Best 5.1 speaker system for under 2k $2000

[sn7]

Present set-up: Kef 3005 with onkyo TX NR3008 and wires from bluejeans
Usage: 70% movies, 30% music
Upgrade budget: $2000
Room Size: 16' x 20'

Upgrade Plan:
Front L/R = Kef Q300 ($488/pr shipped)
Center= Kef Q600c ($488 shipped)
Sub= ELemental design A3-300 ($600 shipped)
Surround L/R = Kef Q300 ($488/pr shipped)

Is this a good value for $2000 or should I consider some other set-up.
Is there any value added for a movie centric system to upgrate Front L/R to Q700 in presence of a decent sub? - would prefer not to have heavy speakers.

The prices for speakers here are from accessories4less. However, looking at the price of Kef Q700, it seems that a new one from 6th avenue costs less than the open box from.

 

[Crackerballer]

Present set-up: Kef 3005 with onkyo TX NR3008 and wires from bluejeans
Usage: 70% movies, 30% music
Upgrade budget: $2000
Room Size: 16' x 20'

Upgrade Plan:
Front L/R = Kef Q300 ($488/pr shipped)
Center= Kef Q600c ($488 shipped)
Sub= ELemental design A3-300 ($600 shipped)
Surround L/R = Kef Q300 ($488/pr shipped)

Is this a good value for $2000 or should I consider some other set-up.
Is there any value added for a movie centric system to upgrate Front L/R to Q700 in presence of a decent sub? - would prefer not to have heavy speakers.

The prices for speakers here are from accessories4less. However, looking at the price of Kef Q700, it seems that a new one from 6th avenue costs less than the open box from.

That seems like a lot of center channel for those bookshelves. I'd consider the Q500/Q700.

Maybe:
Q700: $563
Q600c: $488
Q800ds: $600
HSU Research VTF-1 $400

that's just over $2000

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That seems like a lot of center channel for those bookshelves. I'd consider the Q500/Q700.

Maybe:
Q700: $563
Q600c: $488
Q800ds: $600
HSU Research VTF-1 $400

that's just over $2000

VTF-1 sub is under-powered for 16' x 20' room
Skip the Q800ds and get a better sub: SVS PB12-NSD or currently on great sale Outlaw LFM EX-1 for $550 shipped

most eD subs have gobs of power, extension and value but unfortunate lack in transience - ie: could be muddy and/or slow bass

 

[sn7]

Thanks for the input.

1. I agree wrt the 600c. My reason for going that way was that the Uni-Q drivers perfectly match with the Q300.
2. The reason I did not go with the Q700 is because I thought that the sub may make the gain over q300 negligible and the q300 are less than 1/2 the price and weight of q700.
3. I am not too sure about the use of dipoles in the era of dolby and audessey. - May be I am wrong and do not understand it well enough.

 

[sn7]

VTF-1 sub is under-powered for 16' x 20' room
Skip the Q800ds and get a better sub: SVS PB12-NSD or currently on great sale Outlaw LFM EX-1 for $550 shipped

most eD subs have gobs of power, extension and value but unfortunate lack in transience - ie: could be muddy and/or slow bass

Wow - the sub looks great. I noticed it is down firing - would that be a disadvantage?
How does it compare with the Elemental Design A3-300 ?

 

[Crackerballer]

VTF-1 sub is under-powered for 16' x 20' room
Skip the Q800ds and get a better sub: SVS PB12-NSD or currently on great sale Outlaw LFM EX-1 for $550 shipped

most eD subs have gobs of power, extension and value but unfortunate lack in transience - ie: could be muddy and/or slow bass

A friend has the STF-1 in his living room and it is very open, leading into the kitchen and it is more than enough in my opinion. OP I hear you about the center, but why are you shying away from the floorstanding speakers and weight? Just curious.

FYI, my room is 12'3" x 16'8'' and I only run an AV123 Xsub WITH bookshelves and I can tell you it is awesome. I'd think a VTF1 would be great with any decent floorstanding speakers.

 

[avnetguy]

As mentioned, that 600c is a monster .... maybe scale it back to the 200c if size is an issue.

I just listened to a recent kef HT system setup in a basement consisting of Q500 L/R, Q600c, Q300 surrounds but I forget the sub name right now. Overall sounded like a nicely balanced setup, I enjoyed the sound. Last I heard the owner was going to order Q900 but that was probably due to his music uses more than HT.

Steve

 

[sn7]

A friend has the STF-1 in his living room and it is very open, leading into the kitchen and it is more than enough in my opinion. OP I hear you about the center, but why are you shying away from the floorstanding speakers and weight? Just curious.

