perfect balance of quality/quantity?

[chunkylover53]

Hey guys, new to the forum. I apologize if this question isn't in the appropriate area, and also because it calls for a degree of speculation.

Basically, what I'm looking to find is, the perfect balance between intense high volume, and quality. I'm remodeling a basement, and looking to put a system in that will be used primarily for rock concert dvds (zep, floyd, etc..)

Originally, I was looking at powered PA equipment, (QSC K series) but have been told that it will lack quality (and will be a bit more volume than we need)
I don't listen to classical, and I'm not hyper critical (probably nowhere NEAR as refined as many of you) but I do know HARSH when I hear it, so I'm looking to move away from REALLY LOUD/low quality to Pretty Damn Loud/Pretty Good Quality.

We'll be sitting approx. 15 feet from the TV/speakers, budget is under 10k.

Any suggestions/best guesses? Any guidance will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Loren42]

I think you are in luck and I can save you a lot of money.

I would recommend you buy something that is really loud for under $1K.

My rational is that the sound quality may not be really great, but at the proposed volume levels you intend to listen at it won't matter after a short time. I would live with that because in the longer run...

You won''t be able to tell the difference once your hearing degenerates, so why pay more?

Okay, that may sound harsh, but have you considered the long term plan? I see a lot of people that burn out their hearing early and have to spend the rest of their life saying "Huh? What you say?"

Their your ears, but it is something to think about.

 

[chunkylover53]

Well, it sounded sarcastic and judgmental. And it was condescending. I know I'm new, but it seemed a bit uncalled for honestly. Not trying to offend anyone, I certainly don't want to get off on the wrong foot.

Maybe I should elaborate...

I go to rock shows, where I sit in the front. I'm NOT looking to replicate that volume level. Nor am I looking to max out the speaker's capabilities everyday, or even every weekend.

Just looking to be able to put on Led Zeppelin DVD, get some close friends together, have some drinks, and be wowed by the intensity ONCE in a while.

Again, any guidance (constructive) would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Alex2507]

Well, you're gonna want the speakers to be real big. I think Loren was just trying to make you think about protecting your hearing but screw that. With a budget of 10k ... for just speakers? ... I don't even know. Those JTR's are suppose to be good and loud but not expensive enough. Maybe with some expensive subs and powerful amps you could approach that number.

 

[sholling]

I think I'd take a look at the results from the $1000 speaker shootout and then get out and listen. Spend the rest on a matched center and surrounds, subs and a good set of amplifiers. Or if you really want to go nuts a pair of Klipsch La Scala speakers and see what Klipsch recommends for a center and surrounds. I had a roommate with a pair 25 years ago and they sounded pretty good at conversational levels and really good at ear bleed levels. They will still need the help of a good sub or two though.

I love rock to but you really don't need don't need $10,000 speakers for rock. $1000-1200/pr will do reproduce rock just fine. In my opinion it's once when you get into more nuanced and detailed music that there is an advantage in writing bigger checks.

 

[AJinFLA]

Originally, I was looking at powered PA equipment, (QSC K series) but have been told that it will lack quality

Whoever told you that is technically illiterate. Probably an "audiophile".
The QSC K series are excellent amps (as are most QSC products). However, it might be overkill if you select the right speakers for that space. With your budget you could get a very nice <$1k surround receiver (no fan noise to contend with either) and dump your money into what matters most, the speakers.

I'm remodeling a basement, and looking to put a system in that will be used primarily for rock concert dvds (zep, floyd, etc..)
so I'm looking to move away from REALLY LOUD/low quality to Pretty Damn Loud/Pretty Good Quality.

If you can live with the looks, check out http://www.gedlee.com/ loudspeakers. They will offer superb SQ, get screaming loud from your average 100w/ch surround receiver and have rock concert dynamics and realism physically impossible for the type of "name brand" low efficiency home speakers recommended here.
Another possibility (if you value sound over looks) is the http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?cat=38&type=29&id=254. These have replaced "boutique" speakers in several audiophile systems due to their SQ and life like dynamic realism (do a search if you wish). 3 across the front would do the trick.

Pity you didn't listen your location (I find it incomprehensible why folks don't). You might be able to listen to them at a pro audio store near you (with a return policy).

cheers,

AJ

 

[AVRat]

Welcome Chunky, sometimes you need to ignore the sarcasm around here. Could you elaborate on the space size, dimensions? Is this going to be a 2/5/7 channel setup? Sub/s? There are plenty of options available that will play loud/clean. $10K will purchase a lot of system, but so will $5k. How you spend your money is ultimately up to you.

 

[cornelius]

If you want quality and volume, check out some powered monitors with the amps built into the speakers. For under $10k you can hook up with some Focal, PMC or Dynaudio monitors and subs, and have more than enough volume.

You'll definitely get that live impact, that you cannot get with <$1K speakers. Also, you'll probably find yourself not having to turn the volume up so high, when the quality increases. I hear these kinds of monitors everyday, they're designed for all day/every day sessions at any volume

 

[chunkylover53]

I will try to post the floor plan. We'll be sitting about 15 ft from the speakers, I believe. It is an open space, and the viewing area is off center, so that may present a challenge. We have a pretty big bar right next to the area, so side speakers aren't really an option (5.1 is the way to go)

The TV is an 82", which I believe is 74" wide...so the speakers will be about 8 feet apart. (not sure how much that matters) For subs, we planned on going with the JL audio fathom 113 - our couch will be up against the back wall, (which is in front of our basement stairs) so we planned on cutting a hole in the wall, putting the sub(s) under the stairs, firing through the wall into the back of the couch.

The TV can't be changed, but the subs or anything else can....

