Changing living room from 5.1 to 3.1 - Help!

[mockingboy]

Hello all-

Thanks in advance for your help. I live in NYC and have a small living room/dining room. I have had a 5.1 speaker setup but I think it just takes up too much space, too many wires, I rent so don't want to pay to hide stuff, and want to upgrade the quality of the speakers but have less of them.

Right now I have Infinity Primus P362s, P162 bookshelves, and the c350 center channel. My subwoofer is a mission sub that I majorly need to upgrade. I have a Denon AVR591 which I think is totally capable for what I need. I am also about to upgrade to a Panasonic ST50 55 incher.

The room is about 20 feet by 12 feet but the viewing area for TV is about 12 feet by 10 feet I think.

I am thinking about spending up to$4,000 all in (including the TV which is about 1,600) and am looking for ideas. The Primus floorspeakers are being sold and I am going to move the bookshelves into my bedroom.

Any thoughts on new speakers for a 3.1, a new subwoofer, and room setup? I would like to replicate surround sound feel as much as possible. I am 75% HD/blu ray movies, 25% music.

Love the forum, thanks in advance everyone.

-Mike

 

[kini]

So, $3,400 for a 3.1. That's a pretty nice budget. Kind of out of my pay grade though.

Are you looking to upgrade aesthetics as well?

I have not heard Mirage speakers but those that like them, really like them. It seems that they would make the best out of not having the surrounds.

Check them out a Vanns. 30 day trial. They look fantastic with real wood veneer. Hopefully others with more first hand knowledge will give you some help.

 

[j_garcia]

I am in the same boat. Moved to a 1br apartment from a house and went from 5.1 to 3.1 at the moment, and thinking I may stay that way. That is a good budget, so I'd say the most important thing is going to be to go listen and find some speakers that you like. You could also do wireless surrounds, something I am thinking of, but the placement of the surrounds is the issue, not the wires.

Take a look at these: Sierra-1 Bamboo Loudspeaker and their matching center. Then add a Rythmik Audio sub right from their site also, and you should be all set.

 

[mockingboy]

Thanks-

I am trying to figure out places in New York City to listen to some of these? Anyone have any recommendations?

-Mike

I am in the same boat. Moved to a 1br apartment from a house and went from 5.1 to 3.1 at the moment, and thinking I may stay that way. That is a good budget, so I'd say the most important thing is going to be to go listen and find some speakers that you like. You could also do wireless surrounds, something I am thinking of, but the placement of the surrounds is the issue, not the wires.

Take a look at these: Sierra-1 Bamboo Loudspeaker and their matching center. Then add a Rythmik Audio sub right from their site also, and you should be all set.

 

[slipperybidness]

Check out the Goldenear Triton Towers and matching 50C center. Pair of Triton 2 towers and center will run about $3500 (price on a pair of Triton 2s recently went up $500 since I bought mine). The Triton 3 pair is a bit smaller and a bit less expensive, check their website for details.

I have the Triton 2 in a 3.1 config with the 50C. Sounds great. The Tritons also have built in subs, so you can save money there. For music, the are excellent. For movies, they are good, but you may still want an outboard sub for gut-wrenching punch and to help smooth the response. However, if space is a problem, then built in subs definitely help you out there. You will need a power cord to each tower though.

May or may not fit your needs, but check them out. You may also look at the Definitive Technology ST line, they have built in subs too, but they don't have the awesome ribbon tweeters that the Goldenears do.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

here's an idea, don't get 2012 model ST50, but last year ST30 and save $600
(quality difference are very minor)
http://www.electronics-expo.com/panasonic-tc-p55st30

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks-

I am trying to figure out places in New York City to listen to some of these? Anyone have any recommendations?

-Mike

Mike, I'd like to +1 John's rec for Ascend speakers and Rythmic sub.
Unfortunately, neighbor I got tSc speakers which went of business few year ago and not as nice as Ascends are

You could ask around Ascend Acoustics Community - Powered by vBulletin community if any local owners would be interested giving a demo for you

 

[theJman]

I am thinking about spending up to$4,000 all in (including the TV which is about 1,600) and am looking for ideas.

So far it seems as though everyone is giving you suggestions for speakers around $3500, but based upon my math it seems as though it should be closer to $2500 instead...

 

[j_garcia]

So far it seems as though everyone is giving you suggestions for speakers around $3500, but based upon my math it seems as though it should be closer to $2500 instead...

The speakers I linked are $1258. Add a Rythmik F15 in black at $974 and the total is $2183, not including any applicable tax or shipping. Step down to an F12 in black and it drops another $100. OR go directly to Rythmik and get a FV12 for $500.

 

[zieglj01]

Look at Focal

806V
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/25529
800C
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/25799
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For towers

Focal 714V
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-4917-focal-chorus-714v-tower-speakers-pr.aspx
Focal 700V
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-4927-focal-cc700v-center-speaker.aspx

And the Rythmik sub, from above

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I recommend the Philharmonic 1 towers, matching Philharmonic center, and Rythmik FV12 sub.