HT upgrade -- YOUR ADVICE?!

[Luyen]

Hey everyone,

I'm about to upgrade from my 15-year old 2 channel stereo to HT, but I don't want to break the bank. I'd like to spen no more than $2K, but I'm happy to simply upgrade my 2 channel sound and position myself for 5.1/7.1 down the line. Currently, I have an Adcom pre and an Adcom 100 watt 2 channel amp. My thinking is to go with a really good HT receiver and use my Adcom amp to drive the front 2 channels, upgrade my 2 front speakers, and eventually get sub, center and rears.

I am probably 80% music, 20% HT, and I'm a pretty picky listener with eclectic musical tastes.

The two options I'm considering (but would value each of your personal solutions) are the Rotel RSX-1056 or the Outlaw 1070. For speakers, though it's hard to buy speakers I haven't heard, I'm thinking about trying the Axiom m22ti's, just based on the incredible reviews and value.

I would love your thoughts. My pockets are not particularly deep, but I really value my music, and I want to get the best bang for the buck.

Many thanks for your input!!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hey everyone,

I'm about to upgrade from my 15-year old 2 channel stereo to HT, but I don't want to break the bank. I'd like to spen no more than $2K, but I'm happy to simply upgrade my 2 channel sound and position myself for 5.1/7.1 down the line. Currently, I have an Adcom pre and an Adcom 100 watt 2 channel amp. My thinking is to go with a really good HT receiver and use my Adcom amp to drive the front 2 channels, upgrade my 2 front speakers, and eventually get sub, center and rears.

I am probably 80% music, 20% HT, and I'm a pretty picky listener with eclectic musical tastes.

The two options I'm considering (but would value each of your personal solutions) are the Rotel RSX-1056 or the Outlaw 1070. For speakers, though it's hard to buy speakers I haven't heard, I'm thinking about trying the Axiom m22ti's, just based on the incredible reviews and value.

I would love your thoughts. My pockets are not particularly deep, but I really value my music, and I want to get the best bang for the buck.

Many thanks for your input!!

Definitely don't get rid of that amp. It will come in handy. You may want to decide on the speakers first so you get a receiver to drive the speakers properly as the speaker's impedance and sensitivity will have a major bearing on the receiver power.

 

[jcPanny]

HT speaker upgrade

If you will be sticking with 2 channel for a while, you should consider the Axiom M60 or M80 floorstanders. These will play pretty low and your Adcom should have no problem with the 4 ohm M80's. If you go with the M22's you will need a good sub to fill in the low frequencies bellow 60 Hz.

Also, no reason to buy the receiver until you are ready for a center channel, surrounds, and a sub. When you are ready for the full HT, a Yamaha RX-V2500 or 2600 would make a good receiver / pre-pro

 

[agarwalro]

If you will be sticking with 2 channel for a while, you should consider the Axiom M60 or M80 floorstanders. These will play pretty low and your Adcom should have no problem with the 4 ohm M80's. If you go with the M22's you will need a good sub to fill in the low frequencies bellow 60 Hz.

Also, no reason to buy the receiver until you are ready for a center channel, surrounds, and a sub. When you are ready for the full HT, a Yamaha RX-V2500 or 2600 would make a good receiver / pre-pro

Good advise. I second this opinion.

The only difference between the M60 and M80 is ability to play loud. Sonically they are identical and the gain in low end is minor if you get the M80.

 

[Luyen]

If you will be sticking with 2 channel for a while, you should consider the Axiom M60 or M80 floorstanders. These will play pretty low and your Adcom should have no problem with the 4 ohm M80's. If you go with the M22's you will need a good sub to fill in the low frequencies bellow 60 Hz.

Thanks for the advice. Here's a question: I've always been intellectually inclined towards full range speakers with the largest number of drivers possible for full scale sound reproduction. Unfortunately, size is more of an issue now than it was when I was single, living in a loft, with no furniture other than a broken-down futon. Now, with two kids, tons of furniture (not to mention toys), bookshelf is de rigeur. My question is, can goo , solid bookshelfs accompanied by a good sub, compare with a good full range speaker? Or does the bookshelf/sub combo give you nice highs and lows, and little in the middle, resulting in a lack of vital presence?

Thanks!

 

[Luyen]

• If you will be sticking with 2 channel for a while, you should consider the Axiom M60 or M80 floorstanders. These will play pretty low and your Adcom should have no problem with the 4 ohm M80's. If you go with the M22's you will need a good sub to fill in the low frequencies bellow 60 Hz.

Thanks for the advice. Here's a question: I've always been intellectually inclined towards full range speakers with the largest number of drivers possible for full scale sound reproduction. Unfortunately, size is more of an issue now than it was when I was single, living in a loft, with no furniture other than a broken-down futon. Now, with two kids, tons of furniture (not to mention toys), bookshelf is de rigeur. My question is, can goo , solid bookshelfs accompanied by a good sub, compare with a good full range speaker? Or does the bookshelf/sub combo give you nice highs and lows, and little in the middle, resulting in a lack of vital presence?

Thanks!

 

[Leprkon]

Thanks for the advice. My question is, can goo , solid bookshelfs accompanied by a good sub, compare with a good full range speaker? Or does the bookshelf/sub combo give you nice highs and lows, and little in the middle, resulting in a lack of vital presence?

Thanks!

You can easily make a good HT or multi-channel music system with bookshelves. One that will also be a truly great system for two-channel music will be harder work, but it can be done.

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers w/ Sub

The Axiom M22ti bookshelf speakers should blend well with a good 10" sub in small to medium size rooms. From what I have read, the SVS PB10-ISD is your best bet under $500 and it has a durable vinyl finish (i.e. kid resistant).

 

[Luyen]

Rotel vs. Outlaw, more

So I'm now leaning towards Outlaw, but I wonder what people's opinions are regarding the phenomenal popularity of web-only companies like Outlaw and Axiom. I keep worrying this is all hype and no substance. I mean, there is no where I can go to actually HEAR a 1070, 990 or the m22ti's. Am I crazy to be drinking this Kool-Aid? Are there other option I should be thinking about?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[jcPanny]

Online retailers

The best way to audition any speakers is with your equipment in your home. The liberal return policies and trial periods of companies like Axiom, AV123, and Outlaw allow you to do just that. If you have a good relationship with a local dealer, you could line up a trial for a pair of Paradigm or Klipsch reference bookshelf speakers after you purchase the Axioms. Audio in general and speakers specifically are subjective.

The next best way is to read product reviews. There was a recent budget speaker shoutout by Ray Adkins in which the Axiom M3 and Klipsch Reference bookshelf speakers came out on top. The Axiom M22tis were also in an older AH shoutout. The M22tis held their own against some high end models in the $1K price range.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/SpeakerFaceOffVIp1.php

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/faceoff3_g.php

P.S. Axiom will also send you free samples of their speaker finishes.