Moving Frequently - best speakers for next 5 years?

[Contentt]

I've been looking into speakers for a while AV123, B&W 600s, Paradigm monitors etc. But one issue that stops me from thinking I should chunk down that kind of change is my space.

Currently "we" (2 about to be 3) live in a 900 sq foot house and the living room / theater room is about 12x15ft with carpet - standard ceiling height. The wife is in school and we know we will be moving in 2 years for the next phase. We also know after that move we'll probably move 2 more times before we actually settle down and are able to buy a house.

So knowing our theater setup (projection screen is going to happen this year) needs to be flexible enough to move a lot and deal with different size rental spaces, as well as acoustic elements like carpet or hard wood, I'm trying to figure out the best sound I should get knowing in 5 years I may do it all over again when we finally settle down.

Any thoughts on the ideal speakers for this scenario? I want something nice now, but might I not want to go toooo nice if the room acoustics will keep changing? Plus I'll have to move them a lot.

 

[Davidt1]

Speaker technology does not change frequently. What sounds good to you now will sound good 15 years from now. I move frequently too and find that bookshelf speakers make life on the move easier, not to mention cheaper. I would say start with a 5.1 system with identical bookshelves. Later when you have your own place use them as surround speakers in a 7.1 system and just upgrade the front speakers if you want. As far as room acoustic, sound treatment in the form of acoustic panels are an inexpensive and effective solution no matter where you live. You can take them along easily when you move. In fact, I would suggest that they are as important if not more important than other equipments if you want to improve the sound of your system.

 

[fredk]

Hmm. Thats a tough question. If it were me, I would buy the least quality speaker I could live with for now. If you are possibly going to upgrade once your wife is out of school, don't spend a lot extra now.

As far as speakers and room acoustics, I would think a poor room would make good speakers sound not so good and bad speakers sound worse.

Is this for music, movies, a combination? Which is more/most important? Are you someone who really likes to get into the music or a more casual listener?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I hate having to upgrade later.

If your future house is going to be a lot bigger, the acoustics will probably be even better. And you could always treat your room's acoustics with acoustic panels, etc.

I say get the ultimate speakers that you can get and enjoy now. I think having to upgrade later will cost more money in the long run. Buy the best sounding speakers (to your ears) and keep it forever.

 

[Contentt]

Hmmm

This is mainly for HT but we do also listen to music. I have a 5.1 system but none of the speakers match - got an M&K center that's been dropped a few times, Infinity in the front and Bostons in the rear. My M&K sub is a keeper. My goal right now is to match the front 3 and get better sound.

It's pretty hard to find a house smaller than we currently rent and we'll most likely be leaving the Bay Area where you feel poor making 6 figures. So the house in the future will be much much bigger.

I'm going to buy something, but I'm stuck between going for really good sound now or just get something good enough.

I may have read too many posts saying how important it is to demo them in your own room to find the best sound since that's impossible with so many moves coming. It makes me think buying less than ideal speakers now is a better short term solution. Cause no matter what I demo the sound in the home environment will change with every move. I maybe making this a bigger deal than it really is. Part of me says screw it and buy the best sounding ones at the store.

I tend to get overly thorough when shopping for toys. People say I love spreadsheets, can't make a decision without one.

 

[Adam]

I agree with getting something that sounds good to you now. If you've got two more years in your current place, that's a decent amount of time. You might as well enjoy it! Of course, if the "about to be 3" is your first child, then maybe you won't be having as much time with the theater as you do now.

I bought my NHT speakers when I was living in a <900 square foot apartment. I liked them there, and I still like them in my house. I'm glad that I didn't go cheap just because I was in a smaller place. On the other hand, I am glad that I didn't have my PC13-Ultra in the apartment...I probably would have been evicted.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Bookshelf

Sounds like an ideal situation for bookshelf sized speakers. You didn't say if you are moving them , or pro movers will be handling them, but large speakers are heavy and hard to move, even with the orig. boxes. I'd say buy some really decent bookshelves now. When you buy a house, then you can get some 100 pound tower speakers to anchor the front of your home theatre rig, and use the bookshelves as surrounds, or move them into your second system, which is a must have for home owners............hth.

 

[Midcow2]

I Love Your Line About Spreadsheets.

