$500-600 speaker budget

[parkerbender]

okay, i'll use one of my famous analogies that make absolutely no sense... If your'e trying to teach a kid to play guitar, you can give them an acoustic guitar, which you can use with no other equipment, but the strings are hard to push. You can give them a vintage gretsch, and a priceless aged fender tube amp with nos tubes, and rebuilt pots, but it never really sounds "right" to you, and is really touchy and finiky with all it's settings... or you can start them with a cheap electric with a hot bridge pickup and a cheap amp with an overdrive. This is a chronology of my guitar learning experience, and the first took too much effort, the second needed to be tuned just so, and then muscians would argue over which subtle nuances were picked up by which tube, but i always felt that i didn't do it justice, and it sounded funny when i played it. The third had enough flash and bang to make me think "wow, this is cool" and i could show off little simple things to my friends, and it was simple enough and flashy enough that i stayed interested until i was ready to move onto the next level.

Now, this may have made absolutely no sense, but what i kindof mean is that first, a beginning audiophile (which i'm not claiming to be anything but one) may not really hear the quality differences between a 26 and a 24 Hz tone, or know what a hot reciever smells like, but after time, and experience with cheaper equipment you get to recognize, realize, and respect different qualities of all audio equipment. The first time you burn up a sub, which maybe everyone doesn't but i did, and it was a cheap one, thank god and experiences like that are half of the fun of getting to understand the scene, it's a learning process, half the fun is getting there, and bells and whistles like a sub and 5 or 6 channels, getting to string wires all over, it's exciting right away, people walk into the room and say "wow" which is fun, you guys know that and finally crawling through setup menus on a lower (but now crappy) end reciever is easier to get used to, and leads the way to more technical things, finally, upgrading is fun. okay, that turned into a book, and maybe doesn't make sense, but it's my opinion.

 

[mazersteven]

Parker I kind of understand what your saying. But I don't understand why your saying it. No one here has recommended a system that couldn't be categorized as a budget system.

 

[parkerbender]

i'm sorry, i didn't mean to be too harsh, i guess originally i just was being a htib proponent, nor maybe not even a proponent, just a devil's advocate for them. there was a mention of only getting a LR pair and a midrange yamie reciever, and imo, not that that would be a bad idea, but that if the friend in question was really new to audio, he might feel more excited about his purchase if he had more than 2 channels... since the first time you hear actual surround from a good movie in your house, it's a grin inducing experience. i guess i'm just wordy today

 

[Soundman]

Originally Posted by Soundman
aww man...i guess you snooze you lose. It's still a good deal though.



I told you so.

Marantz SR4001 $219
http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR4001_560W_A/V_7.1_Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a11225442.html

Mazer, you are so good at finding the gems! Now, if I can actually talk him into this before the bidding ends. Hmmmm

 

[Soundman]

http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V661_910W_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a11225445-rsearchone.html

Not a bad deal, Gus. I'll keep my eye on this one too.

 

[mazersteven]

there was a mention of only getting a LR pair and a midrange yamie reciever, and imo, not that that would be a bad idea, but that if the friend in question was really new to audio, he might feel more excited about his purchase if he had more than 2 channels... since the first time you hear actual surround from a good movie in your house, it's a grin inducing experience.

No need to be sorry. That is what this forum is all about. Everyone has a right to state his opinion.

I understand what you are saying. and having those 2 other channels would be awesome. But at what price? To sacrifice the quality of your main speakers?

Another way to look at the recommendation for purchasing just 2 main speakers is this. With better quality speakers the purchaser can experience music and movie with such detail, and clarity. That even music that he has heard a thousand times becomes new again. It's amazing to hear a song and say to yourself, "Wow I've never heard that before". Movies he has seen before, now he hears more effects.

There are pro's and con's to both ways. One just has to weigh which concession they are willing to make. When I did my system it was waiting till funds where available to purchase a sub.

 

[gus6464]

i'm sorry, i didn't mean to be too harsh, i guess originally i just was being a htib proponent, nor maybe not even a proponent, just a devil's advocate for them. there was a mention of only getting a LR pair and a midrange yamie reciever, and imo, not that that would be a bad idea, but that if the friend in question was really new to audio, he might feel more excited about his purchase if he had more than 2 channels... since the first time you hear actual surround from a good movie in your house, it's a grin inducing experience. i guess i'm just wordy today

I used to think like you when I first got my new HT system. While my budget was a little higher my system is still low end but still very decent. I was all into the 5.1 and soon enough I bought a PS3 for BD and then an HD DVD player and then a new receiver so I could experience the high def soundtracks and whatnot.

