Best 3000$ speaker system? considerations within

[Stone__Man]

I have a MAX budget of 3000$$ for a complete 5.1 HT setup (musical qualities are VERY inportant to me, probably moreso than movie qual.)
Room approx. 15x18 on the small side , or 18x30 on the big side. <--Difference between the two future possibilities of room. I like to play loud at times but not deafeningly so.

eqip. that I have:

yamaha rx-v2500 its a 7.1 rec. w/(130 watts per channel)
Oppo DVD player
JVC HD56FH95 RPTV
all the game systems. so the choosen speakers will get a good dose of music, games and movies thrown at it. Looking for flat response from the speakers , not too brite on top. Sub, I want better acurate musical reproduction as, I care not at all for earth shaking, window rattling rumblings. I hope that is enough info from my end to start with for now. so . . .

here are just a few I am considering

Axiom epic 80-500 package which includes
m80 mains
vp150 center
qs8 surrounds
ep500 sub

PSB Command Performance Home Theater System
Command Performance System
Image T65 mains
Image C60 center
Image S50 surrounds
SubSeries 6i Sub

Onix Rocket Rocket HT Package # 1
RS 760 mains
RSC 200 center
RS 250MkII surrounds
UFW-10 Sub

HSUvtf-3 mk2 sub, is what I am leaning toward atm to replace any of these subs listed. That is not to say I KNOW i want the hsu, just that atm it tops my list.

I truly appreciate any and all replies, idea's on which setup you would reccomend from the few I have listed or a different setup entirely to fit within a MAX 3000$ budget.

I want the best speaker system my 3 grand will buy, so I ask all of you to please consider sharing your thoughts with me. Admittedlly, I am just learing, I have been reading online, everything from pro reviews to super fanboy rants and everything inbetween. I am learning as i go though (I think ), and a byproduct of it for me has reared its ugly head yes . . . Frustration . With that being said, don't be shy about throwing your 2 cents in on this most important purchase decision process, irregardless of how small or great you feel your level of knowledge is or the value of your replies. I assure u I VERY much appreciate any and all input, novice, pro, good, bad or otherwise. Thanks for your time and consideration

Stone__Man

 

[naisphoo]

get axioms

get axiom...i just got mine last month...very happy with it...but unfortunately now i just started a new carrier that takes so much of my time i can't even enjoy my axioms.

 

[dan711]

The one bad thing with soliciting other peoples opinions is that you will get one person says a speaker is great and the next person will say it isn't. Thats what I hate about these forums.
What I like about these forums is that you get a wide variety of people that own different setups and can give you insight on those setups. It has helped me with purchases in the past.

My neighbor/friend has the Axiom setup you are looking at. Except the 60's instead of the 80's. He has the rxv2500 as well. It sounds really nice. A little bright or over detailed for my taste. I owned the Rockets you are looking at except I had the 550's instead of the 760's. I loved the sound of the Rockets with my Pio 56txi. Nice and smooth with music and movies.

Dan

 

[jcPanny]

In home audition

You should consider buying the mains from av123 and axiom for an in-home audition. Both companies have great trial and retun policies. You will lose a little money on shipping, but you will know that you got the speakers that sound best to your ears in your room.

 

[3db]

I recommend PSB having heard both Axiom and PSB

I have a MAX budget of 3000$$ for a complete 5.1 HT setup (musical qualities are VERY inportant to me, probably moreso than movie qual.)
Room approx. 15x18 on the small side , or 18x30 on the big side. <--Difference between the two future possibilities of room. I like to play loud at times but not deafeningly so.

eqip. that I have:

yamaha rx-v2500 its a 7.1 rec. w/(130 watts per channel)
Oppo DVD player
JVC HD56FH95 RPTV
all the game systems. so the choosen speakers will get a good dose of music, games and movies thrown at it. Looking for flat response from the speakers , not too brite on top. Sub, I want better acurate musical reproduction as, I care not at all for earth shaking, window rattling rumblings. I hope that is enough info from my end to start with for now. so . . .

here are just a few I am considering

Axiom epic 80-500 package which includes
m80 mains
vp150 center
qs8 surrounds
ep500 sub

PSB Command Performance Home Theater System
Command Performance System
Image T65 mains
Image C60 center
Image S50 surrounds
SubSeries 6i Sub

Onix Rocket Rocket HT Package # 1
RS 760 mains
RSC 200 center
RS 250MkII surrounds
UFW-10 Sub

HSUvtf-3 mk2 sub, is what I am leaning toward atm to replace any of these subs listed. That is not to say I KNOW i want the hsu, just that atm it tops my list.

I truly appreciate any and all replies, idea's on which setup you would reccomend from the few I have listed or a different setup entirely to fit within a MAX 3000$ budget.

