Best bang for your buck HT <2k

[Giant99]

Hello,
I was hoping to get some opinions on which company/companies sell the best bang for your buck systems for 2k or less. I certainly am no audiophile, and currently only own a cheap 7.1 onkyo system. The system isnt bad other then its not quite room filling enough for me.
I'v been reading around and see a lot of bragging on Canadian companies iv never heard of before. These speakers would mostly be for HT only and would be ran off a onkyo 604 for now. I would prob be getting a denon to power them in the future. I was hoping to hear some opinions on which way i should be leaning. I dont want to be one of those guys that walks into best buy listen to anything and buy it. Even though i have listened to the def techs and klipschs there.
They would be going into my living room which is around 20X25 (im not quite sure till i measure it) which opens to a eating area and kitchen. It ends up being a pretty big area so i thinking some tower speakers and a large sub would be nice. I was checking out some axiom HT for around that 2k area that seem quite nice. I was wondering if there are better speakers out there in that price range
TY for your time,
Jonathan

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

HSU HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelf Speaker $150 x 5 = $750
HSU VTF-2 MK 3 Subwoofer $550

Total = $1300

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

_____________________________________________________

Aperion T4 Towers $325 x 2 = $650
Aperion B4 Satellite $130 x 3 = $390
Aperion Bravus 10D Subwoofer $800

Total = $1,840

http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-4T-Tower-Speaker,164,28,405.aspx

http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-4B-Satellite-Speaker,113,19,261.aspx

http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Bravus-10D-Dual-10-Powered-Subwoofer,105,66,243.aspx

 

[fredk]

There are a number of companies that offer good value. On the ID side there is Axiom, aperion, Ascend...

B&M brands I would look at are Energy, PSB, ?? I am sure there are others.

Go out and listen to some speakers in your price range and slightly above and then come back here with some speakers you like and you will get more specific advice.

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest starting with a sub upgrade.

JL Audio, SVS, and Epik all make excellent subs.

If you are a woodworker then DIY is the way to go for subs.

Home theater starts with the bass. for 2k you can get some really awesom bass.

Spend the rest on a new fronts setup. For that I suggest the 3 Infinity Beta 20s being sold by Matt34 This would leave you up to 1800 for subs. And believe me when I tell you the sub makes a major difference. You can use 4 of your HT speakers for surrounds since the quality required isn't huge there.

For music I would suggest a different setup, but for home theater this would be the best upgrade IMO.

 

[bandphan]

Look at the SVS STS system w/pb12 upgrade the sub for a bit more.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, the SVS SBS-01 satellites (5) and the SVS PB12 subwoofer also sounds good for under $2K.

https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=shopping.basket&Product_ID=21&CFID=693652&CFTOKEN=69482229


_________________________________________

Here's also a good one:

NHT Absolute Zero satellites - $150 x 5 = $750
NHT Classic Ten Subwoofer $400

Total = $1,150

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=29717

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=29726

 

[Giant99]

Ty guys for your replies. From my store search so far (best buy) i am looking at def tech. System would be BP7004, procenter 1000, BPIX surrounds, for around 2320 retail. Im considering these cause there is a chance i can get a awsome price through a friend who works there. Im just seeing if there is better out there for HT in the general price range (less then 2k). Im really wanting big sound so i was leaning more towards towers for the front, even though its mostly for HT it would be nice to have some towers for some bigger sound if i were to actually listen to some music for a house party. You guys are talking about STS, which i dont know about, so ill certainly take a look into their products. It seems these STS speakers are a little cheaper then Axiom. How does STS compare with axiom. Also, how do these/others compare to the Def Techs im considering? ATM im not really considering any DYI speakers or 1800 on a sub So many brands already mentioned its already getting mind boggling TY for your time

 

[fredk]

Which Axiom system were you considering.

