About $3000 to spend on speakers and a receiver

[markadelson]

I have checked a tremendous amount of websites about these two topics and have found myself even more confused than before. I need both to complement my HD projector, laptop, digital box, dvd player among other things. The room it will all be in is about 20ft by 25ft. I have about $3000 total to spend on both and I need some opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

[aberkowitz]

This topic has been covered so many times on this message board, and since everybody has differing opinions on the items that they like (nothing wrong with that of course, especially when it comes to speakers) that I think the best way to go about it is to start shopping around and coming up with a list of items that you like and then come back to the board and do some research on other people's thoughts. Posting open-ended the way you did is going to give you such a wide range of responses, not all of them useful to you, that I think you're better served by presenting specific choices and asking for opinions.

I would say you should go through the recommended buying guides on this as a reference (http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/system-buying-guides/). They are about a year old, but should give you a general idea of what to expect- obviously you'll want to take into account the fact that the $'s are for whole systems, not just those components.

Finally, not to leave you totally empty handed, I personally think you should make sure Onkyo's new line of A/V receivers is on your research list. I've had the 805 for 4 months now and I am extremely happy with it.

 

[3db]

Speakers 1st, then the receiver in that order

I have checked a tremendous amount of websites about these two topics and have found myself even more confused than before. I need both to complement my HD projector, laptop, digital box, dvd player among other things. The room it will all be in is about 20ft by 25ft. I have about $3000 total to spend on both and I need some opinions. Thanks in advance.

You need to pick out the speakers 1st and spend approximately 2/3 of your budget on the speakers. The speakers have the most impact on your sound system, the others not as great. By selecting the speakers first, you'll know what you'll need to drive them. ie, something robust like a NAD for those 4ohm low sensitivity speakers or more mainstream like Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon for the 8 ohm higher sensitivity speakers.

One other thing, if sales people start claiming about brand x over brand y speaker cables and interconnects, tell them your not interested in hearing about audio myths. Speaker wire and interconnects are the most marked up items in the audio store and have neglible affect on the audio stream. SOme 12 guage lamp cord wire at your local hardware store will save you a bundle in cash and offer you the same level of performance as Monster and the like.

I hope this is of help

 

[rnatalli]

Welcome to the board! I agree with 3db. Get out and audition as many speakers as you can as they're the key component to how your system will sound. Bring your own music to the shops and take your time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have checked a tremendous amount of websites about these two topics and have found myself even more confused than before. I need both to complement my HD projector, laptop, digital box, dvd player among other things. The room it will all be in is about 20ft by 25ft. I have about $3000 total to spend on both and I need some opinions. Thanks in advance.

What kind of hookup (HDMI, Coaxial, Optical) do you have for your laptop, digital box, dvd player, etc.?

I think I know what you are feeling. $2,000 - $2,500 on speakers is a pretty good amount of money. You feel a little nervous. You don't want any regrets. You are hoping for a majority favorite. Say, that's a nice room. If the ceiling is 10ft, that's 5,000 cubic feet of space there.

Let me tell you what I would do, since that is what you are asking, right?
I would get 5 identical 42-inch tall full range towers: Definitive Technology BP10B. Frequency response is 20Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (90dB reference on-axis). If the numbers don't mean much by themselves, Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review (one of my favorite old time magazines) totally loved the BP10B. These would be for the Main Left, Center, Main Right, Surround Left, & Surround Right. I would not need a subwoofer if I had 5 BP10B towers. And I wouldn't need 7.1 because 5.1 is more than enough. The retail price is $500 each, but street prices are $400-$450 each. I can get them for $400 each brand new. So for me, 5 BP10Bs = $2,000.

Depending on what kind of wire connections you need (HDMI, Optical, etc.), you may only need to spend $400 on the Onkyo SR605 (2 HDMI 1.3 inputs, TrueHD, DTS-MA, Coaxial & Optical inputs).

So there. That's what I would do with your stated budget.

Now if I could stretch my budget to $3,200, I would spend $800 (street price that I can buy) on the Def Tech SuperCube I subwoofer just for the movies. But you may not need it. Good luck.

P.S. The New York City Trinity Church uses sixty BP10B speakers!

 

[agarwalro]

I think the best way to go about it is to start shopping around and coming up with a list of items that you like and then come back to the board and do some research on other people's thoughts.

Well said. There is no substitute for demo-ing. Showrooms are a good place to start and once you have narrowed the field down try to find someone who will let to demo at their place.

You need to pick out the speakers 1st and spend approximately 2/3 of your budget on the speakers. The speakers have the most impact on your sound system, the others not as great. By selecting the speakers first, you'll know what you'll need to drive them.

One other thing, if sales people start claiming about brand x over brand y speaker cables and interconnects, tell them your not interested in hearing about audio myths. Speaker wire and interconnects are the most marked up items in the audio store and have neglible affect on the audio stream. SOme 12 guage lamp cord wire at your local hardware store will save you a bundle in cash and offer you the same level of performance as Monster and the like.

