Budget of 5,000k looking for new receiver and speakers

[MDS]

5 million dollars (5,000K) can get you anything you want.

 

[dobyblue]

Although I haven't personally auditioned it, from everything that I've read I would go with the AV123 MFW-15 subwoofer over any other sub that's less than $1,500.....and the MFW-15 is only $599.

 

[Soundman]

Although I haven't personally auditioned it, from everything that I've read I would go with the AV123 MFW-15 subwoofer over any other sub that's less than $1,500.....and the MFW-15 is only $599.

Are you referring to the dual MFW-15's? If so then that may be true, but 1 MFW?? Dual MFW's can hang with any other combo in the $1,500 price range, from what I hear, but a single MFW may not get you there.

 

[cfrizz]

No you have it exactly right, there is more involved than just loudness.

I think it is really important to actually listen to speakers before purchasing. Because of that I would never purchase them online.

I don't know how many audio stores you have around you, but you should definately get out there with some of your favorite music that you know really well & listen, listen, listen!

I personally don't like speakers with metal tweeters. But you might. My favorite speakers brands are Polk Audio & Dynaudio. But there are tons of others out there to check.

You have outlined a very sound plan, I suggest you stick to it.

I always thought that seperate power from an amp would provide cleaner power and give a better sound? That's what I've heard from a lot of people using the Emotiva amps. That is a lot of the reason why I want to utilize them. Am I wrong in this thinking?

 

[fredk]

Mizraw. Go listen to some speakers. See if there is anyone local to you where you can audition the M80 or the Rocket850s. Axiom has a forum on their site dedicated to auditioning.

They are both considered very good speakers, but have different characteristics. You may prefer one over the other (or one of the other speakers mentioned), but only YOU can decide which you like best.

Listen first. Worry about exact budget next.

Fred

 

[AVRat]

The Rockets are sold in pairs!

Rocket RS760(2)
Rocket RSC200(1)
Rocket RSS300(2)
Rocket RS250(2)
MFW-15(2)
Total price = 3644

 

[codexp3]

I love Paradigm speakers! In your price range try the Studio 60s. Paradigm dealers are told by Paradigm not to discount. I recently bought the s8v2 which retail for 7200 for 7200. I later found a shop that would sell them for 6600, but it was too late. I almost went with Revel f52s as the dealer was willing to discount the 6900 retail to 4800. I could not find a speaker under 10k that sounded (in my opinion) better than ‘digms.

It’s very hard to stick to a budget. I hope you have better luck than I did! My budget for everything, speakers, room tx, and electronics was 10k. My speakers alone ended eclipsing my budget. My advice: if you want to spend
5k on speakers don’t listen to 10k speakers. I really liked the studio line. If I hadn’t listened to the signature line they’d be sitting in my theater room.

 

[Midcow2]

Maybe so but everyone else recommneds SVS or Hsu

Although I haven't personally auditioned it, from everything that I've read I would go with the AV123 MFW-15 subwoofer over any other sub that's less than $1,500.....and the MFW-15 is only $599.

The major reocommended barnds in the $400 - $1600 range are SVS and Hsu.

Av123 makes some good products. However for subwoofers go with SVS or Hsu

Here are two links:

Unless you want to spend $3,400 on the JL Audio FATHOm f133, then the SVS PB13-Ultra is probably the best subwoofer fro the price, depnding on finish reatail=$1,399-$1,699 see : http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box.cfm

Also a little less expensive but ecellent are the Hsu subwoofers. see: http://www.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html


You not be happy long-term with Av123 subs

 

[TheFactor]

I love Paradigm speakers! In your price range try the Studio 60s. "I agree I really like my 60's and they fit perfect in my budget and so much bang for the buck. The best sounding speakers i've ever owned."

 

[bandphan]

if they are shipping, the AV123 MFW-15 Duals imo are a great value. The top of the line ascends for a 7.0 would be just a hair over 3k shipped, and a slight step down would be just over 2k, however id heed to the recomendations of auditioning as many as you can.

