HT and Hi-Fi speaker system recommendations

[Joshr]

Hi all...I'm new here...and not terribly knowledgeable about this stuff so hoping to find some guidance in lay-person lingo.

I am gearing up to buy a HT and Hi-Fi system. The requirements given the room dimensions is one factor I need guidance on. It's a loft style apt. in NYC with open Kitchen, dining area and LR...so even though the LR area where the TV and speakers will be is medium size--about 20' x 17'--the whole open area is about 38' x 17', and the ceilings are quite high (~12'). I don't have a good sense of what kind of power/speakers I need for that room size/configuration. I am thinking a typical 5.1 arrangement, and I assume I will want floorstanding speakers for the fronts? Or are good bookshelfs a possibility for fronts in a room that size?

If the speaker budget for fronts, rears, center channel and subwoofer were, say, $3K, what would you buy? How much improvement do I get if I go up to $4K?

I'm interested in specific product recommendations but also just in guidance about power specs I should be looking for given the room size. I don't need earth shattering power/sound at all, but I do want a system that will fill the room well and not sound weak/tinny.

Other potentially relevant factors: I listen primarily to Jazz. I'm not concerned that explosions in movies rock my world...just want rich, clear sound. The TV will be a 42" Plasma.

OK, have at it folks...design my system!

 

[Leprkon]

does the $ 3 - 4 K include the receiver and DVD player ?

 

[Joshr]

No, let's start with $3K-$4K as speakers only.

 

[Leprkon]

see what you think about this. note that the mains are 4 ohm speakers, and may not match up with certain receivers, or you may need an external amp to get the most out of them.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic80_500main.html

this set with a quality sub from SVS or Outlaw Audio would be decent and have high WAF

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=11.1

you can also go to www.accessories4less.com and look at putting together a package from Canton Speakers

other good sources are the psb and mbquart (also 4 ohm) speakers from www.yawaonline.com, energy speakers, and paradigms (not available online)

 

[zumbo]

I spent 3k.

I have four of these: MB Quart QLS 830

One of these: MB Quart QLS 330

And one of these: NHT SW12

All speakers are running off of an Adcom 7605 5-channel amp that is 2ohm stable. I caught all of the speakers on sale at Yawa. If you want more of a tighter kind of bass, I would go with a 10". Also, there is no need for the floorstanders in the rear. I just did it that way because they were on sale. You can ignore the prices. Call and ask if they will give you a package deal. They will!

Other options include brands like B&W , Monitor Audio , Paradigm , and Energy .

 

[zumbo]

Audioholics $3100 speaker system here. It's 7.1

 

[jaxvon]

If you're in the city, I'm sure there are plenty of hi-fi shops around. Like many others have said, and will continue to say, go and listen for yourself! Brands you might want to check out:

B&W
Paradigm
Monitor Audio
PSB
Energy

Take along a small stack of your favorite tunes and go have a good listen. Make sure to kindly ignore the salesman if he starts spouting cable voodoo, but aside from that, enjoy yourself! If you tell the salesman what you're looking for and the price range you're looking at (tell them lower), they should be able to get a system set up for you to listen to.

PS: Avoid Bose like the Plauge!

 

[lynn2c]

happy with psb

my room is 30 x 18 with lower ceilings.
I'm running PSB Image speakers, 6t for the front, 9c (center) 10s (side surround), and 4t's for the rear. The older image line can still be found by searching on the net for very resonable prices. The newer Image line would still keep you under budget. I listened to alot of speakers before I bought, and these seemed to give me the best sound for my budget. Great for music.
The 6t's put out enough bass, that I turn my subs off when listening to just music. With movies, they just shake the house, although I'm sure the dual subs help with that
My only complaint would be the highs can get alittle grainy at high volumes.

If your buget allows, check out the stratus golds. I'm saving for a pair now.

 

[Joshr]

Axiom EP500?

Thanks to all who replied for lots of helpful guidance...one question: a couple people mentioned the Axiom HT systems and recommended the EP500 (and not the EP350)...I was surprised peopel were recommending an $1150 sub for a system of speakers that total $2700 or so...is it really where I should invest that much of the $? Would the 350 not perform well in a room my size?

Thanks again for more help!

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Honestly nothing is going to perform very well in a room that size for your budget. If slapping together some plywood divider walls is clearly not an option (which I'd make every attempt to do), I'd just save my money and buy a $500 HTiB and some good stands, since you won't be able to take advantage of good equipment until you have a much better listening area anyway.

 

[Takeereasy]

I'd like to second the PSB suggestion. The 65Ts retail for $1099 a pair (you can save at least $150 by shopping around) and are remarkably efficient 94db 1w 1m. These towers sound fantastic. If I had the space and the $ I would buy these in a jiff. The B25s retail for $450 a pair (you can easily get them cheaper than that). The C60 retails for $450 as well (savings to be had for sure). It is a monster of a center channel and you may wish to go with the C40. Here is a link to a web page that will have access to all the pertinent stats for these speakers.PSB Image line

For a sub I think you would be thrilled with an PSB 6i with a retail of $700 US but in reality you could get it for around $500-$550 easily. Also consider the vtf-3 from HSU subs VTF-3for $700 and the PB-12 from SVS PB-12 for $600.