This is mainly for HT but we do also listen to music. I have a 5.1 system but none of the speakers match - got an M&K center that's been dropped a few times, Infinity in the front and Bostons in the rear. My M&K sub is a keeper. My goal right now is to match the front 3 and get better sound.

It's pretty hard to find a house smaller than we currently rent and we'll most likely be leaving the Bay Area where you feel poor making 6 figures. So the house in the future will be much much bigger.

I'm going to buy something, but I'm stuck between going for really good sound now or just get something good enough.

I may have read too many posts saying how important it is to demo them in your own room to find the best sound since that's impossible with so many moves coming. It makes me think buying less than ideal speakers now is a better short term solution. Cause no matter what I demo the sound in the home environment will change with every move. I maybe making this a bigger deal than it really is. Part of me says screw it and buy the best sounding ones at the store.

I tend to get overly thorough when shopping for toys. People say I love spreadsheets, can't make a decision without one.

I love you line about spreadsheets; I am a statitiscal and Excel bigot and do lots and lots of project and decision analysis using spreadsheets.

If you like your sub great, keep it. You didn't mention what AVR you have or if you were planning to upgrade. I have found using auto equalizations and then SPL or ear tuning can adjust speakers to about any environment. I agree with AcuDefTechGuy most of the time and idealy to buy the best right now would be ideal. However, since it sounds like you are young and have a lot of growth potential ahead of you salary, house, etc. I think it would be good to get some good bookshlef speakers now ( you sub will handle the low frequencies). IIt is important that the Fronts and center match in timbre to have seamless sound. If you watch HT the the center is very important because most voice dialog comes from the center. There are a lot of great bookshlefs starting with Cambridge Audio S30 , then Mordaunt Shorts, then B & W.

Rear surrounds are for just enhancement and aren't that important. Ideally you can match all speakers but if not spend you $$$ on the front and center.

Good luck and congratulations ahead of time on you upcoming child

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

I agree, a quality bookshelf speaker system should work great in your current room and for several years to come. Down the road and a larger house, you might be able to upgrade to floorstanders and expand to a 7.1 sytem.

Just don't get carried away on the sub and get one of those giant $100+ lb. boxes! You will regret it when it is time to move. Also, save the boxes and backaging for the speakers.

 

[fredk]

Mostly movies, already have a sub you like...

Bookshelves do sound like the best match. I would also agree about a good center. It is so nice to finally have clean clear dialog down to a whisper.

The bookself shootout reviews here at audioholics is probably a good place to start for an audition list, though you will get a slew of recommendations from posters as well.

As for 'good enough' vs 'the best you can afford', thats a decision that only you can make.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

As far as room acoustic, sound treatment in the form of acoustic panels are an inexpensive and effective solution no matter where you live. You can take them along easily when you move. In fact, I would suggest that they are as important if not more important than other equipments if you want to improve the sound of your system.

As an apartment dweller, I have tried acoustic panels. They made no difference, so I sent them back for a refund. (Of course, that could be because my apartment has good acoustics on its own. Drywall+plaster ceiling+wall to wall carpet+only a few small windows=few if any acoustic issues.)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

As an apartment dweller, I have tried acoustic panels. They made no difference, so I sent them back for a refund. (Of course, that could be because my apartment has good acoustics on its own. Drywall+plaster ceiling+wall to wall carpet+only a few small windows=few if any acoustic issues.)

I had the same exact experience as Joe, except my room is not an apartment and my four 4"x48"x72" panels are too big for me to WANT to return for refund.

I think some rooms just have better acoustics than others and some rooms just don't benefit as much.

 

[jostenmeat]

My take: Bookshelves, definitely.

Affordable and decent, don't spend too much. Bad acoustics will make any great speaker sound terrible, and you will be wondering why you spent so much.

I might even skip the center altogether, and opt for phantom. Personally, Id really want to see the "final" room and setup before choosing my center. Whether upright tower, upright bookshelf, huge horizontal center, etc. Do you even know if it will be on a TV rack, underneath a huge PJ screen, or wall mounted? Of course not.

Basically, I agree with fredk's post.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I currently own three pairs of floorstanders. If and when I ever move, I am not looking forward to hauling them. The worst, however, will be my TV since it is a 34" widescreen tube (200 lbs, and most of that in the screen.) At least I don't worry about it getting stolen!

 

[Contentt]

Well...

Go without a center - that's blasphemy! Thinking I might do some more research on a few cheaper solutions like the av123 speakers..