 

[bandphan]

Are you referring to the dual MFW-15's? If so then that may be true, but 1 MFW?? Dual MFW's can hang with any other combo in the $1,500 price range, from what I hear, but a single MFW may not get you there.

the single mfw scored the same as the jl113 on cs rankings, 103

 

[shokhead]

Denon 3808-$1099
HSU/VTF-3 MK3 sub-$729 shipped
B&W 684 around $1200
BZ&W surrounds and center around $1200
$4300 give or take a few bucks.

 

[Mizraw]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their opinions regarding what I should choose.

I went ahead and placed the following order with AV123. My speakers will ship in July. I believe close to the 15th.

Mains - RS850
Center - RSC200
Rear - RS450
Subwoofer - Dual MFW-15's
shipping was only 75 bucks for everything!!! Can you believe that? I have to get to work now, painting and getting my room ready.

Purchased the following from Emotiva.

Amp - LPA-1 purchased today
Pre/Pro - UMC -1 - pre-ordered and purchased whenever it comes out

I basically copied Soundman's setup except for the UMC-1 because I wanted the latest codecs for HD. Can't wait to post pics!

 

[Pyrrho]

I always thought that seperate power from an amp would provide cleaner power and give a better sound? That's what I've heard from a lot of people using the Emotiva amps. That is a lot of the reason why I want to utilize them. Am I wrong in this thinking?

Yes, you are wrong in thinking that. If you need the power, it matters, but if you don't need it, it does not matter. Having the capability to drive low impedances only matters if you actually drive low impedances, and having high power only matters if you actually use high power. Otherwise, you are paying for something you are not using and therefore cannot possibly matter.

If you need the ability to drive low impedance speakers, then the better amplification can matter more than just for sound quality. Too low of an impedance can destroy an amplifier, particularly if you try to run it at high volume.

If i do select a receiver what would be the best one that utilizes 1080p upconversion along with DOLBYHD And DTSHD?

As far as subwoofers go would you go with my HSU selection or the AV123 or the new emotiva system?

I think I'm going to hold off on the treatment and try to spend more to get some kick *** speakers. What are the thoughts on intermixing different speaker brands? Say get two Definitive front towers along with a paradigm center? Or axiom m80s with paradigm center/Definitive center?

I'm in the process of building the room now so I will start to post pics when I finally make headroom.

I would not mix speaker brands, especially across the front. You want all three front speakers to have exactly the same tonal qualities, otherwise, when a sound pans across the front, it changes tone for the middle speaker, which is not good. Ideally, you will use exactly the same model of speaker for the center, but for many people, this is not practical, due to placement restrictions in the center. For the rest of the speakers, it matters less, primarily because your hearing out the back of your head isn't as good as out the front of your head. I, however, use identical speakers all around, and never plan on going back to any other way.

 

[Paul_A/V]

Emotiva's upcoming UMC-1 is to be $699. I would pair that with an XPA-5. I own the MMC-1 & MPS-2 and love them. I had some problems with amp module insertion on the MPS-2 but Emotiva responded quickly to fix my problem. The MMC-1 is a great current generatio pre/pro.

 

[dobyblue]

The major reocommended barnds in the $400 - $1600 range are SVS and Hsu.
Av123 makes some good products. However for subwoofers go with SVS or Hsu
Here are two links:
Unless you want to spend $3,400 on the JL Audio FATHOm f133, then the SVS PB13-Ultra is probably the best subwoofer fro the price, depnding on finish reatail=$1,399-$1,699 see : http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box.cfm
Also a little less expensive but ecellent are the Hsu subwoofers. see: http://www.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html
You not be happy long-term with Av123 subs

According to the most recent reviews from the craigsub guys, you may be VERY happy long-term with the AV123 subs and they outperformed all the Hsu and SVS subs in that price range, and several hundred bucks more.

There's no doubt that you're getting great products with SVS and Hsu, but that doesn't mean they're going to be top dog forever. With Elemental Designs, Epik and AV123's MFW-15 there are plenty of reasons to consider subs from other manufacturers.

