2 Channel Beginner Set-Up Questions

[Tibbir]

Like many others I have been bitten by the 2 channel stereo bug, and thankfully I have ended up at Audioholics. For about two weeks now I have been researching in order to put together a decent entry level 2 channel system for somewhere around $1000-$2000. I will mainly be playing vinyls, but will also be connecting an iPod at times. I would really appreciate any input on the products I have chosen. All my cables will be coming from BJC.

Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon
Receiver: Harmon Kardon HK 3490
Speakers: Fluance XL7F

 

[markw]

The turntable and receiver are fine, but other very good alternatives exist. What made you decide on these two?

As for speakers, base your decision on what you hear with your own ears, not what you read of others opinions.

 

[Pyrrho]

For speakers, I recommend that you go to as many local audio shops as you can stand to visit, and listen to as many brands of speakers, and to as many types of speakers (e.g., ribbon, horn, dome, whatever) as you can stand. Buy the ones you like the best.

If it were me at that price point, I would be looking at:

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG

I would prefer to go higher in the line, but keeping the total under your budget might be difficult if one went higher up. But what I like and what you like may not be the same, so go listen to as many different speakers of as many different types as you can stand to audition.

 

[avengineer]

If you can find them, give the Boston Acoustics M25B a listen. I found them shockingly good, especially at $400 each, list.

 

[fmw]

I haven't heard the Boston Acoustics but I do want to stress that, in the hi fi world, price is not an indication of performance. There is world full of audiophiles that do not understand this an overpay for everything thinking they have the best. What they have is the most expensive. Been there. Done that.

 

[markw]

Persoally, I have my doubts about a 4 1/2 driver being used as mid/woofer in a full range system. Somehow, the snallest I can seem to accept is 6 1/2 incher.

 

[CDogg]

Congrats on your first system. I know you are extremely excited about getting it home and start enjoying the music. In order to help you, it would be good to know your room dimension because you do not want to overpower a small room.

For instance, our living room is 11Ft wide x 14Ft length. You can see from my sig what we're using. With the amount of your budget and if you plan it right, this could be the system that will give you lots of years of enjoyment. Depending on your room size will determine how big you should go with speakers. If your room is similar in size to ours, the Infinity is a good reliable brand that will give you some of the best sound you could ask for. If your room is bigger, I would definitely look into the Magnaplaner MMG. As some of the guys will tell you, pick your speakers first before looking into your receiver or amp. If you're interested in having internet radio, I would recommend going with a standard audio receiver and get a network audio player. I would stay away from the network receivers due to the fact there are much better options that will be better for internet radio. The other features such as turntable, CD/DVD/Blue Ray player is based ono preference, but you should look into many in order to determine which is best for you.

This will get you started on your road to audio bliss. Another piece of advice... DO NOT be in a hurry in making your decsion. This is considered to be a vey important purchase just as a vehicle, and you want this to last you a long time instead of replacing after a few years. Good luck on your journey and keep us informed on your decision, and let us know what you finally decided on.

 

[avengineer]

Persoally, I have my doubts about a 4 1/2 driver being used as mid/woofer in a full range system. Somehow, the snallest I can seem to accept is 6 1/2 incher.

The M25 is a 5 1/2" bass driver.

 

[markw]

OK, ya got me. I was off by 3/4", but that really doesn't, to me, a sigle driver of this size doesn't constitute a full range speaker. Small stand-mounts age great for some things but I like more than "little girl with guitar" music. I'm sure it's midrange is sweet and it's highs are to die for, but I don't like having to depend on a subwoofer to get reasonable bass. There's now way these alone will do justice to a double bass, not to mention an electric bass.

With his budget I'd be looking at some smallish floor standers. These or these or even these spring to mind, but I'm sure there are others out there.

And, even these might benefit from a sub, particularly the ML, but I've heard that type of speaker/tweeter, and it's schweet.

And, I've owned the MMGs and traded up to their 1.6s. I really think they like more power than this receiver puts out, at least if there's no sub involved.

 

[fmw]

OK, ya got me. I was off by 3/4", but that really doesn't, to me, a sigle driver of this size doesn't constitute a full range speaker. Small stand-mounts age great for some things but I like more than "little girl with guitar" music. I'm sure it's midrange is sweet and it's highs are to die for, but I don't like having to depend on a subwoofer to get reasonable bass. There's now way these alone will do justice to a double bass, not to mention an electric bass.

