Entry Level Audiophile Quailty HT Setup

[jinjuku]

If you had only $2k max to put together an entire home theater system (I have the tv and blue ray already), what would you buy?


Thanks again to everyone for your ideas!

-Dan

I would start scouring Craigslist.

 

[jinjuku]

You are right on with those remarks. There are a myriad very good reasons why planar speakers have occupied such a small niche of the speaker market. A pity, because they are so beguiling.

However placement/room issues, beaming, low sensitivity, poor bass response and inability to produce concert hall levels for a lot of materiel, consign them to the interest label. However I can understand why they have a loyal following.

With you there. I know Quad ESL's are supposed to be awesome but I just have never been able to convince myself that I would be happy with them and my listening habits. Habits that involve, occasionally, really loud levels.

 

[jcl]

The center is the main issue with a maggie ht. I always got stuck there and changed course.

One suggestion that is made is to use a pair of mmgw flanking the screen. This would probably be the least expensive solution.

Magnepan now makes bass modules below the price point of the ccr stand:
DWM and DW 1 Woofers
I think the DWM is ~$800.

Prior to the bass modules I also thought of running just the center channel to a sub with high level inputs or hsu mbm, and running from there to the maggie center. Then run the avr crossover around 100 and run to a pair of subs.

Outlaw used to make a magnepan specific version of the icbm, but I think those are long discontinued.

 

[soundandfury]

I generally find people at first go round who are attracted to planar speakers are discriminating and highly intolerant of faults far too prevalent in the vast majority of speakers on offer.

So unfortunately the OP is going to have conflict between desires, preferences and budget.

I think you hit the nail on the head with these 2 sentiments. Those MMGs just grabbed me in a way other speakers don't. I am almost afraid to listen to the better Maggies because I think I will get more hooked!

As a sidebar, I need to start telling my wife I am "highly discriminating" she prefers the term "picky jerk.." and as expected, can't fathom my obsession with getting a good system!

Budget is going to have to prevail, so I will get back to the drawing board. Need to invest a few more Saturday afternoons in listening and more time looking for used stuff. It gets time-consuming as the audiophile stores are so much less prevalent than big box. Even the better large retailers are not set up ideally for listening.

I now have a better sense of the limitations of planars in an HT setup, so may be time find a good alternative or stay with 2.0.


Thanks again

-Dan

 

[TLS Guy]

I think you hit the nail on the head with these 2 sentiments. Those MMGs just grabbed me in a way other speakers don't. I am almost afraid to listen to the better Maggies because I think I will get more hooked!

As a sidebar, I need to start telling my wife I am "highly discriminating" she prefers the term "picky jerk.." and as expected, can't fathom my obsession with getting a good system!

Budget is going to have to prevail, so I will get back to the drawing board. Need to invest a few more Saturday afternoons in listening and more time looking for used stuff. It gets time-consuming as the audiophile stores are so much less prevalent than big box. Even the better large retailers are not set up ideally for listening.

I now have a better sense of the limitations of planars in an HT setup, so may be time find a good alternative or stay with 2.0.


Thanks again

-Dan

Glad would could help, if we indeed did, rather than confuse you.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The key is how any speakers sound in your room with your electronics.

If the dealer is willing to let you try those MMG in your house & return if they don't sound great in your room with your AVR and your placement (closer to wall), then I think you can give it a try.

Does the dealer have all those components you listed?

I don't like an 8" sub for $600, though.

I would get the Rythmik FV12 12" direct servo sub for $500.

 

[agarwalro]

If you're into DIY, make your own ESL speakers . All instructions here and they look something like this,

More pictures of Jazzmen's setup here.