Making a "home theater" need some help

[jakebake]

Hey guys,

I am looking to have a dedicated HT/Music setup when I move and I am trying to do the planning now. Right now I have a Yamaha yht-393bl HTIB that I bought on black friday. I already want to upgrade lol... I can probably get by using the two surrounds for now but I definitely need new mains, center, and sub. The mains I want to be good for HT but I really need them to be great for music and have great detail and imaging/soundstage (speakers disappear). I will mostly use my SET tube amp for music so I'm hoping there is a way to switch easily between that and the receiver when watching a movie.
If my receiver I have now will work let me know, but I want something that can upconvert and can play the best audio.
My budget is as follows, but it is flexible if it needs to be.
Mains - About $1000
Center - No idea...$400? I do want dialogue that is clear. I care more about this almost over sound effects.
Sub - Was thinking about getting a BIC america f12?
Receiver - No idea here either really... $300? Something that can change speaker level/ distance/etc automatically?

Main speakers I was really considering were the Zu audio Omen and tekton lores. Any suggestions are welcome though!
Thanks guys!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Home Theater Magazine recently reviewed the NHT Absolute Zero bookshelf speakers, and the measurements were extremely impressive. I believe the 5-point average on-axis and +/-15 degrees off-axis frequency response from 200Hz - 10kHz was within +/- 0.93dB.

We normally associate anything within +/-3.00dB to be accurate, so the +/-0.93dB is extremely accurate.

I would just get 5 identical NHT Absolute Zero (plus speaker stands) + an NHT subwoofer for a 5.1 system.

My second choice would be to get the Infinity Primus P363 mains + matching Center + Surround + a Sub from HSU or similar.

The Infinity P363 is another very accurate speaker on & off-axis +/- 3dB.

 

[jakebake]

The Zu Audio speakers look fantastic, are American-Made and are handcrafted to boot. Sadly, I have only heard of them and never actually got my ears on a pair. By reputation however, I would say that you could not go wrong on them at that pricepoint.

I don't know about a center channel speaker to go with them however. I would give them a call and discuss that with them, as they may already have one that will work well with them.

I would perhaps consider bumping the receiver budget a bit as you will want sufficient power to drive them and I would also do something with pre-outs so you can add external amplification if you desire to do so later.

Any recievers you would recommend? Would the preouts allow me to use the tube amp for the mains or just be able to switch between them? Not sure what the best option would be. I actually think the omens have a center channel!

 

[jakebake]

Home Theater Magazine recently reviewed the NHT Absolute Zero bookshelf speakers, and the measurements were extremely impressive. I believe the 5-point average on-axis and +/-15 degrees off-axis frequency response from 200Hz - 10kHz was within +/- 0.93dB.

We normally associate anything within +/-3.00dB to be accurate, so the +/-0.93dB is extremely accurate.

I would just get 5 identical NHT Absolute Zero (plus speaker stands) + an NHT subwoofer for a 5.1 system.

My second choice would be to get the Infinity Primus P363 mains + matching Center + Surround + a Sub from HSU or similar.

The Infinity P363 is another very accurate speaker on & off-axis +/- 3dB.

How are these for the music aspect? I kind of wanted floorstanders but I will definitely check these suggestions out!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How are these for the music aspect? I kind of wanted floorstanders but I will definitely check these suggestions out!

I associate "musical" speakers as those with a very accurate frequency response.

I've owned the less expensive NHT SuperZero several years ago, and they were very musical when used with a subwoofer.

But for towers, the Infinity P363 is also musical IMO.

 

[GranteedEV]

we had a pair of threads discussing zu audio and the response looked absolutely brutal. like as in, my 10 year old cousin could do better. not a speaker i would want any part of. the psb image t6 seems to be right around your price range although it won't have the output and dynamic range of PA drovers. for that look into JTR, seaton and Gedlee!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I just looked at the Zu Audio website.

First of all, I'm all for "Made In The USA" products. 100% I am.

But that is not the only thing I look for.

Let's see, Zu Audio sells $800 speaker wires and $600 power cords.

R-------I------------G--------------H------------T...........


And their flagship tower speaker, which has three 10" woofers can somehow produce bass down to 14Hz?

R-------I------------G--------------H------------T...........


Their Essence speaker has one 10" woofer and produce bass down to 30Hz and costs $4,000/pr?

R-------I------------G--------------H------------T...........



My overall impression so far is:

R-------I------------G--------------H------------T...........

 

[KEW]

Jake,

I hate to recommend a product I have not heard, but I have read many positive reviews and comments on them in comparison with speakers that I am familiar with, and the current discount on the Energy RC-50's is compelling. You may, at least want to do some research:

Mains
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/542561319/energy-rc50

Center (no discount and you may find a better price elsewhere):
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/542865495/energy-cc10

I would take the money you save from the mains and put it toward a better sub - The 12" Emotiva comes to mind since it is sealed did so well in the recent review and is reasonably priced at $430. It is compact, but puts out impressive output.

