Speaker Suggestions for New Home Theater Setup [Picture Included]

[zieglj01]

Deal of the century you say? I'll message him right now to see if he'll disregard what you said to bring the price down to $1,800. Thanks for taking a look at that.

I would have offered around $1650 to start with.

However, good luck.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would have offered around $1650 to start with.

However, good luck.

I would go look at them before mentioning money at all... I don't even email them people back, Im asking $18K for a motorcycle, and a guy emails me "whats your phone number, Im interested in your bike, will you take $15K?" that just means, after I say yes Ill take 15 for the bike you never seen or heard run, and then when he gets here he is going to start negotiations at $15K and offer me $13K... Screw that... I just ignore them emails, best bet is, "Hey, Im interested in your AV setup, is it still available, if so can you give me a call at 000-000-0000, thanks for your time, talk to you soon..."

Then when you go see them ,and they are the last items in a storage unit he is paying $100 a month for and his car has out of state plates on it and keeps answering his phone because he has a million things to do, point out 5 flaws to your friend you bring {because you never go alone} "a scratch here, oh yeah these are the old ones, whats that smell, ect"offer him $1200 cash while holding it in your hand and your friend walking back to your car saying "your crazy I wouldnt pay that they are cheaper on ebay".... He says "c'mon they were $6grand, give me $1500, and you say "OK, lets meet in the middle $1300" when the middle is really $1350 3 things can happen, he can say "nah, Ill pass", "Fine give me the $1300" or he can be good at math and say "half way is $1350" then you say "oh yeah it is, I failed math", and hand him the $1350 SOLD $1350 sweet deal good job...

Oh yeah, he wrote firm in the listing and will probably get insulted and tell you to screw, lol.... jk, Im over tired.... Good luck, I didnt look at the before, it looks like a real good deal... I would find another matching sub to that one, why not...

 

[zieglj01]

I would go look at them before mentioning money at all... I don't even email them people back, I just ignore them emails, best bet is, "Hey, Im interested in your AV setup, is it still available, if so can you give me a call at 000-000-0000, thanks for your time, talk to you soon..."

I agree with that - however, it looked like the OP had put the
cart ahead of the horse. It would have been nice to come back
and ask for more advice. The OP can still look at the speakers,
and then nit-pick a little, and then look for an opening, to find
a way to make a lower offer.

 

[zipzap62]

Yea craigslist can become pretty crazy with price negotiations. Although I've never had bad luck buying and selling locally here, everything seemed to go smoothly. And yes, I will have them tested before I buy.
I tried searching the web for another "Paradigm Reference Servo-Series Servo-15" subwoofer, and I can't seem to find one to buy. Maybe because its kinda old? Does anyone know where I can get one? Or maybe the newer version of it?

 

[PENG]

If it were my money I would not spend 2K on a system in that room that requires so much compromise. I would there take the all or none approach and limit my budget to something close to negilible. Two 5.1 systems come to mind. You main goal seem to be enjoying movies so 5.1 is good.

1) Pioneer SP-PK52FS
2) Infinity Primus P363,P163,P251,+Pioneer SW-8MKII

The 1908 won't get you 100+ dB but you will be amazed how little power you need and the system can still sound good to you. Most of the time when I listen to my 2 channel systems (Pre+Power) my power amps would typically register between 0.1 to 0.5WPC output, but would occasionally peak to 1 to 2W. Even if I sat at double the distance I normally sit at, the output would theoretically be then from 0.4 to 2W peaking to 4 to 8W per channel worst case. You may have to turn the 1908 volume to the -5 to -10 but it will be fine, I mean for the money.

Now if you change your mind and are willing to spend 5K then forget what I am saying here. Just me 0.01 cent.....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Welcome, and here is your picture, GREAT ROOM!!!

That is a nice looking room.

I would get another identical red sofa on the right side to match the left side for symmetry.

What about some in-ceiling or in-wall or flat panel wall speakers for the surrounds in the rear?

Then get 3 red speakers for the front - 2 towers on each side of the screen and one horizontal center speaker under the scree - like KEF, Revel, B&W, etc.

 

[ImcLoud]

any word on the used c-list stuff?

