Help! HT 2.1 System Suggestions?

[ParadigmDawg]

No they are not the best speakers out there, they are great choices in your budget. The systems I listed come with subs. The SVS subs are the best subs on the market at their price points.

Like I said earlier, Yammy 659 or 661.

 

[Adameus]

No man, my surrounds and zone two are both powered from the 659. My mains and center are powered by the Emo.

I am jammin some Jack Johnson right now, can you hear it?

Almost...I'm in Richardson right now though, maybe when I get home to Grapevine I'll be within earshot

Onkyo HT-SR800 vs Yamaha YHT-680 vs Sony HT-7100DH? (or other Yamaha) I just noticed what was listed high on the consumer reports ... of course those aren't reviewed by audiophiles such as yourselves.

What about subs? and dvd players?

I don't think anyone here would recommend a Sony receiver. Again though, all of those you listed fall under the HTiB category, though definitely a step in the right direction since they are basically a reciever already paired with speakers. The speakers that come with any of those will not be great quality, you'll get better results and spend about the same money, maybe slightly more, buying a separate reciever and separate speakers...even if you get less than audiophile speakers such as lower end Polks, JBLs, etc.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

A fellow Texan, about freakin time. We will have to get together one night and show off systems and fav drinks.

Do you run a zone two? Your question struck me as strange.

Almost...I'm in Richardson right now though, maybe when I get home to Grapevine I'll be within earshot

.

 

[avaserfi]

A fellow Texan, about freakin time. We will have to get together one night and show off systems and fav drinks.

Do you run a zone two? Your question struck me as strange.

Greg isn't kidding - he will show you a good time with some good music and a hell of a martini. Just remember when you walk through the doors mention something about the art near the speakers. He needs some help getting more treatments up .

 

[ParadigmDawg]

All the sudden Carolyn is being cool with the panels. She asked last night where else we needed them. I told her you were building some small diamond shaped ones for the back. so...ummmmm....I need you to build me some small diamonds...

 

[gus6464]

A fellow Texan, about freakin time. We will have to get together one night and show off systems and fav drinks.

Do you run a zone two? Your question struck me as strange.

Hey I am in San Antonio.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Dang, all you guys need to sign onto the frapper map!

Hey I am in San Antonio.

 

[avaserfi]

Alright since I feel like I should make a suggestion so I don't jack the thread.

For $1500 I would buy a pair of Ascend Sierra-1s which would take up about 900 bucks. Pick up a DCX2496 for $250 putting you at $1150 and then spend the rest on a pair of subs to be placed within three feet of the speakers. You could even use the subs as stands for the speakers by simply putting a high density latex foam in between the two as a decoupling layer.

With this system you will have a great two channel system that is extremely linear and of relatively low resonance. The DCX2496 will allow for seamless integration of the subs and the speakers along with equalization to tailor your listening needs.

If you have any money left over (which you should if you follow my guide) buy room treatments as they will greatly increase your fidelity and don't need to cost much especially if you go the DIY route.

All the sudden Carolyn is being cool with the panels. She asked last night where else we needed them. I told her you were building some small diamond shaped ones for the back. so...ummmmm....I need you to build me some small diamonds...

Now to the off topic stuff .

I built some one square foot panels and took pics just follow the directions linked in my signature and hang them to look like diamonds. No more excuses too I know you can build the frames now .

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Scratch that...I didnt read all the way down...

Interesting suggestion[,you told me you were impressed with the specs on the Ascends.

I see how you got back on topic by refusing to address the work I handed you.QUOTE=avaserfi;355155]Alright since I feel like I should make a suggestion so I don't jack the thread.

For $1500 I would buy a pair of Ascend Sierra-1s which would take up about 900 bucks. Pick up a DCX2496 for $250 putting you at $1150 and then spend the rest on a pair of subs to be placed within three feet of the speakers. You could even use the subs as stands for the speakers by simply putting a high density latex foam in between the two as a decoupling layer.

With this system you will have a great two channel system that is extremely linear and of relatively low resonance. The DCX2496 will allow for seamless integration of the subs and the speakers along with equalization to tailor your listening needs.

If you have any money left over (which you should if you follow my guide) buy room treatments as they will greatly increase your fidelity and don't need to cost much especially if you go the DIY route.




Now to the off topic stuff .

