buying new speakers (part 2)

[jopela]

My wife has given me an upgrade budget for a new AV system. I started by looking at receivers in a different section of the forum, but everyone seems to recommend getting the speakers first (and the thread got a little out of control.) so here I am.

I have a $2000 speaker budget. The speakers will be double duty music and HT but I would say 80% HT (5.1 for now but I will get a 7.1 receiver for future expansion). I was looking at the configurations below (after reading plenty of reviews) and I have only received responses from the Klipsch haters, with no real reasons gven, and no comments on the Paradigm system in my hijacked thread.

I also received a recommendation for the SBS-01, but I have neer been a big fan of bookshelf style systems, or should I say I have never heard a pair I like as much as floor standing speakers. They dont seem to have the same depth of sound.

I am putting my short list together for a test listed and want to know what else I should be looking at and if there are any pitfalls with these configurations that I should listen for when I am shopping.

Klipsch
Front::: RF-52
Center::: RF-52
Surround::: RF-42
Sub::: RW10d


Paradigm
Front:::Cinema 330
Center:::Cinema 330
Surround:::Cinema ADP
Sub::: Ultra Cube 10

 

[jamie2112]

This is a free in home trial and they sound great:http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,282/category_id,21/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The reason I don't like Klipsch is plain and simple, I don't like how they sound. This should not matter one bit to you and you should get out there and listen to as many speakers as you can find so you can see what you really like.

A bookshelf system with a really good sub can sound wonderful but some of this depends on the size of your room and I have no idea how big your room is.

I would try to listen to the following brands:

Paradigm
B&W
Dynaudio
PSB
Totem
Swan
Montior Audio

I was looking at the configurations below (after reading plenty of reviews) and I have only received responses from the Klipsch haters, with no real reasons gven, and no comments on the Paradigm system in my hijacked thread.

I also received a recommendation for the SBS-01, but I have neer been a big fan of bookshelf style systems, or should I say I have never heard a pair I like as much as floor standing speakers. They dont seem to have the same depth of sound.

I am putting my short list together for a test listed and want to know what else I should be looking at and if there are any pitfalls with these configurations that I should listen for when I am shopping.

Klipsch
Front::: RF-52
Center::: RF-52
Surround::: RF-42
Sub::: RW10d


Paradigm
Front:::Cinema 330
Center:::Cinema 330
Surround:::Cinema ADP
Sub::: Ultra Cube 10

 

[jamie2112]

These are also a good package deal: http://store.audioholics.com/product/1831/17/emp-ef30t-5-1-speaker-system

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Since you said "a new AV system", I am assuming you have one now?
Since surrounds are really not critical at all (they only provide directional cues), and since a decent sub will work equally well with any speakers, I would suggest putting the entire budget into the mains and center. This will allow you to afford much better speakers, and will give you a much more significant improvement than replacing the entire 5.1 set at once for the same price.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think that for movies, 5 - 7 identical great-sounding bookshelf speakers + subs would be fantastic.

For 2.0 CD Music, I prefer full-range towers.

However, I used to own the NHT bookshelf speakers + sub, and they sounded fantastic for both music and movies.

So, I think going with something like this would also be fantastic:

5 of these:
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=29721

Plus 1 of these:
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=29726

Total (Free FedEx shipping) : $2,074.99

 

[Matt34]

Revel Concerta 5.0 system based around the F12 floorstanders. You'll be overbudget with a sub however.

http://www.revelspeakers.com/products/series.asp?series=concerta

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/706revel/

My next recommendation is probably not something usually recommended for your price range but will most likely out-perform the two systems you have listed. This will come in way under budget if you wait for the Fry's deal on the 362 for $99 each.

Infinity Primus 362 mains
Primus 360 center
Primus 152 surrounds
2x HSU VTF 3.3 (or 2x PB12-NSD, 2x AV123 MWF-15)

 

[adk highlander]

I would also add the KEF IQ series. Audio Advisor has a closeout deal going on right now.

IQ9's - $449 each - Mains
IQ6c - $375 - Center
IQ8ds - $399/pr - Surrounds

That is $1675

For a Sub they have a few Velodyne's on sale SPL-8 for 599 and the 10" for 799.

Also check out SVS or AV123 for subs.

This would bring you a bit over $2000 and does not include shipping. They also have the IQ7's on sale but they have one less woofer and at that point you may want a better bookshelf than a lesser tower.

I have also owned Klipsch in the past and in the right room they can be a nice speaker. The reference line that you have listed are not bad speakers. If you listen at high volumes for extended periods they may wear on you. That is the issue many members have with them.

