Need help with replacing speakers

[gambini]

Back in the early 90's I put together a decent system for my budget as a graduate student that consisted of a Yamaha HT receiver and a set of 5 Infinity SM series speakers. Over the years I have replaced the surrounds on the woofers of the towers and after various issues with the receiver and cd player, I recently decided to replace my HT equipment. I've started with an Onkyo HT-RC260 (basically the 608 minus THX cert.) and a samsung blu-ray. Had I come here first, I probably would have gone a different route to the RC260, but that's done.

Now, after pulling my Stereo Review Chesky set up CD from the archives and trying to calibrate my speakers, I realized that my mains no longer have the same dynamic response they once did. I looked to audition some new speakers, but I've found that here in San Diego, I'm having a hard time locating anyone with quality loud speakers. In fact, the way I arrived at Audioholics was through search for reviews on the Mirage OMD-15s that I saw discounted at Vanns. And I was turned on to Mirage because that was the best I could find at my local Best Buy (the wife likes the cute little nanostats). If anyone knows of a good audio store still remaining in the San Diego area, please let me know. The thought of driving 2+ hours into LA traffic is less than appealing (but might be necessary).

Anyway, sorry for the ramblings. I have a 20'x14'x8' room that opens with a half wall on the long side to the kitchen. My concern with the OMD-15s is placement. I like the omnipolar concept and I've read some very good reviews, though the models I've heard (nanosats, OS3's did not blow me away). But what really worries me is placement. I'd really like a speaker that does not have to be 3' from the wall. Is there a good alternative that I could have only 1' from the wall without sacrificing too much. I really want the bass tight. Oh, I should also mention I have a Velodyne SPL 10' sub that I plan keeping in the new system.

I've seen recommendations for SVS, EMP and Aperions. Would any of these fit my speaker placement constraints. The right speaker is also somewhat corner bound and next to an entertainment unit, but I can try to work with things to pull it out a bit. I guess I need a speaker that can handle less than ideal placement (front ported?). The center would be under the tv on a shelf that might color the sound a bit, too.

As for budget, I'm a bit flexible. It looks like there is a decent selection for under $1k for the mains and another $4-600 for the center and surrounds. The E55Tis look amazing and the price looks right. Are the E5Tis a close or a distant second to the E55Tis? The F300T special looks like a great deal, but I can't go with rosewood towers. With the wood we already have, I need black towers. It still begs the question, how do you buy these speakers without ever hearing them?

Thanks in advance for the help,
Tim

 

[GranteedEV]

e55tis won't work for you; since they're rear ported they want some distance from the wall.

 

[sholling]

Howdy neighbor! If you're stuck in tight corners then I agree with you and suggest that you limit your search to sealed and front ported speakers. When I moved to a new home with only a foot of side clearance I discovered that my beautiful Boston Acoustics had to go. It was like someone had attached a megaphone to the bass port. Unfortunately I can't be of a lot of help with recommendations because Hemet is even further off the beaten path than a big city like San Diego and I found little to listen to within a 1 hour drive. I know Aperion Audio and Swan make front ported towers, and SVSound and Emotiva make sealed speakers but I haven't heard any of those and have no idea how they compare. I took advantage of the situation and went up market semi-custom.

 

[zieglj01]

Go to musicdirect.com and look at the Focal 714V tower speakers
and the CC700V center. Save up for new surrounds.

 

[GranteedEV]

If space is an issue, I'd consider looking into the RBH in wall speakers. I've no doubt they sound great, period.

 

[gholt]

If space is an issue, I'd consider looking into the RBH in wall speakers. I've no doubt they sound great, period.

+1 on that. I have heard both their in wall and floor speakers. They sound fanttastic.

 

[gambini]

e55tis won't work for you; since they're rear ported they want some distance from the wall.

I'm sorry to hear that. From the photos, they are beautiful looking speakers. How much distance would they need? And when talking distance from the wall, are you measuring from of the front of the speakers?

 

[gambini]

If space is an issue, I'd consider looking into the RBH in wall speakers. I've no doubt they sound great, period.

That may be the way I have to go, but I really don't want to. I really like the look of a nice set of front tower speakers. If an in wall speaker can be tuned to work in a wall, I would think there would be floor standing speakers that can handle 1'-2' from a wall.

 

[GranteedEV]

The thing is, the wall becomes part of the baffle with an in-wall speaker.

As soon as you get a speaker away from the wall, your baffle instantly becomes a lot smaller - this results in boomyness of bass frequencies which somehow (don't ask me, I don't know much about acoustic theory) travel backwards. Rear ports make this even worse. That's why most speakers want distance from the wall.

