Newb 5K or 7K budget

[jnboone]

getting divorced and wanting to finally have good tunes again plus home theater. Will be moving a couple of times in the next year or two, so looking for flexibility. Hope to end up in a 18X18 room, but no idea what the first rental house will be like. Do I start with the AV receiver or with the speakers? I like high quality stuff. Getting a Panasonic VT65 plasma (not part of the budget). Been searching on the net for quite a while.

What percent of my budget should be the receiver, and what percent the speakers?

Thinking about the Aperion Intimus 5T's if I stay on the lower end of the budget, maybe the Verus' if I can afford it. Looking at the Yamaha RX A3020 receiver. As I can't listen to the Aperion's until they're shipped, I'm wondering if I'm buying too much receiver or not. If I get the Intimus' can I buy less receiver and be happy? I'm assuming the 3020 and the Verus' would be a great combo - but that's an assumption. I'm not looking for absolute amazement (I put 3K into a car stereo for a 12K car - it was amazing!!), but I don't want significant regrets. I live in Memphis and there's just not any great stores to go demo things in - knowing the Aperion's are direct anyway.

Any advice greatly appreciated!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So $7K for 5.1 Speakers + Sub + AVR?

For high-end, I would look into Revel, KEF, B&W (although some may frown here ) for speakers & a SVS PB12-Plus high gloss piano black for $1400.

PB12-PLUS - SVS

Electronics Expo is very popular for being able to make deals over the phone on AVR. They have sold Denon 3312 to AH members for about $600 delivered, 3313 for $850 delivered, and 4311 for $1225 delivered.

I would get the Denon 3312 for $600 plus buy an Emotiva XPA-3 200W x 3CH amp (for front 3 speakers) for $600 and use the Denon for the surrounds.

XPA-3 | 200W x 3 | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifier

Denon AVR3312CI Integrated Network A/V Surround Receiver : 7CH Receivers

So that leaves you with about $4400 for some high-end speakers.

Go to the Revel, KEF, & B&W websites and locate a nearby dealer. Then audition & compare.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

One example is the Revel F12 + C12 + M12 speakers, retail total is $2800, but Audiolab can give you a 20% off discount, so around $2,200.

http://www.audiolab.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=Revel&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

Gives you budget to add a second SVS sub.

Revel 5 speakers + SVS dual subs + Denon + Emotiva.

Just one example. I'm sure many will give you more examples, like the Focal 814V towers for $800/pr (MSRP $1800/pr) + 814V Center + surrounds.

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=search&search_query=Focal&x=0&y=0

 

[shadyJ]

Here is what I would do:
Denon AVR-4311: $1600

For a real THX kind of experience, go for JTR Noesis 228HT x 3 for front stage: $3k
Combine that with some Klipsch or Hsu bookshelf speakers for surrounds, $550 or $350 shipped respectively. Use these inexpensive but very good mounts on the surrounds, $25.
Get a pair of some large ported 15" subs: Rythmik FV15, Hsu VTF15h, or Power Sound Audio XS30, which range from $2k to $2.5k per pair, depending on which you choose. The aforementioned Denon receiver has Audyssey's Sub EQ, so it makes setting up dual subs a cinch.

In a normal room, this system's performance will be on par with an Imax THX experience. Nothing Aperion offers could come close to touching it. This is a raw performance, high value, WAF nightmare. The ultimate for $7k outside of DIY.

HOWEVER, if you don't need that kind of dynamic range, and intend for a bit more modest volume music applications and would rather have a more aesthetically unobtrusive setup, I would look at Ascend Sierras, KEF R series bookshelf speakers, or Philharmonics for speakers. I would get bookshelf speakers and let the subs handle bass. Use the same Denon receiver mentioned above. Get two 12" subs or sealed 15"s, like Hsu ULS-15s or VTF3s, Rythmik F12s or F15s.

 

[jnboone]

Thanks. To me music is just as important as movies. Certainly interested in other opinions. Definitely going 7.1 (not that that will change the price substantially). Would prefer to stay within 5K budget -but willing to stretch for significant improvement. It sounds like y'all are saying basically 25% of budget for receiver and 75% for speakers. Is that right? I certainly know that the speakers can't sound any better that whatever is pushing them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It sounds like y'all are saying basically 25% of budget for receiver and 75% for speakers.

Something like that. Maybe 75/25 - 70/30. Speakers & subs are a lot more important than AVR/amps.

 

[bikemig]

I've moved a lot the last few years. Moving is never as much fun as you think it's going to be.

If I knew I were moving a lot and thinking about a new audio system, I'd keep it as simple as possible and I'd also select speakers that are pretty forgiving in terms of placement. You have no idea what size the rooms you will use will be and you have no idea whether you'll need to shove gear near a wall. Personally, I'd go for a 2.1 set up since that it far and away the easiest to set up and move. I'd go for something like the NHT Absolute towers and the B10d sub (you get a break on the price if you buy both together): Absolute Tower + B-10d Subwoofer | Premium Home Theater System. It's a really good sounding system and very, very forgiving in terms of placement.

Edit: I hear you about not having good stores nearby to listen to gear. NHT is internet direct and you have 30 days to try the gear out; they'll pay the shipping back if you don't like it.
You should be thinking about some sort of HTPC as well to stream videos and music through your new system. If you like macs, the mac mini is a good platform. Just add a wireless keyboard, connect it to your TV, and and you're good to go.

 

[ratm]

Here is what I would do:
Denon AVR-4311: $1600

For a real THX kind of experience, go for JTR Noesis 228HT x 3 for front stage: $3k
Combine that with some Klipsch or Hsu bookshelf speakers for surrounds, $550 or $350 shipped respectively. Use these inexpensive but very good mounts on the surrounds, $25.
Get a pair of some large ported 15" subs: Rythmik FV15, Hsu VTF15h, or Power Sound Audio XS30, which range from $2k to $2.5k per pair, depending on which you choose. The aforementioned Denon receiver has Audyssey's Sub EQ, so it makes setting up dual subs a cinch.

In a normal room, this system's performance will be on par with an Imax THX experience. Nothing Aperion offers could come close to touching it. This is a raw performance, high value, WAF nightmare. The ultimate for $7k outside of DIY.

HOWEVER, if you don't need that kind of dynamic range, and intend for a bit more modest volume music applications and would rather have a more aesthetically unobtrusive setup, I would look at Ascend Sierras, KEF R series bookshelf speakers, or Philharmonics for speakers. I would get bookshelf speakers and let the subs handle bass. Use the same Denon receiver mentioned above. Get two 12" subs or sealed 15"s, like Hsu ULS-15s or VTF3s, Rythmik F12s or F15s.

Substitute Dual passive Caps (only because I am still giddy over mine new one) and thats exactly what MY ultimate is.