First system: Need speaker help!

[EJ1]

So i'm trying to get some speaker ideas for my first HT/music system and need some help. Let me start off with some info:

Room size: 12x16' (w/ 9' ceilings)
Spread: 40%music, 40%tv/dvd, 20%gaming
Music: 80%metal, 20%rock/acoustic

Here are the components I've already picked out...

Marantz SR4002
Rotel RB-1070 (or RB-1080)
Oppo DV-980H (for SACD, DVD-A, and upconvert)
XBOX 360 Elite
A Bluray or HD-DVD player (not sure yet)

Anyways, I need help choosing some loudspeakers for 2 channel listening and later on, 5.1 theater once I acquire the funds. My budget is around $800 for the pair and here's what I'm considering thus far...

B&W 683
Def Tech BP 10B
Anything else you guys come up with

I can get around 50% off of B&W products which is why they are in my price range. Both of these seem to have good sensitivity and frequency ranges (Def Tech has a little more). I don't know much about the bipole design. I do not want too much bass as I live in an apartment and don't want to be that guy. What I care for is clarity, accuracy, and soundstage to fill the room. I plan on powering with the Rotel, either 130x2 or 200x2 so keep that in mind. Ultimately, I will audition all the speakers but I still need opinions on what to look for. Thanks in advance!

 

[gus6464]

So i'm trying to get some speaker ideas for my first HT/music system and need some help. Let me start off with some info:

Room size: 12x16' (w/ 9' ceilings)
Spread: 40%music, 40%tv/dvd, 20%gaming
Music: 80%metal, 20%rock/acoustic

Here are the components I've already picked out...

Marantz SR4002
Rotel RB-1070 (or RB-1080)
Oppo DV-980H (for SACD, DVD-A, and upconvert)
XBOX 360 Elite
A Bluray or HD-DVD player (not sure yet)

Anyways, I need help choosing some loudspeakers for 2 channel listening and later on, 5.1 theater once I acquire the funds. My budget is around $800 for the pair and here's what I'm considering thus far...

B&W 683
Def Tech BP 10B
Anything else you guys come up with

I can get around 50% off of B&W products which is why they are in my price range. Both of these seem to have good sensitivity and frequency ranges (Def Tech has a little more). I don't know much about the bipole design. I do not want too much bass as I live in an apartment and don't want to be that guy. What I care for is clarity, accuracy, and soundstage to fill the room. I plan on powering with the Rotel, either 130x2 or 200x2 so keep that in mind. Ultimately, I will audition all the speakers but I still need opinions on what to look for. Thanks in advance!

Man since you can get 50% off of 683 I say go for the 683. Can't really think of another floorstander in that price that would match them.

 

[3db]

these;

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T65-Tower

both musical and excellent for HT purposes

 

[EJ1]

these;

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T65-Tower

both musical and excellent for HT purposes

Those seem a little out of my price range and they don't have a dealer close.

 

[Soundman]

So i'm trying to get some speaker ideas for my first HT/music system and need some help. Let me start off with some info:

Room size: 12x16' (w/ 9' ceilings)
Spread: 40%music, 40%tv/dvd, 20%gaming
Music: 80%metal, 20%rock/acoustic

Here are the components I've already picked out...

Marantz SR4002
Rotel RB-1070 (or RB-1080)
Oppo DV-980H (for SACD, DVD-A, and upconvert)
XBOX 360 Elite
A Bluray or HD-DVD player (not sure yet)

Anyways, I need help choosing some loudspeakers for 2 channel listening and later on, 5.1 theater once I acquire the funds. My budget is around $800 for the pair and here's what I'm considering thus far...

B&W 683
Def Tech BP 10B
Anything else you guys come up with

I can get around 50% off of B&W products which is why they are in my price range. Both of these seem to have good sensitivity and frequency ranges (Def Tech has a little more). I don't know much about the bipole design. I do not want too much bass as I live in an apartment and don't want to be that guy. What I care for is clarity, accuracy, and soundstage to fill the room. I plan on powering with the Rotel, either 130x2 or 200x2 so keep that in mind. Ultimately, I will audition all the speakers but I still need opinions on what to look for. Thanks in advance!

