, I didn't sweat it!
Had I taken any of the other gear to the extent I'm doing here with the Philharmonic/Outlaw 7.2.4 rig, I would have easily spent an extra 2K or more. But with sales on the X-13s, and 2200s from Outlaw, and Dennis' great prices, I might have built a rig for the ages!
Now, why: With half my life as a musician, removed from my current existence by... the other half of my life as a fine dining Chef, I have been missing a huge part of who I am. I had squirreled away some cash over the years thinking I might buy a new Tenor one day, but I have some great horns already, and I love playing my Soprano, so when I started thinking audio a few years ago, I started saving a little more.
And the main reason is I miss the feeling of being
IN the music. Playing in a Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Bands, small ensembles, rock bands... There is a feeling I haven't had in over 15 years. Being IN sound.
So this is a return for me, the the half of who I am that I haven't been for too long.
Part of my redoing my office is to make room for my horns and a music stand, too.
So as I wrap my evening listening to Hindemith Viola Sonatas performed by Kim Kashkashian (ECM New Series 1330-32), I know I achieved one part of my goal. My presence, in sound. I haven't listened to this in probably 20 years, because it didn't sound good on my old systems. Now, it sounds right. Just like the link I added earlier in the Classical Music thread:
The Lady couldn't handle that. Wait 'til I drop Penderecki and the St Luke Passion on her.
Cheers, Swerd!