 

[ace0001a]

The "best bang for your buck" topic will always yield lots of different responses. As for Canadian speaker brands, I do agree that our friendly neighbors up north really do know how to make excellent speakers. My favorite Canadian brand (and probably overall favorite) is Paradigm. They're based in Ontario Canada and they do almost everything in-house rather than just simply design the speaker and have a factory in China manufacture them. Paradigm tends to have strict retail practices and so the only real way to get a feel for whether you like their sound is to go to a local dealer or listen to them at a friend's house who has them.

With Paradigm, I'd say you can get a "bang for the buck" setup by going with their Monitor line. Most important is to keep the front 3 speakers from the same exact line and you could mix in surrounds from their Monitor Cinema line and a subwoofer from another brand.

I've demoed speakers from TSC (The Speaker Company) and like many others that I do agree they're they're arguably the overall best bang for the buck in speakers right now. They're internet direct and offer a 30-day trial of their speakers.

I did look at Axiom and have heard and read much good things about them. What turned me off to them is the resistance spec of their speakers. I've always owned 8 ohm speakers (more efficient and easier by all receivers to drive) and I was interested in their top of line floorstanders, but found out they're 4 ohm as well as their top of the line center channel being 6 ohm. Their other center is 8 ohm, but it looks small and I didn't read anything too positive about it. Then on top of that, I think their speakers look a bit plain and I realize that's not a deal breaker but does factor in to my decision. I'm sure Axiom speakers have a good sound to them, I just felt they weren't for me because there are other choices out there which I think are better.

I think PSB is also a Canadian brand and I've heard good things about them. Two of my cousins have PSB speaker setups and when I listened to them, I didn't find anything really to complain about. So that's another brand to look at if you're focused on speakers from Canada.

Another internet direct company that has received high praise for their speakers is Aperion Audio. I'm a big fan of piano black finishes and Aperion's speakers feature that. Their center channel speakers implement a 3-way design that improves lateral dispersion that results in a more seemless front soundstage when compared to traditional 2-way designs and I'm a big fan of that concept. They also use silk dome tweeters, which does offer smoother less harsh highs when compaired to metal dome tweeters as and definitely less harsh than horn tweeters. I think their speakers are a good deal and they too offer a 30-day trial.

So as you can tell, your choices will be vast and I say give everything a try before you settle on something.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ty guys for your replies. From my store search so far (best buy) i am looking at def tech. System would be BP7004, procenter 1000, BPIX surrounds, for around 2320 retail. Im considering these cause there is a chance i can get a awsome price through a friend who works there. Im just seeing if there is better out there for HT in the general price range (less then 2k). Im really wanting big sound so i was leaning more towards towers for the front, even though its mostly for HT it would be nice to have some towers for some bigger sound if i were to actually listen to some music for a house party. You guys are talking about STS, which i dont know about, so ill certainly take a look into their products. It seems these STS speakers are a little cheaper then Axiom. How does STS compare with axiom. Also, how do these/others compare to the Def Techs im considering? ATM im not really considering any DYI speakers or 1800 on a sub So many brands already mentioned its already getting mind boggling TY for your time

It all depends on whom you ask.

Obviously, we all have different tastes.

I love my Def Tech speakers. I've listened to many other brands as well, and I still love the sound of my Def Tech speakers.

The important thing is that YOU love the sound of the speakers you buy.

Just make sure Best Buy will allow you to return these speakers if you change your mind later.

My primary thought is that the built-in subwoofers in the BP7004s may not be "enough" for "some" people for that jaw-dropping bass in some movies.

However, if you think the bass is adequate, then that is all that matters.

I got all my DefTechs at 30% off Retail from my local dealer.

Sometimes you will see deals from Amazon/Onecall that gives you 50% off on some speakers!

Yesterday, I saw the DefTech Mythos One 50% off.

One time, they gave the Mythos STS 50% off.

This is not all that critical, but as a "rule of thumb", try to match the driver sizes. For example, if the main L/R speakers have 5.25" woofers & 1" tweeters, then get Centers and Surrounds with the same size woofers & tweeters.