Now after having my HT for a while I have found myself listening and more to music. It's gotten to the point that I watch a movie or two per week but I listen to music for hours on end. Plus I am now even more interested in finding new music than ever. I have started looking recently for a 2ch setup and my speaker budget is about the same as my entire HT speakers cost. The new HT inadvertently woke up my passion for music and I am having way more fun it than the surround sound movie part.

The day I get a house large enough for a HT room you bet I will have a nice system with projector and whatnot but I am not going to spend a ton on the speakers. If I had $10000 to spend right now an a system I would much rather spend it on an amazing 2ch setup than a 5.1/7.1 system.

 

[mazersteven]

If I had $10000 to spend right now an a system I would much rather spend it on an amazing 2ch setup than a 5.1/7.1 system.

The trick IMO is to accomplish both.

I like listening to music in DTS Neo 6.

 

[gus6464]

The trick IMO is to accomplish both.

I like listening to music in DTS Neo 6.

True but let's say that your favorite 2ch speaker is something like the strata mini for example. To get perfect tonal match for 6ch you need 3 pairs at $8000 and then some nice electronics to power them which is well over $10k.

And then what happens if you like something like the Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor or Dynadio C1?

I don't know though because I have bought a couple of SACDs and the multi ch track isn't really my cup of tea. I find myself preferring the 2ch track more.

 

[mazersteven]

True but let's say that your favorite 2ch speaker is something like the strata mini for example. To get perfect tonal match for 6ch you need 3 pairs at $8000 and then some nice electronics to power them which is well over $10k.

First. You don't pay $2K for Strata Mini's.

Second. You could match them with Center: Onix Reference 100, Rears: Onix Reference 1. You don't need 6 Strata's.

 

[gus6464]

First. You don't pay $2K for Strata Mini's.

Second. You could match them with Center: Onix Reference 100, Rears: Onix Reference 1. You don't need 6 Strata's.

LOL well I am sure if you approached Mark and wanted to buy 3 pairs of mini's he would give you a discount, of course not the mazer discount though. I didn't know they used the same drivers as the mini.

 

[mazersteven]

of course not the mazer discount though. I didn't know they used the same drivers as the mini.

LOL

Atohm 5.25”

Here they are in my house.

 

[Guangui]

Mazer those Stratas look nice, I thought about buying them, but the fact was that I couldn't justify them to the wife. Then I would want to run them with better amp or receiver, than my Marantz SR-5001, which would add more money. That happened anyways, see further down.

I know what Parkbender point is, he wants the kid to crawl before running. But, IMHO, he could start jogging with a high-end sounding budget system like the Marantz SR-4001 with PSB's, Paradigm's, AV123's, or other speakers recommended here. In the long run it will save him money.

I started in 1998 with a Sony HTIB bought at Sears, I'm sure that back in 1998 for the $625.00 I paid for the HTIB I could have done much better. Anyways the upgrade bug bit me, and in two months I have upgraded to the 5001 with PSB Image, and now buying PSB Alpha LR1 as surrounds for the family room, and taking the B25's to use them as mains in my living room and adding to that a beautiful equipment rack (high WAF obligatory), a stereo tube amp, pre-amp, new CD player, and turntable (time to make closet space and get out the old vinyl collection).

 

[3db]

Mazer those Stratas look nice, I thought about buying them, but the fact was that I couldn't justify them to the wife. Then I would want to run them with better amp or receiver, than my Marantz SR-5001, which would add more money. That happened anyways, see further down.

I know what Parkbender point is, he wants the kid to crawl before running. But, IMHO, he could start jogging with a high-end sounding budget system like the Marantz SR-4001 with PSB's, Paradigm's, AV123's, or other speakers recommended here. In the long run it will save him money.

I started in 1998 with a Sony HTIB bought at Sears, I'm sure that back in 1998 for the $625.00 I paid for the HTIB I could have done much better. Anyways the upgrade bug bit me, and in two months I have upgraded to the 5001 with PSB Image, and now buying PSB Alpha LR1 as surrounds for the family room, and taking the B25's to use them as mains in my living room and adding to that a beautiful equipment rack (high WAF obligatory), a stereo tube amp, pre-amp, new CD player, and turntable (time to make closet space and get out the old vinyl collection).

