Internet vs store speakers

[ErnieM]

I'm about to spend $1500 on a 5.1 speaker system, mostly for home theatre but also occasional CD / iPod (lossless ripped) listening for a 12 by 20 ft room.

I'm very tempted to order internet direct, but before I take that plunge I am asking for advice: on Wednesday I'll be visiting a couple of high-end stores to listen to their HT systems. What's my best approach while in these stores to help me decide between what these two stores will have and ordering from an internet direct firm?

I'm most impressed with Aperion because they offer free shipping both ways, whereas the other internet direct firms do not: Axiom, Emotiva and SVS. Any advice here would also be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MatthewB.]

When considering internet, I would read many different A/V forums to get a handle on what members who have bought them think. I have heard SVS and can vouch for how good they sound for the money (especially the MBS system). I have heard AV123 speakers that were very very good (I own the Strata Minis because I was so impressed after hearing them at a GTG) but I have also heard some AV123's that left alot to be desired. When you buy internet you save alot of money, because the company doesnt have to invest that money in advertising and go by word of mouth. I bought a SVS sub )never hearing any of them) based on reviews and still think that sub blows away any sub that you could buy in any store for far less than store bought.

 

[lsiberian]

I'm about to spend $1500 on a 5.1 speaker system, mostly for home theatre but also occasional CD / iPod (lossless ripped) listening for a 12 by 20 ft room.

I'm very tempted to order internet direct, but before I take that plunge I am asking for advice: on Wednesday I'll be visiting a couple of high-end stores to listen to their HT systems. What's my best approach while in these stores to help me decide between what these two stores will have and ordering from an internet direct firm?

I'm most impressed with Aperion because they offer free shipping both ways, whereas the other internet direct firms do not: Axiom, Emotiva and SVS. Any advice here would also be appreciated. Thanks!

I suggest you get an SVS system for home theater. They make very good speakers. Get your receiver at accessories4less spend no more than 300 on a receiver with your budget. Then get a 5 speaker SVS package and pair it with the best sub you can afford from SVS.

I think that will net you a great system.

Another option is the accessories4less Kef/Marantz package that comes with everything but a sub.

I would go with the SVS for home theater though. Subs are everything for home theater.

whatever you do. Only by cables from monoprice. Period. Don't buy into anyones koolaid. Monoprice sells cables for a wholesale price. Take one look at their prices. Remember it's the speakers that matter most.

 

[craigsub]

Ernie - There are several excellent ID companies from which to select a system in your price range ...

Axiom Audio

Hsu Research

The Audio Insider

SV Sound

AV123

Take your time and look at the web site for each of these companies. I have personally had equipment from all 5, and while they were all different, each was excellent.

Also - you can get deals from each if you are willing to take "B" stock.

 

[mannoiaj]

I'm about to spend $1500 on a 5.1 speaker system, mostly for home theatre but also occasional CD / iPod (lossless ripped) listening for a 12 by 20 ft room.

I'm very tempted to order internet direct, but before I take that plunge I am asking for advice: on Wednesday I'll be visiting a couple of high-end stores to listen to their HT systems. What's my best approach while in these stores to help me decide between what these two stores will have and ordering from an internet direct firm?

I'm most impressed with Aperion because they offer free shipping both ways, whereas the other internet direct firms do not: Axiom, Emotiva and SVS. Any advice here would also be appreciated. Thanks!

With that budget, I'd go internet direct or you will not end up with a great system. It would be tough to get a great 5.1 from a brick and mortar. I agree that the sub will be the most important piece of your system. I recommend getting your sub from elemental designs, HSU, or SVS. The next most important thing after that imo is that your front 3 speaker have the same timbre and of the three I personally place the most importance on the center channel. If you have a great sub and a lousy center channel, thats no good...

If I were shopping with $1500 I'd get the best bang for my buck subwoofer
from elemental designs and then get speakers from the company that has the best center channel. Thats my opinion.

 

[craigsub]

Ernie - mannoiaj hit another good one ... Elemental Designs has some terrific subwoofers AND also some excellent full 5.1 systems.