 

[zipzap62]

any word on the used c-list stuff?

He responded to my email and said he would take $1,800. I'm going to call him soon to arrange a time to pick them up. Hopefully today.
Is there anything specific that I should look for when testing them?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

He responded to my email and said he would take $1,800. I'm going to call him soon to arrange a time to pick them up. Hopefully today.
Is there anything specific that I should look for when testing them?

Bring with your cd with music you like and know well.
Also at least one decent dvd to test sub wont hurt - Movies like Master and Commander, War of the Worlds, U-571, The Matrix etc...

Re: Sub - I don't recommend two different subs. Try to find another one, or if you can. single 15" servo from paradigm is plenty for "starter" system ...
So give it few years and then sell it and get a matching pair of sub from ID brand (aka SVS, HSU etc...)

 

[ImcLoud]

Bring with your cd with music you like and know well.
Also at least one decent dvd to test sub wont hurt - Movies like Master and Commander, War of the Worlds, U-571, The Matrix etc...

Re: Sub - I don't recommend two different subs. Try to find another one, or if you can. single 15" servo from paradigm is plenty for "starter" system ...
So give it few years and then sell it and get a matching pair of sub from ID brand (aka SVS, HSU etc...)

Listen to the system, make sure there are no signs of needed repair, check them out, I would also use this time as an audition... look out for crackles and noises that arent supposed to be there... good luck..

 

[zieglj01]

I tried searching the web for another "Paradigm Reference Servo-Series Servo-15" subwoofer, and I can't seem to find one to buy. Maybe because its kinda old? Does anyone know where I can get one? Or maybe the newer version of it?

One sub is enough to start with >> the system will not be poor.
The subs show up on Ebay, from time to time and can be costly.
Plus, they can also be sold as local pickup - due to the fact, that
they are heavy. There is one on Ebay now for $900 or best offer,
and that is about half the price of your projected speaker system.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paradigm-SERVO-15-Active-Subwoofer-/190723168611?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2c67fc9963

 

[Actran]

I have a full system of EMP speakers for a room about 2/3 the size of yours and have been very happy with them with one exception...the Denon 1912 receiver I have shuts down due to low impedance sometimes.

Bottom line, great speakers, but I'd recommend an amp if you go with them.

 

[zipzap62]

Got the speakers from the guy, everything went smoothly. I'm VERY happy with them and I couldn't imagine anything better. My Denon 1908 is currently running them, along with lower quality wire that the guy gave me. I've already bought a spool of 12 gauge wire that I will hook up soon.
I know that most of you said to pick up a better receiver but, how much better can this really sound? Will a receiver like the Denon AVR-3312CI really make a huge difference?

Also, this sub has so much power and I honestly don't think I'll need another one. The only reason why I'd consider another is to balance the sound a tad better.

The guy did include his Paradigm X-30 control unit for the sub. I did connect it and did some playing around with it, but honestly it sounds better without it. What should it even be used for anyway?

 

[PENG]

Also, this sub has so much power and I honestly don't think I'll need another one. The only reason why I'd consider another is to balance the sound a tad better.

The guy did include his Paradigm X-30 control unit for the sub. I did connect it and did some playing around with it, but honestly it sounds better without it. What should it even be used for anyway?

More power generally cannot hurt whether you need it or not. If you have a clamp-on type multimeter or can borrow one, try measuring the volage and current when listening at volume you consider as loud as you would go. Post the readings and me and/or someone else can give you a more definitive response.

Less analytically, do the same and tell us the volume setting of the 1908 but in that case please also include the level trims on each channel, especially if Audyssey is active.

As I mentioned before, my wattmeters on one of my 2 channel system amps shows 0.05 to 0.5W most of the time with occasional momentary peaks to 1, may be 2W at the most. So this how much power I need thing is very dependent on one's listening environment. Even though more power is always better but in some cases you get better sound by spending the money on quality instead of quantity, especially if you are after a certain sound characteristics, such as tube like, warm mids/highs, smooth strings etc...