At the very least, go find your local RBH dealer. Who knows, you might come home with an SX-8300 tower anyways - or you might find that the in-walls are a GOOD compromise!

 

[GranteedEV]

At the risk of going out of you budget, I will say that you might want to look into the Salk Songtower.. it's supposed to sound nice close to walls (and period) but we're talking 1600+ dollars... but since it's a bonafide custom job you could definitely get what you want in a great sounding speaker.

 

[gambini]

At the risk of going out of you budget, I will say that you might want to look into the Salk Songtower.. it's supposed to sound nice close to walls (and period) but we're talking 1600+ dollars... but since it's a bonafide custom job you could definitely get what you want in a great sounding speaker.

That's definitely pushing the limits of my budget, but my bigger concern goes back to part of my original post: How do you buy speakers of this caliber without ever listening to them?

 

[zieglj01]

That's definitely pushing the limits of my budget, but my bigger concern goes back to part of my original post: How do you buy speakers of this caliber without ever listening to them?

It may not be for you - however, many people buy from a company
that offers a 30 day return policy. You read reviews and try to
ignore advertising hype. Yes, it is easier to buy a car than speakers.
All any one can do here, is suggest speakers that we like - and
know that they are good.

 

[GranteedEV]

That's definitely pushing the limits of my budget, but my bigger concern goes back to part of my original post: How do you buy speakers of this caliber without ever listening to them?

It's better than listening to a speaker in a certain environment with high end electronics only for it to arrive in your house sounding different in your room with your modest electronics... and then spending tons of money trying to recreate what you originally heard.

At the end of the day, most ID companies will take the product back if you dislike it(in the case of Salk, they give you 30 days if it's a stock veneer, it's a bit different with custom veneers simply because they're custom, but they'll look to find you a buyer if you're not satisfied... we're talking about small companies that'll go through hell and back for their customers). At worst you can sell it on ebay or audiogon. At best you may be getting $1600 speakers that sound like those 4000 dollar speakers you've auditioned in the past... because you're

It's not much of a gamble... not more than say, going to the Hi Fi shop and being shown speakers which sound good to your ears but in actuality may be a very unrealistic presentation.

 

[sholling]

That's definitely pushing the limits of my budget, but my bigger concern goes back to part of my original post: How do you buy speakers of this caliber without ever listening to them?

The way that Salk works their demos is through a fanatical following that opens their homes to let others hear them. BTW Salk will make them front ported if you like.

 

[gambini]

The way that Salk works their demos is through a fanatical following that opens their homes to let others hear them. BTW Salk will make them front ported if you like.

So, Hemet, eh? That's a bit of a hike for me, but I am going to be in Palm Springs in November (hint, hint).

Another thought. I saw that Salk is in Michigan. That's where I'm from. It's not far from where my Mother lives, so that might be another opportunity to check them out and the shop (assuming they have demos there) the next time I visit.

 

[jostenmeat]

So, Hemet, eh? That's a bit of a hike for me, but I am going to be in Palm Springs in November (hint, hint).

Another thought. I saw that Salk is in Michigan. That's where I'm from. It's not far from where my Mother lives, so that might be another opportunity to check them out and the shop (assuming they have demos there) the next time I visit.

I just read this, regarding a visit to Salk . . .

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=19338386&postcount=2180

 

[gambini]

Ok, before I dive head first into the audiophile abyss, maybe I should take a step back and remember where I started. I'm looking to replace my dated (and dying) Infinity speakers with something of quality, but I have speaker placement issues. While the Songs sound like amazing speakers, I wanted to keep my budget sub $1k.

I was initially attracted to the EMP E5Ti and E55Ti speakers, but was advised that these need to be more than a few inches away from the front wall. If I went for the E5Ti ($500/pr, single rear port vs. dual rear port of the E55Ti), how far away from the wall might be reasonable (I realize I have to play with positioning and there is no definite answer, but roughly what's the closest that might work)?

And one more naive question, when you say 3' from the front wall, are you measuring to the front of the speaker?

I'm basically looking for all the data to help me decide (also some ammunition for the better half). Maybe she'll let me pull the speakers away from the wall if it will save us $1.5k in the cost of the speakers.

Finally, what about my equipment? I have the Onkyo HT-RC260 (100w/Ch). Will this be enough power to run the EMPs or the Songs adequately, or will I need more power too?

Thank you all for the advice. It's been a lot of fun.
Tim