----> Community Service Hours Served here for SPEAKER HELP!!!!!

[richabi]

I am sure many of you looked like that guy to the left after shopping for speakers for...umm, ya know, months.

I like solving my own problems but I have been losing a lot of sleep. As last resort, I reserve to ask you guys for your help.

alright so I am in the market for a home theater 5.1 I listen to 50/50 movies/music. I came to realize that HT is not a poor man's game so I am trying to budget myself and not blow all my last bonus check.

I don't know the exact dimensions of my room but it opens up to the dining and the kitchen (linear) I would say the actual listening area where we sit might be 300 sq feet. Tile with large rug, not too high of ceiling.

Despite the many good used AV receiver deals, I think I will get one of the new HDMI 2.0 Yamaha or Denon receivers.

The speakers I am looking at to keep it in a reasonable budget are:

Ascend CBM 170, 340s
Epos ELS-3
Q acoustics concept 20 or 2020i
Boston Acoustic A26
Chane Arx Ar1 (backordered till Aug/Sept)
Def Tech Studio Monitor 45
Dali Zensor 1 and 3

I know the Zenor 3, QA concept 20 and Ascend 340s are in a different price point so I would like to add Monitor Audio BX2 and Focal Chorus 705V, 706V and 806V to that tier. I figured I can stretch my budget on the CLR speakers since their more important.

I know I like as neutral/natural speakers as possible. Bright highs really hurt my head/ears. Monopole all the way around until I add 7.1 in which I would get dipole...or is it bipole? whichever ones push/pull.

Eyeing the BIC F12 Sub on sale for 200. so 300-350 would be my max (unless some $2000 sub is going for 500 on audiogon)

The focals I mentioned were found on clearance for $350 a pair for 705, $500 for the 706 and $600 for the 806 so they fall in my "reasonable" budget. Only problem I have is the center speaker is 350 for the 7 series and 500 for the 8 series. I just love the way they look and I know they are a great speaker to consider but according to WHAT HIFI they are not as good as the Dalis ..maybe even the Ascends?

I don't have any way of to audition these speakers since every store around me only carry a few more mainstream brands. Plus no store will have the acoustics I have at home. I also do not have the time nor the money to be buying several sets to audition then pay shipping to return.

I would ask you guys to please give me your opinions on the speakers listed and any other speaker recommendations. Again, I like neutral/natural sounding speakers. if it sways a little to the warm or the bright side that is fine, as long as the tweeters dont make my ears bleed while listening to Rock.

Any clearance sales or used sales you know of would greatly be appreciated.

Guys, thank you for helping a fellow human being from admitting himself to the psych ward

Much obliged

 

[j_garcia]

Pretty serious first post. Welcome

The Epos ELS-3 hasn't been made in quite a few years, so I presume you found some used? They're low sensitivity and 4 Ohm, so a little more demanding in a large room. The ARX AB1 has excellent midrange, but the highs could be better to my ears, though a solid contender - the mid quality exceeds that of the highs. The Ascends are on the brighter side of neutral, but seemed to do well with everything I threw at them, were good with rock IMO and would probably be my first choice (340SEs).

You could also get the Pioneer FS52 towers in your range easily, they're quite good with rock and don't require a ton of power. The BS22LR bookshelf is also surprisingly good for the size/price, and they're on the softer side of neutral. The BS22s might allow more budget toward the sub which would be a good thing IMO. Watch for 4th of July sales for these, you can get ridiculous deals on them usually around holidays.

 

[zieglj01]

What you feel is best for your ears is up to you?

However, I would still look at the HSU STF-2 subwoofer
STF-2 Subwoofer

The new Definitive SM speakers are a nice option - and 3 of the SM-45,
across the front with something like the HSU is a good option.

 

[j_garcia]

STF-2 is definitely going to be your best bet in the price range.

 

[agarwalro]

The Pioneer 5.1 setup with the FS52 and BS22 is a awesome price vs quality setup. Amazon has it for $500 shipped. The sub is not bad, but will hold the setup back. Replace it with the Bic or Hsu sub later.

Accessories4Less has the X1000 for $250 shipped.

I can't think of a better setup for $750 at today's prices. May be able to get things at better price on 4th July weekend.

Edit:
This is awesome, Amazon has the same Pioneer 5.1 setup without the sub for $400.

Or you can get the Pioneer 5.1 with the BS22 instead of the FS52. This set is $350 shipped. Unfortunately, I cannot see an option without the sub for this one.

 

[richabi]

Garcia, yeah, I like to trim the fat and get straight to the MEAT hahha thanks for the welcome. I'm glad to be apart of the community! You guys responded quickly and abundantly. Thank you guys very much.

That x1000 is a great receiver! That's a great deal. I have this...habit that I'd want the latest tech. Like HDMI 2.0 in my av receiver...I know I can't even use that until I buy a new tv years down the road plus the ps4 isn't 2.0. Samsung released firmware to update recent sets to handle hdmi 2..why can't we have firmware updates instead of new, expensive models? , My 2009 panny plasma would appreciate it...unless there is slight hardware changes with the current HDMI ports...

I might consider dropping the surround idea and do LCR and sub and use that money saved from surrounds for next tier front and bass. What u guys think? Looks like I'd have trouble mounting rears anyways.

Have you guys heard the q acoustics, Bostons or Dalis.and how they compare? Aren't bookshelves better for movies than towers? If I go the 3.1 route I'll get the HSU I'm eyeing, is the one a step above the fine unit y'all recommended. Don't recall the model but it's about 550$ and is hybrid technology.gets a low frequency too.
Technically I can spend 2 or 3 grand but that wouldn't be smart (includes price of kevlar vest bc my lady would use one of my guns to shoot me. Woman just understand why any speaker would be above 50 bucks).
Ultimately I'd be okay with spending 1200-1500 all said and done

Much obliged you guys!

 

[j_garcia]

Dropping to 3.1 is an excellent idea, especially since the front 3 and the sub are really the majority of the system. Surrounds are important too, but they can definitely wait. I am currently running 3.1 again after moving recently and no complaints except when I want to throw a big, dumb, loud fun action flick in (I do anyways, but surround just adds to the fun).

I've not heard the Dalis or Qs. Bostons I've heard plenty of, not sure of exact models. They're pretty neutral and always pleasing, just not something I've spent a lot of time with.

In the case of the Pioneers, the towers give you more midrange output than the bookshelf simply because of more drivers, but the bookshelf with a good sub was not disappointing to me in the least. I'm running the 52s by themselves full range and I'm honestly quite happy with them. Bookshelf speakers aren't necessarily better, it just comes down to the fact that usually for the same money, you can pick up a higher quality bookshelf compared to a tower and towers in this price range often have more compromises than those higher up in the financial food chain.

 

[richabi]

Good tips Garcia

So I was about to pull the trigger on ascend system with rythmitic sub but then I ran across a good deal on mirage omd 15 towers...would these be better for my surround speakers? I know omnidirectional lack imagine and can sound a bit flat in mids as main speakers but I can't help to think they'll be awesome placed as surrounds

What y'all think?