Heart and mind saying different thing

[calnbs]

Been reading this forum and AVS for the past 1.5 years and still confuse as ever to what I want. My heart says, go a little more on the $$$ but my mind says go affordable and buy more.

In the middle of trying to build a "Whole" HT. I have nothing yet because I am so undecided but I need the TV, receiver, and speakers. I am leaning heavily (90%) on a 720p Projector right now...If not, I am going towards LED Samsung 1080 DLP. Receiver will be Onkyo 805 ($900) or above. The use will be 50/50 on music and HT.

Here's my problem: I don't want to over spend my money. If I wasn't spending on the TV and Receiver, I would go more on Speakers but good speakers without receiver and tv is....well you get the picture.

They say, go cheap on receivers cuz technology changes too quickly (I know, I spend $2k every 2 years to upgrade my computer, MMORPG addict). Spend the bulk of money on Speakers.

Options: Wants: 7.1 Surround but might go 5.1 to cut budget.

1) Aperion 633 set, Rockets, Swans (both on sale, about to pull the trigger other day but some how I didn't).

1b.) go 5.1 instead of 7.1. on the Rockets (850, 450, 200) $1,800.


2) Go "bang for the buck" speakers (7.1) BIC Accoustich or BIC Venturi $1,000 and have money left over to get the TV and Receiver.

3) Go with the SVS 7.1 set for $1,300. (I just don't like bookshelf, but no reason.)

4.) Should I cut cost with the Receiver and go with the better Speaker, if so, which one?

Ideally if I go cheap:

Optoma HD70/Benq W500, Onkyo 805, and BIC Accoustich (7.1)

Middle:

Marantz vp4001/or other 2 PJ, Onkyo 805, and 5.1 Rockets, and build more later.

The 3 720p Projectors, Onkyo 805, SVS 7.1 set

High:

Samsung 6189 DLP LED, Onkyo 875, 7.1 Rockets or Aperion and eat Raman noodles for years to come.

I know its long and everyone asks the same old crap just in different ways but if you guys can give me any insight, I would greatly appreciated. I want to go "with bang for the buck" BICs but affraid I might not be satisfied. If I go with the Rockets or Aperions, I might not see the rewards enough to spend that much on speakers alone. Either way, the Speakers will definately set me in "motion" to where I want to go. Thank you.

 

[mazersteven]

Does it have to be everything at once?

I would also look at the fact at what is on sale. Some of the items you listed you can get anytime at that price. Some others you only have a limited time to take advantage.

 

[jinjuku]

Why a $900 receiver when a $450 receiver will do? You don't have to get $400/ pair surrounds it you aren't going to be listening to DVD Audio (Dolby/DTS). Everything will play through your front speakers.

There are maybe some brands you aren't considering also:
Cambridge Sound Works and Elemental Design.

As an example, My business partner is doing a surround system, we are putting in-wall ins for the 7.1 that cost around $70 per for a 2 way with a 6.5 woofer. Looking at a bunch of options for the front l/c/r though. It's all about where you put your money. Looking at the Onkyo 605. Does everything most could want and it's under $500.

 

[Rickster71]

If I go with the Rockets or Aperions, I might not see the rewards enough to spend that much on speakers alone. Either way, the Speakers will definately set me in "motion" to where I want to go. Thank you.

Welcome calnbs,
Have you auditioned all the speaker you've mentioned; hopefully side by side?
Go with what sounds best to you.
IMHO If you go with a certain speaker, primarily for price, you'll be disappointed in the long run.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Ignore both your heart and your mind. Go with what your ears tell you.

 

[rnatalli]

Bitterness remains with a poor quality product long after the sweetness of a low price fades.

Listen to you heart and go with what you really want.

 

[Soundman]

Bitterness remains with a poor quality product long after the sweetness of a low price fades.

Listen to you heart and go with what you really want.

