New HT Setup: Need Speaker Advice

[Maxer]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and am just starting to build my home theater and I need some sage advice from the experts.

I just purchased a Yamaha RX-V2500 and its killing me the only thing I have hooked up to it is a pair of old Bose 401's.

I'm looking to get a 5.1 setup in the $1500-$2000 range. The room size is relatively small, 350 sq ft. What are some good brands/models to investigate?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[jimmit]

Welcome to the forum.

Take a day and visit as many of the audio shops in your area as you can. Take along a couple of CD's that you're familiar with and audition as many speakers as you can. In addition to those in your price range, listen to some above that range just so you can get an idea of what's out there. All the while, you can be deciding whether or not you want floorstanders or bookshelves for your mains, etc. Also spend some time reading this and other audio fora to get an idea of which are generally regarded as decent speakers.

Among the brands I'd try to audition: B&W, JMLab, Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Paradigm, Polk and PSB. Another route to consider -- purchasing on line. It's a little bit of a hassle in that you'll have to actually purchase the speakers to audition them. Most all online companies have liberal return policies which require you to pay return shipping if you don't want them. For the hassle, you'll get an opportunity to actually audition the speakers in your own home. Another advantage, according to those who advocate online speakers is that, with no middleman retailer, you'll get more speaker for your money. Among the online brands to consider: Ascend, Aperion and Axiom.

Good luck!

 

[Maxer]

Thanks jimmit! I appreciate all the information.

I went to Tweeter today and had a difficult time finding anything. I'm looking for a matched set to get all at once. I've been very curious about the direct to the consumer manufacturers, Axiom in particular. I've been searching this board for info and have found some good threads.

Thanks again!

 

[Tex-amp]

I like Ascend Acoustics over Axiom. You can go the the forums for the various consumer direct speakers and see if someone will let you come listen to theirs. Try the Ascend Forum. You can also keep costs down by auditioning just a pair of speakers instead of the whole set-up. Most consumer directs will give you the package price if you order the rest of the system after auditioning a pair.

 

[radaray58]

check out Def Tech

You should definitely listen to Definitive Technology speakers if they are available in your area. I purchased the BP2006TL towers, and the CLR2500 center channel. I can't remember the model number for the surrounds,but they were the small ones. Anyway, the sound is just astounding. I'm driving them with an HK AVR630. They have built in subs (including the center channel) with 250w amps. They rock the house and make things like crane chase scene in Terminator 3 sound unbeliveable. For around $2000 they are a great investment. I have never regretted the purchase, except to wish I had the dough to buy the bigger ones. That will be next year!

 

[Tomorrow]

I like Ascend Acoustics over Axiom. You can go the the forums for the various consumer direct speakers and see if someone will let you come listen to theirs. Try the Ascend Forum. You can also keep costs down by auditioning just a pair of speakers instead of the whole set-up. Most consumer directs will give you the package price if you order the rest of the system after auditioning a pair.

What is it that makes you prefer the Ascends? I'm going to an Axiom audition soon and would appreciate your input.

 

[Tex-amp]

I heard the M22 against the Ascend 170 and the M60 against the Ascend 340 at a get together last fall. The Axioms lost control over the top of the highs and the Ascends have better mids and separation. Most at the gathering thought the M60 was muddy in comparision. The M60 does go lower. The Axioms are good speakers but there are others that are better. Part of the ID model I have an issue with is how few people compare them to other speakers in the same price range. Stepping up from a HTiB or Bose of course they sound great but how do they sound against other comparable speakers?

 

[patnshan]

I heard the M22 against the Ascend 170 and the M60 against the Ascend 340 at a get together last fall. The Axioms lost control over the top of the highs and the Ascends have better mids and separation. Most at the gathering thought the M60 was muddy in comparision. The M60 does go lower. The Axioms are good speakers but there are others that are better. Part of the ID model I have an issue with is how few people compare them to other speakers in the same price range. Stepping up from a HTiB or Bose of course they sound great but how do they sound against other comparable speakers?

I have heard good things about both. The looks is where I see the problem. The ascends, to me, look like their made of molded plastic and appear cheap. Especially the 170's. I hope it's just the pics. The axioms and aperions look much better, at least in the pictures. I haven't seen any in person.

Pat

 

[Tex-amp]

Axiom and Aperion use a woodgrain vinyl to Ascend's plain black vinyl.

 

[Khellandros66]

Yamaha is great combined with Definitive or B&W (bit bright for me) also pairs pretty well with Polk from what I am told.

~Bob