Ignorant but ready to learn

[MobiusMu]

After years of living frugal and 100% focused on growing my business I have finally sold my company and can now reap the rewards. I have always wanted a home theater and am eager to plan it out and build it. I have gone to several speaker dealers and listened to several different types of speakers and I really like the Bowers and Wilkins. I am going to put CM10's (or possibly 802's) in my family room for listening to music and for the TV.

My question is for the dedicated theater room; are towers worth the extra money if they are 100% for home theater? Would CM10's make that big of a difference vs. CM6's in a home theater with dual subwoofers?

I can afford the 10's but the room is only 11' x 14' with 10' ceilings and I want to make sure I am not letting my ego get in the way of practicality if there is not a noticeable difference.

I welcome your feedback and thoughts.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Cosmic Char]

That is a lot of speaker for the room, but whatever sounds best to you. If you plan on listening to cd or phono only, the big mains do factor in. If not, they do not come in to play as much. Your center Chanel will transmit a great deal of mid and high end sound from a surround sound system. As echoed here to death, spend money on good speakers. CM10's have a strange sound to some people. You could save money and get the 805's x 4, and they are the next class up. B&W is a very expensive brand, and there are many great speaker companies out that make speakers just as good for less money. I too had the B&W bug, but I ended up with Revel F208's as my main with C208 as my center. I am very happy with the choice. It's all up to how they sound to you. Just my $0.02 worth. Happy building!

 

[tyhjaarpa]

For stereo listening you want towers, unless you go with 2.1 or 2.2 for stereo listening as well. For HT usage you will be fine with bookshelf's as well when you pair them up with good subs. Just get the same line center as your front speakers for HT so it wont stand out.

 

[agarwalro]

are towers worth the extra money if they are 100% for home theater?

Did you mean 100% movie duty? If yes, I'd say get bookshelf speakers and budget more towards subs (yes, plural).

 

[Dr. Bob]

I use bookshelf speakers as my mains, plus a subwoofer, and always have (well, for a long time anyway). I think the main difference is volume: if you want to listen at rock concert levels, get towers. If you listen at more moderate levels, bookshelfs will be fine, especially in a small room.

 

[MobiusMu]

I really appreciate the help and feedback. I think I will go with the bookshelves with multiple subs. I wish I could find a place with 805's so I could compare them to the CM6's.

 

[MobiusMu]

And yes, this room is 100% movie!

 

[Cosmic Char]

Where are you located Möbius?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I really appreciate the help and feedback. I think I will go with the bookshelves with multiple subs. I wish I could find a place with 805's so I could compare them to the CM6's.

Welcome.

I noticed your room size. Rather small. What size will be the video display?
Is your seating against the back wall at 14 ft or a bit less?
If the room is enclosed, that small room would do well with 1 sub.
Are you planning a 5.1 setup?

 

[MobiusMu]

I am in Orlando FL.

The display will be 90" or 100" but probably 90".

Yes, the seating is against the back wall but the couch is deep so your eyes are about 3' from the wall so about 12' from the screen.

I was planning on 5.1, would like to do 7.1 but there is a large closet with bifold doors on one side that makes side speakers difficult. I am not sold on Atmos yet so was going to forgo in ceiling for now.

 

[st1r1tup]

Cosmic,
Which B&W model are you comparing the Revel F208's to? Is it the CMs10 or 800 series? Thanks.

 

[Cosmic Char]

IMO, they are better than CM10 and on par with the 800's in respect to similar size. 8" woofers. And the added benefit is the cost is less than 25%.

 

[st1r1tup]

I wish I can find a place to audition them. I am in the market for full range floor standing LR and thinking about the CMs10s. The price for the Revel F208's is almost the same as the B&W 804s (under $5K a pair local). I am assuming you are saying they are better than the 804s and basically are as good as the B&W 802s? right?

 

[Cosmic Char]

To my ears, they are better. You should be able to do better than $5k.

 

[Cosmic Char]

I wanted to double check, but the 802's would be the comparable woofer size. At that price point, you are talking about light years in difference in cost. To my poor ears, I cannot hear the difference. There might be others here who can. I would ask you though, what is your purpose for the speakers? If you plan on a TV setup only for surround sound (x.x), floor speakers will likely be overkill anyway. Go with book shelf speakers in the front as well as the surrounds. It will cost less and give you good sound. However, if you want to listen to music in stereo, get a good pair of floor speakers. They can improve the experience.

 

[st1r1tup]

Okay, I will try to find a place to listen to them if I can. I have heard the CMs10 and don't think I can justify buying something I haven't yet heard. I am extremely interested in the Revel F208's based on your experience. My purpose is strictly movies and I have about 3500 sq feet area to cover so a very good speaker system plus subs may be necessary.

 

[Cosmic Char]

See your other thread regarding this issue. Invest money in better center speakers and subwoofers than spending money on floor standers. Their center is very similar to the F208, and it sounds great! It is called the C208.