New member...clean slate! Sorry, long!

[mung]

Hi,

I just signed up today after reading everything I can find over the past year attempting to educate myself. The last time I purchased a sound system was about 18 years ago. In fact I still have the first stereo I ever purchased from my first job almost thirty years ago. It's in the garage and still works....not great sound, but good enough for home football games I cannot attend. But the last stereo I purchased was all Adcom with Magnaplanars and works great. Obviously technology has outpaced my attention and here is my situation.

I have just purchased an old 2 story "four square" and have gutted the interior and have added about 1,300 square feet, which will include a 16'x20' family room with built-in home theater. I live in Iowa, so I am limited to selection, other than what I can find over the net...which appears to be a lot. However, my local shop is pushing Monitor Audio fronts and center channel wall mount speakers, Paradigm sub and Paradigm in-ceiling rears and a Denon 2307ci receiver. I have no trouble with any of these choices, other than it's more money than I would really like to spend, but I have no real choices locally. I have a new Panasonic 58" plasma to go on the wall and want to mount the fronts on either side of the plasma, on the wall, but not "in" the wall, with the center channel being built into a fireplace mantle. The plasma will go above a fireplace. The rears will be "in" the ceiling. All the prewiring is complete and there is cat5, HDMI, IR for responders/repeaters for remote controls and exterior speakers for the patio.

Here's what I would realistically like to spend:

Fronts - $500/pair
Center - <$300
Sub - $300-350
Rear in-ceiling - $500/pair

Denon AVR-2307ci - if Woodroc will sell me his!

The Monitor Audio's are $400 a piece and am not sure that will pass the WAF- I think that is wife acceptance factor? Although I am not married. So for $1,200 for front speakers only, it seems to be excessive for what I want. My viewing will be local college sports, a few movies when we have time, boxing/mixed martial arts events and NO video games. It seems like that is more money than I need to spend for what I need in return. I want quality, I do not mind paying for equipment that will last.

What other options does anyone suggest for the money I've listed above? I just want to research other options. I have checked with DMC Electronics in California for some PSB speakers and have kept my eye on Audio Liquidators for additional info/prices. Just looking for opinions on options on the net...there seem to be many.

Thank you for your help and information throughout the site. It's a really nice forum and the only audio board I have registered. I apologize if I have not used appropriate terminology, but it has been a very long time since I have been in the ring!

Thank you,
Brian

 

[Johnd]

Welcome to the forum Mung!

I think Denon and Paradigm are excellent choices. Why in-ceiling surrounds if it's a clean slate? In-Ceilings have come a long way in the last year, but are still a second to conventional loudspeakers. Either way, you seem well on your way, and on the right path. Have fun with it.

 

[AVRat]

How about:
3 x http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qDRyPlFsOZ9/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=230150&I=065P430

A pair of - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qDRyPlFsOZ9/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=101500&I=065DSI455

And an HSU STF-2

 

[mung]

Thank you for the quick replies Johnd and AVRat! The reason the installers and I decided on in-ceiling rears was due to the room layout. It has 9' ceilings and is open from the family room to the informal dining area and kitchen. We thought it would be less intrusive to have the rears in-ceiling since there is no wall where the speakers will be mounted. Strictly cosmetic, but I am learning there are many more surface mount surrounds for the ceiling. I'm still learning and initially the in-ceiling was my uneducated choice.

After doing more research here, I think I have my funds misallocated. I'm thinking it would be better to spend more money on the center channel and sub.

I have found a new PSB Image P60 center channel I may buy. Also, I have read great reviews about the HSU subs and am consdering the VTF-2 MK3 or the VTF-1 or a PSB Image Subsonic5i or 6i. Thanks for the links AVRat, that is the info I'm looking for.

I need to find some tall, thin front speakers like the MA to compare with the MA's. Thanks again for the replies!

 

[AVRat]

These would be MA’s version: http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/range.php?range=4. Generally, the “flat panel friendly” wall-mount type speakers are a little/lot more expensive for the larger models to compliment larger screens. They are also difficult to find/purchase on-line/direct/catalog. Most manufacturers offer a product line of these.

A bit of caution, generally you would like the front three speakers to come from the same manufacturer/line for a cohesive timbre-matched front soundstage.

 

[mung]

Thank you AVRat, I had not discovered that bit of information. Yes, I was thinking of the PSB center channel with another brand of front speakers. So, I will no be doing that setup. I would really like to have the fronts match the tv in height for a more seamless appearance. I had initially thought of doing in-wall fronts, but was talked out of doing that as they would sit slightly behind the tv, decreasing sound dispersion and/or quality. Is this true?

So I need to find something to compare with the MA's. I am just uncomfortable only having one choice in the MA's. I would like some competition here in order to compare. I feel as though I would be buying the first speaker I come across.

Ok, so the three fronts are to be the same brand/line...thank you for that!

What are your thoughts on in-wall fronts?

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers

I would encourage you to consider some quality bookshelf speakers for your system especially since WAF is not a huge factor. In the price range of the MA speakers ($800/pair) there are a lot of options and Audioholics is working on a shoutout. Also listen to the paradigm Monitor and Studio series at the dealer. I would also plan on spending more on the front and center channel speakers and sub than the surround speakers.

AV123 and SVS have some 5.1 bookshelf system around the $1k price range and Axiom Audio and Ascend should also be within your budget.

 

[mung]

Thank you jc! My only concern is with speaker placement, as aesthetics will be important. I would really like to have the speakers "appear" to be an extension of the monitor. My "want" is to have the speakers be symmetrical and proportionate with the monitor and I just do not know how I would accomplish that with the book shelf type speakers. I have auditioned the Paradigms and I like their sound as well as the MA. I have also looked at your suggestions based on what I have read on this site, but I have no dealer close to audition them.

Is a shoutout similar to a group buy?

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker info.

Mung,
The shootout is a comparision review of several different speakers, in this case, high end bookshelf speakers. Withing a given price range (i.e. $500/pair) a bookshelf speaker will likely perform better than a comparably priced in-wall or lifestyle speaker.

Check out the on-wall speakers from Axiom, they might be a good compromise of asthetics and performance:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/wallspeakerw22_main.html#

The real wood veneer on some speakers, including AV123, can also add to your decor.

Also, you might consider in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Some high end models from speakercraft and triad will sound great without being obtrusive. Unless you are good with tools, installation will add to the cost.

 

[mung]

Thanks again jc! I just came from listening to the Paradigm wall mount fronts and really like the Millenia Series for the center and maybe 2 for the fronts. They're $500 each, so I am right back to $1,500 for fronts only. I will check out the Axiom and AV123, but I'll have to check to see where the closest dealer is. This system will go into a new construction project, so install isn't a problem for in-wall or in-ceiling. The rears are going to be in ceiling, but I was under the impression you lose sound with in-wall speakers adjacent to the tv. Is this true to the best of your knowledge?

Thank you!

 

[AVRat]

As I’ve mentioned and you’re finding out, on-walls to match your flat panel aren’t cheap. If in-walls would work for you from an aesthetics standpoint, then perhaps that is the way to go. The sound imaging isn’t an issue and they are used all the time with flat panels. Here are some options for you.

Polk Audio TC265i In-Wall
Polk Audio CSi5 Center Channel
Polk Audio RC60i In-Ceiling