 

[GranteedEV]

I found the thread(s). THis thread also links to the other thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69948

Yep. You couldn't pay me to put one of these in my home!

 

[templemaners]

I found the thread(s). THis thread also links to the other thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69948

Yep. You couldn't pay me to put one of these in my home!

You could pay me to put one of those in my home.

Listening to them would be a whole other story.

 

[GranteedEV]

You could pay me to put one of those in my home.

Listening to them would be a whole other story.

Actually, good call on the free money. @_@

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, here is the measurement of the Zu Essence by Stereophile:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/zu-essence-loudspeaker-measurements

That has got to be one of the worst frequency responses I have ever seen.

I would stay the heck away from Zu Audio.

 

[GranteedEV]

Yeah, here is the measurement of the Zu Essence by Stereophile:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/zu-essence-loudspeaker-measurements

That has got to be one of the worst frequency responses I have ever seen.

The other measurements ain't much better. Look at the spectral decay and waterfall etc. At least it's easy to drive... right?

R-------I------------G--------------H------------T...........

 

[templemaners]

The other measurements ain't much better. Look at the spectral decay and waterfall etc. At least it's easy to drive... right?

R-------I------------G--------------H------------T...........

You guys are being way too harsh on Zu Audio. They'd make great surround speakers in a 2 channel setup! You guys must be looking at those measurements upside down or something...

 

[GranteedEV]

You guys are being way too harsh on Zu Audio. They'd make great surround speakers in a 2 channel setup! You guys must be looking at those measurements upside down or something...

I should drop out of school and start my own audio company. As long as I advertise in Stereophile and send products to 6moons for "reviews", I'll be set for the rest of my life. This Grant Fidelity company seems to have done exactly that and they're based in my city.

Unfortunately I'd probably have too much ethical guilt to profit off that.... because I should also market towards the PC Gaming crowd. "These power cables will give you the most three dee graphicks in the world!"

"I saw it, before our graphics were only 3D, but now they pop right out of the screen! I'm so glad I spend 4000 dollars on this power cable!"

and

"Thank goodness for GEV Audio. Now I don't have to hear the alto sax anymore when I listen to music"

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here is a quote from Stereophile:

"In many ways, the Zu Essence is an underachiever, measurement-wise. But the surprise for me, when I auditioned it in AD's room, was how much of its measured misbehavior was not too audible, other than the rolled-off highs and the lack of impact in the lower midrange. I suspect that Zu's designer has carefully balanced the individual aspects of the Essence's design so that the musical result is greater than the sum of its often disappointingly-measuring parts."

Translation:

THESE SPEAKERS REALLY REALLY SUCK!!!!!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

They'd make great surround speakers in a 2 channel setup! You guys must be looking at those measurements upside down or something...

LMAO

Is it like one of those bar speakers that does 5.0 with a single speaker. So 2 speakers would give you 10.00.

Yeah, their $40K flagship models might sound decent as surround speakers.

 

[jakebake]

Well damn haha
I mean I have read a lot of good things on the zu omen's as well and they do have a 60day return but it obviously looks like not worth the trouble!

How about the tekton lores?

And out of the Infinity P363 and energy rc50, psb, etc which is going to be better for music? I really want a great soundstage and the "speakers dissappear" is this possible in my price range?
Doesn't look like vanns has the energy rc50 in red

 

[GranteedEV]

Well damn haha
I mean I have read a lot of good things on the zu omen's as well and they do have a 60day return but it obviously looks like not worth the trouble!

How about the tekton lores?

And out of the Infinity P363 and energy rc50, psb, etc which is going to better for music? I really want a great soundstage and the "speakers dissappear" is this possible in my price range?
Doesn't look like vanns has the energy rc50 in red

Tekton Lores? Dunno a thing about them. And considering they've got a website, that's total failure. I clicked the specificiations page and the only number I got was "20+ years of pure audiophile driven passion". How the hell is that a specificiation?.

Energy, NHT, Infinity, and PSB are all brands that are rather well respected here on this board. They might not be the last speakers you ever own but they'll definitely impress you. Also look into EMP Tek, JTR, Salk, Aperion and Jamo. Beyond that you have to go out on a limb here as you won't get a full idea of what's going on. Read reviews, audition what you can, and take advantage of "30-day no questions asked return policies" as well as "In-home dealer auditions". Never believe marketing. When reading reviews ignore the emotional connections like "seductive" and "chocolatey" and focus on the stuff that's tangible - "overemphasized", "dynamic". Thingsl ike sound stage and imaging even can be very dependant on room acoustics and speaker setup so that's also a big thing to remember with reading reviews.

At the end of the day it's your money and when you purchase with some knowledge (things like on/off axis frequency response, ability of your amplification to drive it) you should end up with something you like.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

And out of the Infinity P363 and energy rc50, psb, etc which is going to be better for music?

You'll have to be the judge. Just make sure you buy them from a place that has great return policy, like amazon.com or local store, etc.