First Home Theater setup

[Mikeman]

Hello all!

I'm interested in setting up a "home theater" for around 5 or 7k to start. It's not starting out as a true home theater because all I want is large "super" tower speakers with built-in subs so I can have a beefed up sound bar essentially. I have dealt with audio before and have built my own speakers and subwoofers for our living room, but now I want something in the basement. I want a airplay enabled receiver (denon, pioneer, I don't have a preference.), and nice tower speakers. This is what I have looked at so far. Please help as much as you can, because I'm am truly a home theater audiophyte!
Definitive technology ST towers: Mythos ST SuperTower | Definitive Technology®

Paradigm towers: Signature S8 - Welcome to the New Official Paradigm® Website.

Denon Receiver: DENON US)

I realize with these massive towers I will probably need an amp to power these massive things but I haven't looked super deep. I'm leaning towards the paradigm towers because they look a lot better than the definitive technology (IMHO), but if the definitive technology sounds a lot better I will gladly take those. Thanks for all the help in advance!

--Mike

 

[hizzaah]

When you're going to be dropping that kind of coin, I would recommend that you demo speakers before buying. Or seeing how they handle in house demos.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So DefTech & Paradigm are the ONLY 2 options?

My experience. I used to own the DefTech BP7000SC & BP7001SC. I've auditioned the Paradigm Studio 100 v3 at the dealer only.

It's not a fair comparison because the DefTech have built-in subs so they sound fuller to me. Just don't turn the sub too high or the midrange will sound muddy. The Paradigm lack bass so they don't sound as full w/o subs.

So in 2.0 mode, I would favor the DefTech.

Actually even in 2.1 mode I would still favor the DefTech. But that's my experience. I never heard the Paradigm in my room hooked up to my system & subs. I only heard the Paradigm at the dealer w/o any subs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would start w/ a Funk 18.0 unpowered sub for $2K delivered & a $300 Crown amp to power the sub. No tower will give you this kind of clean, tight, accurate bass with a max 2m ground outdoor output of 126dB from 10Hz-125Hz. No tower. Not even $30K towers.

Then get bookshelf/monitor or smaller towers with great midrange & treble because the sub will have great bass.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

For speakers I recommend the NHT Classic Three for $400 each x 5 speakers = $2K delivered.

These are accurate 3-way speakers w/ 0.75" tweeter, 2" midrange, & 6.5" woofer.

Amazon.com: NHT Classic Three Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Piano-Gloss Black, Single): Electronics

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Call Electronics Expo and see if they have any Denon 4311. They have sold them via phone to few members here for $1225 delivered brand new.

Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Denon AVR-4311CI 9.2 Channel Network Multi-Room Home Theater Receiver with HDMI 1.4a

 

[Mikeman]

Thanks for the replies everyone! The problem is I will need to transport this setup between our condo and home. At our condo I have no problem in fitting all the different speakers around the room but in the basement at home I really don't think my space is large Enough for a true 5.1 surround sound system. What should I do? I'm really open to absolutely anything, but I thought the towers would be my best choice for a beefed up "sound bar" type of system. Quick, easy, reliable, and nice sounding. I'm probably completely wrong, but that's why I'm here!