7.1 setup - KEF Q series or JBL L series

[ananth.gutta]

I am planning a 7.1 setup. This is my first HT setup. I need suggestions/recommendations on the two systems below

This setup
JBL L890 (fronts)
JBL L830 (sides R/L)
JBL L820 (rear R/L)
JBL LC2 (center)
JBL ES250PW (subwoofer)

VS

This setup
KEF Q700 (fronts)
KEF Q100 (sides R/L)
KEF Q800ds (rear R/L)
KEF Q600c (center)
KEF Q400b (subwoofer)

My AVR is Pioneer VSX 1121-K. Room size is approx 30" x 15"
I have auditioned JBL combination and not the KEF. Not sure if these are even comparable. I don't have anything close by where KEF is available for auditioning. I am willing to travel to audition one if the recommendations are strong. I could not find anything on the internet that compares these two.


Thanks

 

[GranteedEV]

Don't bother with JBL L series.


Look at JBL LSR series.

 

[fuzz092888]

I've heard the kef towers and I liked how they sounded. The JBL's I haven't heard, but Grant knows what he's talking about.

Are you definitely set on these two brands?

The place that I went where I was able to audition the kefs also carried totems and I actually liked the totems more than the keys.

 

[zieglj01]

With the JBL, I would aim higher. From your list, I favor KEF.

 

[ananth.gutta]

These were my choices from what was available to me to audition and reading online forrums combined. And are in the price range/budget. I am just getting started on finding good speakers. I listen to music and movies 50-50. I am open for suggestions and definetly can benefit from others experience and knowledge....thanks for taking time and helping me out..

Thanks

 

[fuzz092888]

Well I guess my next question would be, what is your price range?

Are you dead set on getting everything at once, or are you open to starting with a smaller system 2, 2.1 or 3.1 system and building up?

I'm just starting out as well and I know some of the guys on here have suggested I not rush into any purchases and that starting out with a couple speakers now and building up is a good way to go. I've taken their advice and I'm doing a 5.1 system, but the only speakers I'm paying any real money for are the philharmonic 3s. My rear surrounds I got for free, they're old but they still sound great and my center and subwoofer I got used for cheap. Now I'll slowly be able to replace pieces as I go.

That being said, theres nothing wrong with wanting to get the whole setup right away, it just leaves you with a bit less flexibility when looking at speakers.

Just some general thoughts from someone who seems to be in a similar position, also the guys on here are great and always willing to help. Listening to them has really helped me a lot.

 

[ananth.gutta]

Price Range is $2500-3000 for the speakers. 7.1 ... lesser for 5.1

You have made good points. I like what you are recommending. I would be okay to start with 5.1 and grow from there. I currently do not have any gear and have a bose 3.2.1 that I use in my study.

 

[ratm]

Are you limited by walking in the store to buy or can you do ID?

 

[fuzz092888]

Price Range is $2500-3000 for the speakers. 7.1 ... lesser for 5.1

You have made good points. I like what you are recommending. I would be okay to start with 5.1 and grow from there. I currently do not have any gear and have a bose 3.2.1 that I use in my study.

I'm a little confused, you say your price range is $2500-3000 for speakers, but according to my calculations if you bought all of the kef's on your list you would be over budget. I may be wrong, but just from some quick googling the Q700s retail for about $1400 a pair. Add the rest of the proposed system and you would be way over budget.

Personally I'm trying to go for quality even if it means I have to live with some pieces that aren't all that great for awhile. The Philharmonics are going to be about $3700 when all is said and done, but they are probably going to be a part of whatever setup I have for a long time so I'm ok with that. And over the next few years I'll be able to swap out a center one year, the sub, the next year, and so on.

From the speakers you're looking at it seems like you want pretty good quality speakers, so either you're getting a great deal, your budget is off a bit, or you're looking at doing what I'm doing.

Again, I may be misinterpreting something, but from what I see so far something is amiss

 

[zieglj01]

If you buy from Vann's and go 5.0 from them >
The Q700, Q200, Q100 - will be around the $2400 to $2500 mark.

Look at this sub over the KEF
Then get the FV12 sub from Rythmik.
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/FV12.html

Then you will have a nice system for around $3000.

 

[fuzz092888]

Another option for the same speakers is onecall.com. The nice thing about onecall is that if you call them to order you can ask them if they'll do better on all the listed prices so you will actually end up paying a few hundred less that vanns.

 

[zieglj01]

Another option for the same speakers is onecall.com. The nice thing about onecall is that if you call them to order you can ask them if they'll do better on all the listed prices so you will actually end up paying a few hundred less that vanns.

Yes, a good option.

 

[ananth.gutta]

No local KEF dealers here in Omaha,NE :-(

 

[zieglj01]

No local KEF dealers here in Omaha,NE :-(

You can always buy a pair of bookshelf speakers, for a in
home trial period, to hear what they sound like. If you do
like them, then go for it - if not, then send them back.

 

[ananth.gutta]

You can always buy a pair of bookshelf speakers, for a in
home trial period, to hear what they sound like. If you do
like them, then go for it - if not, then send them back.

Thanks I will try that. Not sure if KEF (or dealer) does free shipping both ways.. I will check.

 

[lsiberian]

600 dollars for a pair of surrounds is silly. Especially in a 7.1 setup.

You can get the JBL cinema surrounds for less than that and given your budget it's still a poor choice IMO.

Surrounds don't really play critical sound so using a cheap satellite is plenty.

KEF Hts1001.2 Bookshelf Speaker w/ Wall Bracket Each Gloss Black | Accessories4less would fill the bill.

Then spend the remainder of your budget on better fronts. What's the best pair you can get for 2500 bucks? I bet it's an amazing pair of speakers. Even if you want a sub a 1500 dollar pair and a 1k sub will be much better than some high price dipoles.

 

[ananth.gutta]

600 dollars for a pair of surrounds is silly. Especially in a 7.1 setup.

You can get the JBL cinema surrounds for less than that and given your budget it's still a poor choice IMO.

Surrounds don't really play critical sound so using a cheap satellite is plenty.

KEF Hts1001.2 Bookshelf Speaker w/ Wall Bracket Each Gloss Black | Accessories4less would fill the bill.

Then spend the remainder of your budget on better fronts. What's the best pair you can get for 2500 bucks? I bet it's an amazing pair of speakers. Even if you want a sub a 1500 dollar pair and a 1k sub will be much better than some high price dipoles.

Would you recommend Hts1001.2 for sides as well as rears?

 

[fuzz092888]

I don't see why not. IMO, I think 7.1 is a bit overrated and that with good speakers a 5.1 is more than anyone would really ever need.

If you buy good speakers, that image well (hope I used the right term there) and have a wide sound stage, then they will fill the room with sound.

This goes back to what lsiberian said about getting good front speakers and a good subwoofer. Most of the noises you hear from home theater use would be coming from the front 3 speakers anyways and if those are good, the speakers should just fade into the background and you should forget they are even there all the while being enveloped by the sounds of the movie/tv show/whatever.

I got to audition some high end B&W speakers not too long ago and it was one of the first times I've heard high end speakers and I can tell you that if the speakers are great, and the content isn't half bad then you will hear sounds coming from the speakers that seem to be above, behind, to the sides, and in front of them.

All in all, I think you should save the extra $70 and not go with a 7.1 system and put every last penny you can muster from your budget into the sub and great fronts. Just MO.

 

[zieglj01]

I would aim for 5.1 - get it set up and listen for a while.
You may find, that you are not missing anything.