Surround speakers are not very critical at all and you can get away with pretty much ANYTHING.

 

[Giant99]

Which Axiom system were you considering.

I was considering the Epic 50 -175 HT set. They have it posted for 1921.85 on the website. Im think ill prob have to step up to the next one with the larger sub though. Many people here are said to go with bookshelfs, but im really wanting some big sound form some towers up front.

 

[NicolasKL]

The best bang for your buck is always going to be used. Then usually ID brands. Then usually store brands.

I'm the type of person that generally never buys used, as I'd rather pay extra for the warranty and piece of mind, etc. But IMO with speakers as long as all the drivers work, which is easy to check, almost any used speaker is going to be good as new. Unless they're self amped there just really isn't that much to wear/break on them as long as they're not of the age/design that you have to worry about things like driver surrounds.

I've got an Infinity Intermezzo system that I bought for right about what your budget was, and even though mine are self amped (and I did have trouble with one of the amps), I'm sure glad I went used, and there's nothing new that could even come close to touching them for what I paid. If you want big sound it's tough to beat a 4 way floor stander with an 850 watt powered 12".

 

[fredk]

As for Canadian speaker brands, I do agree that our friendly neighbors up north really do know how to make excellent speakers

Great speakers, beer and igloos. What more could you ask for.

I'd say you can get a "bang for the buck" setup by going with their Monitor line.

I originally listened to the monitor 7, then stepped up to the studio line, then listened to Axioms M22, 60 and 80.

The Axioms give you Studio level of performance for a Monitor line price. I would take the Axiom M60 over the Studio 7 any day.

I did look at Axiom and have heard and read much good things about them. What turned me off to them is the resistance spec of their speakers.

IMO any receiver that can't handle a 6 Ohm speaker is not worth owning. There are also many good receivers that can handle the 4 Ohm load of the M80 (and it is only the M80 that is 4 Ohm). I am using a lowly Sherwood receiver (at work so don't have the model) and any Denon, Onkyo 7/8 series, or higher end Yamaha will work just fine. Basically stay away from the real cheap receivers.

 

[fredk]

I was considering the Epic 50 -175 HT set. They have it posted for 1921.85 on the website. Im think ill prob have to step up to the next one with the larger sub though. Many people here are said to go with bookshelfs, but im really wanting some big sound form some towers up front.

I had a chance to listen to the various Axiom offerings side by side when I visited their factory so I'll give you some stuff to think about.

1. Step up to at least the EP350 subwoofer. The 175 will only work in a very small room and does not reach particularly low for movies. At that price you may get better bang for your buck out of an SVS/HSU/Epic sub.

2. The M22 + sub sounds virtually identical to the M60. I listened to the two on an AB switch and the only way I could tell them apart was the better bottom end of the sub. The M60 will play louder for parties though.

3. The M50 will be good for HT, but the M60 will give you much more detail if you are into music like classical, jazz, or really well recorded pop/rock. If its mainly HT, stick with the M50 and spend more on a sub.

4. Consider buying from Axioms outlet. You save 10% and the defects are darned hard to find. It took me 3 months to find any flaws on my fronts and I have yet to figure out what defects there might be on the rest of the system.

Hope this helps.

 

[bandphan]

The best bang for your buck is always going to be used. Then usually ID brands. Then usually store brands.

I'm the type of person that generally never buys used, as I'd rather pay extra for the warranty and piece of mind, etc. But IMO with speakers as long as all the drivers work, which is easy to check, almost any used speaker is going to be good as new. Unless they're self amped there just really isn't that much to wear/break on them as long as they're not of the age/design that you have to worry about things like driver surrounds.

I've got an Infinity Intermezzo system that I bought for right about what your budget was, and even though mine are self amped (and I did have trouble with one of the amps), I'm sure glad I went used, and there's nothing new that could even come close to touching them for what I paid. If you want big sound it's tough to beat a 4 way floor stander with an 850 watt powered 12".