 

[chunkylover53]

gotta have 5 posts to post an image, so...

 

[chunkylover53]

once more, (sorry)...

 

[jostenmeat]

I will try to post the floor plan. We'll be sitting about 15 ft from the speakers, I believe. It is an open space, and the viewing area is off center, so that may present a challenge. We have a pretty big bar right next to the area, so side speakers aren't really an option (5.1 is the way to go)

The TV is an 82", which I believe is 74" wide...so the speakers will be about 8 feet apart. (not sure how much that matters) For subs, we planned on going with the JL audio fathom 113 - our couch will be up against the back wall, (which is in front of our basement stairs) so we planned on cutting a hole in the wall, putting the sub(s) under the stairs, firing through the wall into the back of the couch.

The TV can't be changed, but the subs or anything else can....

Depending on the speakers you choose, but. . . if you chose something like the JTRs, or the stuff that AJ proposed, I am afraid a single JL may not keep up with the rest of the system.

I used a single JL for years, very happily, but hopefully in the near future I can fire up my newly built Danley DTS10 . . . where I do have some apprehension that my PSB speakers can't "keep up" in the midbass . . . but that's ok, it's something I will just have to live with.

If you like the F113 still, I may sell mine after I get my new one fired up. Let me know if you're interested, and if you are, let me know your zip via PM. It's satin though, not gloss. Price will be very fair, if I do intend to sell it.

 

[yepimonfire]

Well, it sounded sarcastic and judgmental. And it was condescending. I know I'm new, but it seemed a bit uncalled for honestly. Not trying to offend anyone, I certainly don't want to get off on the wrong foot.

Maybe I should elaborate...

I go to rock shows, where I sit in the front. I'm NOT looking to replicate that volume level. Nor am I looking to max out the speaker's capabilities everyday, or even every weekend.

Just looking to be able to put on Led Zeppelin DVD, get some close friends together, have some drinks, and be wowed by the intensity ONCE in a while.

Again, any guidance (constructive) would be greatly appreciated.

i think what a better term for your want would be "dynamics" not LOUD, this will give a concert-like feel.

 

[riker1384]

Would this guy be happy with some JBL 3-way monitors? The classic JBLs were good rock speakers, so the new active LSRs should kick at least as much *** and sound better, right? I've never owned them myself, I'm just throwing out ideas.

I'm talking about these babies: http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/General/Product.aspx?PId=26&MId=5

I don't think he could afford a full surround system of those, but they also have smaller models.

 

[chunkylover53]

I guess that's a better word than "loud." Especially because I don't want "harsh."

Jostenmeat, I appreciate your advice on that. Do you believe that even 2 or 3 of the fathom subs will fall short? Which way would you go then?

I'm still working on getting a pic of the floorplan up here, lol. (sound illiterate, computer illiterate...)

 

[Loren42]

Well, it sounded sarcastic and judgmental. And it was condescending. I know I'm new, but it seemed a bit uncalled for honestly. Not trying to offend anyone, I certainly don't want to get off on the wrong foot.

I am not trying to offend, but get you to think about what you are asking for. They are your ears.

If you want quality and quantity I would recommend a pair of these:

Summa

The cost is $8,000 for a pair. You still have change left over for one or two subs if you want to extend the low end down to move the bowels of the Earth.

There is nothing harsh about these loudspeakers.

You will also want to consider treating the room for room acoustics. Every room has bad gremlins and you find that out as you go.

 

[Loren42]

Whoever told you that is technically illiterate. Probably an "audiophile".

cheers,

AJ

Well, most, but not necessarily all, PA equipment tends to be a little shy on the frequency response. However, they also tend to be groomed for the much larger rooms and halls and a little more application specific.

I agree with your recommendation of the GedLee loudspeakers. I had just suggested the Summas if he wants to spend the cash.

 

[AJinFLA]

Oops. I now see the QSC "K series" are speakers, not fanless studio amplifiers. Not sure about those QSC's, but I certainly don't see an lack of quality. Looks like some very solid designs.
I guess my hardware literacy needs some brushing up
It was Crown that made the K series studio amplifiers.

 

[AJinFLA]

Well, most, but not necessarily all, PA equipment tends to be a little shy on the frequency response. However, they also tend to be groomed for the much larger rooms and halls and a little more application specific.

I agree with your recommendation of the GedLee loudspeakers. I had just suggested the Summas if he wants to spend the cash.

The Gedlee's will have similar bandwidths as the QSC's. There is nothing to suggest that the QSC's would be any different that the GedLees in varying room sizes.
Now that I've taken a closer look at the QSC's, their recommendation to the OP by someone, makes a lot of sense. He should audition them if possible.

cheers,

AJ

 

[jostenmeat]

Jostenmeat, I appreciate your advice on that. Do you believe that even 2 or 3 of the fathom subs will fall short?

Hm, I'm not really qualified to say, but it's not about "falling short" here (I mean, c'mon, 3 Fathoms would be pretty cool), but your best application of any given budget, given the constraints of looks/size. The JL puts aesthetics and minimum cabinet volume as perhaps the two primary constraints. IOW, the larger you are willing to go, the uglier you may be willing to go, the more output and extension you may receive for the same given budget.

One person here has gone with 4 Fathoms, to dual Danleys + dual Seaton Captivators, to what is soon probably going to be dual JTR Orbit Shifters. Those are some of the more popular choices in the "commercial" subwoofer realm. Generally speaking, some can be quite big.

Which way would you go then?

Well, I got a Danley DTS10 kit, that is no longer available as of the beginning of this month. It's big, and can be used as riser, or hidden behind an AT screen, for instance. Mine will be on the back wall, most likely. It will be fired up in the near future.