Advice - Building my first audio system

[WildBB]

Hello all,

I am trying to put together the best audio system I can for ~ $3000-3500. It would be used 50/50 for music and home theatre surround. I would like something that is powerful but also crisp at lower volumes as well, but does not have a large foot print. The room for the equipment has tile floor and is ~ 18 ft x 20 ft , but it is mostly open to the adjecet room which is equally as large. The ceilings are 9 ft high.

I would appriciate any suggestions. Thanks for your time!

 

[ACsGreens]

PDM setup.

Paradigm Mini Monitor-$250 ea X4= 1k
Paradigm Center 1 $349
Yamaha RX-A1010 $999
Total - SUbwoofer= $2349

There many good subwoofer options I will let others weigh in on that, but this pricing would sound great and allow for 2 nice woofers.

 

[WildBB]

Thanks ACs for your suggestions! I do like the yahama RX-A1010 and the RX-A2010 recievers. I have never heard the paradigm speakers before. I might see if I can find a place to hear them.

 

[zieglj01]

Monitor Audio Silver RX series

Front L/R and surrounds
2 pair > RX-1
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRX1 PGLSBLK

Center
RX-Center
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRXCE RNT

Subwoofer
2ea > HSU VTF-3 mk4
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk4.html
Or, Outlaw
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmEX.html

If you need a receiver - then start with one sub, and save up
for a second sub.

Receiver
Marantz - refurbish
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6006A/MARANTZ-SR6006-Home-theater-network-receiver-3D-HDMI-AirPlay/1.html
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5006A/Marantz-SR5006-AV-Receiver-with-Networking-and-AirPlay/1.html
Yamaha
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A1000-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B003XDU48O
Denon
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/538067547/denon-avr-3312ci?v_c=Shopping&gdftrk=gdfV22976_a_7c2123_a_7c6570_a_7c538067547
Refurbish
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3312CI/DENON-AVR-3312CI-7.2-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver/1.html

 

[zieglj01]

Receiver
Yamaha
Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-A1000 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black): Electronics

Ignore this - looks like the price went up since I posted it, or I mis-read it.

 

[WildBB]

Thanks Zieg,

I have also never heard monitor audio. I have heard really good things about the HSU VTF Subs. Would you buy refurbished components? Has everyone had good luck with this? Thanks Again!

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks Zieg,

I have also never heard monitor audio. I have heard really good things about the HSU VTF Subs. Would you buy refurbished components? Has everyone had good luck with this? Thanks Again!

I can not speak for everyone - however AC4L, is a good company
and have been around for a long time. I have bought Marantz and
Denon from them, with no failures. Many people do buy refurbish
products, and are happy. There is never a 100% guarantee, that a
new product will not fail - and that is where the refurbish products
come from. The decision/choice is up to you.

 

[sholling]

Hello all,

I am trying to put together the best audio system I can for ~ $3000-3500. It would be used 50/50 for music and home theatre surround. I would like something that is powerful but also crisp at lower volumes as well, but does not have a large foot print. The room for the equipment has tile floor and is ~ 18 ft x 20 ft , but it is mostly open to the adjecet room which is equally as large. The ceilings are 9 ft high.

I would appriciate any suggestions. Thanks for your time!

The biggest challenge will be the tile which may create an echo chamber effect at worst and reflections at best. I'd think about some rugs and possibly some decorative treatments once you have your system in.

A speaker set made up of 3 Ascend Acoustics CMT340SE across the front and 2 CBM-170SE as surrounds would set you back about $1200-1300 including stands for the left and right fronts. If you wall hang the 170s you'll need a speaker attachment that leaves a few inches between the back of the speaker and the wall.

With over 6000cuft the subwoofer will be more challenging so I'd contact Hsu Research, SVSound, Outlaw Audio, and Rythmik and have them each size a solution for your space. I think a budget figure of around $1300 is probably about right.

As for buying refurbs from Accessories For Less I'm a repeat customer and have never had a problem.

 

[WildBB]

Thanks Sholling,

With all of this information, I am questioning if my current budget is strong enough to build a quality setup for this area/environment. I was eyeballing the yahama rx-a1020/rx-a2020, but that will eat up ~ 1/3rd of my current budget. I also like the HSU VTF-3 MK4 Sub ~ $800. I am still completely uncertain about the speakers. I think I plan to start with a 5.1 setup, then maybe down the road add to make it 5.2 or 7.2.

 

[zieglj01]

With all of this information, I am questioning if my current budget is strong enough to build a quality setup for this area/environment. I was eyeballing the yahama rx-a1020/rx-a2020, but that will eat up ~ 1/3rd of my current budget. I also like the HSU VTF-3 MK4 Sub ~ $800. I am still completely uncertain about the speakers. I think I plan to start with a 5.1 setup, then maybe down the road add to make it 5.2 or 7.2.

I would think about 3.1 to start. Throw some rugs down for serious
listening - this can get you started. With the options out there, I
would not spend $900 to $1000 on a receiver. Yamaha is not the
only good receiver out there.

 

[ACsGreens]

I do agree that you might want to look at a solid 3.1 system to start. Some rugs and treatments might also be a major investment (though not that monetarily major) right now. I would however spend that on a good receiver. I deal a lot with the Yamaha brand and they are very solid, good power and have rarely ever had an issue with one. IMO it is always better to start with fewer 'better" speakers than a cheaper option that will probably be replaced in whole in the future. I always choose better fewer first, you can always add, but that is just my 2 cents. Have fun with the process and make sure that you take all of this in modesty, and listen to as many speakers as you can. Where are you located?

 

[WildBB]

Thanks ACsGreens and Zieglj01 your feedback,

Well knowing my wife, rugs might be a major investment, she has been wanting to buy a large one for that room.

I also promised her I would not have overwhelmingly large speakers. She is the resident decorator, good too, but her style is one of simplicity.

I am a fan of denon as well as yahama recievers. Both of their 2012 models are very impressive. I probably could get a better deal on last years model though.

I am located on the central coast of California.

 

[sholling]

Thanks Sholling,

With all of this information, I am questioning if my current budget is strong enough to build a quality setup for this area/environment. I was eyeballing the yahama rx-a1020/rx-a2020, but that will eat up ~ 1/3rd of my current budget. I also like the HSU VTF-3 MK4 Sub ~ $800. I am still completely uncertain about the speakers. I think I plan to start with a 5.1 setup, then maybe down the road add to make it 5.2 or 7.2.

As a rule of thumb your receiver budget should be around 1/4-1/3 of your budget and the speakers and sub combined 2/3-3/4. The ratio between speakers and the sub is driven by the size of the space. A refurbished Denon AVR-3312CI will set you back $600 shipped from A4L. Another option is Electronics Expo has had brand new Denon AVR-4311 (a great receiver) on sale for $1200 a few times lately. They're out of stock right now but you may be able to talk them into selling you one for the sale price.

You might also want to price Outlaws subs since the LFM-1 EX was designed by Dr Hsu for Outlaw and is said to perform on par with a Hsu VTF-3 MK3. I am a bit concerned that a single VTF-3 or the Outlaw LFM-1 EX is going to struggle to pressurize 6000cuft but it might be enough. On the other hand a pair would be pretty cool end tables for your sofa and you'll probably get more enjoyment out of subwoofer overkill than receiver overkill.