$2k budget - bookshelf mains and center

[mazersteven]

ok, so far we have...

b&w cm1...
sierra-1...
paradigm 20...
era 5....

the good news is that the place where i'll go first is a dealer for 3 of them... and the sierra appears to be only available online...

Did you ever audition the other 3?

 

[ccotenj]

yea, although not extensively... i spent about 3 hours total listening to them (same equipment, same room)...

of the 3, i'd probably get the cm's... however, i also made the mistake of spending some time with some 805's, and given the fact my wife loves those speakers, i think i'd expand the budget enough to go in that direction...

 

[mazersteven]

yea, although not extensively... i spent about 3 hours total listening to them (same equipment, same room)...

of the 3, i'd probably get the cm's... however, i also made the mistake of spending some time with some 805's, and given the fact my wife loves those speakers, i think i'd expand the budget enough to go in that direction...

So you liked the CM's over the Paradigms, and ERA's? How about the CM's vs. the 805's?

 

[ccotenj]

yea, i'd take the cm's, although i wouldn't be unhappy with any of the 3...

805s over cm's... you can tell they are related, because they share the same characteristics, but the 805s are simply "better"... plus they sure do look nice...

are they 3x the money better? well... swmbo thinks so, and who am i to fight with her?

but i'm anticipating being satisfied with the sierra's... different sound signature (judging from reviews/shootouts), but i'm not married to any one "type" of sound...

 

[mazersteven]

Well atleast you'll have an idea on how good or bad the Sierra's are compared to the others you've listened to.

 

[mziegler]

I own the Sierras, and I compared them to the 805s--I actually prefer the Sierras. The 805s were too forward for my taste.

I have a feeling you will be very happy with the Sierra.

 

[mazersteven]

What finish did you purchase?

 

[ccotenj]

mazer - the natural. besides the fact that the piano is probalby a mega dust magnet, i thought the grain of the bamboo looked cool.

mziegler - yea, that seems to be the difference everyone wants to point out... like i said, i'm not expecting to send them back...