Need suggestions for a new home theater system

[T.A.]

As I'm not an audiophile, I would like to ask if someone can give me some suggestions of what would be a good 2.1 or 3.1 system (mainly for music listening). Which amp and set of speakers which give the best clarity, good bass and warmth for music?

Budget is around $2,000 and room size is 10X10.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[shadyJ]

In a 10x10 room, definitely go for a pair of bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer, not tower speakers. If possible I would try to avoid the typical horizontal center speaker in favor of a upright bookshelf speaker for the center. If you like big bass, I would go with a 15" subwoofer like this one. If you don't need really powerful bass, I would go for this one. Once you determine how you like your bass, that will determine how much you can spend on speakers. For a two channel setup in your budget, a pair I really like are the Revel M16s. Those are really top notch for the money. I think a pair of Sierra 1s would be good too. Although they have not been released yet, I am liking everything I see about the CCB-8s, for something with a little bit more dynamic range. For a center channel, I would just add another one of those later. For a receiver, I would go for something from Marantz, Yamaha, or Denon. They will all be good for any music application, and have more than enough amplification for a 10x10 room.

 

[Littlefoott]

take advantage of sales and get a kef 3.1 for that budget.

Denon x1300 - $499

kef q500 towers - on sale - $349 x2 = $698

kef q200c on sale - $399

RSL speedwoofer 10S - $399

total $1995

sale savings: $600

 

[herbu]

In a 10x10 room, definitely go for a pair of bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer, not tower speakers.

I agree with this. Notice "a pair" means 2... not 3. So a 2.1 system if it's mostly for music. Focusing on 2.1 now will meet your need now, and be friendly toward expansion at any point in the future.

 

[KenM10759]

The suggestion of the Revel M16's is a good one, they're highly rated speaker for the money as are the Sierra 1.

Being a biased KEF owner (who gifted my son a pair of the diminutive Q500 floor standers), those are actually a very good speaker too for less money without having to buy stands. While I agree the 10 x 10 room is small and bookshelf/stand mount speakers most appropriate, those Q500 so work well in a smaller space but can step up the game if ever moved to a larger one. Being on closeout for a few more months, just black or European Walnut finishes.

With any of them, a modest subwoofer is still needed though a 15" might be overwhelming in that small a room.

 

[T.A.]

Thank you all for the suggestions .

Since we are on the topic of KEF, how is the difference between Q500 and Q700?

 

[KenM10759]

Thank you all for the suggestions .

Since we are on the topic of KEP, how is the difference between Q500 and Q700?

About $150 apiece.

OK, seriously now...the Q500 is a little smaller, the Q700 goes a little deeper in bass. Since both would need a subwoofer for movies, it's one reason I bought my son the Q500's. The other reason was I thought they sounded a little livelier and responsive. This was echoed by the dealer who related that since shortly after introduction of the Q series they stocked only the Q500 as it tended to be preferred by customers comparing the Paradigm Monitor 7, B&W 684S2 and others in that price range which they carried. When the prices dropped, they brought in the Q700 & Q900 because they've all been selling fast. I got what I was told was the last pair of European Walnut here or in Asia, though some remaining stock is now being pulled in from the EU market.