Beginner budget $6000, living in Middle east

[adatrao]

Hi All
I have earlier posted a thread for a budget of 3000 but nothing materialized then owing to financial reasons.
(http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/beginner-budget-3000-living-in-middle-east.83456/#post-938204).
Now wanted to have $6000 budget system (already owns a Onkyo NR818 already so this budget excludes AV).
The biggest bottle neck is still that I stay in Middle east (Saudi Arabia) hence limited options.
Room size - 2500 cubic feet.
50:50 music and movies. Want to extend music to other rooms as well.

Have checked out Bowers and Wilkins 685/684/HTM62/ASW610 - $3500.
another option was Bowers and Wilkins 683/685/HTM61/ASW610XP - $4750.
I was not sold out after testing them as they were missing some zing feeling, very flat so as to say. I heard Bose with Hotel California and loved it so comparing with that in my mind.

SVS dealer is available here and paid $1000 advance to take a sub.
What would you recommend me - Dual or single and which one - PB/SB/PC 2000/12 plus/13 ultra.
Will PC exactly give the same feel as a PB or SB? PC will save a little space for me.
Also shall I take the SVS ultra series speakers $3700? Demo is not available here but the dealer will ship on demand ultras on demand only. Prime can be demoed after a month.

Tried the AH recommenced systems here, but not available as no dealers for RBH or EMPtek. RBH/EMPtek will ship AH recommended models for additional fee of $1000 here (little expensive.).

Any demo requires me to travel cross country to Dubai (1000km away) or Kuwait. this travel will eat $700 itself.
Saudi Arabia has dealers for:
All models -SVS, Bower and Wilkins, bang & olufsen,Sonos
Limited models - Klipsch, Polk, Martin Logan, (still need to check for Definitive)

Dubai/Kuwait has dealers for: definitive, Martin logan, Mc Intosh, JBL, Wilson, B&W,Revel, Polk,Paradigm,

So what should I do now.
Choose SVS ultra, Ship from US or can you recommend something so that I don't have to compromise on anything if i expand my system to a cave?

Please help me out.....

 

[TheWarrior]

Hi!

Glad you've got the budget, but, what are your goals? What are your room/housing constraints? What do you already own, besides the receiver?

 

[adatrao]

Thanks for the reply Mr. Warrior.
Goals :
- music and movies - 50/50. Want to expand music to atleast my bedroom may be in 6 months time.
- 5.1 or 7.2 system. can start with 5.1 and later expand to 7.2
- no compromise
- can be expanded when required
- should withstand time (be good for a long time)

I live in a apartment in 3rd floor, no constraints from spouse. Size 2500 ft3.
I dont own anything apart from the receiver (only TV - Panasonic 65in Plasma).

Need to decide on the sub model ASAP for placing the order from US.

 

[TheWarrior]

Well, if your apartment is like my friends had in Abu Dhabi, a sealed sub should serve you just fine! The Internet Direct options in the US are all excellent, pick which ever one suits you, you really can't go wrong.

If you've HEARD, and like the B&W's, go for it! I do not know what else is available to you. I can comment on SVS' Ultra Bookshelves which were quite good for the money. So if you're shipping one package, maybe make it a whole set!

 

[adatrao]

Ummm I did not like B&W.
I was referring to SVS Ultra surround package system containing 2x Ultra Tower, 2x Ultra Surround, 1x Ultra Center. ($3700)
I want suggestion wrt SVS ultra or go for other brands, if yes which one's.

 

[TheWarrior]

Ummm I did not like B&W.
I was referring to SVS Ultra surround package system containing 2x Ultra Tower, 2x Ultra Surround, 1x Ultra Center. ($3700)
I want suggestion wrt SVS ultra or go for other brands, if yes which one's.

Can you still get the 45 day trial with SVS out there? If so, go forth and prosper!

 

[adatrao]

No, unfortunately the trial is not offered here (Saudi Arabia).
The dealer is very supportive but has no models right now to demo. He will be getting the subs and SVS prime series next month; can get Ultra only if i buy them as there no much market for them.

 

[TheWarrior]

I very much liked what I heard in the Ultra Bookshelves, and the towers have the same tweeter. I don't think you can wrong, especially considering the limited options!

 

[adatrao]

thank you....

 

[TheWarrior]

Post up pics of your room when you get it all set up!

 

[adatrao]

Sure - that would a dream come true once i complete the first phase!

 

[Wetfinger]

Ahlan
did u check these guys?
Archimedia showroom in Rio, KSA
211 Prince Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz (Tahleya) St.,
Deghaither center, Office 105,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
+966 (55) 412 0829
+966 (11) 216 2745
they are the distributors for b&w, these guys are expensive, they can build u a nightclub in Riyadh in your flat nps: they also have:
Classé
Meridian
Intregra
focal

Ambassador stores in Bahrain (Yamaha amps and B&W) i recently got a CM Sub ASW10CM S2 for BD580 from them. this thing literally has room shaking booms for movies. everyone loves this friggin box they keep moving it from the tv to the mixer to the sitting room and its heavy!
listening to live instruments on b&w can sound rly nice did they switch to movies but not switch setting? music two speakers lah not surround

The sub will be the star during the movies with your budget .. 2 subs are nice
the 683 is a good 3 way speaker the 684 is much smaller not much base (684 is made in China)
ASW610xp sub is like double the Boomage of ASW610



the loudspeakers will be the most important part of your system, its worth getting something like the 800's forget surround sound, 800's get it used, online. and wait few years before u can afford the amp,



but then u get the amp, and a cable and u stick it in and........ the lights don't go on, wrong setting
no one to help you, who u gonna call.. you go back check you tube read forumz


eventually u get it

this took eight years to build