$2500 to spend - Please help

[cpotter638]

I'm planning on building my first home theater system. I will probably significantly upgrade in 2-3 years, so I don't want to go overboard at this point. I have about $2500 to spend and was thinking of spending roughly $1900 to $2000 on the speakers. I'm planning on purchasing the Yamaha RX-N600 network receiver for around $600. The theater will be placed in our basement. The ceiling is roughly 8'. The basement is in the shape of an L. The home theater/sitting area will be placed in the larger part of the "L" which measures roughly 19' x 16'. The remainder of the "L" measures 26' x 12'. I've included a diagram of our room. I listened to some Klipsch speakers at a local audio store (RB61, RC52, and RS42). I liked the sound very much.

However, I have found may positive reviews on Axiom speakers and I am now leaning in this direction (but not sure). I plan on contacting Axiom tomorrow to get their input. I am currently thinking of the following 6.1 setup:

Center - VP150
Fronts - M3 (or potentially M22)
Surrounds - QS4
Rear Center - QS4

I was initially considering the Axiom EP350 for a sub; however, most people on the forums I've seen seem to support the SVS PB-10 or Rocket ULW-10. Given the size of my room, it may be advisable to get a larger sub such as the SVS PB-12.

I would love to hear your recommendations. Thanks in advance for the help. Chad

 

[billnchristy]

I am partial to anything in the Onix lineup.

You could go with an X-LS system all around and have a few hundred left to spend on a good sub too.

From what I hear axioms are nice, but when I recently added up what it would cost to get the same finish as on my rockets and about the same speakers it would have cost about $600 more.

 

[cpotter638]

Speaker Decision

I've posted a new diagram of the room. Actually changed the furniture around tonight. Have included speaker positions in the diagram (black boxes). The drawing is not to scale. The entertainment center is only 5' long. The sofa was placed equidistant from the 2 new side walls.

Unless something major happens, I've made a decision regarding speakers. I found multiple posts on the Ascend series and decided to find out all the info I could on them. The Ascends (3 CMT-340 SE, 2 CBM-170 surrounds , and VTF-3 MK2 sub) and Axioms (2 M22, VP 150, and 2 QS4)/ SVS PB12 sub are basically identical in price (when adding the matching Ascend/Axiom stands for the front speakers).

I pretty sure I'm going to go with the Ascends. My reasoning: I investigated many, many forum posts. I'm sure both are great speaker sets. Several people though the Axiom M22 and CBM-170 were similar in quality, with the CMT-340 actually being an upgrade over the M22. I know the only way to know for sure would be to demo both sets in my room. The Axioms are supposedly more bright and the Ascends more neutral. But to be entirely honest, I would be happy with either. Either is going to be a major upgrade over what I have at this point which is nothing.

Aesthetically, the Axioms are a better looking speaker from what pictures I've seen online. However, I found at least one post that commented on the poorly constructed speaker stands that are designed for the M22's. The stands for the Ascend fronts are supposedly much more sturdy and even allow you to fill with sand. This is kind of important in our house as I have 3 children under the age of 5.

So, if nothing changes, the package will be:
Front L/R: - CMT-340 SE
Center: CMT-340 SE
Surrounds: CBM-170 SE
Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK2

I think I'm going to purchase the matching stands from Ascend for the 340's that turn them into a "tower". For the surrounds, I think I would rather mount them too the wall instead of buy stands for them. With that being said, I found at least one post with a very positive review of the B-Tech BT77 Wall Mount. I think I prefer this over the Ascend wall mounts (Omni Brackets), but not sure.