The Ideal system would be I think 2 pairs of 65Ts for $2198, a C60 for $450, and a VTF-3 for $700 for a total of $3348.00. If you shop around you could knock at least $300 off of that. I gaurantee you that not many systems will touch yours in the $3000.00 dollar range. If you went with a pair of T65s, a pair of B25s, a C60 and a PB-12 for $2599.00. You could easily save another $200 to $300 by shopping around. You would be under budget, and in music heaven.

Another thing to note is that Jazz fans go bonkers for PSB speakers.

 

[warpdrive]

^^^ Sounds good to me

I was pretty impressed by the new PSB Image series. Well worth considering. They work pretty well with Jazz, dynamic but smooth sounding at the same time.

 

[zumbo]

I have not heard the PSB's mentioned. I am sure they are great speakers. But, Yawa sells PSB and MB Quart. They will tell you MB Quart is their best sounding speakers. Now, they may just be saying this. Who knows But, if a customer is willing to spend 3k on either system, why would they care which brand they choose?

 

[warpdrive]

I have not heard the PSB's mentioned. I am sure they are great speakers. But, Yawa sells PSB and MB Quart. They will tell you MB Quart is their best sounding speakers. Now, they may just be saying this. Who knows But, if a customer is willing to spend 3k on either system, why would they care which brand they chose?

1. First, it's THEIR opinion, yours is what matters after YOU listen to them. Maybe the MB Quarts are more bright whereas the PSB is more laid back and that's what THEY like.
2. What is the margin on the MB speakers, and what is the margin for PSB? Does the dealer get any incentives for pushing MB over PSB. Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows?

I wouldn't take ANY dealer's blind recommendation. After all, if they sell both, it's REALLY easy to listen for yourself. Are MB Quarts better? Maybe, maybe not. But I *do* know I like PSB speakers, very good sounding, and well worth considering for anybody. PSB makes a good product, it's not like they make bad speakers. And that's my final answer.

I don't even own any PSB products (I'm a Mirage and Energy owner).

 

[zumbo]

1. First, it's THEIR opinion, yours is what matters after YOU listen to them.
2. What is the margin on the MB speakers, and what is the margin for PSB? Does the dealer get any incentives for pushing MB over PSB. Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows?

I wouldn't take ANY dealer's blind recommendation. After all, if they sell both, it's REALLY easy to listen for yourself.

PSB makes a good product, it's not like they make bad speakers. Highly recommended by many magazines.

Wasn't meaning to bash at all. Yawa is about ten states away from me. Not able to go in. Just informing what the dealer told me. I understand profit margins. But, as I have said before, these MB Quarts are suberp!

 

[warpdrive]

no problem

I think the poster should check out a full Energy C-series system too. Of course, I am biased, but I went through the same questions myself and that's what *I* liked best for the price. For $3K, you can get a full C-series system, and one kick-butt sub (2xC-9, C-C3, 2xC-R3, and one VTF3 Mk2 or PSB 12ISD)

 

[zumbo]

Joshr. The fact is, I would have any system mentioned on this thread. And, any of them will blow your mind for years to come.

 

[Leprkon]

Thanks to all who replied for lots of helpful guidance...one question: a couple people mentioned the Axiom HT systems and recommended the EP500 (and not the EP350)...I was surprised peopel were recommending an $1150 sub for a system of speakers that total $2700 or so...is it really where I should invest that much of the $? Would the 350 not perform well in a room my size?

Thanks again for more help!

the lower end Axiom subs don't get much respect. the Outlaw and SVS chats are full of people who bought Axiom speakers but went with a seperate sub. the new Axiom subs get great reviews, but, as you note, are very pricey.

a mix is probably your best bet.

 

[Tdekany]

For the life of me, I can't think of the name of the store.

Walk down south on broadway from Waverly place. The store is on the opposite side from Tower Records, a few blocks away. Very famous store.

The salesmen are typical audio guys who think they are a gift from god, but listening to their speakers will give you an idea of what High End is.

Then you can order some online brands that you can return within 30 or so days. Do it right the first time!!!

Subs: HSU RESEARCH VTF3 MK2, without a doubt.

IF you are getting a sub, buy bookshelf speakers - you will get a lot more for your $$$. Let the sub provide the bass,.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Honestly nothing is going to perform very well in a room that size for your budget. If slapping together some plywood divider walls is clearly not an option (which I'd make every attempt to do), I'd just save my money and buy a $500 HTiB and some good stands, since you won't be able to take advantage of good equipment until you have a much better listening area anyway.

I respectfully disagree. My listening room is 18' x 20', but extends into an eating room and kitchen. Total area is 18' x 32'. My Polks (not even their top of the line) fill that space and more. You need a powerful subwoofer, like one of the better SV Subwoofer models to get bass in an area that large. Your budget is fine with the models suggested above. I would try to get into two front towers with at least dual 8" drivers though. You don't want a hole in your bass if you like jazz, trying to find the frequencies between your sub and 6" woofers. They may say they go down to 35hz, but they won't keep up with a powerful sub in a room your size. Very important with jazz, which I have a large collection.