Lost and want to make a Cyber Monday purchase

[KenM10759]

This may be the one time that a KEF Q400b sub is actually a good choice. They do a lot of things well, except go really deep. I would prefer the SVS SB1000 but those are limited to black or gloss white. The KEF can match the speakers in Black Ash, European Walnut or Rosewood, though the walnut is on backorder until January.

 

[LandToSea]

We are going black ash for the KEF fronts so the SVS SB1000 could work from that aesthetic perspective if it is a better sub.

 

[KenM10759]

We are going black ash for the KEF fronts so the SVS SB1000 could work from that aesthetic perspective if it is a better sub.

It is. They are more reliable and have a better warranty. I had one for about 4 months, and it can go low but you can always trim that back.

 

[Pogre]

We are going black ash for the KEF fronts so the SVS SB1000 could work from that aesthetic perspective if it is a better sub.

the sb1000 does come in a black real oak veneer also. I have 2 of them. ken is right about folks being underwhelmed at first. I had a pair of klipsch subs before these and there's no comparison. I had trouble telling the sb 1000 was even doing the job when I realised what I was missing was the boom and distortion. I have them dialed in now and they sound awesome. smooth, tight musical bass that's not overwhelming unless you want it to be.

 

[LandToSea]

Sold! Thanks for the input! Now I just need to finalize the receiver decision.

 

[LandToSea]

Let me throw one more curve ball. Would you go two Q700 front towers solo or two Q500 fronts PLUS a center?

 

[KenM10759]

I have direct experience with that question! Definitely a pair of Q500 and a Q200c center. That's exactly what my son has as part of his 7.1 system (soon to be 7.2.4) and they amaze me what they can do for the money. The more space you have between the main L-R speakers, the more that center speaker becomes important. The sub takes up all the low frequency difference between Q500 and Q700, easily.

 

[LandToSea]

OK, that was easy, thanks again. Now back to the receiver... What to buy under $1000 since already over budget.

 

[KenM10759]

What do you plan to use the system for? Got 4K TV and sources? BluRay? You can get a LOT of receiver for under a grand, especially from Accessories4Less.com. that link takes you to a great one for 1/2 the budget. It's a refurbished but you can get new for under budget too.

 

[LandToSea]

TV is listed in my first post, 4K OLED. I have an older BluRay that will likely be replaced but not used very often. Audio system will be used for 95% TV audio and 5% music. Thanks for the link. I will check it out! I was looking at the Denons and Marantz since they were mentioned in an earlier post. I had found the below Marantz in the price range but not an equivalent Denon to consider. They look fairly evenly matched. I think I like the ability to see the mode on the Denon as opposed to the little display circle on the mArantz. The marantz has a controller app where I do not see that listed for the Denon.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5010/marantz-sr5010-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-bonus-hdmi-cables-90-value/1.html

 

[KEW]

I don't know how it compares with what you are looking at, but the KEF Q500 is $350 each (new, not refurbished) and comes with a set of speaker wires (not that big of a deal, but why not?).
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefq500bla/kef-q500-5.25-2.5-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each-free-speaker-cables/1.html

 

[Pogre]

for what it's worth, I like the denon better, but I'm biased. I've always liked denon.

 

[LandToSea]

I don't know how it compares with what you are looking at, but the KEF Q500 is $350 each (new, not refurbished) and comes with a set of speaker wires (not that big of a deal, but why not?).
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefq500bla/kef-q500-5.25-2.5-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each-free-speaker-cables/1.html

Thanks! I already placed the orders for speakers and ordered direct. I figure if there is an issue I would rather cut out the middle man. They were the same $ just no free wires.

 

[Pogre]

direct from svs. 50 dollar discount. undamaged b stock in black ash veneer with a full warranty.

https://www.svsound.com/collections/outlet-specials/products/sb-1000-black-ash-outlet-1

 

[KEW]

for what it's worth, I like the denon better, but I'm biased. I've always liked denon.

I've always liked Marantz better, but I think the Denon is a better deal.
FWIW, Denon marketing tends to target HT more and Marantz marketing targets audio more.
But that is marketing, I'm not sure there really is a difference in their internals.
Denon is consistently a better buy because Marantz has more "name recognition power" and charge for it.
And I have to admit that the only reason I like Marantz better is because of its legacy back to the mid 70's when I first got into audio; it has nothing to do with performance or value!

 

[LandToSea]

direct from svs. 50 dollar discount. undamaged b stock in black ash veneer with a full warranty.

https://www.svsound.com/collections/outlet-specials/products/sb-1000-black-ash-outlet-1

Damnit, I didn't think there would be a B stock without damage so didn't look. That does not even make sense, does it?

 

[Pogre]

I've always liked Marantz better, but I think the Denon is a better deal.
FWIW, Denon marketing tends to target HT more and Marantz marketing targets audio more.
But that is marketing, I'm not sure there really is a difference in their internals.
Denon is consistently a better buy because Marantz has more "name recognition power" and charge for it.
And I have to admit that the only reason I like Marantz better is because of its legacy back to the mid 70's when I first got into audio; it has nothing to do with performance or value!

I think btween the 2, performance is pretty equal. I totally get you. it's just a personal preference thing, though the denon does appear to have a couple more bells and whistles and a touch more power.

 

[Pogre]

Damnit, I didn't think there would be a B stock without damage so didn't look. That does not even make sense, does it?

could be open box or a return. they inspect everything and test it to make sure it's to like new factory specs. that's why they still offer full warranties.

 

[KEW]

I think btween the 2, performance is pretty equal. I totally get you. it's just a personal preference thing, though the denon does appear to have a couple more bells and whistles and a touch more power.

In case the OP (LandofSea) does not know it Marantz and Denon are the same company or at least managed by the same company.

 

[KenM10759]

Pogre, I don't know where you're getting the info but the veneer on those SB1000 and almost all the SVS subs is not real wood veneer, it's a high quality vinyl laminate. I think you can see it by looking at the close-up photos of some of the nicked ones on the SVS Subwoofer Outlet section of their website. It's very good, though the laminate on KEF speakers is even more deceptive. No harm, no foul.