I agree! Go with what you really want and you wont be disappointed later. As far as the receiver goes, I would figure out what speaker you want first, then make sure your receiver can safely drive it. If you end up with a speaker that's harder to drive and a cheap receiver, even if you can drive the speakers, you'll never get them to sound like they could. I'm not saying spend a fortune on the receiver, just make sure that say for example the speaker is rated at 4ohm's, that the receiver is rated for that kind of load as well. Also, don't let a difficult load rule out a particular speaker. You might really like that speakers sound, and passing on it might be passing on that match made in heaven, so to speak. If necessary, just buy the fronts and add the surrounds later and you will be really happy and not regret it. I can understand what you may be experiencing. Currently, I'm running my Emotiva pre/pro combo off of some cheap speakers, untill I get something better. I'm getting things a little at a time so I make sure I'm happy with my purchases. If you just take your time, you'll figure it out.

 

[calnbs]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Unfortunately, at this time I haven't tested any of them. I have only been doing lots of reading....in the hundreds of hours. Do to the fact that alot of these speakers are not easily found around locally. Yeah, I know about their trial offer but damn, its a lot of headaches sending them back too.

Yeah, it seems like I am going to get it all sometime between now and black friday....just wondering what the prices will be on Black Friday. LOL.
Too bad, the Rocket deals won't last too much longer. That is what's eating me up. I don't want to miss that opportunity with them but I feel like maybe even BIC might be able to satisfied me so why waste the extra money. If I know for sure BIC can't than maybe it would have been easier to pull the trigger on Rockets. I feel they are a great deal but is BIC still the better deal for the dollar? Seems like BIC owners are just as extremely happy with their speakers as Rocket owners or Aperions'. That I guess is the reason why its so damn difficult without try the speakers first.

How are book shelf such as the SVS compare to tower speakers? Are the quality good enough for music and HT? Thanks.

 

[MDS]

Seems like BIC owners are just as extremely happy with their speakers as Rocket owners or Aperions'. That I guess is the reason why its so damn difficult without try the speakers first.

I know everyone says you have to audition, audition, audition but you are right that it is extremely difficult. You won't really know how you like any particular speaker until you get it home and live with it for a long time and have had the chance to do other things to improve the sound like room treatments.

Another thing is that your ears will adjust. I thought the Klipsch computer speakers I bought lived up to their reputation as being 'bright'. After a week or so I thought they sounded great. Only after you've had speakers for quite some time will you start to notice things that you think aren't quite right...and that will lead to the never-ending upgradeitis as you constantly strive for 'better'.

I've had my JBL speakers for ten years and for the most part I think they are just fine. Others think they are too 'mass market' and much better can be had. I don't doubt that but it is a major hassle to audition speakers in a showroom to find something that sounds good to you and also meets other requirements for size, finish, and cost.

 

[calnbs]

So for the sake of comparison, I went to BB and tested the Klipsch Ref. since I was interested in BIC Acoustech. Anyway I came away disappointed in the Klipsch. The "highs" were simply too high for my tastes. Talk about a bright speakers, I don't think I can enjoy music after 15 minutes. BIC owners were saying that the Acoustech doesn't sound as bright as Klipsch. So is there any Accoustech owners still around in this forum who still enjoys their speakers?

Next I tested the Def Tech. and I wasn't impress with them at all either. If thousand dollars set speakers sounded like these two then I might as well stick with low ends and save me the bitter taste of disappointment. I am beginning to wonder if Rockets and Aperions will leave a bitter taste too. Hard to say when I am such a noob in this field with so limited testing under my belt.

LMAO at Accousticsounddesign.com reps. I come from a sales background and let me say that their reps are either the dumbest or crappiest sales rep ever. I went to their website and click on the "EXPERT" link and email them about information concerning their products. They gave me a 4 word answer. LOL. I don't know how they even make a sale with that kind of services or should I say lack of service. The most important part in sales is educating a new client about a product.

 

[rnatalli]

Klipsch sound is love or hate so at least now you know you don't like overly bright speakers. BB also carries Mirage which are complete opposites of Klipsch. Did you give those a listen? What didn't you like about the DefTech's specifically?

 

[highfihoney]

I didnt read the entire thread because im not reccomending anything,what i will say is dont try to get off as cheaply as possible,buy what makes you happy & buy what you want the 1st time around,settling for something that is not your 1st choice will leave you unhappy in the long run & you'll always wonder what you coulda had.

If you can afford to drop $2,000 every other year upgrading your pc then money obviously isnt a huge issue so i say go for the good stuff & get it over with.

