What to buy with $600?

[DraceOne]

Hello all,

Been scouring multiple forums in order to find a good match for my home theatre system I'm looking to setup. Here are the details:

-Room Size: 15 1/2 x 26 (22' Cathedral Celings at highest point)
-Current Gear: 2x Yamaha HTR-5730 Reciever / Pair Polk Audio R15 / Atlantic Technologies 253c Center

-1st looking to buy the fronts
-I will be piecing the rest of the system together as funds allow.
-I really enjoy warm sounding speakers.
-This will be for movie's, music, DJ system and games

I was taking a look around and the Aperion Intimus 4t's caught my eye and the Mythos 2's caught my eye because of their price reduction from 550 to 175 on amazon.


Questions:
-What other recommendations do you have given my taste and space as far as speakers go?

-Will I be severely under-powering the Aperion speakers with my current amps?

-Are the Mythos 2's good speaker and something you can keep around for many years compared to something like the Aperion's?

Appreciate all your info and help, this forum has been a God send. I will be attaching some pictures of my layout after my 5th post (which will be soon hopefully)

 

[son-yah-tive]

Hello, I bought the Mythos 2s when they were 199.00 in SILVER. I bought 5 of them. All I can say is WOW! And the silver is a great color. I feel bad for those who need them in Black. I feel they have the neutral, clean and balanced sound I was looking for. But, speakers are an opinionated species. So, go to Best Buy and go to the 'Magnolia Room' and see if you like them. They also come with a five year warranty. So, I think you can enjoy them for a few years. I hope this helps you.

 

[DraceOne]

Thanks for the reply. I am really interested in going to check them out. I'll probably do that today, but the only thing that has me kind of hesitating on the Mythos is the size of my living room and ceilings.

 

[son-yah-tive]

Thanks for the reply. I am really interested in going to check them out. I'll probably do that today, but the only thing that has me kind of hesitating on the Mythos is the size of my living room and ceilings.

Don't know if this helps, but our room has a high ceiling and the kitchen and dinning room are a part of it too. Also the long hallway. It isn't what you would call an ideal listening room(s). I hope that helps you some. The Mythos are very effecient.

 

[DraceOne]

That helped thanks. I just listened to the mythos at BestBuy and they were really nice but to bright for my personal taste. But wow those things are loud.

I'm off to the world of mini towers it seems.

 

[WmAx]

Infinity Primus 252 or 362. A non-bright HF range, and superb drivers and good xover. The 362, highpassed at 70-80Hz to a sub, can produce extreme high output with a powerful amp. You can also do easy mods (install some highly effective acoustic damping in the cabinets) to increase SQ substantially. These speakers are also low priced. Under-priced, compared to the performance you get, actually, based on typical speaker selections.

-Chris

 

[son-yah-tive]

That helped thanks. I just listened to the mythos at BestBuy and they were really nice but to bright for my personal taste. But wow those things are loud.

I'm off to the world of mini towers it seems.

I hope you find what you're looking for. I do know speakers sound different when you get them home. Try your best to imagine how they will sound with your room and what furnishings will soak up or brighten the sound. Good luck

 

[DraceOne]

Infinity Primus 252 or 362. A non-bright HF range, and superb drivers and good xover. The 362, highpassed at 70-80Hz to a sub, can produce extreme high output with a powerful amp. You can also do easy mods (install some highly effective acoustic damping in the cabinets) to increase SQ substantially. These speakers are also low priced. Under-priced, compared to the performance you get, actually, based on typical speaker selections.

-Chris

Great thanks for expanding the list and it seems like these are easiar to go find to take a listen at local stores. I also really like the fact that you can modify them for future upgrades.

 

[DraceOne]

Anybody else have some recommendations for some fronts for around 600 pair? So far we have the Aperion 4T and the Infinity Primus 362's at a bargain price of 340/pair.

Anyone ever heard both those lines before?

 

[DraceOne]

Buying the Aperion 4T's and will buy the the 5c after.

Thanks to the two people that replied.