I built some one square foot panels and took pics just follow the directions linked in my signature and hang them to look like diamonds. No more excuses too I know you can build the frames now .[/QUOTE]

 

[mtrycrafts]

I listened to the Bose 321 system that one of my co-workers purchased and found that it really lacked mid-range voice in movies. I could really use some recommendations!

Thanks in advance...

One reason no one here recommends Bose. And what you heard is just the beginning of its shortcomings.

 

[spikedfuel]

For $1500 I would buy a pair of Ascend Sierra-1s which would take up about 900 bucks. Pick up a DCX2496 for $250 putting you at $1150 and then spend the rest on a pair of subs to be placed within three feet of the speakers. You could even use the subs as stands for the speakers by simply putting a high density latex foam in between the two as a decoupling layer.

What is the advantage of dual subs? (wont one handle the low range enough?) I'm more concerned with above average midrange sound (thats where I usually think most systems I've listened to lack) .. not to mention I dont have a rack mounted entertainment center (for the dcx2496) ... and that still doesnt pay for a DVD player? Thats probably a little more than I want to spend. I'll add the Ascend Sierra - 1s's to the speaker comparison list though! Thanks!

 

[avaserfi]

What is the advantage of dual subs? (wont one handle the low range enough?) I'm more concerned with above average midrange sound (thats where I usually think most systems I've listened to lack) .. not to mention I dont have a rack mounted entertainment center (for the dcx2496) ... and that still doesnt pay for a DVD player? Thats probably a little more than I want to spend. I'll add the Ascend Sierra - 1s's to the speaker comparison list though! Thanks!

For most peoples applications a single sub would likely be sufficient but having two gives more headroom and allows for increased symmetry of response especially when equalizing with the DCX unit.

For a more simple less expensive set up you could get a multi-channel/stereo receiver that is last years model and buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 along with a quality sub and use the receivers crossover settings. The CBM seems to use a better crossover and driver network than the Sierra-1, but has a more resonant cabinet which might make it more pleasant to the ear. This will yield a system that could easily be under $1000 and be of relatively high quality for the price.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Andrew is kind-of our resident expert on specs and accurate speakers but he can get a little too caught up in it(insert smiley face). The Ascends he speaks of are nice speakers.

Any of the speakers that have been mentioned on here are leaps and bounds better then any HTIB.

 

[spikedfuel]

The CBM seems to use a better crossover and driver network than the Sierra-1, but has a more resonant cabinet which might make it more pleasant to the ear.

Sorry.. confused.. Sierra has the more resonant cabinet?

 

[avaserfi]

Sorry.. confused.. Sierra has the more resonant cabinet?

Oops I mistyped the Sierra-1 has a less resonant cabinet comparing to the CBM and will likely sound better to most (resonance is bad ). This is because of the wood used in the Sierra-1 (bamboo) which is extremely ridged.

It should have read:

The CBM seems to use a better crossover and driver network than the Sierra-1, but the CBM has a more resonant cabinet which might make it less pleasant to the ear.

Both are good options, but the Sierra-1 will most likely sound better than the CBM to most in spite of the potentially lesser drivers and crossovers (this presumption is based on 3rd party measurements) because of the lower resonance due to its more exotic build.

 

[spikedfuel]

Great suggestions - but I'd like to get back to cost/quality. From all the suggestions today we're down to five models:

Ascend Sierra-1 = $858/pair
Ascend CBM-170 = $348/pair
Aperion Intimus 422 = $200/pair
AV123 X-LS Encore = $299/pair
SVS SBS-01 = $225/pair

And the recommended sub was the SVS PB10-NSD for $429

Can I get which you'd all rate 1-5 for cost/quality for those?

 

[avaserfi]

It is very important to note that you should compare speakers in the same price range. The Sierra-1 speakers are in a completely different class from the rest of the listed speakers as they cost nearly 2.5 times as much. First you should decide on the amount you want to spend on the speakers then compare within the same class.

 

[spikedfuel]

Ok - take the Sierra-1 out of the 5 then. I'd really rather not spend that much on speakers. Out of the other 4?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

If you are going from a HTIB to a real system and dont want to get too caught up in the mess, I would just get a complete system from SVS. It will have an awesome sub and very decent speakers. It will rock for movies and games and sound pretty good with music.

 

[Adameus]

I just saw a Yamaha 659 for $339 from an authorized dealer:

http://www.electronics-expo.com/index.php?page=item&ci_src=5784816&id=YAMRXV659&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=08-42923088-2

Wish I would have waited a little longer and saved $30