I want the best speaker system my 3 grand will buy, so I ask all of you to please consider sharing your thoughts with me. Admittedlly, I am just learing, I have been reading online, everything from pro reviews to super fanboy rants and everything inbetween. I am learning as i go though (I think ), and a byproduct of it for me has reared its ugly head yes . . . Frustration . With that being said, don't be shy about throwing your 2 cents in on this most important purchase decision process, irregardless of how small or great you feel your level of knowledge is or the value of your replies. I assure u I VERY much appreciate any and all input, novice, pro, good, bad or otherwise. Thanks for your time and consideration

Stone__Man

Some recent reviews;

http://www.psbspeakers.com/review.php?rId=79&pId=14&sId=3
http://www.psbspeakers.com/review.php?rId=53&pId=14&sId=3
http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/psb_t65_c60_s50_subsonic_6i.htm


I have the T45s and they are an awesome, very detailed speaker

 

[braminator]

I replaced my M & K's speakers for these.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORD500SPKPACKAGE

I just received these and so far I am more then satisfied with the sound quality. I felt I needed more power so I just received today my Pioneer Elite 56txi. So I will let everyone know my opinion on them once everything is set up.

 

[Duffman-OOHYEAH]

Rockets up up and AWAAAY!! sorry, felt like being silly.

I own Rocket 550s and everyone that has owned these and then stepped up to the 760s have been very pleased with the improvement in performance. I can't fathom music sounding much nicer then it already does because I'm in love with the sound signature of the 550s.

I have heard axioms m22 (I know they're not the 80s) but they were a bit harsh on the topend which personally I don't care for, others do. Sorry but I have no experience with psb although I was considering them before I happened upon Onix.

The clincher for me in these packages is the RSC200, no other companies offerings will compete with this center.

If you decide against the hsu, you may want to ditch the ufw10 and step up to the 12 from what I've read the hsu does everything quite well though so I would stick with it.


JR

 

[jaxvon]

In my opinion, I do not feel that Axioms are anything special. They're definitely not bad speakers, but just not superb.

Anyway, I would also suggest that you look into the offerings from Ascend Acoustics. They build solid, highly accurate speakers that feature custom Seas tweeters. Their larger D'Appolito models would work perfectly in your room in an LCR configuration. They also sell Hsu subwoofers through their website, so that's a bonus as well.

 

[Sheep]

In my opinion, I do not feel that Axioms are anything special. They're definitely not bad speakers, but just not superb.

Anyway, I would also suggest that you look into the offerings from Ascend Acoustics. They build solid, highly accurate speakers that feature custom Seas tweeters. Their larger D'Appolito models would work perfectly in your room in an LCR configuration. They also sell Hsu subwoofers through their website, so that's a bonus as well.

Ditto. Its a one stop shop!

Note: Ascends Acoustics does not sell Cables, TVs, Acoustic Panels, or Receivers.

SheepStar

 

[augerpro]

Duffman how do the 550s compare with the new 760s?

 

[timechaser]

Apologies - typed a message and then realised what what I said didnt make sense so deleted.

 

[Stone__Man]

thanks guys for all the replies, I appreciate it

About the Axiom's being brite or harsh. that is a concern I have, as i have heard this more then once. anyone else have experience with the axioms? be they m22, m60 or m80? I'd like to hear more about this from those that have/had them.

thanks for links 3db

braminator can u tell me what led you to your speaker setup?

Duffman-OOHYEAH, another comment of the axiom harshness on the high end

naisphoo, what say you to the axiom comments on the brite/harsh top end? do u find that yourself.

and lastly could said harshness be eq'd out/lessened in the axioms?

keep the input coming please, it IS appreciated , all of it.

Peace B)

 

[Steve42]

Definately consider the Ascend 340SE speakers plus the Hsu sub. For 5.1, it would run about $2100.
If you wanted a more capable sub for HT and music, you could get the Earthquake MKV-15 (do a search on MKV-15 and you will get plenty of info on it) with the 340SE speakers and still come in under $3000. If you prefer some type of bipole or dipole surround instead of the 340SE for surrounds use something like the Axiom surrounds. Or if you wanted a surround that also had soft dome tweeters like the Ascends, go for the Phase Technology V-surrounds, which are bipole/dipole switchable. But with the YPAO EQ, it will likely allow for a pretty good timbre match with most surrounds after EQ. You might also want to look at the rest of the Phase Tech. Velocity speaker line as a good option too.
If you can get 5 speakers for $1600 and then get the MKV-15 for $1400 as far as bass and the sub goes, you will be in heaven for both music and HT.

 

[braminator]

I have M & K s100bs that I wanted to try in my bedroom. So I looked long and hard within my budget, when I came across the MS's. Then I did research and found every professional review I could find. Based off of the reviews I bought them.
Today I finally got them all hooked upto a Pioneer Elite 56txi. All I can say now it WOW. Big difference in sound. The M & K's are very neutral. The MS's are colored slightly, but more to my likings then the M&K's.
I could not be happy.

