Building the perfect beast. . .

[Npeart]

Wait let me get this right? you want to spend 1,500 for the mains and only 700 for the surrounds and subwoofer.

I think your money would be better well spent using the total 2200 for matching speakers that sound good all around and an awesome sub, because if you short change the sub and surrounds your gonna notice this. Hence why I suggested the DT Studio Monitors which in a professional review matched the B&W 801 Matrix speakers in mid range and tweeters and that can be had for 900.00 for six speakers leaving enough for a fantastic sub which I think you will enjoy far more than just great speakers as mains and mediocre sub and surrounds.

No, I do not want to do that. I agree it would be a mistake. I would match the 10's to the 20's, if I opted for Paradigm. And I'd match the
CM1's with the CM5's if I went B&W. BUT. . that would be $2,500 dollars for 4 speakers plus I'd still need a center and a sub. Damn, this is hard, LOL!!

I'm trying not to be a moronic newbie, who falls in love with the first amazing speaker he hears, but those B&W's were just amazing. I do need to hear more, though. It just doesn't make sense to spend this kind of money without being thorough - even though I know I'd be completely satisifed with the B&W's.

I'll compile a list of the speakers suggested by others and find dealers where I can go listen to them.

 

[nibhaz]

Slow day at work...

Npeart it looks as you’ve been getting some pretty good advice on how to spend your monies. As you’ve figured out, different people have different methods and priorities when putting together a system, and there really isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. You are also lucky in that you are in a geographical location that will allow you to audition a wide range of speakers within your budget. This isn’t a luxury that most people have, so you really should take your time and listen.

You really should come up with your true budget, and a figure how long you want to take to put this system together. This hobby can be like an addiction if you’re not careful. Try to avoid listening to speakers that are outside your price range…ignorance is bliss my friend, otherwise you’ll find your budget has suddenly ballooned out of control. Listening to speakers that are way out of your price range is okay for the sake having a good baseline to work from, and you’re less likely to make a 10k impulse purchase.

Assuming that you want to buy new speakers, and are working with a $3,500 total budget, here are some suggestions for speakers in no particular order.

System 1
Ascend Sierra-1 $898
Ascend Sierra Center $458
Ascend CBM-170 SE $348
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: $2,133

System 2
B&W 685 x5 $1,625 ($325 Each)
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: $2,054

System 3
PSB Image T55 $949
PSB Image C40 Center $349
PSB Image B15 $379
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: $2,106

System 4 (PSB Image sales @ Saturday Audio)
PSB Image T55 $649
PSB Image C40 Center $349
PSB Image B15 $279
SV-Sound PB10-NSD x2 $858
Total: $2,135

System 5 (PSB Image sales @ Saturday Audio)
PSB Image T65 $799 (regularly $1,199)
PSB Image C60 Center $499
PSB Image B25 $349 (regularly $479)
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: $2,076

System 6
Aperion Intimus 5T Tower $990
Aperion Intimus 5C Center $350
Aperion Intimus 4B $260
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: 2,029

System 7
Era D5 $900
Era D4 LCR $500
Era D3 $400
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: 2,229

System 8
Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2 $794
Mordaunt Short Mezzo 5 $595
Mordaunt Short Mezzo 1 $594
SV-Sound PB10-NSD $429
Total: $2,412

 

[Sounds Good]

^ wow... everyone one of thoes setups is great... ^

 

[Npeart]

^ wow... everyone one of thoes setups is great... ^

I will not buy from an internet only dealer. I have to hear them first.

So I have already heard Paradigm 20's and B&W CM5's. I found a dealer west of me who carries the following manufacturers and will listen to comparable speakers in the same price point:

Revel
Blueroom
Spendor
Energy
PSB
Harbeth
Sonance
B&W

I'm going to do a comparison between Energy, B&W and PSB. I can't find a KEF dealer near me and I love the price of their IQ30's, plus everything I have read about them is good.

 

[Sounds Good]

I will not buy from an internet only dealer. I have to hear them first.

you will miss out on some great $$$ friendly products... SVS, Axiom, Ascend,... just to name a few

 

[jostenmeat]

I will not buy from an internet only dealer. I have to hear them first. . .

I understand exactly how you feel, for that's what I was thinking when I started. I've since learned enough to know some offer remarkably high value, and I do think of Ascend (haven't heard any Aperion, Axiom, AV123, SVS, eD, etc). I spoke with double digit dealers. It was since then that I recommended to a friend, and then heard some Ascends.

I'm going to do a comparison between Energy, B&W and PSB.

I use PSB in the HT. I almost bought B&W as my music speakers. I still encourage you to reconsider ID. 30 day trial, and I think the most you lose when returning is $20 or so.

Seriously, plug in "ascend" at audiogon, and there are never many for sale. As soon as you click on an ad with a reasonable price, so far that I have seen, it always says "SOLD".

JMO.

 

[Npeart]

I understand exactly how you feel, for that's what I was thinking when I started. I've since learned enough to know some offer remarkably high value, and I do think of Ascend (haven't heard any Aperion, Axiom, AV123, SVS, eD, etc). I spoke with double digit dealers. It was since then that I recommended to a friend, and then heard some Ascends.



I use PSB in the HT. I almost bought B&W as my music speakers. I still encourage you to reconsider ID. 30 day trial, and I think the most you lose when returning is $20 or so.

Seriously, plug in "ascend" at audiogon, and there are never many for sale. As soon as you click on an ad with a reasonable price, so far that I have seen, it always says "SOLD".

JMO.

Well, I took the Audiogon advice. My offer for a set of Paradigm 20's was just accepted! They are v.4, so they are only a year old and in the life of a speaker that is nothing. I just grabbed a pair of $1,200 dollar speakers for $660.00, including shipping. The guy selling them posted great pictures of them from every angle and has a rating of 42, so I'm excited.

Being paranoid, as I am, now I worry about the guts being replaced with crap or the dude swapped the guts with Sony shells!

Sounds Good: I absolutely will buy a SVS Sub when the time comes. I have heard a ton of people who just love them. And I have read enough to know that would be a safe purchase. Ok, now I have to find a good receiver.

 

[jamie2112]

Well, I took the Audiogon advice. My offer for a set of Paradigm 20's was just accepted! They are v.4, so they are only a year old and in the life of a speaker that is nothing. I just grabbed a pair of $1,200 dollar speakers for $660.00, including shipping. The guy selling them posted great pictures of them from every angle and has a rating of 42, so I'm excited.

Being paranoid, as I am, now I worry about the guts being replaced with crap or the dude swapped the guts with Sony shells!

Sounds Good: I absolutely will buy a SVS Sub when the time comes. I have heard a ton of people who just love them. And I have read enough to know that would be a safe purchase. Ok, now I have to find a good receiver.

Congratulations on your Audiogon purchase.I own some gear that was bought on Audiogon and its been great.......used is the way to go for me...