Need some advice purchasing an entire set up

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So Watchdog, focus on speakers. I also like AcuDefTechGuy's suggestion on getting a projector. Epson is a good pick as well. You can research reviews right on this site as well. A projector will give you an enormously large viewing range.

Where is he (Watchdog), anyway?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

1) ...Looking at Onkyo 605 or 805 unless I can be convinced that there is a compelling reason, go separates.

Unless you demand the best possible 2-ch music listening, I cannot think of any good reasons to go with separates.
But for the very best 2-ch music, I don't think you can beat an acurate analog stereo preamplifier, although you can probably come close with the Denon 4308 or the upcoming flagship from Onkyo.

 

[watchdog]

Watchdog is right here reading all the replys. FYI, my budget was for all electronics, TV, DVD, CD, and speakers.

Did not consider the projection TV's b/c it seems like the picture looks funny once you move from side to side. Plus my wife flat out doesn't like em. I want to go LCD or Plasma. The room has tons of light.

I am pretty well set on the Onk 805, but the speaker thing is another story. I am approaching diminishing returns. Paradigm, NHT, Rockets, Ushers, Ascends, Aperion, Axiom, wharfedale, Swan, Dana, Epos, PSB,Onix XL's, Polk, Boston, B &W etc.... I have no way of knowing them all nor do I have time. Can I get some feed back on say 4 -5 bookshelves under $400 that are flat out better than most so I can narrow down my selection and time.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

If only it was that easy...

Did you look at the bookshelf shoot-out on here?

Watchdog is right here reading all the replys. FYI, my budget was for all electronics, TV, DVD, CD, and speakers.

Did not consider the projection TV's b/c it seems like the picture looks funny once you move from side to side. Plus my wife flat out doesn't like em. I want to go LCD or Plasma. The room has tons of light.

I am pretty well set on the Onk 805, but the speaker thing is another story. I am approaching diminishing returns. Paradigm, NHT, Rockets, Ushers, Ascends, Aperion, Axiom, wharfedale, Swan, Dana, Epos, PSB,Onix XL's, Polk, Boston, B &W etc.... I have no way of knowing them all nor do I have time. Can I get some feed back on say 4 -5 bookshelves under $400 that are flat out better than most so I can narrow down my selection and time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...Paradigm, NHT, Rockets, Ushers, Ascends, Aperion, Axiom, wharfedale, Swan, Dana, Epos, PSB,Onix XL's, Polk, Boston, B &W etc.... I have no way of knowing them all nor do I have time. Can I get some feed back on say 4 -5 bookshelves under $400 that are flat out better than most so I can narrow down my selection and time.

So you are really leaning towards monitor/bookshelf speakers + Subwoofer?
And is that $400 per speaker or for the whole 5.1 system?

My first 5.1 HT system was the NHT SuperZero + SW2P Subwoofer. I thought it was a great system. The reason I bought them was because I had read several audio reviews highly praising these speakers, saying these $100 speakers sounded like $1,000 speakers.

But I really think that all these speakers you listed will sound very good as long as you match them well. Like getting 5 NHTs + NHT subwoofer or 5 PSB + Subwoofer or 5 Axioms + Subwoofer, etc.

If you really want to get technical, then you have to compare their specifications. The NHTs bookshelves may be 80-20,000 Hz +/- 3dB & the NHT subwoofer may be 27-150 Hz +/- 3dB. The other bookshelves may be 60-20,000 Hz +/- 3dB & subwoofers may be 22-150 Hz +/- 3dB. Will you hear a clear distinct difference like night & day among the speakers? Probably not. You will probably like them all. I have experience with NHT & Definitive Technology speakers so I can definitely recommend them. But if you ask 10 people, they will probably recommend 10 different systems.

If I don't have time to listen to all these speakers, then I would have to look at their specs and compare. Make sure the frequency response is +/- 3dB and not just a range. Example is DefTech BP7000SC. The DefTech website just says the Freq Resp is 11 Hz - 30 kHz. But if you ask them for detail specs, they will tell you that it is 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 3dB (90 dB reference).

 

[watchdog]

I am open to book shelf speaker as well as towers. However, my wife wants littler speakers. She says every picture of a HT she sees with towers looks clustered and overwhelming. I have to say, I have seen more that stick out versus blend in. I want to focus on the TV not the speakers.