FYI, my room is 12'3" x 16'8'' and I only run an AV123 Xsub WITH bookshelves and I can tell you it is awesome. I'd think a VTF1 would be great with any decent floorstanding speakers.

Thanks for the input. I would love to have floor standing speakers if they add to the sound quality enough to justify the higher price (and weight). The Q700 will be double the price of Q300. I feel, if the cross-over from the speakers to sub is set around 50 Hz, then I would not gain by going to floor standing ones. The Q300 is rated from 42hz to 40khz and the Q700 is 36 hz to 40kHz. My main use is for movies.

Please feel free to clear up any misconceptions I may have - it will be very helpful to a newbie like me.

Thanks

 

[sn7]

As mentioned, that 600c is a monster .... maybe scale it back to the 200c if size is an issue.

I just listened to a recent kef HT system setup in a basement consisting of Q500 L/R, Q600c, Q300 surrounds but I forget the sub name right now. Overall sounded like a nicely balanced setup, I enjoyed the sound. Last I heard the owner was going to order Q900 but that was probably due to his music uses more than HT.

Steve

Size for center is not an issue. It will fit perfectly under the TV. I like the fact that 600c's Uni-Q drivers are the same size as Q300 (165mm) unlike the 200c (at 130mm) and also that it will provide better vocals than 200c. The price difference is just $150. But if you still feel 200c would be more appropriate, please let me know. I am learning.

Thanks

 

[Crackerballer]

You're logic and understanding on everything seems fine so far. I have never owned a set of floorstandings until now (just ordered 2 different sets over the last 3 days for 2 different setups) but I have auditioned them and the benefits of the floorstandings to me have always been about more than just base extension.

There has only been one set of bookshelves I have auditioned that came close to the fullness and depth as floorstandings, and those were the Paradigm Studio 40s which they no longer make.

I'd order as much speaker as you can afford. A quality set of speakers will last you a long time, so you should think past your current setup to what future applications you may encounter. You could always do a great 3.1 setup and save for a few to get your surrounds.

 

[avnetguy]

Size for center is not an issue. It will fit perfectly under the TV. I like the fact that 600c's Uni-Q drivers are the same size as Q300 (165mm) unlike the 200c (at 130mm) and also that it will provide better vocals than 200c. The price difference is just $150. But if you still feel 200c would be more appropriate, please let me know. I am learning.

Thanks

I can't find fault going with the 600c from an audio output perspective and I have not heard the 200c so I can't compare the two.

Just a note for HT use, IMO even with towers a sub is a must.

Steve

 

[sn7]

Thanks for all the input

So looks like we are set with
center = Kef 600c ($488)
surrounds = Kef q300 ($488/pair)

Sub = Outlaw LFM EX-1 ($550) - or any other?

To be decided:
Fronts:
Either Kef q900 ($1800/pair)
Or Kef q700 ($1160/pair)
Or Kef q300 ($488/pair)

Now the question is value for money - fronts worth the upgrade for HT purposes?

 

[avnetguy]

Fronts:
Either Kef q900 ($1800/pair)
Or Kef q700 ($1160/pair)
Or Kef q300 ($488/pair)

Now the question is value for money - fronts worth the upgrade for HT purposes?

That's going to be a tougher call. If your music usage was higher I'd lean more towards the towers but for HT with a good sub .... don't know.

You could always hold off on the fronts and use the Q300 with your old speakers as surrounds to see how the front soundstage is. Then if you find the Q300 as fronts aren't cutting it you can move up into the tower of you choice (Q700/Q900).

Steve

 

[Crackerballer]

I'll second that. Buy the Q300 and Q600 center and run that as the front sound stage with your old speakers as surrounds and then decide where to put the rest of your money, matching the surrounds to Q300s or some front towers.

 

[sn7]

I'll second that. Buy the Q300 and Q600 center and run that as the front sound stage with your old speakers as surrounds and then decide where to put the rest of your money, matching the surrounds to Q300s or some front towers.

I agree - I will follow that strategy.

The only con is that it is much easier to justify upgrade once than twice to my wife

Thanks...

 

[Crackerballer]

I agree - I will follow that strategy.

The only con is that it is much easier to justify upgrade once than twice to my wife

Thanks...

So throw the Q700s on there then!

 

[zieglj01]

Since the room is 16x20, I would lean towards the Q700.

 

[avnetguy]

So throw the Q900s on there then!

Fixed that for you!

Steve

 

[yveletnik]

price

that's what the OneCall quotes for new speakers, shipping included, not sure about sale tax.

2xQ900 = 1358
1xQ600 = 450
2xQ100 = 375

 

[sn7]

Thanks - I was just planning on checking with onecall.