 

[Highbar]

I'm not going to suggest different speakers the other people on the forum have done an incredible job at that. I'm going to ask why you are comparing the Reference line of Klipsch speakers and pretty much the lowest of Paradigm speakers? I've never heard the Cinema series so I can't comment on them but I do like the Monitors I have and the Studio series speakers I've heard more than most speakers I've heard... being why I own them. When it comes to Klipsch, while the RF series is much better than the Synergy line I'm not a fan of either. Maybe you should look into the Monitor line or the Studio's from Paradigm?

T

 

[jamie2112]

You know I really don't like the Klipsh sound at all and would highly suggest you listen to as many speakers as you can in order to get the right idea of what you really like. That being said, there are a few online companies that I would recommend sight unseen. SVS, Aperion ,AV123 and BG Corp are a few that I have heard and can wholeheartedly say are very nice "audiophile" quality for less money but without giving up any performance. I hope this helps a little bit.....

 

[PSWii60]

You know I really don't like the Klipsh sound at all and would highly suggest you listen to as many speakers as you can in order to get the right idea of what you really like. That being said, there are a few online companies that I would recommend sight unseen. SVS, Aperion ,AV123 and BG Corp are a few that I have heard and can wholeheartedly say are very nice "audiophile" quality for less money but without giving up any performance. I hope this helps a little bit.....

I own a 5.1 Aperion system. Are they the greatest? No. Do they sound Fantastic? Yes. Are they worth the money? Absolutely. How important is Asthetics in your application?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Plus he owns some Studio 100's....

I own a 5.1 Aperion system. Are they the greatest? No. Do they sound Fantastic? Yes. Are they worth the money? Absolutely. How important is Asthetics in your application?

 

[armaraas]

I would also add the KEF IQ series. Audio Advisor has a closeout deal going on right now.

IQ9's - $449 each - Mains
IQ6c - $375 - Center
IQ8ds - $399/pr - Surrounds

That is $1675

For a Sub they have a few Velodyne's on sale SPL-8 for 599 and the 10" for 799.

If you think you're interested in the KEF's, try to find a place to listen them locally if you can, and soon. I would suggest checking vanns.com and onecall.com, they have better prices- about $50-70 cheaper per iQ9, up to $75 less for the iQ6C, and at least $50 less for the surrounds. They do not have every color in stock however, so you may have to mix and match. These speakers are being replaced with an updated version, so they are getting harder to find at these prices. You can also check accessories4less.com they are authorized refurbished/open box dealer, but I'd check with the dealers who have new stock yet first.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

*** FORUM HIJACK *** Subwoofer Alert !!!

You've already had some great speaker recommendations so I'm going to recommend some subwoofers that you can only buy over the internet. Don't worry, half the forum uses these companies, including me, I have used two of the four.

Ascend Acoustics

AV123

Hsu Research

SVS Subwoofers

These companies offer very good quality and superior performance for the money than store bought subwoofers. You can call Hsu Research and SVS on the phone, tell them how big your room is and they will tell you which sub they sell for your needs without overselling you.

AV123 only sells one sub right now, the MFW-15.

Asccend Acoustics just started carrying thier subwoofers.

But I'll bet half of this forum uses an Hsu or SVS or AV123 sub. They are that good and well respected.

OK, subwoofer rant over, turning forum back over to loudspeakers

 

[strube]

I'm not going to suggest different speakers the other people on the forum have done an incredible job at that. I'm going to ask why you are comparing the Reference line of Klipsch speakers and pretty much the lowest of Paradigm speakers? I've never heard the Cinema series so I can't comment on them but I do like the Monitors I have and the Studio series speakers I've heard more than most speakers I've heard... being why I own them. When it comes to Klipsch, while the RF series is much better than the Synergy line I'm not a fan of either. Maybe you should look into the Monitor line or the Studio's from Paradigm?

Cinema 330's use monitor drivers, they essentially replaced the OW-Monitor 5's that I have and sound similar, though I don't think they have quite as much punch as mine, possibly due to the smaller, plastic cabinets vs. my larger wooden ones.

I like their sound but can't say I would buy them over any of the floorstanding monitors. I haven't auditioned near as many speakers as most of the people here I am sure, and many of the ones I have were Paradigms because that is what the dealer in this small town of mine sells. I have also spent a few years owning the Klipsch brand (not your specific speaker choices) and had issues with quality. Oh and there was that bit with the Linn loudspeakers ...

Anyway, I like and recommend Paradigm's Monitor 7/9/11 floorstanding models over the Cinema 330's, and I am not entirely sure a Monitor 7 system would be terribly more expensive than a Cinema 330 system, and I am pretty sure it would be in the realm of those Klipsch's...