New Home Theater System Questions

[Holland Hacker]

This is my first post, have been lurking for a few days reading for advice and reviews. OK here is the deal.

I have a new Sharp Aquos 52" LCD coming and have ordered the Yamaha 863 (from audioholics). I presently have the HTiB JBL Cinema 600 speakers. I want to upgrade the speakers as well but do not want to spend money just for the spending the $ to get a better known system.

I was looking at the Axiom Epic 60 / 500 home theater system and would most likely upgrade to the actual wood cabinets, which make the system fairly pricey.

By wake of background the system will most be used for movies (DirecTv & DVDs) and music probably 70% movies & 30% music.

Are there any other systems that I should consider before buying the Axiom systems.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Exit]

They do not come in wood finish, but I would consider the SVS SBS-01 speaker system with PB10-NSD with 5.1 being $999 and 7.1 being $1,175. It has a good subwoofer that goes down to 20 Hz. Both the subwoofer and the speakers have gotten good reviews and this represents a high value for the dollar. Also there is a larger 12" woofer available for 5.1 at $1,149 and 7.1 for $1299.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

 

[calnbs]

For great speakers and great finish, check out www.av123.com for their x-series or Rocket. Hands down, the Rockets are one of the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen.

 

[jcPanny]

AV123 speakers

For great speakers and great finish, check out www.av123.com for their x-series or Rocket. Hands down, the Rockets are one of the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen.

I second AV123 for a furniture quality wood finish. Even their entry level X-series and the new ELT525 model offer real wood. The Rocket line would be excelent for a higher end (and higher budget) HT system.

I have their reference speakers and the ELTs for surrounds.

 

[calnbs]

As for ID speakers goes, Rockets, Swans, Aperions, and Salk have beautiful finishes but factoring everything else in, Rockets 850 came on top for me. If you are still here. To get a better feel for these speakers, hit the speaker owner's thread at www.avsforum.com

Here are a few links to some speakers that was very helpful towards making my decision easier.
The first page is an interesting read on blind test speaker shoot out between very respected ID speakers and was graded by those who attended.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931069&highlight=rocket+850

Nuance is a poster at avsforum and this is journey to his perfect speakers under $3k, interesting read.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850

Nuance's thoughts on the Rockets and Paradigm:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850&page=25

Nuance's final thoughts (toward's the bottom):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850&page=28

Mark Schiftler's thoughts on what his Rockets are (7 Post down):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931069&highlight=rocket+850&page=9

Rocket's owners thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=801958&highlight=rocket+850

Swan's owner's thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=857183&highlight=rocket+850

Salk's owners thread: (Salk have been extremely well thought of and praised, almost made me regret not considering them as my top choice after researching them after I already bought the Rockets.) Very interesting read.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=939744&highlight=rocket+850

Aperion's owner's thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=772081&highlight=aperion+speaker

Rockets www.av123.com
Swans www.theaudioinsider.com
Aperion www.aperionaudio.com
Salk www.salksound.com

Very long readings but well worth it if you want to have a better understanding of what these speakers are about. All excellent choices and all have excellent trial periods and return policy.

 

[Midcow2]

Rockets

I was looking at the Axiom Epic 60 / 500 home theater system and would most likely upgrade to the actual wood cabinets, which make the system fairly pricey.

That is a nice speaker system you are considering. One that really looks and sounds good is the AV123 Rocket series see this URL

http://av123.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=19&Itemid=37

Good Luck!

 

[Holland Hacker]

calnbs - You were right there was a lot of reading in the AVSFORUMS. Now that my head is totally spinning. I have a few follow up questions.

I think I have limited my selections to the following systems:

Axiom 80 / 500 in Vinyl instead of wood. After reading some of the posts here I think I would prefer the higher end speakers to the wood cabinet.

The AV123 Rocket 850 system. Man they look nice unfortunately I would have to wait until approximatley 7/15 if I ordered today, just the other day its had an "eta" of 5/15.

Based on some of the reviews I read this morning I could also be easily talked into an Aperion systems. Probably be the Intimus 6T Hybrid HD.