 

[Ryan8886]

There's also a new line of Athenas using drivers similar to those in the Energy line (Athena, Energy and Mirage all owned by API). Granted, API was recently bought out by Klipsch, but there's been no change to their sound I've heard of. Very different sound from Klipsch. As stated earlier, you either love their sound or hate it. I heard some in a BB when i was shopping and, like yo, found them almost painful to listen to. The older Athena AS-F2's are noted for being a tad bright, however I've never found them harsh. Have not had the chance to listen to the new line though. Think the new one's are pricing closer to $600 a pair. Check http://audioadvisor.com

 

[calnbs]

Klipsch sound is love or hate so at least now you know you don't like overly bright speakers. BB also carries Mirage which are complete opposites of Klipsch. Did you give those a listen? What didn't you like about the DefTech's specifically?

The Def. Tech didn't "Wow" me for the money they were price. If they were under $1k for the 5.1 than I guess I would be ok with it. The higher a price of an item, the higher my expectation is. As for Music, Def. Tech was good (but not enough for me to buy) but fell short on my "idea" of what a HT should sound like. I guess I am looking for something that sound soo goooooood that will make me pee in my pants as soon as the music comes on (of course, within my budget). LOL.

 

[rnatalli]

Did you feel the DefTech's were too laid back?

 

[WayneC]

About the speakers...Regardless of if you go local store or internet-direct, if you have room on the plastic, you may want to get 2-3 different sets of speakers and try them out at home. How the speakers sound in your house, could be very different than how they sound in the store.
Make sure whoever you deal with has a good return policy, and that you won't get hit by restocking fees. If you go Internet-direct, you might have to pay to ship them back, but the cost might be worth the risk to get what you want. Ultimately, that's the most important thing, get what sounds good to you and what you will be happy listening to for the next X number of years. It can be a tough call to make.. how much to spend, and what components to spend it on, but that's part of the fun. You may want to buy in stages, like the display now, and the AVR and speakers later.. or the reverse.

 

[calnbs]

What are your guys thoughts on mixing the speaker brands. The 3 fronts will be one brand and the back and surrounding another brand? Just looking for options.

I didn't think trying to build an excellent HT without sacraficing music quality would be this complicated.

 

[jcPanny]

Budget HT option

Check out this promotion from AV123 for an X-series system w/ electronics for $1k. Spend a couple hundred more to upgrade the sub and the mains to floorstanders and you will have a very nice HT system.
http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=24756

Also, there are plenty of great receiver options in the $4-600 range with a couple of HDMI inputs. Get one like the Yamaha RX-V661 with pre-amp outputs so you can add more power later if you feel compelled to upgrade. When you get over $1k, most receivers just add better video scaling, networking, and multizone features. I'd recommend buying an HD source like HD-DVD or BluRay before spending $2k for a receiver with a really good video scaler.

If you want to pull the trigger on some expensive speakers like the Rockets, you can start with 2.1 or 3.1 and add the surround channels later.

 

[calnbs]

I was trying to go the low budget way first but it seems that BIC dealers are the worst or dumbest sales people in the world. After continously contacting them, I am no longer interested in BIC. They can't sell a drowning man a life jacket. Being in sales for many, many years I expect a better pitch from them. Or atleast a better "reason" why I should buy from them.

Rockets are currently sold out but I can still get the deal if I buy NOW and they ship later...like end of December later. Not sure if I feel comfortable with them taking my money soo damn early and not have the product ship. If they collect when they ship, I would have no problem but because Credit Cards only let someone dispute charges within a limited time only. The risk is high on my part. I know they have exceptional customer services but I can't bank on that. What about if it gets lost, damage and I can no longer dispute the charges? Hard to swallow $2K if I am not satisfied.

Aperion seems to be the way to go because they are in stock and free shipping. Either, it comes down to these two speakers now...Rockets and Aperion...but Aperion have the upper hand based on above statements. Thanks to everyone who have put their insights and opinions in. Deeply appreciated.

 

[Martiad3]

Well, FYI, when I bought my x-series setup from AV123 I wasn't billed until it shipped. And if you're really worried, just shoot an e-mail asking about it to one of their reps and you'll probably have a response within a day.

Good luck with your setup, it's a great feeling to be finished with your HT (at least until you feel like upgrading again)!