Ideally I like the looks of KEF 5005 and Canton CD50's that install on the wall for flat panel set ups. However, I am not sure you can get the sound quality versus bookshelfs. So as with everything, it is a compromise. At 45 I remember my "dinosaur" collection as my wife says never grows it just stays the same. Once I get a quality system installed, I will likely never be critical of it.

Maybe I should just put all the names of the speakers listed and "spin the bottle" or pull from a hat?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am open to book shelf speaker as well as towers. However, my wife wants littler speakers. She says every picture of a HT she sees with towers looks clustered and overwhelming. I have to say, I have seen more that stick out versus blend in. I want to focus on the TV not the speakers.

Ideally I like the looks of KEF 5005 and Canton CD50's that install on the wall for flat panel set ups. However, I am not sure you can get the sound quality versus bookshelfs. So as with everything, it is a compromise. At 45 I remember my "dinosaur" collection as my wife says never grows it just stays the same. Once I get a quality system installed, I will likely never be critical of it.

Maybe I should just put all the names of the speakers listed and "spin the bottle" or pull from a hat?

Yeah, I wife really HATES my 53" DefTech SuperTowers. My 25"x16"x9" CLR3000 center speaker is as big as some people's tower speaker. That's because I don't believe in compromising my HT/Music.

Here is what you need for "Beauty meets Performance": http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/mythos/mythos_table.html

 

[MapleSyrup]

Rbh

I listened to cieling speakers at an RBH dealer and they sounded really good. I hae not listend to many in wall-incieling speakers but I'll say that those RBH's did sound compatible in quality to bookshelves.

Also watchdog, from what I ubderstand, towers (assuming the same technology and quality is used and implamented), you'll almost always get more sound out of towers versus bookshelves simply because more air moves through the tower speaker's extra space. But I'm positive that a good set of bookshelves combined with a good subwoofer will satisfy you. Heck I run my home theater through a typical satellite/subwoofer combo by Polk Audio and really enjoy it. I do intend on upgrading but all in due time. Feeding the kids is more important.

RBH (In wall/In Cieling - "Architecture" Series):
http://www.rbhsound.com/products.shtml#architectural

RBH Home Site:
http://www.rbhsound.com/

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ideally I like the looks of KEF 5005 and Canton CD50's

Yeah, basically you just can't go wrong with respectable name brands like RBH, Definitive Technology, NHT, Paradigm, KEF, Canton, etc. So it all comes down to looks/apperances in matching your LCD/Plasma & room decor.

 

[rnatalli]

You can't go wrong with any respectable brand. Why not order say the Onix, Ascends, and Axioms as they all offer 30 days trial. Onix are pretty neutral and natural; Ascends pretty warm and musical; and Axioms pretty accurate and detailed. You take a small hit for shipping the losers back, but it's worth it and you don't have to go anywhere if you don't have the time. If you need small speakers really high on WAF, then Orbs or Gallo's are worth a look. They won't sound as good as a bookshelf, but I've heard Gallo's and they didn't suck. That said, your budget was $7k and larger speakers would be the way to go, but you have to keep the wife happy as well. Magnepans are another possibility, but you need serious power to push them. They're long, but only an inch thick. My wife really loved how Magnepans looked, but we both liked the sound of the Mordaunts better. Oh the confusion!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...your budget was $7k and larger speakers would be the way to go, but you have to keep the wife happy as well.

Marriage is a compromise. I'm just so glad and thankful my HT room isn't!
It's all mine!!!

Yeah, I also agree that large tower speakers are the way to go.

So, Watchdog, you don't think you will ever get back into listening to music like you did in the past?

I started out loving music only. Then both music and movies equally. Then just movies only. Then now I'm back to both music and movies 50/50. So for me large tower speakers is a must.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Good bookshelfs and a sub or towers either one will be fine. Good in-walls are a fair second if you use Triads or speakercrafts and a free standing sub.

I had a similar experience to you DT. I used to really be into music and movies but my (ex) wife made me get rid of the "big, ugly stereo" and get a BOSE. Over time I quit watching movies and listening to music. It was so gradual that I didn’t really notice it. This went on for almost 10 years until I rediscovered the HT world and now either a movie is on or music is playing any time we are at home.