My main concern now is the placement of the center speaker. The room that will house the system has a fireplace, above which the TV will be placed. The mantle beneath the TV is only 6 and 1/2 inches deep so I'm afraid the center speaker from both Rocket System the "Big Foot" and the center speaker from the Aperion Systems would be too big and heavy for the mantle. My question is will it be OK to have the center speaker set up off to the side? Or will this totally defeat the purpose of having a center speaker for HT purposes? My guess is the later. That is why I'm considering the Axiom System the center speaker is smaller and would more likely fit on the mantle with a little bit of rigging.

Any thoughts on how to over come this?

Again thanks for all of your suggestions todate and I look forward to reading your suggestions.

 

[calnbs]

Unfortunately for Rockets, they are really going through some growing pains and haven't been able to keep up for the demand of their products. Ever since their sales in the Fall of 2007 and their highly regard MFW 15 Subs got ranked pretty high, everyone pretty much flooded their gates. The Rocket center weighs 50 lbs and is 2ft long, 1 ft high, and 10.5 inches deep. I didn't realize why they nickname it "Bigfoot" until I opened the box it was in.

The center is very important to a Home Theater. During a movie, the "talking/voices" will be coming out of the center speaker. Your two main (L,R) speakers can do the work without the center but will you be satisfied enough with it? Will you be happy setting the speaker on the side? These two questions, only you really can answer these questions, depending on how picky you are. Some people are extremely picky, everything have to be aligned, centered, perfect height or it will drive them mad....fortunately, I am not one of them. For example, my side speakers needed risers to match my fronts (in heights) but I didn't buy the risers because it was $50. My center speaker is not in a perfect height and not quite centered because my audio rack is too high and would interfere with my video projection (I have a projector) and so I have my center speaker on top of a small coffea table, next to the audio rack (it looks ghetto). For me, I rather have a misplace center than a "no" center but that's just me. But again, I don't know how "displaced" it will be at your place to the point it looks weird. Will the sound be displaced enough for you to be unhappy? I don't know. It doesn't bother me, but it doesn't mean, it won't bother you. I hope someone else can put in their 2 cents. Always good to have more than one opinion.

Best solution is to find a speaker that will fit your place. The good thing about speaker is that there are a lot of choices you can go with. It's not the end of the world if one doesn't fit your needs. What if you find one that will fit the mantle but its not the wood cabinet finished you want? Will you compromise?

Take a look at these as well: PSB, NHT, Monitor Audio

 

[fredk]

HH. The Axioms do offer a lot of sound value. As to finish, I don't know if you are looking for a particular look, but the new high gloss cherry vinyl from Axiom looks like the real thing at a much smaller premium than real wood.

Fred

 

[Soundman]

As for ID speakers goes, Rockets, Swans, Aperions, and Salk have beautiful finishes but factoring everything else in, Rockets 850 came on top for me. If you are still here. To get a better feel for these speakers, hit the speaker owner's thread at www.avsforum.com

Here are a few links to some speakers that was very helpful towards making my decision easier.
The first page is an interesting read on blind test speaker shoot out between very respected ID speakers and was graded by those who attended.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931069&highlight=rocket+850

Nuance is a poster at avsforum and this is journey to his perfect speakers under $3k, interesting read.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850

Nuance's thoughts on the Rockets and Paradigm:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850&page=25

Nuance's final thoughts (toward's the bottom):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850&page=28

Mark Schiftler's thoughts on what his Rockets are (7 Post down):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931069&highlight=rocket+850&page=9

Rocket's owners thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=801958&highlight=rocket+850

Swan's owner's thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=857183&highlight=rocket+850

Salk's owners thread: (Salk have been extremely well thought of and praised, almost made me regret not considering them as my top choice after researching them after I already bought the Rockets.) Very interesting read.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=939744&highlight=rocket+850

Aperion's owner's thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=772081&highlight=aperion+speaker

Rockets www.av123.com
Swans www.theaudioinsider.com
Aperion www.aperionaudio.com
Salk www.salksound.com

Very long readings but well worth it if you want to have a better understanding of what these speakers are about. All excellent choices and all have excellent trial periods and return policy.

I agree. I have the 850's and couldn't be happier.