With his budget I'd be looking at some smallish floor standers. These or these or even these spring to mind, but I'm sure there are others out there.

And, even these might benefit from a sub, particularly the ML, but I've heard that type of speaker/tweeter, and it's schweet.

And, I've owned the MMGs and traded up to their 1.6s. I really think they like more power than this receiver puts out, at least if there's no sub involved.

I'm embarrassed because I can't even remember the name of the manufacturer. I had some speakers once that had 2 12" woofers and a 12" passive radiator per side. It also had a couple of mid range drivers and, if I remember right, 4 tweeters per side. They were very dark sounding as you might imagine. There simply weren't enough higher frequency drivers to make up for all that bass. The speakers I have now have 6 1/2" mid/woofers. They sound great and even better with just a little bass fill from the subwoofer. It is possible to get over woofered.

 

[markw]

I'm embarrassed because I can't even remember the name of the manufacturer. I had some speakers once that had 2 12" woofers and a 12" passive radiator per side. It also had a couple of mid range drivers and, if I remember right, 4 tweeters per side. They were very dark sounding as you might imagine. There simply weren't enough higher frequency drivers to make up for all that bass. The speakers I have now have 6 1/2" mid/woofers. They sound great and even better with just a little bass fill from the subwoofer. It is possible to get over woofered.

Now you're just being silly. I don't doubt that one can have too much bass but what's your example have to do with this discussion? Are you saying that two 5 1/2" drivers in a tower is "overwoofered"?

Check out my stuff. The woofer i my HT mains is 8". Yes, I use a sub for HT but ut barely make a sound iwhen playing music. My Sound Ddynamics RTS-3 has a 6 1/2" concentric speaker and it is perfect for out 12 X 12 bedroom. It was a bit light in the 24 +12 living room in the apartment tough.

...and I do remember the DAK Thunderlizards.

 

[avengineer]

OK, ya got me. I was off by 3/4", but that really doesn't, to me, a sigle driver of this size doesn't constitute a full range speaker.

I agree in principle. In fact, when I heard the Bostons, I was sure there was a sub somewhere. There wasn't, and really, they didn't go down into sub range, but they did a very respectable job into the mid bass and slightly below. I was quite surprised to hear all of that from small speakers, and frankly I'm a really hard sell when it comes to speakers. Just worth a listen, but so is the other stuff you mentioned.

 

[avengineer]

...and I do remember the DAK Thunderlizards.

Ha, you bring a smile to my face! A friend of mine bought one, owned it for a few months and cooked it...smoke literally came out. They replaced it and he took it easy. Good ol' Thunderlizards!

 

[fmw]

Now you're just being silly. I don't doubt that one can have too much bass but what's your example have to do with this discussion? Are you saying that two 5 1/2" drivers in a tower is "overwoofered"?

Check out my stuff. The woofer i my HT mains is 8". Yes, I use a sub for HT but ut barely make a sound iwhen playing music. My Sound Ddynamics RTS-3 has a 6 1/2" concentric speaker and it is perfect for out 12 X 12 bedroom. It was a bit light in the 24 +12 living room in the apartment tough.

...and I do remember the DAK Thunderlizards.

They weren't Thunderlizards. I'm sorry. I just don't remember the name. The discussion was about bass reproduction and speaker size. Bass reproduction, as you know, involves many things but just as there are woofers that are too small in some cases to provide good bass, it is possible to have too much bass and end up with a dark sound. That was my only point. Sorry if it was silly.

 

[markw]

They weren't Thunderlizards. I'm sorry. I just don't remember the name. The discussion was about bass reproduction and speaker size. Bass reproduction, as you know, involves many things but just as there are woofers that are too small in some cases to provide good bass, it is possible to have too much bass and end up with a dark sound. That was my only point. Sorry if it was silly.

I just thought your example was a bit out of proportion to my statement, as if I were advocating something of the like.

There's no need to go to such extremes to make your point. Speaking of which, whatever made you purchase that kabuki system to begin with?

See DAK Thunderlizards here (Among other things)

 

[Pyrrho]

...
And, I've owned the MMGs and traded up to their 1.6s. I really think they like more power than this receiver puts out, at least if there's no sub involved.

I was not endorsing the receiver that was selected. I think that one should first select speakers, then decide on what to drive them with, as otherwise one will not know how much power one needs. And if the budget were just a thousand more, I would go with the 1.7, which is the replacement for the 1.6. But the budget is what it is, so I did not suggest it.