Help buying Speaker System

[gopfan]

I'm not sure what to buy. I'm building a system in my basement. I just bought the TV and A/V receiver:

1) 52" SamSung LCD TV 120HZ LN52A650 - $1899
2) Yamaha Receiver RXV863 - $589

I'm thinking either:

A)
Swans Diva 6.1 Towers $849
Swans Diva C3 Center $329
Swans Diva R3 Surround $419
Nsu Research VTF-3 MK3 Subwoofer $699

or:

B)
EMP EF30T 5.1 Speaker System $1199


Is system A worth the extra $1000? I have not heard either system. It is scary buying online. I did hear the BOSE Acoustimass 10 and thought it totally lacked bass. I want the house to shake...I want to feel movies. Thus, the NSU Research subwoofer looks interesting. I listened to Klipsch F2s, turned it up and hear some distortion.

Thanks!

 

[Mrdplobrat]

I haven't received them yet, but I will tell you what I purchased for a similar amount. I have a Sony XBR4 40" and a Yamaha V663. I got the following speakers:

Axiom M2 fronts
Axiom QS4 surrounds
Axiom VP150 center
HSU STF-2 Subwoofer

Axiom gives you 30 day free listening period, during which you can return the speakers if you are not satisfied. HSU research is very well spoken of in the forums, so any sub you pick from them can only be a good choice!

Hope this is helpful to you!

 

[GRS0002]

I'm not an audioholic and never will be, but Axiom is a good setup. I'm working on putting that setup together, but with M22's as the fronts and QS8's in the rear. It's a work in process which will hopfully be complete at Christmas.
If you do want to try the Axioms... sign up for their newsletter, because they send special sale and coupon offers out in their email newletter. They last newsletter had a sale of $100 gift certificate with $500 purchase for the black Firday weekend. I'm pretty sure there will be another one around Christmas.

If you want to feel the house shake, make sure you get a good sub (SVS, HSU, etc), but a "good" sub will cost you. You can also put bass shakers on your chairs or sofa in your theatre with a decent subwoofer. That way you'll be garunteed to feel the bass even at lower volumes. You'll surprise unsuspecting friends and make your pad the perfered "theatre" to watch movies. Just a thought.

Best way to chose speakers is the listen to them. Search some speakers in your price range, read reviews, and then go listen to your top three choices. You'll be much happier then taking someone's word.

 

[gopfan]

I will have to listen to a few more before buying

I'm not an audioholic and never will be, but Axiom is a good setup. I'm working on putting that setup together, but with M22's as the fronts and QS8's in the rear. It's a work in process which will hopfully be complete at Christmas.
If you do want to try the Axioms... sign up for their newsletter, because they send special sale and coupon offers out in their email newletter. They last newsletter had a sale of $100 gift certificate with $500 purchase for the black Firday weekend. I'm pretty sure there will be another one around Christmas.

If you want to feel the house shake, make sure you get a good sub (SVS, HSU, etc), but a "good" sub will cost you. You can also put bass shakers on your chairs or sofa in your theatre with a decent subwoofer. That way you'll be garunteed to feel the bass even at lower volumes. You'll surprise unsuspecting friends and make your pad the perfered "theatre" to watch movies. Just a thought.

Best way to chose speakers is the listen to them. Search some speakers in your price range, read reviews, and then go listen to your top three choices. You'll be much happier then taking someone's word.

Thank you. That's two votes for Axiom. I'm probably going with a HSU subwoofer.

 

[gopfan]

Axiom setup

I haven't received them yet, but I will tell you what I purchased for a similar amount. I have a Sony XBR4 40" and a Yamaha V663. I got the following speakers:

Axiom M2 fronts
Axiom QS4 surrounds
Axiom VP150 center
HSU STF-2 Subwoofer

Axiom gives you 30 day free listening period, during which you can return the speakers if you are not satisfied. HSU research is very well spoken of in the forums, so any sub you pick from them can only be a good choice!

Hope this is helpful to you!

Thanks. Everyone seems to love the Axioms. I found this comparison with the Swans Divas from a few years ago.

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=636740&page=1&pp=30

Please let me know about your subwoofer once it's setup. Are you pleased etc...