Excellent advise on both counts.

I want to add that the subwoofer is critical for movies. Don't make the mistake of getting a cheap one just for the sake of it.
Internet direct brands (like Aperion, AV123, Axiom, Hsu, SVS, etc.) offer the most value for money in your budget. (SVS, Hsu for subwoofer)

 

[annunaki]

Speakers will be the most important part of the system. What are your room's dimensions? Are you more into music or movies? Are floor standing speakers an option? What about 5.1 vs. 7.1? I would start at 5.1 and upgrade later only if you feel it necessary. I would spend $500-$900 on a receiver and the rest on the speakers and subs. Onkyo's receivers are great buy's right now.

 

[AVRat]

Floorstanders vs. bookshelf, mono- vs. multi-poles for surrounds, 7/5.1 setup? Is the room dedicated, or more of an open family area?

J&R (jr.com) and Onecall.com still has Polk RTi8/CSi5s on sale.

SVS PB12- Plus – $800
eD A5 - 350 Subwoofer – 550W/15” - $600

 

[GlocksRock]

Let me tell you what I would do, since that is what you are asking, right?
I would get 5 identical 42-inch tall full range towers: Definitive Technology BP10B. Frequency response is 20Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (90dB reference on-axis). If the numbers don't mean much by themselves, Julian Hirsch of Stereo Review (one of my favorite old time magazines) totally loved the BP10B. These would be for the Main Left, Center, Main Right, Surround Left, & Surround Right. I would not need a subwoofer if I had 5 BP10B towers. And I wouldn't need 7.1 because 5.1 is more than enough. The retail price is $500 each, but street prices are $400-$450 each. I can get them for $400 each brand new. So for me, 5 BP10Bs = $2,000.
QUOTE]

I would do the BP10's as well, but not for the center channel, since that just isn't practical for most people, for the chenter I would get the CLR3000. But I would still get a sub.

 

[solomr2]

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I recently picked-up the Denon AVR-3808CI receiver. I've got it hooked up to a Definitive Technology speakers; Mythos-1 FR, FL towers, Mythos-3 center, Gems for surrounds and SuperCube-2 for sub.

I'm quite pleased with the features of the Denon and the sound in produces in my setup (13' x 13' x 12' room dimensions).

However, this is very personal.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would do the BP10's as well, but not for the center channel, since that just isn't practical for most people, for the center I would get the CLR3000.

You mean because the BP10s are 42" high?

But what if you had a projection screen (& HD Projector) that is 42" above ground? Would you still use the CLR3000?

I asked a DT Rep one time if it were a good idea to use a BP7000SC for the center as well as L/R. He said, "No. I would use the CLR3000."

But I thought in an ideal world, it is best to use 5 identical speakers?

 

[GlocksRock]

I would still use the CLR3000 regardless, I think the built in sub and non bipolar design would be better for a center. But BP10s for all the other speakers would be awesome!

 

[markadelson]

Floorstanders vs. bookshelf, mono- vs. multi-poles for surrounds, 7/5.1 setup? Is the room dedicated, or more of an open family area?


I would prefer bookshelf and I would like a 7.1 system so I can upgrade if I want to. Mono- vs. multi-poles? Not sure what you mean. The room is an open plan 9ft/18ft ceiling (two story), and about 20ft wide by 25ft long.

 

[AVRat]

That’s a huge space. Eventually, you’ll want two subs. Mono-poles are like a direct firing bookshelf. Multi-poles have drivers firing in different directions for a more diffuse sound. http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-S50-Surround

An Ascend package deal (1000/2000) now on Thanksgiving sale thru the 25th may fit into the budget. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340mhts.html

To keep within budget and have the power necessary consider the Onkyo TXX-SR805 receiver.

 

[3db]

I have checked a tremendous amount of websites about these two topics and have found myself even more confused than before. I need both to complement my HD projector, laptop, digital box, dvd player among other things. The room it will all be in is about 20ft by 25ft. I have about $3000 total to spend on both and I need some opinions. Thanks in advance.

Now the next thing you need to decide for yourself is, do I want the whole 5.1 or 7.1 package at once or can I wait, purchase the front speakers and receiver 1st and save up for the next speaker set to buy. There are pro's and con's to both. Pro's to getting everythibg at once is you have it but the con is its not going to be as good of quality had you saved up and purchased the items seperately in time. The con of buying everyting seperately is trying to keep the speakers timbre matched (centre with the fronts) once your ready to by the center channel. Generally though, you'll have enough time unless your purchasing the speakers near the end of their production cycle. A quick check with your salesman will tell you this. Oh and a good saleperson should not try and push everything on you at once but try and help you build the system the way you want it. So decide whether you want everything at once, or build it slowly.