How 'bout these: http://www.revelspeakers.com/products/product.asp?product=27


JK Those might be a little pricey. Honestly, if it were me i'd go for the B&W's. The company makes great speakers and has built a great reputation doing so.

 

[EJ1]

I can't wait to hear them. I think I will also demo the new Era Design14s. Can't find much info on them but my local retailer has them.

 

[gus6464]

I can't wait to hear them. I think I will also demo the new Era Design14s. Can't find much info on them but my local retailer has them.

Ohh ERA's are very nice. Definitely check those out as well. Man I wish I had your discount though for a pair of CM1 for 2ch. You know since you said you do get around 50% discount you should check out the CM7 floorstanders. At 50% it would put them right around your budget and personally I think they fly circles around the 683.

 

[EJ1]

Ohh ERA's are very nice. Definitely check those out as well. Man I wish I had your discount though for a pair of CM1 for 2ch. You know since you said you do get around 50% discount you should check out the CM7 floorstanders. At 50% it would put them right around your budget and personally I think they fly circles around the 683.

Yeah, I'm thinking I get about 60-70% ERA but I can't find any prices on the D14s. Have you listened to the 683 v. CM7s? What makes them better in your opinion? The only thing I hate is that they don't offer the CM7 in black, haha.

 

[gus6464]

Yeah, I'm thinking I get about 60-70% ERA but I can't find any prices on the D14s. Have you listened to the 683 v. CM7s? What makes them better in your opinion? The only thing I hate is that they don't offer the CM7 in black, haha.

The CM7 are not as bright as the 683 and they are more on the neutral side which to me is a plus. The 683 have better bass response but I think the neutrality of the CM7 makes up for it in huge amounts. They are my favorite B&W speaker until you get into the 803D/802D range. Ask WmAx what he thinks of the CM7 and he will tell you why they are pretty good.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So i'm trying to get some speaker ideas for my first HT/music system and need some help. Let me start off with some info:

Room size: 12x16' (w/ 9' ceilings)
Spread: 40%music, 40%tv/dvd, 20%gaming
Music: 80%metal, 20%rock/acoustic

Here are the components I've already picked out...

Marantz SR4002
Rotel RB-1070 (or RB-1080)
Oppo DV-980H (for SACD, DVD-A, and upconvert)
XBOX 360 Elite
A Bluray or HD-DVD player (not sure yet)

Anyways, I need help choosing some loudspeakers for 2 channel listening and later on, 5.1 theater once I acquire the funds. My budget is around $800 for the pair and here's what I'm considering thus far...

B&W 683
Def Tech BP 10B
Anything else you guys come up with

I can get around 50% off of B&W products which is why they are in my price range. Both of these seem to have good sensitivity and frequency ranges (Def Tech has a little more). I don't know much about the bipole design. I do not want too much bass as I live in an apartment and don't want to be that guy. What I care for is clarity, accuracy, and soundstage to fill the room. I plan on powering with the Rotel, either 130x2 or 200x2 so keep that in mind. Ultimately, I will audition all the speakers but I still need opinions on what to look for. Thanks in advance!

Those are two great speakers to start off.

B&W 683: 38Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (Per B&W website)
DT BP10B: 25Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (Per Julian Hirsch-Houck Labs/Stereo Review)

I heard AV123 Rockets 1000 (29Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), PSB Image T65 (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), Polk Audio RTi12 (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), Axiom Epic80 (34Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), & Aperion 533-PT (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB) are also great to audition. But yes, Audition, audition, audition.

So @ 50% off, how much are the B&W 683s?

I just ordered a pair of BP10Bs for $700 at my local DT dealer.

For your room (12' x 16'), if you want to home audition the BP10Bs, I would place them ~ 7' apart, ~ 2' from the side walls, & 2' from the front wall.

In general, bipolars require more careful placement and more space than mono-polar speakers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think I would jump on the B&W at 50% off.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ohh ERA's are very nice. Definitely check those out as well. Man I wish I had your discount though for a pair of CM1 for 2ch. You know since you said you do get around 50% discount you should check out the CM7 floorstanders. At 50% it would put them right around your budget and personally I think they fly circles around the 683.