 

[j_garcia]

With that budget, SVS would be my recommendation as well. You get a lot for that price tag, but not giving up on a very good sub. With $1500, you could step up to the PB12 and possibly even 3 SCS front stage, but the PB-10 is no slouch for a 10" sub (good to 18Hz in my room when I had it).

If you are leaning toward Aperion, maybe you should try out a pair and see if you like their sound first. If you like them, then you are good to go.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I'm about to spend $1500 on a 5.1 speaker system, mostly for home theatre but also occasional CD / iPod (lossless ripped) listening for a 12 by 20 ft room.

I'm very tempted to order internet direct, but before I take that plunge I am asking for advice: on Wednesday I'll be visiting a couple of high-end stores to listen to their HT systems. What's my best approach while in these stores to help me decide between what these two stores will have and ordering from an internet direct firm?

I'm most impressed with Aperion because they offer free shipping both ways, whereas the other internet direct firms do not: Axiom, Emotiva and SVS. Any advice here would also be appreciated. Thanks!

I would go auditioning, take notes, and then come back here and tell us what you liked and what you didn't. Then we could suggest Internet direct speakers that have a similar sound. Then you can look at price vs. aesthetics vs size vs mounting...and chose the one you like best, ID or store bought.

I know it sounds a little geekish to take notes but if you listen to 5 or 6 speakers in short order it can get pretty confusing.

If you have the time to have some fun. order the bookshelf speaker you like and do a comparison in your room. It's the only way to be sure if your picky and It doesn't really cost that much to send a pair of bookshelf back.

I have both Ascend Acoustics and SVS speakers and enjoy them both even though (like Craig said) they sound pretty different.

Do you have a receiver already? The reason I ask is because some speakers are harder to drive than others and will need a higher end receiver or a separate amp to drive correctly. The best way to chose a complete system is to pick your speakers first and then your receiver/amplification to make sure you have enough power. Don't worry tough most speakers are easy enough to drive in a room your size.


Oh yeah, DIY or Internet direct for the sub. store bought subs are very expensive for anything worth having IMO.

Anyway enough rambling from me...let us know what you find.

SBF1

 

[lsiberian]

Oh yeah, DIY or Internet direct for the sub.

DIY is the most fun way to go.

 

[craigsub]

Sheesh ... I was even thinking Ascend and forgot to include them. They make some excellent stuff ...

As a lot of guys have mentioned, take some time and look around.

 

[fredk]

I agree with others that it is good to go out and listen to get some idea of what you like.

Some ID companies also have an auditioning program where they match you up with a local owner so you can have a listen before buying.

Axiom have a Hearing Things forum where you can look for someone local.

 

[deftechnut]

internet purchases

I bought two pairs of speakers online. My first being a awesome Definitive Technology set up consisting of the mythos series. My second set up consists of Kef XQ's. I bought both pairs from Hideflifestyle an online reseller. I called them and not only did I get incredible insight to the product, but I also got a 30% discount from the retail price. I recommend calling these guys and talking to them. They won't just sell they give honest advise.

 

[bandphan]

I bought two pairs of speakers online. My first being a awesome Definitive Technology set up consisting of the mythos series. My second set up consists of Kef XQ's. I bought both pairs from Hideflifestyle an online reseller. I called them and not only did I get incredible insight to the product, but I also got a 30% discount from the retail price. I recommend calling these guys and talking to them. They won't just sell they give honest advise.

The op was talking about ID companies not online resellers.

 

[browninggold]

You mentioned Aperion...listen where you can, I would still give Aperion a try. Free shipping both ways and 30 day in home trial. Excellent speakers and customer service. They also have a one year trade up progaram. Ten year warranty is not a bad thing either. I have had my setup for over a year and still impresses me. Excellent for HT and 2 channel music listening.

 

[snmhanson]

While I am not an audiophile by any means, I can suggest that you give Aperion a try. I stopped by their showroom a few months back and was pretty impressed by their speakers. I listened to both the 5Ts and the 6Ts, both with a sub and without. To my ears they were not an overly bright speaker, but definately packed a punch. If I were buying them and tight on cash I would even consider getting the towers and running them without a sub for a while. They seemed to track side to side and front to back pretty well while watching Jurasic Park in their listening room and they presented a good stage. The construction and aesthetics of the speakers were great as well (unless you want a speaker with alot of curves). And to top it off, the people working there were very friendly and helpful. I stopped in on a Friday at around 4:00 intending to just take a quick look and the person who helped me happily brought me back for a demo and spent quite a long time talking about their speakers as well as other speakers from other companies and additional gear (amps/receivers, etc...).