Marriage is a compromise. I'm just so glad and thankful my HT room isn't!
It's all mine!!!

Yeah, I also agree that large tower speakers are the way to go.

So, Watchdog, you don't think you will ever get back into listening to music like you did in the past?

I started out loving music only. Then both music and movies equally. Then just movies only. Then now I'm back to both music and movies 50/50. So for me large tower speakers is a must.

 

[watchdog]

I see that Mordaunts and Cantons can be had at great prices here in the states. I was lucky enough to find a local shop that had the Canton CD50's, Canton GLE (entry level bookshelfs at $200each) and a KEF 6000 system set up in surround.

I heard the Cantons (2) CD 100's along with a CD50 center chanel and an 8 inch velodyne sub. The CD's are long and narrow, 17 X 3.5 X 4. DAMN, it sure beats the heck out of my 17 year old 19 inch toshiba. All the detail in sound scared the crap out of me. We watched a trailer of "Kill Bill Two" with two chicks fighting. I was impressed. Then we listed to the Canton bookshelfs. Entry level, they sounded deeper and richer, but that is what I expected for the size differential.

We moved to the KEF's. I was not impressed. The KEF system was around $3K and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I am leaning toward the Cantons CD's b/c they can be wall mounted are out of the way, sound pretty dang good and feel integrated. They do not sound as good for music, but I have little time to listen to music now anyway. Who knows, as I process all this information and acquire a more acute range of sound, maybe I wake up in the morning and decide I like the bookshelfs.

Keep input coming, especially if anyone has heard these Cantons. They look about like the PSB Alphas (Which I have never heard)

How about any input on these Mordaunts short MS300 Surround with 5 speakers that can be had for $500. Anyone hear them?

 

[MapleSyrup]

Watchdog

Both Canton and Mordaunt are good brands. I've heard neither. In fact, the vast majority of my comments are based directly on what I have read from sources I've grown to trust. I think either should do you fine. Velodyne in also a pretty darn good subwoofer manufacturer. Velodyne can be bought from Crutchfield but not the other speakers (I don't think). You can, however, now buy Thiel speakers from Crutchfield. Some of their speaers for for, like, $10,000/pair .

 

[MapleSyrup]

Good bookshelfs and a sub or towers either one will be fine. Good in-walls are a fair second if you use Triads or speakercrafts and a free standing sub.

I had a similar experience to you DT. I used to really be into music and movies but my (ex) wife made me get rid of the "big, ugly stereo" and get a BOSE. Over time I quit watching movies and listening to music. It was so gradual that I didn’t really notice it. This went on for almost 10 years until I rediscovered the HT world and now either a movie is on or music is playing any time we are at home.

LOl, I think I see the reason for your separation. Seriously though, my sympathies, that can be rough to go through.

Now, I looked at your pics real quick. Do you have Paradigms? If so perhaps yu can comment to Watchdog about them frim your first-hand experience? They are more expensive than many other brands but there is always ebay, right?

 

[rnatalli]

How about any input on these Mordaunts short MS300 Surround with 5 speakers that can be had for $500. Anyone hear them?

tsto.com has that Mordaunt system for $250 FYI. I have that very system used for surrounds and they sound excellent for both movies and music. You will need a good sub (HSU or SVS) for sure and larger mains if you want something that will evict you. But the smaller speakers hold their own. AC4L has the Mordaunt MS906 floorstanders for $450 a pair. So $450 for those, $250 for the 5-speaker package, $350 for an HSU STF-2 and a little shipping, you have the same system I have for around $1.1k. Only downside is that Mordaunts are tough speakers to drive so you need good, clean power. Mordaunts also look good which is a plus when dealing with the wife Although my wife doesn't give me a hard time about how things look in the HT room, she loves the Mordaunts. I just had a couple of Orbs to try for another HT for someone and she loved how those look of course, but I didn't think they sounded as good as the Mordaunts which isn't fair as the Mordaunts have separate drivers.

Mordaunt Premiere System ($249):

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46f3e03500341e3c2740ac10034105d5/Product/View/2516

Mordaunt MS906 Floorstanders ($449):

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDAV906BL

Subwoofer ($349):

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What do you guys think about the NuForce speaker for about $3K each?
External crossover. Freq Response down to 40 Hz +/- 2dB.
Does this sound like a total rip-off?