Incremental build help needed

[solid_space]

I've been surfing the forums here for a while and now I think I know enough to ask for some advice on my incremental build. My current sound system is pretty pathetic consisting of 2 Advent 5012/0's and a Kenwood receiver and cd changer. Being a bass guitarist and spacecraft engineer recently out of college, most the little money I had went to bass and computer equipment. Now it is time for a serious upgrade to the system. My plan is to build the system in 4-5 roughly $1500-2000 increments over the next year or two and I'm looking for advice on all of the components as well as the purchasing order.

Background: The room is a black box. By that I mean that I can't use it as a parameter because I am currently living in an apartment that I don't plan on living in for more than 2 years. I'm also a young engineer so I won't be moving to a huge house any time soon. I plan on the room having carpet regardless of the size. I use the system for a pretty even split between tv/movies, video games, and music. I do have a blu ray player and xbox360 connected to the system. Regarding sound qualities, I tend to like the details in sound. With bass, I was not a fan of my college roommate's logitech computer speakers due to the booming bass. His later Klipsch set up had a much cleaner sound to it rather than raw muddy power. Music that regularly plays on my stereo: Jazz (dizzy gillespie, bela fleck, stanley clarke), Funk (Galactic, Funkadelic, Stanton Moore), Rock (Joe Satriani, Led Zeppelin, Dream Theater), Metal (Evergrey, Devin Townsend), Trance (BT, Shpongle).

The components I am currently considering:
Denon AVR-4308CI
KEF iQ90's or PSB Imagine T
SVS PB-12 or PB-10
I have no idea what I should do for surrounds, a center channel speaker, or cd/dvd-a player. I'm looking for suggestions on everything. Thanks in advance to all that provide input.


Also, can anyone out there help me find some places that carry high quality home theater hardware in/near Houston, TX? I would like to listen to a system before I buy anything.

 

[swspiers]

Background: The room is a black box. By that I mean that I can't use it as a parameter because I am currently living in an apartment that I don't plan on living in for more than 2 years. I'm also a young engineer so I won't be moving to a huge house any time soon.


Based on that statement alone, I suggest looking at high-quality monitors. Small, portable and replaceable if you wind up in a larger room down the road. Stick with the same brand/series, you could relegate them to surround duty in the future. Mated with a good sub, like the ones you mentioned, and you have the beginnings of a good incremental system

-S

 

[SnowmaNick]

The first area to look at upgrading is the speakers. I personally adore the Imagine series (both the monitor and tower) and feel that they would create a great anchor for your system for years to come. Start with just buying the mains, then look at replacing your AVR on the next step. Add the sub and center/surrounds on the next few. Keep the center and main speakers from the same company/line to help minimize any differences between the speakers. One option would be to use three of the same speakers across the front for the most seamless soundstage. I would plan on getting a few acoustic panels and bass traps somewhere around the time you are looking to upgrade the AVR. Several companies make affordable panels/bass traps or you can design and build your own. Depending on the design the traps can be easily relocated form one home to the next, these will probably be one of the most important acoustic pieces to your HT systems puzzle.

Cheers.

 

[solid_space]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess I have a risk reward decision to make here regarding the monitors. Going that route will offer less risk because I can use them as surrounds when I have a larger room. For the PSBs, I would really like to audition them, but I'm having trouble finding a dealer that carries them. I think the last hurricane wiped a few out. Any suggestions on bass traps and panels?

-Chris

 

[solid_space]

Anybody familiar with Emotiva? I'm also considering their UMC-1 processor when it is available and a 5 or 7 channel amp instead of the Denon AVR.

 

[swspiers]

Yeah- there are a lot of people familiar with Emotiva on this forum. Do a search of the threads- a lot of info here.

-S

 

[lsiberian]

First off make sure you start saving for a house.

Second you seem to have done a lot of research, but have you listened to any speakers yet?

You can't evaluate a product till you test it after all.

If you had the house you could build your own speakers. This is a simple project that would likely yield you a lot of fun. It's much easier than building a space shuttle.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this stuff out, but luckily you are one. I know that's gotten old, but I still find it funny.

here's a budget for you

20% receiver/amps(300-400)
80% speakers(1200-1600)

I like 40% for the sub(480-640),
40%(480-640) for the front 3 channels
20%(240-320) for the two surrounds.

