If you had $1500 and no HT audio system...(help me pick!)

[sureshot]

Narrowed it down to the following:

Aperion
4T X 2 = 650
4C x 1 = 160
4B x 2 = 130
Epik Legend = 500
Marantz 5004 = 400
Shipping = Free

Total = $1840

SVS

STS x 2, SCS x 1, SSS x 2 = 1327
SB-12 NSD = 550
Marantz 5004 = 400
Shipping (ugh) = ~200

total = $2477

I have it in my head that I need floorstanding speeks for 1)better 2.0/1 music and 2)to fill the larger room (with sound)

I'd love to have the SVS but it's easier to justify $400 over budget than $1k, unless it is truly a notch above...what I really don't understand is that according to this article written 2 months ago the SVS 5.1 setup cost $1700 instead of the current price of $1877. It's only a $177 difference, but that would help cover most of shipping costs.

So that makes me lean towards the Aperion setup...I also like that Aperion has a 10yr warranty and they appear to run a straight operation (not that SVS doesn't).

So is the SVS setup worth the extra $?
Does the SB-12 NSD blow away the Epik Legend, or would a non-HT having person like myself notice?
How does the 4T stack up against the STS-02?

Lastly...do these types of high-end speaker retailers ever have black-friday sales or otherwise discount their wares prior to the holiday season? I can wait 6 weeks if it'll save me ~10%...

Thanks

 

[shadyJ]

Between those, I would go for the SVS towers, but by only a hair. The Aperions look quite a bit nicer, but I think their bass would be weaker, what with only two 4" drivers. However, in that price range, I would go for the EMPtek E55Ti towers over either one of those. It has the gorgeous looks of the Aperions and should perform as well as, if not better than the SVS, given its design.

Also I would skip both those subs and get either the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, Elemental Designs A3-300, or Hsu VTF2. I think any of those subs will have much better deep bass performance than the ones you are looking at, while costing nearly the same amount.

If you want to stay closer to your budget and still have good tower speakers, check out the Infinity Primus p362, and get a system based around those. VERY good towers for the price, if you look around you can get them for around 200 each. I'd love to hear a shootout between the Primus, the SVS, the Aperions, and the EMPs, I bet you the Primus speakers would hold their own even with with these more expensive speakers.

 

[sureshot]

I ended up getting the SVS 5.1 setup with a Denon 3310 to match. Only $1k over budget (ugh)...but the world is supposed to end in 2012, right? so at least I'll have a full-range soundtrack to the destruction of humanity.

I'm pretty OCD about doing research on any product I buy that is over $100, so you can imagine how many hours I've put into this purchase. Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[its phillip]

Congrats on your purchase. It sucks going over budget, but I'm sure you'll enjoy your new system

 

[GranteedEV]

keep us updated on how you enjoy it =)

 

[Patrukas777]

Congrats.. I'm an SVS owner and I'm very happy with my purchase.

 

[jumpnblues]

If your experience with SVS is anything like mine you're in for a real treat. Superb speakers.


Tom

 

[feller21]

New Yamaha Receivers and Def Tech speakers.

Check out the new line of Yamaha receivers. Also check out Integra, best warranty(5yrs), not that you'll need it, best processors without going into preamps and amp seperates. Most importantly, go find a Definitive Technology dealer and have a listen to their towers and studio 450 bookshelfs(675$ pair). They have 10" passive subs and are impressive. For music, Def tech, PSB, and Martin Logan are the best for the money. Good Luck!