 

[shadyJ]

I would guess the 4T's are going to sound pretty weak next to the Primus's. Two 4" drivers on a tower which weighs 19 lbs.? Those towers are meant for listening to music in a closet. I wouldn't count on any real bass coming from the Aperion's either. Without a subwoofer, those speakers are going to sound pretty emasculated. Those are tower speakers for girls.

Sorry to sound harsh, but you need to take a closer look at the specs. These speakers are not alike at all. The Aperions are discreet towers meant to blend in someone's office. The Infinities are meant to have sex with your ears. Cancel your order and get the Infinities, or you will regret it for the rest of your life.

 

[DraceOne]

I would guess the 4T's are going to sound pretty weak next to the Primus's. Two 4" drivers on a tower which weighs 19 lbs.? Those towers are meant for listening to music in a closet. I wouldn't count on any real bass coming from the Aperion's either. Without a subwoofer, those speakers are going to sound pretty emasculated. Those are tower speakers for girls.

Sorry to sound harsh, but you need to take a closer look at the specs. These speakers are not alike at all. The Aperions are discreet towers meant to blend in someone's office. The Infinities are meant to have sex with your ears. Cancel your order and get the Infinities, or you will regret it for the rest of your life.

Anyone else ready to comment on this? I didn't know that the apertions were so weak? How about migrating to the E5ti Shady In your opinion would that b a Bette choice in creating more lower presence?

 

[shadyJ]

The EMP speakers are more in the league of the Infinity Primus speakers. I couldn't tell you which one is better. If I had to choose I would pick the Infinity speakers, because of a more solid cabinet, deeper bass extension, and their renowned drivers. I haven't heard the EMP speakers, but I have some Infinity Primus, and I know they are great speakers. I watched Kingdom of Heaven today in my home theater with the Infinity speakers, and I was able to really blast it (which I don't often get a chance to do), and I was blown away by how good the female vocals on the music soundtrack sounded, just gorgeous. Crystal clear, even at -5 on the volume dial on my Onkyo. An absolute steal for what I bought them for, $130 each. I think they would still be a great bargain at $300 each.

I think either would be good, miles ahead of the Aperions in any case. If you are not going to use a subwoofer, I would go with the Infinity speakers, as it looks like the EMPs are going to be pretty weak on the bottom end; just compare the frequency response specs, 50Hz-20kHz ±3dB vs (±3dB): 38Hz - 20kHz. I think that's why EMP is coming out with the E55ti speakers soon, to have some towers with better bass and also to bring up the tweeters to a more common ear level. To be honest, the E55Ti look more comparable to the Infinity Primus p362 than the E5ti, at least in performance specs. But this is all just the 'tale of the tape', to use a boxing term, the right one is the one that sounds best to your ears.

 

[ribonzz]

With 600 you can buy 2 14" subs..

 

[typh00n]

the Infinity Primus 362's at a bargain price of 340/pair.

Where'd you find this bargain price?

 

[DraceOne]

Where'd you find this bargain price?

Amazon... + 49 shipping...

 

[Seth=L]

Amazon... + 49 shipping...

Those Primus would run circles around the Aperians. Those towers are a real diamond in the rough. No longer would I associate Infinity with low grade budget audio. When they used to use polycell tweeters I hated them (most shrill speakers) but the CMMD tweeters are some of smoothest sounding I've heard. They also have great resolve at higher levels of output. I have listened to many different speaker systems costing much more than the Primus 360s that start to exibit tweeter break up (distortion) at higher levels.

I know it defies logic, but you won't regret it. And no, I'm not a Harman Industry shill.

 

[WmAx]

Those Primus would run circles around the Aperians. Those towers are a real diamond in the rough. No longer would I associate Infinity with low grade budget audio. When they used to use polycell tweeters I hated them (most shrill speakers) but the CMMD tweeters are some of smoothest sounding I've heard. They also have great resolve at higher levels of output. I have listened to many different speaker systems costing much more than the Primus 360s that start to exibit tweeter break up (distortion) at higher levels.