I thought the 683 would be better than the CM7?

CM7: 84 Hz to 20 kHz ±5 dB (Tom Nousaine), 62Hz - 22kHz ±3dB (B&W site).

And aren't the 683 higher-end than the CM?

 

[EJ1]

Those are two great speakers to start off.

B&W 683: 38Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (Per B&W website)
DT BP10B: 25Hz-20kHz +/-3dB (Per Julian Hirsch-Houck Labs/Stereo Review)

I heard AV123 Rockets 1000 (29Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), PSB Image T65 (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), Polk Audio RTi12 (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), Axiom Epic80 (34Hz-20kHz +/-3dB), & Aperion 533-PT (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB) are also great to audition. But yes, Audition, audition, audition.

So @ 50% off, how much are the B&W 683s?

I just ordered a pair of BP10Bs for $700 at my local DT dealer.

For your room (12' x 16'), if you want to home audition the BP10Bs, I would place them ~ 7' apart, ~ 2' from the side walls, & 2' from the front wall.

In general, bipolars require more careful placement and more space than mono-polar speakers.

Thanks for all of those suggestions but I probably wouldn't be able to audition those due to dealer location. Do bipolar speakers need to be further away from a wall than monopolar? How are the older BP 20's? I found a set near me for sale.

I thought the 683 would be better than the CM7?

CM7: 84 Hz to 20 kHz ±5 dB (Tom Nousaine), 62Hz - 22kHz ±3dB (B&W site).

And aren't the 683 higher-end than the CM?

I think the CM7's retail for $2K and the 683's are around $1.4K. Don't quote me on that. It seems as though the 683's look better on paper so I'm not sure.

 

[gus6464]

I thought the 683 would be better than the CM7?

CM7: 84 Hz to 20 kHz ±5 dB (Tom Nousaine), 62Hz - 22kHz ±3dB (B&W site).

And aren't the 683 higher-end than the CM?

CM series is higher than the 6xx series and from what I hear from a dealer B&W is now phasing out the 700 series in favor of the CM series.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Do bipolar speakers need to be further away from a wall than monopolar? How are the older BP 20's? I found a set near me for sale.

I heard the BP20s are even better than the BP10Bs! I would definitely check those BP20s out!

I wish there were some BP20s on sale close to my house! I would grab them in a heartbeat!

Yes, bipolars require more attention and space. Julian Hirsch set them 12" from his front wall and 48" from his side walls. I set mine 24" from the front wall and 48" from the side walls.

 

[EJ1]

I heard the BP20s are even better than the BP10Bs! I would definitely check those BP20s out!

I wish there were some BP20s on sale close to my house! I would grab them in a heartbeat!

Yes, bipolars require more attention and space. Julian Hirsch set them 12" from his front wall and 48" from his side walls. I set mine 24" from the front wall and 48" from the side walls.

Hmm... due to room and furniture restrictions, one speaker will have to be in a corner so I'm not sure if bipolars would work out well. Is $700 a good deal for a pair of BP20s?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hmm... due to room and furniture restrictions, one speaker will have to be in a corner so I'm not sure if bipolars would work out well. Is $700 a good deal for a pair of BP20s?

Only if they are BRAND NEW!

I just paid $700 for a BRAND NEW pair of BP10Bs from my DT dealer, so I would not pay more than $500 for a used pair of BP20s.

How do they look? Very well kept? Any scratches? Can you try them out before buying just to make sure they sound good?

 

[WmAx]

Ask WmAx what he thinks of the CM7 and he will tell you why they are pretty good.

I just think it sounds more natural/less objectionable with high quality acoustic/classical recordings than other retail outlet speakers in the similar price range that I have heard.

I have not measured the speaker, nor have I seen a sufficient 3rd party measurement set of the speaker to make any objective analysis. If not limited to retail speakers, and the option of using proper DSP EQ and X-Over is on the table, I will recommend other products that will total into the same general price range.

-Chris

 

[Davemcc]

The Era D14 retails for $2200, last I heard.

 

[EJ1]

Thanks for that number. I'll be auditioning the ERA D14's, B&W 683's and CM7's this week.