 

[naisphoo]

thanks guys for all the replies, I appreciate it

About the Axiom's being brite or harsh. that is a concern I have, as i have heard this more then once. anyone else have experience with the axioms? be they m22, m60 or m80? I'd like to hear more about this from those that have/had them.

thanks for links 3db

braminator can u tell me what led you to your speaker setup?

Duffman-OOHYEAH, another comment of the axiom harshness on the high end

naisphoo, what say you to the axiom comments on the brite/harsh top end? do u find that yourself.

and lastly could said harshness be eq'd out/lessened in the axioms?

keep the input coming please, it IS appreciated , all of it.

Peace B)

well to tell you the thruth i don't find them (the axiom 80s ) brite or harsh. I had them for about a month now and i LOVE them. I demoed a few good speakers ( i don't want to name them as i don't want to start another war) and i like them best. My advice is to listen to every speaker that you are allowed to listen to and make a decision based on your listening. Your tastes might differ from mine. I think it would be wise to do so as it costs a lot of money and you'll be stuck with them for a while. Unless of course you're loaded like this guy who doesn't think spending 10 grands on a projector is a big deal. Anyhow have a good speakers hunting.

 

[Stone__Man]

Definately consider the Ascend 340SE speakers plus the Hsu sub. For 5.1, it would run about $2100.
If you wanted a more capable sub for HT and music, you could get the Earthquake MKV-15 (do a search on MKV-15 and you will get plenty of info on it) with the 340SE speakers and still come in under $3000. If you prefer some type of bipole or dipole surround instead of the 340SE for surrounds use something like the Axiom surrounds. Or if you wanted a surround that also had soft dome tweeters like the Ascends, go for the Phase Technology V-surrounds, which are bipole/dipole switchable. But with the YPAO EQ, it will likely allow for a pretty good timbre match with most surrounds after EQ. You might also want to look at the rest of the Phase Tech. Velocity speaker line as a good option too.
If you can get 5 speakers for $1600 and then get the MKV-15 for $1400 as far as bass and the sub goes, you will be in heaven for both music and HT.

I'll tell ya those look like an option. I'll look more into those. thanks

 

[Tomorrow]

Stone _Man,

I just ordered some ACI speakers, so I can't yet give a personal review (but I anxiously await them). I don't want this to come out as a fanboy recommendation, as any and all speakers are but one set of ears from being "Fabulous" or "Awful"...they are such subjective items.

Nevertheless, ACI speakers have been highly touted as wonderfully musical by the pro-reviewers and by some of our own trusted AH members (which is how my head got turned their way). They are in your budget ballpark and ACI even has a sale going on currently...which also includes free shipping. They are worth a look-see, IMHO.

http://www.audioc.com/

Good hunting.

 

[tenacious ender]

similar situation

I'm in a similar situation to you..

I already have a svs pc ultra and a 70inch sony wega..

I've selected to buy the yamaha 2600

and am looking at speakers.

I've narrowed it down to the rockets, Ascend, and axiom.

The research I've done so far indicates that the axioms sound a bit bright, the rockets are neutralish, and the Ascends are accurate but take this with a grain of salt.

happy hunting.

 

[Stone__Man]

Stone _Man,

I just ordered some ACI speakers, so I can't yet give a personal review (but I anxiously await them). I don't want this to come out as a fanboy recommendation, as any and all speakers are but one set of ears from being "Fabulous" or "Awful"...they are such subjective items.

Nevertheless, ACI speakers have been highly touted as wonderfully musical by the pro-reviewers and by some of our own trusted AH members (which is how my head got turned their way). They are in your budget ballpark and ACI even has a sale going on currently...which also includes free shipping. They are worth a look-see, IMHO.

http://www.audioc.com/

Good hunting.

this is interesting as I "glanced" at their site just yesterday. If you and everyone else for that matter could give model # and the like that would be great, as many makes have many models/lines to choose from and most of them don't show the price straight out. .that would be MOST helpful. Looking there again it appears they have some good sales going on. so what did u order? thanks. I liked a line of your reply so much I'm gonna use it as a siggy, if you mind I will remove it. Peace

tenacious enderthat is pretty much what I am seeing. thanks for reply

EDIT: I added the text sig w/ the quote and it shows in the editor as being my sig but it don't show here? hummm what gives?

 

[Tomorrow]

Hey, I never mind being quoted. It gives me the jigglies.. (whatever that means, lol). Did you click the "save signature" button? You might want to try again.

I ordered the Protege V's and Protege Center (in honey oak)...cuz that's all I can afford...the missus says it's WAY MORE than I can afford, heh heh... Ultimately, my plan is to set the Protege V's as surrounds, and add the Essence V's as new mains. The Protege Center is the largest CC that will fit in my cabinet. But the demon dollar shortage requires me to build to that system one step at a time. The probable next acquisition will be a new receiver...sooner than later, I hope. I'm thinking Denon 3805 or Yammy RX-V2500, used/refurbed. (I really want a Nad...but that will have to wait until my next life....born again as Nelson Rockefeller the Third.