Hello,
Please note that I posted prior on HT thread - however, I really require the Speaker Forum Expertise now.
Recently I lost all of my A/V gear in a home fire. Some brief background info other than the fire:
I have been disabled physically since 1994 with spinal problems. Two unsuccessful surgeries and countless hours of Physical Therapy have not corrected the situation. The fire episode only made things worse.
It physically hurts for me to actually sit down for an extended period of time. I usually listen to music laying down on the sofa, sitting in the loveseat, standing, leaning against various walls, or just plain walking around.
The co-op we live in does not allow for in wall speakers or ceiling speakers. It is against the house rules.
I understand there is no perfect speaker to meet all my requirements. However, you guys know more about this topic than me and I would like for you to put yourself in my place - so to speak. What speaker would work best given my limitations and expectations? I KNOW this is a tough nut to crack.
Music is very important - and I mean critically important to me on a daily basis to help me keep on keepin' on.
Surely there are brands that are noted for a wide sweet spot - sorry for overusing that term. I just wanted everyone to have all the facts.
AS A RE-CAP: Here is what I have planned so far:
Pioneer Elite KURO PRO-110FD 50" Plasma TV - Not to sure about this one now. I have read so many posts about Plasma TV being plagued with buzzing noises. I would flip out if I heard buzzing all the time when I turned on TV. Now I'm looking at LCD with a wide viewing angle.
SVS PB Ultra 13 Subwoofer or B&W PV1
Integra DTC 9.8 Pre/Pro
Panasonic DMP-BD300 Blu-Ray Player or wait for spec 2 to come out in summer by Sony.
More than likely I am going to wait until Summer when better BluRay machines hit the market.
Cables by BlueJeanCables or Monoprice
APC or Belkin Power Conditioners
Speakers? After attending a concert today and moving my seating location a few times between pieces and intermission I was better able to hear what is imporatant to me soundwise. I am not a sweet spot guy. I want speakers that will produce a huge soundstage similar to the concert hall where every seat was a great seat - left, right , center. Because of my disability (lumbar spine is shot to hell) I really am physically unable to sit for a long time. When I listen to music I lay down, sit, walk around, lean against walls, etc. What speakers will mimic the huge soundstage of an actual concert hall? Please don't say BOSE. Just kidding! This forum has to think outside the traditional "sweet spot" toed-in equidistant triangle given my special circumstances. MUSIC keeps me going - when many others would have tossed in the towel by now. This THREAD really has to focus on creative speaker solutions/ideas/suggestions for my situation. The co-op does not allow owners to install in-wall or ceiling speakers. The room size size is 20'L x 14'W with 8" ceilings and the floor plan is open. The rooms are connected via open archways that are 3 to 4 doors wide. There are no mirrors, glass covered paintings, on walls. Walls are drywall. Floor is 100% carpeted on top of sound deadening foam. Interior and exterior walls are filled with blown in "pulp/paper" insulation.
Amps? Need something that will do surround sound as well as 2 channel audio. The Emotiva Audio XPA-5 was recommended by a few people through emails and PM's. Someone also recommended Bryston Amps - but I forgot the model number.
Furniture for TV and Components? My wife likes a piece by a company called BDI that is cherry, has doors with a mesh covering for air circulation and a huge spot for a center channel speaker. I think it is the BDI MERIDEN 8127 model. I also know about Sanus and Salamander from other posts. One person suggested having a carpenter design a built in wall unit to house the complete system - BUDGET KILLER!!!
Remote Control for everything? Pronto? Harmony? Universal? Probably go with an easy to use Harmony model so wife and kids can figure everything out easily when I'm not around.
Forget HT seating. We hired a company to clean carpets and furniture of smoke smell from fire. Everything worked out amazingly well. No smell. However, I do want to go to Stressless seating and check out their HT seating. They are supposed to be made for people with bad backs like myself.
I want the option of being able to switch to just 2 channel stereo with sub for enjoying music only on red book CD or CD/R compilations. I want the option to have surround sound audio from SACD.
Finally, I would like a Multichannel SACD/CD/CDR player for my discs that I started buying again. MUSIC IS KEY!!!
Speakers seem to be the sticking point holding the completion back. I'm open for ideas.
Thanks,
Eddie