In the end I think I am going to go with Paradigm Studio 60s, which I am currently saving up for. However, this has nothing to do with the Aperions not being a good sounding speaker to me, it's just that the Paradigms sounded simply amazing to my ears. Of course I am paying quite a premium over a comparable Aperion system. I am still tempted to go give the Aperions another listen - especially after typing this and recalling my listening experience. We'll see...

If nothing else, I would give Aperion a call just to ask them about their speakers and how they would work for you.

Good luck,

Matt

 

[fredk]

Matt. Since you are so close, you should try to arrange a head to head comparison between the Aperions and the Studio 60s.

 

[ErnieM]

OK, tomorrow I will audition and take notes, then post my findings here. I've been looking at HSU Research just now and some of the reviews are really impressive.

 

[MatthewB.]

Ernie, two years ago i flew to Florida for a GTG Mazersteven was having. While there MajorLoser brought over his Hsu sub, so we could do a side by side of Mazers SVS Ultra PB12/2 and MajorLosers Hsu (with bass attachement) and although I own an SVS, I gotta tell you that the Hsu edged out that SVS (for less money) I was very impressed with the Hsu sub. When we went to MajorLosers house and he tested his HT system with just one of his Hsu's (not the usual two cause the other one was at Mazers) just that one and Majors dual mid bass subs, blew me away with how deep and clean and room filling that one sub was. In fact I was so impressed that i bought a pair of DefTech BP7001's just so I could use their built in subs as mid bass drivers along with my SVS.

 

[gixxerific]

A lot of good points have been made. Though it's hard to say. I believe it has something to do with your income and ability to deal with what you bought. I have been researching for, well forever actually.

I decided to listen to some of the speakers I have been looking at, which I had a HUGE list of that was narrowed down to a BIG list. Luckily in my case there are several high end speaker choices\dealers around me. And even luckier there were several of my favorites\interest locally that I could actually listen to. So being the poor bastard I am, I went with auditioning speakers instead of buying somone else's dream. Speakers are very personal you may like something I don't and vice versa. I was actually surprised what I ended up with a bit. Reading all the reviews and listening to every word said on several different forums. I came up with the mindset that I would be coming home with speaker A when in fact I came home, or will pick up this weekend, a different speaker altogether.

I ended up buying Focal's, they are some great speakers. Not as outspoken as some of the other brands on certain forums. I think now that his is why I didn't have them in as high of regard. Though I kept researching them over and over, just not as much as others.

I have always heard "Listen, Listen, Listen" so that's what I did. I believe I have come away with a quality product that I will be happy with. If I had the money I would probably buy some ID speaks, I thought about it as an option. Though it is a gamble, I have had this purchase planned for over a year.

Here comes the "it's hard to say" point. I have a spectacular system in my truck. ALL of it was ID, and at super discounted prices. I will also get a SVS sub which is ID, but for about 4 years I still haven't heard a bad review on them.

So it's really whats best for you. If you have a chance to listen, do it. If not than research all you can. But remember what looks good on paper isn't always good in real life! I'm rambling so good luck and let us all know how it turns out.

Dono

 

[BoB/335]

I listened to a few speakers, read a lot of reviews and checked out a few forums. I gave the Axioms a try despite the fact that I was told a few times that they were on the bright side. For HT they did pretty good and I would imagine if you had a well treated deicated HT room that they would do really well. For music they just seemed too bright for me and on the verge of irritating so I sent them back. I bought a whole system and it cost quite a few bucks to send it back. I must say that they do have excellent customer service unlike another ID brand.

I would like to also say that I am quite a bit over budget. I started out with about the same price range as you and I left that quite some time ago. I figured I was better off getting a really good set of mains and adding the other speakers later. I am presently in the $1500 range just for the main speakers but I figured I will not be going through this purchase again so I might as well get something really good. I'm not into upgradeitis or rather I prefer to upgrade BEFORE I make my purchase. Just something to think about.