how would you spend 2k?

[jonnythan]

A receiver is an amp and a preamp in one unit.

An amplifier is just an amplifier. You input an analog signal and it amplifies it and puts it out the speaker terminals. There's no input switching, no bass management, no Dolby Digital decoding, none of that.

Many people opt to use separate amps, but in your price range a good receiver should be more than adequate, as it integrates the amplifier functions with the decoding, D/A conversion, input switching, processing, bass management, etc.

 

[Xsound]

If I am looking to jam now, and possibly go home theater later, I would want something that puts out the SPLs & is easy to drive. It would also need to be respectable for Home Theater later on. Even though the speakers aren't really my cup of tea, they would rock any party.

Klipsch RF-82 $998
Klipsch RC-62 $450
Hsu VTF3 mk3 $650
Pioneer VSX 1016 $370

The prices for the speakers are MSRP. They are an 8 ohm load & a sensitivity of 97-98 dB. The price for the receiver is online price from authorized dealers like onecall, JR, etc.

Get the center channel. It won't hurt at parties, and will help for watching movies now. Add the surrounds after you move out. When the format wars settle down, move the Pioneer receiver into the bedroom with the Hsu horns, the SVS monitors, or something similar for a bedroom system, and upgrade the main receiver.

there you go, 2 systems in 2 years & you Rock!

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

I would want something that puts out the SPLs & is easy to drive... It would also need to be respectable for Home Theater later on. They are an 8 ohm load & a sensitivity of 97-98 dB.

riiiiiiiiight

 

[jonnythan]

The sensitivity of a speaker is a measure of how many decibels it puts out per watt.

A sensitivity of 97dB means the speaker puts out 97dB with 1 watt of input. That's a lot. Since an increase of 3dB represents an apparent 2x volume increase, a speaker with a 97dB sensitivity will be twice as loud with the same input wattage as a speaker with a 94dB sensitivity. This generally isn't especially important when you have ample amplification driving the speakers, but it can be important if you want to play super loud and/or fill a large space

 

[Crackerballer]

Oh, right, translate. 8 ohm is the resistance of alot of speakers, some going lower into 4 and 2. Most receivers use the 8 ohm as their measure for power and require 8 ohm speakers for optimal performance.

I say ask around and see what people in your area have, and what you like. Pick your speakers (we can start you in the right direction) then come back to us and we can help you find something to drive them.

 

[no. 5]

A sensitivity of 97dB means the speaker puts out 97dB with 1 watt of input. That's a lot.

indeed that is a lot; front row at a rock concert will be around 120dB.
a normal conversation is around 60 - 70dB.

 

[flyboylr45]

If I were you I would buy Monitor Audio S2 for $449.00 from this website (http://saturdayaudio.com/), my Musical Fidelity A3.2 integrated amp that's on sale for $750, and that leaves you with $1300 for a subwoofer.!!!!!

 

[zumbo]

B&W 602's $600
http://www.listenup.com/servlet/UpdateEngine/?FUELAP_SITEDBID=SITE_-66&FUELAP_OP=FUELOP_NewScreen&PAGE_ID=LUPAGE_60134&DP_ID=LISTENUP_DP_20378267&SECTION_ID=LUPAGE_60134&FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=lu_product&

Yamaha 2500 or 659 as mentioned. $500

SVS PB-12 Plus $1149(shipped) in oak to match B&W's
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-plus1.cfm

$2249. A little left for shipping of speakers and receiver.

 

[no. 5]

B&W 602's, Monitor Audio S2's... for hip-hop?!?

 

[zumbo]

B&W 602's, Monitor Audio S2's... for hip-hop?!?

Either one. Two of the best speakers out there. Just because the music su(ks, doesn't mean the speakers have to.

 

[no. 5]

Just because the music su(ks, doesn't mean the speakers have to.

good point.

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

lol, hip hop is just for parties and stuff and to get the girls to dance, drink and make bad decisions , personally i like electronica, rock, metal, and pretty much everything but country

 

[zumbo]

$687.88 shipped
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4082104

$950.59 shipped
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28697

$500.00 Yamaha as a pre-pro

$359.24 shipped
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4082105

$2497.71 total. A little more or less with shipping on receiver.

Rap/Metal/electronica/dance only. System will be extremely loud.
(NOTE: Total of 3 15" woofers)

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

i dont think that'd be good for me because my music tastes vary a bunch and im not a big fan of rap, i think my favorite music is probably like electronica/dance, would the B&W 602s allow me to listen to a wider range of music?

 

[zumbo]

i dont think that'd be good for me because my music tastes vary a bunch and im not a big fan of rap, i think my favorite music is probably like electronica/dance, would the B&W 602s allow me to listen to a wider range of music?

Rap/techno/jungle/electronica/dance.

It's most all machines. Perfect for CV. CV is the ultimate party speaker. They are huge. They are loud. They are tough.

B&W 602's are a fine speaker. Not going to fill a room with loudness. They will sound great though. I honestly don't think they are the speaker of choice for this aplication. However, for 2k, the B&W system would be a smart buy. It wouldn't touch the CV system for a party system. No how, no way.