Elemental Designs A7-900 ($2200 ID/SI): 116 points (63-53)
Epik Conquest ($1599 ID): 112 points (60-52)
SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)
Epik Castle ($999 ID): 109 points (59-50)
AV123 MFW-15 Duals: 109 points (56-53) (note, duals were tested as duals are offered as a package)
Creative Sounds Dual SDX-15 driver + Behringer EP-2500 Amp + Behringer DEQ2496 ($1630 ID): 105 points (57-48)
JL Audio Fathom 113 ($3500 BM): 103 points (53-50)
AV123 MFW-15 ($599 ID): 103 points (53-50)
Def Tech Trinity ($3000 BM): 102 points (54-48)
Velodyne DD-18 ($5000 BM): 100 points (50-50)
ACI Maestro ($2400 ID): 97 points (47-50)
eD A5-350 ($715 ID/SI): 96 points (50-46)
JL Audio Fathom 112 ($2600 BM): 95 points (45-50)
Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo ($999 ID): 94 points (47-47)
Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo ($899 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III + Turbo ($799 ID): 92 points (45-47)
VMPS VSS ($1650 BM and ID): 92 points (45-47)
Epik Valor ($549 ID): 91 points (44-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III w/o Turbo ($699 ID): 91 points (45-46)
SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points (47-43)
Axiom EP-500 ($1230 ID/SI): 90 points (43-47)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III + Turbo ($599 ID): 88 points (42-46)
SVS PB12-Plus/2 ($1299 ID): 87 points (47-40)
SVS PB12-NSD ($599 ID): 86 points (43-43)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III w/o Turbo ($499 ID): 86 points (40-46)
Rocket UFW-12 ($999 ID): 85 points (provisional) (35-50)
Elemental Designs A2-300 ($350 ID/SI): 83 points (44-39)
SVS PB10-NSD ($429 ID): 83 points (43-40)
Dana Audio 600 ($869 ID): 83 points (36-47)
Rocket X-Sub ($199 ID): 78 points (34-44)
BIC H-100 ($229 eBay): 78 points (40-38)

Do you see all those Hsu and SVS subs that they marked lower than the MFW?

Testing environments:

All listening us done under blind conditions. The panel of listeners include several very experienced audiophiles, some of whom also design and build high end pro audio speakers. The subwoofers were each placed in the identical room position, and eq'ed to have a fairly flat (3 dB window) response curve from 18 Hz and up, when the subwoofer was able to go that "low".

Measuring procedures: All measurements are taken at 2 meters/GP from the front baffle of a subwoofer. In the case of a ported sub, the microphone is placed so it is 2 meters from the center of the driver(s) and port. The posted measured results are max "clean" 20 Hz output and the average from 20 to 63 Hz. If it seemed like the amp was the limiting factor in output, "AL" is added to the 20 Hz SPL.

Are you referring to the dual MFW-15's? If so then that may be true, but 1 MFW?? Dual MFW's can hang with any other combo in the $1,500 price range, from what I hear, but a single MFW may not get you there.

Sure the duals will get you into the upper echelon of sub performance, but when you're getting higher scores than all but subs like the PB-13 Ultra, Epik Conquest and the eD top sub, you're definitely doing something right.

Plus that sub is $599 and it's outperforming the JL-Fathom 112 and Velodyne DD-18.

 

[Midcow2]

SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)

From the list of testing I plan to get a SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)

Right now I have 4 subs, one separate which I will replace, an older Def Tech ProSub100 and the other three subs I will keep because they are in each 7002 tower and the CLR3000 center.

 

[bandphan]

From the list of testing I plan to get a SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)

Right now I have 4 subs, one separate which I will replace, an older Def Tech ProSub100 and the other three subs I will keep because they are in each 7002 tower and the CLR3000 center.

LMAO, well at least you will finally get 1 sub

 

[dobyblue]

I've been thinking about selling my Servo 15v2 from Paradigm, I'm sure I could get around $1750 for it as it's in excellent condition, and picking up the MFW15 duals, which would put me up around $800 which could go towards a new receiver.

But, I absolutely LOVE listening to music with the Servo 15v2 and if you're totally satisfied with the sub you have, isn't that a goal? I don't have upgradeitis at all with the Servo, I just have money issues, ha, ha.