My main questions at this point:

1) Some posts I read have suggested that the CBM-170's are overkill for surrounds and that you can get away with the HTM-200. However, I'm a little leery of going with the smaller surround given the size of our room and the fact that we will be using it at least 80% for HT.
2) Which mounts for the surrounds and where to exactly mount them? I know the CBM-170's are rear ported. I'm not sure about the HTM-200, but I think they are rear ported as well. So, you would not want to place them flush against the wall. Will the 2 speaker mounts I suggested give enough "gap" between the speaker and the wall? Also, in the Dolby diagram the surrounds look like they are mounted parallel with the back of the couch and angled in about 20 degrees. Is this the correct location (parallel with the back of the couch)? And will both mounts give enough room to angle in at 20 degrees?
3) I'm starting from scratch. I will need speaker wire, sub cable, and power strip. What are reasonable choices for these items? And do you have suggestions on where to buy them online? I do not need to break the bank on these items, but don't want to skimp either.

Thanks again for the help. Chad

 

[Sheep]

I think the Ascends system is the better choice, purely from what I've heard.

Also, I think you will require the VTF-3s output aswell. Thats a large room to fill with bass, and personally, I don'th think you will need to upgrade, even in a few years.

SheepStar

 

[Matt34]

I vote for the Acsends also, purely on what I've read.

1. I say go with the 170's too.

2. Have no idea

3. Bluejeans is a good company to look at for all your interconnects.

 

[Takeereasy]

I would just like to point out that Klipsch sounds very different than the two brands you are considering. They are also much more efficient (most models)than the brands you are looking at meaning they need less amp power to perform their best. If you're a big Klipsch fan you might not be as happy with the two companies involved in your final decision.

Sorry to be a wet blanket. I do think you'll love either of the brands you've selected. You'll have a very sturdy foundation for a home theatre for years to come.

 

[cpotter638]

Follow up

I am certainly a novice to this process. Over the past week, I've done extensive research online. And from all I've read, I really like the things that have been said about the Ascend series. I know that it would be ideal to hear them first, but this will not be possible.

So, I guess at this point, I want to stay with the Ascend lineup. If I don't like the sound after purchasing, I can send them back and eat the shipping charges. I have made other posts and some have suggested that the SVS PB12 sub (or HSU VTF-3 MK2) is not enough for the room size and the CMT-340's may be overkill given the relatively short viewing distance of approximately 10.5'. Currently we have a 32" flat tube TV, but may upgrade in 1 to 2 yrs to a larger plasma. Given the above and my $2000 budget for speakers I think I have the following options:

1) CMT-340 x 3 (C/F/R) including CMT-340 stands for F/R
CBM-170 x 2 (Surround)
SVS PB-12 Sub
BT77 Mounts for Surrounds
Total $2110

2) CMT-340 (Center)
CMT-170 x 2 (L/R)
HMT-200 (Surrounds)
BT77 Mounts for Surrounds
??? Speaker Stands for fronts (?? Approx $100/pr)
Total without sub: $1128

Would then have about $1000 to spend on the sub. I could then upgrade to the PB12-NSD/2 or PB12-Plus.

Scaling back the center speaker from a CMT-340 to a CBM-170 could be done. However, from what I know you don't want to skimp on the center channel for HT and this would only save about $100 which would not allow another major upgrade on the sub.

A third possible option would be to go with a setup someone suggested (SBS-01 5.1 system with SVS PB12-Plus/2 sub). I know this would be an upgrade for the sub. However, I found at least one forum post over the weekend that detailed a direct A/B comparison of the Ascend 170's and SBS-01 system. At least in that review, the 170's were much preferred.

One other point. If I do go with option 2, both the 170's and 200's COULD be wall mounted. I am planning on definitely wall mounting the surrounds. Someone posted the Dolby suggested surround sound layout and spoke of putting the center/L/R in an arc with all 3 speakers equidistant from the listening position. If I were to mount the front L/R speakers, this would put them at a longer distance from the LP and less optimal. Am I correct in assuming this? I am assuming it would be better to purchase speaker stands for the front L/R if going with option 2.

BTW. Before making any purchase, I plan on contacting both Ascend and SVS for their recommendations; however, I thought it would be a good idea to get a less biased opinion first from those on the forum.

Would love to hear your thoughts regarding the options presented above given my goals, room dimensions, and budget. BTW, the ceiling is 8' throughout the room. Thanks again. Chad