Honestly do you listen to music a lot or would you be a big movie watcher/gamer. Everyone says they are split, but for a movie watcher you want a good bass system. For a music listener you want a very accurate system. the beringher 2030p speakers make. For a great deal at 150 a pair.

 

[solid_space]

Isiberian,

Thanks for the input. Don't worry about the house. Money has been and is continuing to be put away for that. I'm just delaying the purchase a bit so that I can fund some of my other interests before the house (potentially) consumes too large a portion of my budget. To answer your question: I am more of a music listener. Sometimes I think I'm one of the few people left in this world that still buys cd's (my collection is around 500 discs and counting at the moment). Realistically, my HT use is about 50-60% music, 30% tv and movies, and 10-20% video games. I'm not as concerned about the movie or video game sound. Those experiences rely on both audio and visual so I'd prefer to focus on the half or more of my use that relies solely on my audio set up.

I see you're from the Fort Worth area. I'm going to be visiting some family and friends in Plano soon. Are there any places you can recommend for auditioning speakers?

And the rocket scientist references never get old. I've always wanted to work in the space industry and my job is one of the coolest in the world. Those jokes always remind me of that.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

Isiberian,

Thanks for the input. Don't worry about the house. Money has been and is continuing to be put away for that. I'm just delaying the purchase a bit so that I can fund some of my other interests before the house (potentially) consumes too large a portion of my budget. To answer your question: I am more of a music listener. Sometimes I think I'm one of the few people left in this world that still buys cd's (my collection is around 500 discs and counting at the moment). Realistically, my HT use is about 50-60% music, 30% tv and movies, and 10-20% video games. I'm not as concerned about the movie or video game sound. Those experiences rely on both audio and visual so I'd prefer to focus on the half or more of my use that relies solely on my audio set up.

I see you're from the Fort Worth area. I'm going to be visiting some family and friends in Plano soon. Are there any places you can recommend for auditioning speakers?

And the rocket scientist references never get old. I've always wanted to work in the space industry and my job is one of the coolest in the world. Those jokes always remind me of that.

-Chris

There are some places around here, but usually you have to deal with a salesperson which I don't like. If my place were in good shape I'd let you come give a listen to my system, but my wife is a teacher and I'm a seminary student with a full-time job so I don't see our place getting to visitor level anytime soon.

Plano I'm sure has places, but it's on the other side of Dallas from em.

If you like KEF speakers CraigV(a reputable guy is selling a pair for 400 on the classifieds) It's a great deal.

I honestly think you should just get a pair of speakers and then add some cheap surrounds and a small sub. You love music so put your money into good music speakers. I personally love the B&W 700 series bookshelves. Give them a listen for sure.

 

[oppman99]

Anybody familiar with Emotiva? I'm also considering their UMC-1 processor when it is available and a 5 or 7 channel amp instead of the Denon AVR.

Solid,

I have had very good experiences with Emotiva (see signature). Some may call me a fanboy, but the price to performance ratio is tough to beat. They also have some of the best customer service in the business. I will admit I could have stuck with the XPA-2 instead of going with the monoblocks and been happy, but I don't really regret it either. The cost for a 5 or 7 channel amp from Emotiva is above what lsiberiean recommends, but it's something you could add down the road if you feel you wanted it. I'd definately agree with putting most of your budget towards speakers first. Maybe get an AVR with preouts in case you want to add external amplification later.

 

[fredk]

Now it is time for a serious upgrade to the system. My plan is to build the system in 4-5 roughly $1500-2000 increments over the next year or two

Thats a very healthy budget that lets you consider a number of very nice speakers. I haven't listened to the new PSB Imagines, but they are getting a lot of buzz. Another speaker to consider is the Salk Songtower. If you contact them directly they may be able to put you in touch with someone in your area that is willing to let you audition their's. Paradigm Studios would be another B&M brand to listen to. As a bonus, they have very nice styling if thats important to you.

You are not the only one who likes to have physical disks. I still like to have something for my money that nobody can take away from me AND something thats a full fidelity recording.