So you got 5 of them for 2000, nice deal

 

[ahblaza]

Check this out!

Ty guys for your replies. From my store search so far (best buy) i am looking at def tech. System would be BP7004, procenter 1000, BPIX surrounds, for around 2320 retail. Im considering these cause there is a chance i can get a awsome price through a friend who works there. Im just seeing if there is better out there for HT in the general price range (less then 2k). Im really wanting big sound so i was leaning more towards towers for the front, even though its mostly for HT it would be nice to have some towers for some bigger sound if i were to actually listen to some music for a house party. You guys are talking about STS, which i dont know about, so ill certainly take a look into their products. It seems these STS speakers are a little cheaper then Axiom. How does STS compare with axiom. Also, how do these/others compare to the Def Techs im considering? ATM im not really considering any DYI speakers or 1800 on a sub So many brands already mentioned its already getting mind boggling TY for your time

Good Stuff www.skiingninja.com/Articles.asp?ID=173 Axiom M80's interesting read and shocking!!!!!

 

[ace0001a]

Great speakers, beer and igloos. What more could you ask for.


I originally listened to the monitor 7, then stepped up to the studio line, then listened to Axioms M22, 60 and 80.

The Axioms give you Studio level of performance for a Monitor line price. I would take the Axiom M60 over the Studio 7 any day.


IMO any receiver that can't handle a 6 Ohm speaker is not worth owning. There are also many good receivers that can handle the 4 Ohm load of the M80 (and it is only the M80 that is 4 Ohm). I am using a lowly Sherwood receiver (at work so don't have the model) and any Denon, Onkyo 7/8 series, or higher end Yamaha will work just fine. Basically stay away from the real cheap receivers.

Yeah, I have great respect for the Canadian speaker makers. I currently own the latest Monitor 9 and CC-290 and love them. I upgraded from the original Monitor 7s from 1997 and CC-370 V3 from 2002. While I'm sure the Axioms sound great and perhaps better (though I think it's still a matter of preference there), I just don't like those 2 things I mentioned before in plain design look and varied Ohm specs. I'm sure most receivers have no problems driving them, but somehow I like a consistent 8 ohm spec and Paradigm offers that. Also, the new Monitors with Paradigm's Superdrive technology are said to be super efficient (for speakers that is). Also, to me the Axiom Center Channels could be better as the entry level model to me looks as bad as some have commented about it and its performance. But again, most of this boils down to preference. I don't think you can go wrong with either Paradigm or Axiom, but Paradigm really suites my tastes.

 

[fredk]

Good Stuff www.skiingninja.com/Articles.asp?ID=173 Axiom M80's interesting read and shocking!!!!!

Shocking indeed. You might want to look at proper 3rd party measurements done at the NRC under proper conditions in an anechoic chamber.
Solidly 4 Ohm nominal. Good flat response (a few bumps in places, but these ain't no B&W 802s) on and off axis. Very low distortion.

The soundtageav.com measurements are actually a very good place to start when researching speakers.

 

[fredk]

ace0001a. I can understand your comments about the styling. There are certainly a lot more sexy speakers out there.

On impedence, we all have out own comfort levels, but there is no reason to fear a 4 Ohm speaker.

I have also been told by a few people that the Monitor 11 (older model) sounded a lot more like a Studio line speaker than some of the other Monitors, so it may depend on which Monitor you listen to.

 

[nexus99]

I am not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination but my "budge"t system sounds pretty good and I am working in the same limitations as you are.

I picked up a pair of new Definitive Technology BP2000 towers for about 850 bucks. I got a new DT C/L/R 2002 for 350 bucks. A C/L/R 2000 would be better but they are hard to find.

This will give you a ROCKING front set up that will impress 99.9% of the world at large. (The readers of this board might be part of that .1% though.)

Match something like this with some DT BPX surrounds and you are good to go. I think you can get a set of used BPXs for around 450.

So for 1700 bucks you can have a really really good sounding setup.