My First Real System

[Akoma]

Long time lurker, first time poster so here's some backstory:

I have always wanted a nice system for myself and always considered myself a borderline audioholic. I have been lurking this site for years and even helped my friend pick out his sub (an SVS PC-Ultra) based on a review from this site. He has a pretty decent system (JBL Towers H/K DPR2005/AVR???) and every time I was at his house was a reminder that I still needed my own system. So, over the last year or so I started to seriously listen to and evaluate speakers at different outlets in my travels (the typical polks, jamos, klipsch, etc). I was very aware that I was on a budget and didn't need a system costing thousands upon thousands of dollars (not yet ). I also know what I like. A speaker costing several hundred dollars more might not sound like several hundred dollars more. A speaker that has brilliantly clear highs for one person might be too harsh for the other, and so it goes. Point is I know what I like and I wasn't going to be rushed or cave to what other people thought was a good speaker.

One fateful day I heard my first pair of KEFs while at a Visions with my friends and I knew then that, that was the sound I wanted. Fast forward to the present and I am sitting here enjoying my KEF system that is as follows:

iQ7 front towers
iQ1 rear bookshelfs
iQ2 center
and an Onkyo TX-SR606
(and an old Aiwa sub that I like the sound of)

Not the best system I know, but it is better than what I was using and it's somewhere to start. Keep in mind that I used to have a 2.1 setup with a DPR2005 and some old Genexxa GX-1200's.

TLDR:
For the price I paid I am very happy. It is a HUGE improvement from my previous system and it seems like a good platform to build on and improve. Thoughts, suggestions and opinions welcome and encouraged.

 

[Alex2507]

My first thought is that it must be nice to have a system with speakers that you knew that you wanted. That's great. There must be a TV and a player. Don't be shy about posting some pics. We love pic's.

 

[Akoma]

...Don't be shy about posting some pics. We love pic's. ...

Love to. First thing tomorrow.

...There must be a TV and a player...

I'm an avid gamer, as such I have everything hooked into my computer. Video is handled by a BenQ 22" LCD and as I typically sit 2-3 feet away from it size is not a pressing issue, although plans for the rest (TV & Blu-Ray) are in the works. Music is my main obsession though (as opposed to theater) so don't expect any immediate update on the situation. BTW audio is dealt with via optical.

 

[fast1]

hi and welcome! any pics?

 

[lsiberian]

Long time lurker, first time poster so here's some backstory:

I have always wanted a nice system for myself and always considered myself a borderline audioholic. I have been lurking this site for years and even helped my friend pick out his sub (an SVS PC-Ultra) based on a review from this site. He has a pretty decent system (JBL Towers H/K DPR2005/AVR???) and every time I was at his house was a reminder that I still needed my own system. So, over the last year or so I started to seriously listen to and evaluate speakers at different outlets in my travels (the typical polks, jamos, klipsch, etc). I was very aware that I was on a budget and didn't need a system costing thousands upon thousands of dollars (not yet ). I also know what I like. A speaker costing several hundred dollars more might not sound like several hundred dollars more. A speaker that has brilliantly clear highs for one person might be too harsh for the other, and so it goes. Point is I know what I like and I wasn't going to be rushed or cave to what other people thought was a good speaker.

One fateful day I heard my first pair of KEFs while at a Visions with my friends and I knew then that, that was the sound I wanted. Fast forward to the present and I am sitting here enjoying my KEF system that is as follows:

iQ7 front towers
iQ1 rear bookshelfs
iQ2 center
and an Onkyo TX-SR606
(and an old Aiwa sub that I like the sound of)

Not the best system I know, but it is better than what I was using and it's somewhere to start. Keep in mind that I used to have a 2.1 setup with a DPR2005 and some old Genexxa GX-1200's.

TLDR:
For the price I paid I am very happy. It is a HUGE improvement from my previous system and it seems like a good platform to build on and improve. Thoughts, suggestions and opinions welcome and encouraged.

I'm a KEF fanboy as my surrounds will tell you. I suggest a sub upgrade next. Since you're a lurker you know what kind of sub I'm undertaking. But even a Dayton would probably be an upgrade for you. I've always wondered how well dual Daytons would do.

But since you have great speakers. I suggest you get an SVS sub.

For your speakers I suggest upgrading your center to the iQ6. It's a nice step up and more fitting to those iQ7s. The iQ2 is a match for your rear speakers.

Still I wouldn't mind having your set in my setup. I love KEFs I think they make great speakers. If you ever want to DIY I suggest you look as Seas Coaxials.

 

[lsiberian]

My first thought is that it must be nice to have a system with speakers that you knew that you wanted. That's great. There must be a TV and a player. Don't be shy about posting some pics. We love pic's.

It's nice to pop the system cherry on a system you love.

I started with Betas and my Kef surrounds. I can't believe I actually built speakers that work.

 

[Akoma]

Pics (finally!)

I managed to snag some pics over the weekend.

Center is hiding behind the monitor. I set my monitor on top for movies and the like but for day-to-day it is just too high to leave it on there.

Lot's of power cables lying parallel to speaker wire and other no-no's. Haven't noticed any interference as a result though.

This table is MUCH sturdier than it looks.

You might notice my room is upstairs and thus the ends of my room have pointed (?) ceilings. I am not quite sure how much this affects the sound yet but I will do some tests once my new soundcard gets here !

 

[Alex2507]

I like that old table a lot. You already said that this is a major improvement over your previous system so that's always fun. They say that speakers and room treatments are the way to improve sound quality. I think the room looks pretty snazzy. Thanks for the pic's and welcome to the forum. It's really done a lot for my enjoyment of A/V.

 

[jamie2112]

LMFAO are those " boombox" speakers you are using for stands? Classic I freakin love it........ Looks good..................still LMAO...

 

[Akoma]

I like that old table a lot. You already said that this is a major improvement over your previous system so that's always fun. They say that speakers and room treatments are the way to improve sound quality. I think the room looks pretty snazzy. Thanks for the pic's and welcome to the forum. It's really done a lot for my enjoyment of A/V.

Ya the pic doesn't really do that table justice, the finish is a lot darker irl. I liked the contrast between the old rustic table and the new modern amp.

LMFAO are those " boombox" speakers you are using for stands? Classic I freakin love it........ Looks good..................still LMAO...

Haha ya, I needed about 8" of height on the towers so I grabbed some old speakers I had kicken around. Works great and it's on theme haha.

 

[vizionut]

i like the old atari 2600 on the top of the bookshelf