*sorry to right angle this thread*

What kinda turntable are you getting? I bought a ProJect Xpression2 this past summer and love it.

 

[Soundman]

Mazer those Stratas look nice, I thought about buying them, but the fact was that I couldn't justify them to the wife. Then I would want to run them with better amp or receiver, than my Marantz SR-5001, which would add more money. That happened anyways, see further down.

I know what Parkbender point is, he wants the kid to crawl before running. But, IMHO, he could start jogging with a high-end sounding budget system like the Marantz SR-4001 with PSB's, Paradigm's, AV123's, or other speakers recommended here. In the long run it will save him money.

I started in 1998 with a Sony HTIB bought at Sears, I'm sure that back in 1998 for the $625.00 I paid for the HTIB I could have done much better. Anyways the upgrade bug bit me, and in two months I have upgraded to the 5001 with PSB Image, and now buying PSB Alpha LR1 as surrounds for the family room, and taking the B25's to use them as mains in my living room and adding to that a beautiful equipment rack (high WAF obligatory), a stereo tube amp, pre-amp, new CD player, and turntable (time to make closet space and get out the old vinyl collection).

I know what you're saying, but my friend probably isn't going to do all that. Help guys! He's still holding onto his $400 Samsung HTIB he just bought! I told him he can just take it back. It's not even opened yet. I need to use some persuasive measures somehow. Hmmmmmm

 

[3db]

If he's heard your system and he's still leaning to the HTIB, then I'm afraid that he's become a lost sheep. or just really intimidated by the whole thing.

 

[Guangui]

*sorry to right angle this thread*

What kinda turntable are you getting? I bought a ProJect Xpression2 this past summer and love it.

I'll start a new thread on the Amp/Receiver section, so I can get your recommendations for amps, CD, etc. within my budget. Right now I was planning on assembling my own tube amp (12-18W), but still on the fence and might end up getting a solid state/electronic amp, maybe Parasound 275.

For turntable I have a direct drive Onkyo from the early-mid 80's, which was part of my father's first audiophile quality Onkyo Integra system. Back then it was one of the best turntables in the market, and expensive; but, not as expensive as the cartridges he used that back then price was around $250.00.

 

[Soundman]

If he's heard your system and he's still leaning to the HTIB, then I'm afraid that he's become a lost sheep. or just really intimidated by the whole thing.

He hasn't heard my system, and right now I don't have a way to have him hear it b/c i've gotten rid of my other speakers and upgraded to the Rockets, which are on the way. Currently, I'm using some cheap Sony's and some computer speaker's for surrounds to get me by untill the Rockets come in. I don't want him to hear the Sony's. Don't want to give him the wrong idea of what good sound is.

 

[Guangui]

I'll start a new thread on the Amp/Receiver section, so I can get your recommendations for amps, CD, etc. within my budget. Right now I was planning on assembling my own tube amp (12-18W), but still on the fence and might end up getting a solid state/electronic amp, maybe Parasound 275.

For turntable I have a direct drive Onkyo from the early-mid 80's, which was part of my father's first audiophile quality Onkyo Integra system. Back then it was one of the best turntables in the market, and expensive; but, not as expensive as the cartridges he used that back then price was around $250.00.

Here is the new thread for the above post: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=351641#post351641

Feel free to give your suggestions, also, please read carefully the thread....

 

[Guangui]

He hasn't heard my system, and right now I don't have a way to have him hear it b/c i've gotten rid of my other speakers and upgraded to the Rockets, which are on the way. Currently, I'm using some cheap Sony's and some computer speaker's for surrounds to get me by untill the Rockets come in. I don't want him to hear the Sony's. Don't want to give him the wrong idea of what good sound is.

Just tie him to a chair in the middle of Costco or WalMart, and make him watch a JLo/Ben Afleck film while hearing it on one of their demo HTIB systems, when he is crying and beggin for mercy, at his weakest point, play a good sounding movie like Ratatouille or King Kong (any good sountrack multi channel movie), then take him to a B&M audio store make him watch the same movie, through a good set of speakers in his price range, and he will convert.

If all that fails, let him buy the HTIB he wants, or recommend him a worst one, and when your speakers arrive have him set them up with you, make him part of the experience, and in a "I'm superior than you" tone say "I told you so", when he starts whinning about how good your system sounds, and how now he wants to upgrade; just a couple of months after he spent $500.00 for his POS HTIB.