$3000 for 5.1 and sub, need help

[prae114]

Need advice what to get, there are so many choices. I will be using the Yamaha RX-V863. Now I need a 5.1 and a sub. My budget is ~$3000. My room size 18Lx12Wx10H. Need for the help in advance.

 

[mazersteven]

SVS
MBS-01 Compact 5.1 channel bookshelf system with matching PB12-Plus subwoofer*


http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-mts01.cfm

 

[calnbs]

With the Big Sale and new return policy at av123, my vote is for the Rocket 850, Big Foot, Rocket 450, and MFW 15 sub.

Aperions: Free Shipping both ways as well and a great company.

 

[mazersteven]

new return policy at av123.

Can you post this New Policy? I haven't seen it.

 

[prae114]

With the Big Sale and new return policy at av123, my vote is for the Rocket 850, Big Foot, Rocket 450, and MFW 15 sub.

Aperions: Free Shipping both ways as well and a great company.

Those do look nice, but they are out of stock and won't be available till Aug. These speakers will go into our media room which will be mainly use for movies. Any other suggestions?

 

[armaraas]

Can you post this New Policy? I haven't seen it.

Just announced today-
http://75.126.14.199/showthread.php?t=33599


For about $3000, I just got the following 7.1-
Aperion 6T's for mains, 5C for center
Axiom QS8's and M2's for the surrounds
AV123 MWF-15 for the sub

I also have a pair of Axiom M80's in the house, which will be going back soon.

Comparing the Aperions to Axioms- the Aperions are real wood and look a little nicer, they're bigger and heavier, they seemed to have a little more, little bit better imaging and a bigger soundstage.

The Axioms are a bit lighter so easier to move, for bass they go noticeably lower, and they love power and hold their composure better at higher volumes (100+ db).

I went with Aperions because of looks, their soundstage, and reproduction on female vocals, oh and the center fits a bit better. However, I listen to music more than you do probably so that swayed my decision. All in all, both were very fine speakers for the money and I would suggest listening to or considering either one. Aperion has free shipping either way, and Axiom has free shipping to you, but you have to pay return shipping if you don't want to keep them (I'll be finding out how much that will be later this week).

Do you have a preference for towers or bookshelves? If it's mostly movies, you may consider going to bookshelves and getting 2 subs for your budget...

 

[mazersteven]

Just announced today-

Thanks for posting that. In fact as we speak I am talking to SVS about doing the same thing.

 

[calnbs]

Those do look nice, but they are out of stock and won't be available till Aug. These speakers will go into our media room which will be mainly use for movies. Any other suggestions?

Rockets have been back ordered since the Fall of 2007 for a reason. For their price range, they are THAT GOOD: sound and finish (IMHO). The Rockets are a great choice for Home Theater, especially their center, The BIGFOOT. Center is very important for HT use and Big Foot does not disappoint. Pictures does not do it justice until you see it in person. Most people are shock to see how big that center actually is. Their RS850 onced retail at the same price you can buy now for a whole 5.0 set. They are going through some "growing pain" with their big sales they been having and the expansion into new products. The MFW 15 sub is an amazing sub for their price range as well. Rated very well in the last sub shoot out by a very respected member in the audio community. My opinion is the wait is well worth the price you pay for those speakers. Hard to find speakers within that price range that can match Rockets in both "finish" and sound.

Aperion:

http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/5-Series,36.aspx

Swans:

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/products_new.php?cPath=21_22&osCsid=90bd1984c6d0c01a5e4afaddfff8ad51

Other speakers that you can also look into but might be out of your price range depending on which model you buy:

Monitor Audio, Paradigm, B&W, NHT, PSB.

Other Subs: SVS, HSU, Epik, Elemental Design

Wires, HDMI, cords: www.monoprice.com; best bang for the buck.

Make a list of speakers that might fit your need and start reading on them and go to the company's website (especially Internet Direct) and post to see if you can get an audition. Most of them will be willing to help you. Researches can be found here and at www.avsforum.com, just go do a search or go to the owner's thread. Speakers from B&M stores, you just gotta make the time to audition them. As most have stated, we all are just giving you OUR opinion and giving you options. The rest is up to YOU to find what YOU like.

 

[trnqk7]

I'll throw in a pitch for the Dali Ikon series, but you might not be able to fit a sub into that budget with them if you go the route I did: Ikon 6's, Ikon 1's, and Vokal 2 (center). They are quite nice though

The other brands mentioned here are all good brands and might be easier to find than the Dali's...their distribution seems to be a little limited in some areas. Great 2 channel speakers though that also excel for movies.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What kind of speakers do they have at your local stores?

I would check out the locals first before going online.

 

[mazersteven]

Rockets have been back ordered since the Fall of 2007 for a reason. For their price range, they are THAT GOOD: sound and finish (IMHO).

I was wondering if you've heard the Rockets? Have you posted your thoughts or a review on-line I can read?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Buy a PB13-Ultra and save up for the rest .

 

[calnbs]

I was wondering if you've heard the Rockets? Have you posted your thoughts or a review on-line I can read?

I am not that articulate when it comes to descibing sound in details and so I leave well written reviews for others who can do it better than I can. I did a very intensive research (over 1K hours and over a 2 year period) on speakers before settling on the Rockets.

Unfortunately, I didn't audition I.D. speakers such as Aperion, Rockets, Swans, Axiom, etc. so I depended a lot on all the personal reviews (with a grain of salt & faith. LOL). When it was all said and done, I couldn't justify paying speakers from B&M and with a leap of faith, went with Rockets because of the BIG SALE they had in the Fall '07.

I don't nick-pick every little damn thing when I listen to speakers. I'm just a casual listener. Based on my research, I think I would of been happy with any of the other ID companies but I went with the best price out of the choices on my list at that time. Looking back, I have no regrets...there is very little difference to me when it comes to sound from my Rockets to all the other speakers I audition at B&M stores. I liked speakers sold by B&M such as Monitor Audio, B&W, Paradigm as well but I wasn't willing to pay for their prices when ID sounded just as good to me for half the price.