I know it defies logic, but you won't regret it. And no, I'm not a Harman Industry shill.

Did you notice the SPL vs THD test of the Primus 162 from Soundstage? Even at the 101dB at 1 Meter(95dB at 2 Meters) test, the tweeter's THD level remains below the limits of the distortion chart they use. This is a ceramic tweeter that is excellent (as far as monopolars go), and would easily be satisfactory on speakers costing thousands. But this is true of many of the drivers used on these Primus speakers. I tell you, I have never seen such high quality drivers used on 'budget' speaker systems. Too bad the cabinets and crossovers don't come anywhere near using the drivers to their potential.

-Chris

 

[Drifter]

You might want to take a look at the new CMX line from Cerwin-Vega. I think your $600.00 would go a lot further with Cerwin-Vega. You could probably get your fronts and center channel for under $600. I'd check-out their floor standers and their CMX 45C center channel. Heck, you might be able to get everyting including your surrounds for under $600.00?

In adition, you might want to snoop around for some used speakers or even some vintage speakers. Last month, I found a very clean pair of Cerwin-Vega 100VS (floor standers) at a thrift shop for $27.00 for the pair. They work and sound great! (I am listening to Dianna Krall on them right this moment I they are doing a fine job.) Last week, I picked-up a pair of vintage Audioanalyst Pahse Matrix M8's with original stands for $30.00 each and $5.00 each for the stands. These speakers had an original MSRP of over $800.00 when new in 1977. I've run them on all sorts of material and I can't find fault with them other than perhaps they're a bit shy in the mid range department. They were considered a high-end speaker in their day.

My point is, you can take your small budget and turn it into a large home theater set-up, if you just take your time and probe Craig's List, e-bay and BTW, call around to your local home theater outfitters and ask if they have any demo gear they want to unload. They almost always have some demos that they will sell at a nice discount. But don't dismiss used speakers.

 

[Seth=L]

You might want to take a look at the new CMX line from Cerwin-Vega. I think your $600.00 would go a lot further with Cerwin-Vega. You could probably get your fronts and center channel for under $600. I'd check-out their floor standers and their CMX 45C center channel. Heck, you might be able to get everyting including your surrounds for under $600.00?

In adition, you might want to snoop around for some used speakers or even some vintage speakers. Last month, I found a very clean pair of Cerwin-Vega 100VS (floor standers) at a thrift shop for $27.00 for the pair. They work and sound great! (I am listening to Dianna Krall on them right this moment I they are doing a fine job.) Last week, I picked-up a pair of vintage Audioanalyst Pahse Matrix M8's with original stands for $30.00 each and $5.00 each for the stands. These speakers had an original MSRP of over $800.00 when new in 1977. I've run them on all sorts of material and I can't find fault with them other than perhaps they're a bit shy in the mid range department. They were considered a high-end speaker in their day.

My point is, you can take your small budget and turn it into a large home theater set-up, if you just take your time and probe Craig's List, e-bay and BTW, call around to your local home theater outfitters and ask if they have any demo gear they want to unload. They almost always have some demos that they will sell at a nice discount. But don't dismiss used speakers.

The CMX series looks like a new approach, but I wouldn't go as far to say they are some ground breaking speakers that just blow everything away for the money. It seems they are web only speakers (All the retailers that have them only sell them online) so you can't go and listen to them. Additionally, I'm not sure where your prices are coming from, but they seem a bit salty from the looks of it. I wouldn't gamble on Cerwin Vega's new speakers with $600, gambling is foolish.

Cerwin Vega isn't known for producing accurate speaker systems, they are known for producing speakers that are loud, and that have "slam" bass. Definitely not accurate. The CMX may be different, but I see nothing in reference to even a well known subjective reviewer that seems to have anything to say about them, let alone an objective review based on measured performance.

The Primus 360/2 towers are time tested and proven to be an outstanding value in terms of out of the box performance. Their drivers are excellent as was noted above, however with modification they can best a great many speaker systems costing stacks of bills more.