 

[ImcLoud]

Got the speakers from the guy, everything went smoothly. I'm VERY happy with them and I couldn't imagine anything better. My Denon 1908 is currently running them, along with lower quality wire that the guy gave me. I've already bought a spool of 12 gauge wire that I will hook up soon.
I know that most of you said to pick up a better receiver but, how much better can this really sound? Will a receiver like the Denon AVR-3312CI really make a huge difference?

Also, this sub has so much power and I honestly don't think I'll need another one. The only reason why I'd consider another is to balance the sound a tad better.

The guy did include his Paradigm X-30 control unit for the sub. I did connect it and did some playing around with it, but honestly it sounds better without it. What should it even be used for anyway?

Awesome deal, if that sub is good, than it is good... I know on here people tend to recommend way too much subwoofer {present company included}, but most of the time when going from nothing or something small to anything that is actually decent is going to impress you no matter if its enough or not... I know I only have one vtf2 and I think it is at least twice of what I need... I can honestly say, the gain on the sub is turned up to the half way point, my avr is -5 on the sub, and if I put the volume up to 55 during Transformers it shakes the room like a movie theater... But I would like to get another one to put next to it .....

Good luck with everything, another thing people tend to do on here is recommend expensive AVR's, I dont like spending much on an avr because they get outdated really fast, they break often {granted some of you have really good luck with them, but check the internet a lot of people dont}, and they all tend to do the same thing {audysey is nice, I know}, but I would rather buy a $300 avr with preouts and an XPA-3 for $600 than a $900 AVR...

If your avr is doing the job, you are good. People forget that as long as it sounds good to the person listening, nothing else matters...

If I were you I would go to ebay and save a search for another sub, so it alrts you if someone lists one {I mean if you can score a matching sub, why not}, and maybe since your avr has preouts, test drive an XPA3 to drive your front stage {30 day return policy no harm done trying one}... I found when I switched to a separate amp, it opened up a lot, obviously a little louder, but it improved a lot more then volume...

Good luck, post some pics when you get a chance...

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

I've asked a few friends, some say to just forget surround sound and go with two loudspeakers with a sub. ....

Welcome.

Just a couple of points. If movies and gaming are primary importance, don't listen to these friends for advice. By all means, if your seating location with respect to rear wall and side walls permit, picture doesn't show the view from the screen to the back, you need to do a 7.1 system but at a minimum of 5.1, especially with a large screen setup. The video would overpower the audio with what these friends suggested.

 

[1jakester]

AVR...not for me?

Been reading here and gathering it all in, the best I can, thank you all. I am an ole' Hippie, so I am awe struck (baffled) by all the new AVR's out there. I have never seen so many "holes" in the backside of a "stereo" in my entire life!!! If I connected that many wires/hookups, 7.1ch., 9.2ch? R U KIDDING??? I would have to hire a maid just to keep the dust and cat hair out of the back for fear of a house fire.
Back in the day, we grabbed a Kenwood, Sansui, or Pioneer amp, an am/fm receiver, couple of 3-4 foot speakers(12-15in.bass), the Dual platter, Teac reel to reel, a couple neighbor girls, and we were sharing grinz!! We new where to buy, as only limited number of outlets in Michigan. E-what...Craig-who? The only goods "online" were my jeans and tshirt out in the back yard. Time to spend some bucks and upgrade.
My Altec Lansing 2.1 sys. 4sats/sub woofer ended its own life after 10 years of faithful service ($48). After much reading, looking at the "Outlaw-RR-2150 am/fm/100 watt rec. with the HSU book shelves/VTF3 MK4sub @ $1600 to the door. This system is for my komputer room (13x13x10/carpet), play flac/ape/ogg mainly and listen to the radio. Budget 'round $1500....Thank you..... I read on.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... I know on here people tend to recommend way too much subwoofer {present company included},...

Didn't know this is in the audioholic dictionary

 

[ImcLoud]

Didn't know this is in the audioholic dictionary

....yes....

 

[mtrycrafts]

... My Denon 1908 is currently running them,...
I know that most of you said to pick up a better receiver but, how much better can this really sound? ...?

I doubt the sound quality will change unless for some reason you overdrive the 1908 into clipping. What you are missing from it are the two audio coding DTS-HD MA and DD-THD that is prevalent on BD movies.