EMP Speaker Alternative Help

[itschris]

I've been helping my buddy with setup his system during his new construction. He's at the point of being ready to order speakers. I convinced him to at least spend the money for EMP's (center, bookshelf L/R, Sub, and in-ceiling). Of course now, some of the speakers are either discontinued or not available.

We're not going to mess around with all that. He wants to order speaker this week. He has a built-in that spans the width of the wall so bookshelf speaker are the ticket for his setup (and it's what he and his wife can compromise on). He also has cutouts for the in-ceilings... these would need to match driver-wise with the rest of it all.

Where else should we be lookin for similar price range and performance?

 

[j_garcia]

Built in would suggest a need for sealed or front ported speakers, so those would get first priority in my book.

Looks like the Aperion Intimus line are on sale right now and IIRC, they are sealed:

Aperion Intimus Speakers | Aperion Audio

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Five of these and SVS sub
HVL-1 Two-Way Loudspeaker | Wave Crest Audio

 

[zieglj01]

Built in would suggest a need for sealed or front ported speakers, so those would get first priority in my book.

Looks like the Aperion Intimus line are on sale right now and IIRC, they are sealed:

Aperion Intimus Speakers | Aperion Audio

I looked at the specs - the 4B is sealed and 5B is ported

 

[zieglj01]

What is the max budget - and can he do 3 bookshelf speakers across the front,
and use 1 as a vertical center?

 

[itschris]

Thanks guys. Asperion was on my radar, but I was thinking they were much more expensive. He's been trying to keep in the $1500 range. They have the in-ceiling speakers to match as well.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How big is the room, listening distance?

I'm thinking Infinity, JBL, NHT.

For example, I like the NHT Absolute Zero (listening window +/-0.9dB) when it is on sale for $175 each.

Get NHT Absolute Zero x 3 for the front 3. NHT also has in-walls for surrounds.

 

[ReUpRo]

Affordable Accuracy Monitor and Center (modified Pioneer BS22 and CS22), for LCR. http://philharmonicaudio.com/folio-me/html/Phil Pages/AALS.html

Monoprice in ceiling speakers since these really don't need to be timber matched with LCR.

SVS PB2000, 'nuf said!

Denon AVR X2000 for receiver under $500 or Onkyo NR818 at $700 for lowest price entry to Audyssey XT32. I'm looking at prices on Accessories 4 Less. You can see my writeup on the NR818 in the reviews section.

 

[j_garcia]

AAL is rear ported, however I've had the BS22s within a few inches of the wall and they don't seem to get too boomy.

NHTs would have been my other recommendation as they are sealed also.

I looked at the specs - the 4B is sealed and 5B is ported

That's what I thought too, but the pics don't show the back and that would mean they are rear ported. 4C and 5C are also sealed.

 

[itschris]

He just bought the Asperions. He's not one of us. He really doesn't care much. It was a major feat to get him beyond buying two Bose speakers. I had to bring him to my house so I could demo a few movies... Pacific Rim, Star Trek Into Darkness and some good music... Dire Straights and a couple of Telarc discs. He bought into the theory but just doesn't want it to be a big deal. He asked me if I thought they were okay... I said yes, but we may want to look a bit and he just said DONE and ordered them.

 

[zieglj01]

He just bought the Asperions. He's not one of us. He really doesn't care much.

It seems like he was in a hurry - however, the Aperion will be fine - they have good customer support.

 

[j_garcia]

It seems like he was in a hurry - however, the Aperion will be fine - they have good customer support.

30 day in home trial if he doesn't like them I'm sure they will be fine too, and those are pretty good sale prices.

 

[itschris]

He has one of those Bose things that sits in his family room. This is going to be a major step up for him. He's anxious to watch movies in surround so just having a sub will likely blow him away.

We looking at receivers now. The one thing he really needs is a true zone two. We have outdoor speakers already. A likely scenario would be the kids watching a movie inside while the adults are outside on the lanai. Airplay is also so a good thing. His budget is about $400-ish. There's a quite a few to choose from.