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

B&W 602's $600
http://www.listenup.com/servlet/UpdateEngine/?FUELAP_SITEDBID=SITE_-66&FUELAP_OP=FUELOP_NewScreen&PAGE_ID=LUPAGE_60134&DP_ID=LISTENUP_DP_20378267&SECTION_ID=LUPAGE_60134&FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=lu_product&

Yamaha 2500 or 659 as mentioned. $500

SVS PB-12 Plus $1149(shipped) in oak to match B&W's
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-plus1.cfm

$2249. A little left for shipping of speakers and receiver.

i kinda like this one, any other opinions on this setup? do you think it would be good for me to grab a center channel with this setup as well? also, what do you think about substituting the svs pb-12 for the svs 20-39 plus, i thought it looked cool and goes with my setup better because i have a silver/black tv with a tv stand thats painted a grayish color with glass shelves that matches the tv. the cylinder sub has a more modern look to it like the rest of my setup.

edit: also i have a ps3 that im hooking up to it with hdmi, so does my receiver need hdmi? or can i just connect the hdmi directly to the tv and just use optical audio to the receiver? is hdmi audio better than optical?

 

[no. 5]

Rap/techno/jungle/electronica/dance.

It's most all machines. Perfect for CV. CV is the ultimate party speaker. They are huge. They are loud. They are tough.

B&W 602's are a fine speaker. Not going to fill a room with loudness. They will sound great though. I honestly don't think they are the speaker of choice for this aplication. However, for 2k, the B&W system would be a smart buy. It wouldn't touch the CV system for a party system. No how, no way.

I agree, and thay arn't bad with other stuff too (heard Elton John at a freinds house over CV's, it sounded quite plesent).

 

[zumbo]

Link to black B&W
http://www.listenup.com/servlet/UpdateEngine/?FUELAP_SITEDBID=SITE_-66&FUELAP_OP=FUELOP_NewScreen&PAGE_ID=LUPAGE_60134&DP_ID=LISTENUP_DP_20378269&SECTION_ID=LUPAGE_60134&FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=lu_product&

I never look at the cyclinder subs. I have cats. They would make a scratch post out of them.

No cats, no problem.

Center speaker is for dialog in movies/tv. Also used in dvd-a, sacd, and dts audio. Depends on your plans for the system. The Yamaha will be capable.

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

Rap/techno/jungle/electronica/dance.

It's most all machines. Perfect for CV. CV is the ultimate party speaker. They are huge. They are loud. They are tough.

B&W 602's are a fine speaker. Not going to fill a room with loudness. They will sound great though. I honestly don't think they are the speaker of choice for this aplication. However, for 2k, the B&W system would be a smart buy. It wouldn't touch the CV system for a party system. No how, no way.

someone posted earlier that it doesn't make much sense to buy floorstanding speakers and a subwoofer cuz im paying for bass twice? also first and foremost this system is about good sound, watching movies and listening to reasonably loud music while im doing stuff around the apt...having a good party system is kind of a secondary thing im lookin for

 

[zumbo]

someone posted earlier that it doesn't make much sense to buy floorstanding speakers and a subwoofer cuz im paying for bass twice? also first and foremost this system is about good sound, watching movies and listening to reasonably loud music while im doing stuff around the apt...having a good party system is kind of a secondary thing im lookin for

You certainly don't want CV's in an apartment. I would also recommend a front firing sub. Not one firing in the floor, unless you are on the bottom floor.

There is a difference in floorstanders. I use them, but they have small drivers. The same size as the bookshelf speakers, but two mid-bass. They offer a little more extension(603). Either will work fine. There is a 602 floorstander as well.

http://www.listenup.com/servlet/UpdateEngine/?FUELAP_SITEDBID=SITE_-66&FUELAP_OP=FUELOP_NewScreen&PAGE_ID=LUPAGE_60134&DP_ID=LISTENUP_DP_20378251&SECTION_ID=LUPAGE_60134&FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=lu_product&

603 is more like what I use with a sub.
http://www.listenup.com/servlet/UpdateEngine/?FUELAP_SITEDBID=SITE_-66&FUELAP_OP=FUELOP_NewScreen&PAGE_ID=LUPAGE_60134&DP_ID=LISTENUP_DP_20378265&SECTION_ID=LUPAGE_60134&FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=lu_product&

I would start with the bookshelf speakers. Then, later, move them to the rear and replace with the 603"s and matching center.
http://www.listenup.com/servlet/UpdateEngine/?FUELAP_SITEDBID=SITE_-66&FUELAP_OP=FUELOP_NewScreen&PAGE_ID=LUPAGE_60134&DP_ID=LISTENUP_DP_20378257&SECTION_ID=LUPAGE_60134&FUELAP_TEMPLATENAME=lu_product&

Also, a local dealer for the B&W's would be best. Not sure about how listen-up sells through the net. They are an authorized dealer though. Wouldn't hurt to call.