Compact Hometheater

[RJC]

I've been out of hometheater now for about 3-4 years, sold everything except my Flatscreen. I am now thinking about building a hight quality, high powered Micro system for a small room (12x14) with the new AG Nucleus Micro SE's, B&W M1's, Definitive Technology Mythos Gem's, or Canton CD 120's. Subs I'm considering are the Velodyne Minivee 8", B&W PV1D, or the new MK x8. This project won't start till March/April so right now I'm just seeking advice or opinions as to which combination might work best. I'll do my own listening down the road although Anthony Gallo and MK Sound are almost impossible to find and audition.

 

[lsiberian]

I use the KEF 2000 series eggs for surround, but for a full setup you might look at the 3000 series. That said why not get normal speakers? A sb1000 isn't that big and would give you a lot mroe than the minivee

 

[zieglj01]

Look at the Focal Dome system
FOCAL DOME 5.1 MINI SPEAKER SYSTEM at Music Direct

 

[RJC]

I was considering a SVS SB13-Ultra but thought it might be too much for a room that size.

 

[zieglj01]

I was considering a SVS SB13-Ultra but thought it might be too much for a room that size.

It has volume control - however it is up to you, if you want
to spend that much money on a sub.

You can buy the Focal Dome satellites seperate - if you do
desire/decide to build around them.

 

[Adam]

I was considering a SVS SB13-Ultra but thought it might be too much for a room that size.

Volume-wise, it's probably more than you need - but as mentioned, you control the volume.

It's the quality of the bass and how low in frequency that matter to me. The newly released SB-2000 might be worth looking at. It's smaller and significantly lighter than the Ultra, but it has a very good frequency response. It doesn't have nearly as many amp adjustments as the Ultra (such as a dual parametric equalizer) to help smooth out in-room response, but getting that built into a sub isn't really worth an extra $900, IMO. I have an SB13-Ultra (it was a pre-production unit that was part of a contest here) and I love it, but that SB-2000 looks like a sweet unit for the price.

 

[RJC]

Thanks everyone for your input so far. Does anybody have any experience with AG Nucleus Micro SE's as compared to the other speakers I have mentioned. To audition them I would have to buy them so my interest is only based on reviews that I've read so far.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I find it laughable that Nucleus is spec'd down to 80hz - at -6db perhaps - and same goes for any tiny speakers - they don't have any bass period and you have take that into account now.
What I mean is three things:
a) you must get a sub which is very flat upto 200hz (like SB1000)
b) you must cross-over the speakers at 120hz (+/- 20hz)
c) you must plan on placing the sub in front of you to minimize bass localization issues (due to high crossover point)

 

[zieglj01]

The AG Nucleus is 82 db sensitive and has a -3db of 166 hz
I would also expect the AG Nucleus to sound Bright
Gallo Acoustics Nucleus Micro SE Speaker System Test Bench | Sound & Vision

The Focal Dome measures better with 84.5 db sensitive and -3 db at 131 hz
The Dome measures much better in the midrange and treble.
Focal Dôme Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Sound & Vision

 

[theJman]

Thanks everyone for your input so far. Does anybody have any experience with AG Nucleus Micro SE's as compared to the other speakers I have mentioned. To audition them I would have to buy them so my interest is only based on reviews that I've read so far.

The SE's I haven't heard, but the A'Diva Ti's I have. They offer more than you might think, but they will need to be crossed over at 100Hz or so. That could lead to a localization issue. That being said...

If you're looking for small speakers with good sound quality a few others you might want to consider are the KEF Q100 and Paradigm MelleniaOne.

 

[ImcLoud]

If I were building a mini system I would go new sb2000 from svs 14" sq pretty small, psb image mini b's and c for center.... then you can pick any of them little circle or cube things you desire... the image mini's osund amazing for a speaker 3 times their size...