Newbie looking for a decent set of Home Theater

[GomGom]

Hi all, I'm a newbie in the home theater equipments and I am looking forward to spend CA$1000 or US$800 on a set of system. I do not expect to get a HTIB system or right away 5.1 system. I would rather to spend for a pair of decent standing speakers and receiver first.

I went to a store that recommends me to get a pair of KEF IQ5 or IQ7 which is on sale (he said) for CA$600 and CA$700 respectively. I'm not sure if it's the right choice for me.

Please suggest me what should I get.

FYI, I will use the sytem for listening music (mostly Funk Jazz/Acid Jazz) and movies. So I want a really decent and 'worth every penny' system on my budget.

Thanks

 

[Davemcc]

For that money, my own personal preference would be the Era Design 4 paired with the best sub you can find for the balance of the budget. It is a crowded market segment so there are many to choose from. Being inexperienced is not necessarily a handicap since the speakers you choose have to satisfy you and only you. I suggest that you visit as many shops as are available to you and listen to as many speakers as possible. Once you find your preference for the way a speaker sounds best to you, we may be able to refine your selection by suggesting similar speakers or better price/dollar alternatives.

 

[GomGom]

Thanks for a quick reply.

Is Era Design 4 a superior set compare to KEF iQ5 or iQ7? I would have it in my apartment so it won't be a special room but just a living room. I don't know if it may give a different result of choices.

 

[Davemcc]

I haven't heard the iQ5 so I couldn't easily compare. The D4 is a bookshelf speaker which is why I recommended a sub with them.

If you think you like the iQ5, check out this deal. It may only be good for today though.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/542350278/kef-iq5-walnut?v_c=Nextag&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=20-7788858-2

 

[GomGom]

Is the store reliable and trust worthy?

 

[calnbs]

Vanns.com and onecall.com have been clearing out their KEF IQ models. I don't know if they have any left but check those websites. Both are respected Internet stores. Have you had the chance to audition them? Start auditioning as many speaker in your price range to see what type of sound you like.

 

[GomGom]

Vanns.com and onecall.com have been clearing out their KEF IQ models. I don't know if they have any left but check those websites. Both are respected Internet stores. Have you had the chance to audition them? Start auditioning as many speaker in your price range to see what type of sound you like.

How about their warranty? Does Canada's dealer honor the warranty if I get them from the states?

The first person said that it's just today? The site does not say anything about it. Where do you see it?
Is the price for each or one pair??? It's kinda confusing...

 

[3db]

How about their warranty? Does Canada's dealer honor the warranty if I get them from the states?

The first person said that it's just today? The site does not say anything about it. Where do you see it?
Is the price for each or one pair??? It's kinda confusing...

You raise a very good point. Alot of delaers will not honour the warranty if bought out of the country. I don't know why that is. All i know is that it is that way. So check with the Canadain distributor or dealer to makwe sure you have warranty coverage.

 

[lsiberian]

There is a local guy in the DFW selling a Kef iQ set for 500 includes iQ5s.

It's very tempting.

 

[Davemcc]

Does Canada's dealer honor the warranty if I get them from the states?

Sorry, I forgot you posted Cdn money in the original post. Shopping over here is a whole different ball of wax. Many U.S. sites won't even ship over here and if they do, it's an added cost not only for shipping but duty and brokerage fees as well. I've found it not worthwhile despite the apparent great values available to Americans.

We also don't have the same type of online sales options that are available over there either. It's best to visit your local shops and do some auditioning. Once you know what you like, try to strike your best deal with the dealer.

 

[GomGom]

There is a local guy in the DFW selling a Kef iQ set for 500 includes iQ5s.

It's very tempting.

Where is DFW and what's in the IQ set? Is it just a pair of iQ5? Or some other stuffs too?

 

[Davemcc]

Where is DFW

Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas.

 

[GomGom]

Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas.

What is in the iQ set?

 

[Davemcc]

Only lsiberian can tell you for sure what's in that set. Shoot him a PM.

 

[fredk]

Check out a few other speakers before you jump on any deals. Go to a small audio dealer that carries multiple brands if you can so that you can do some side by side comparisons.

If you are willing to consider Internet Direct, consider Axiom as well.

 

[pdunderhill]

Re Home Theatre

Hello GomGom,
Initail suggestion, my friend spend more on less,
As a Sound engineer for 25 years the budget is more on 2, less on on 5, 7, 8, 9 .1 etc.
I am lucky in my part of London, one neighbour works almost permanently abroad (Cisco), and the other works at Heathrow Airport sound pollution is not a problem.
What are your primary sources for A/V?
If most of your viewing is off/air Digital TV (DVB), then look at the the speaker set-up used in post-production. Have a careful look at budgets in all productions, why spend a vast amount of money more on a 9:1 system, for instance when the Post-Production budget runs outs at 5:1?

At home i run a 40' sony and 5:1 via homebuilt amps.
I still have my hearing... just
LOL
Peter

 

[GomGom]

^ I don't really get what you mean.

I just went to a store and talk to the person there. They don't have the products for customer to listen so I was just chatting with him. I asked whether KEF iQ7 is a good speaker for me and he said it's just okay speaker. IS IT????

He recommends me to get a pair of bookshelf B&W speakers for the same money as KEF iQ7. Is it really not worth to buy iQ7 and save up to buy B&W bookshelf for my 2.1 system?

 

[walmat]

^ I don't really get what you mean.

I just went to a store and talk to the person there. They don't have the products for customer to listen so I was just chatting with him. I asked whether KEF iQ7 is a good speaker for me and he said it's just okay speaker. IS IT????

He recommends me to get a pair of bookshelf B&W speakers for the same money as KEF iQ7. Is it really not worth to buy iQ7 and save up to buy B&W bookshelf for my 2.1 system?

Where are you located?? Are there audio stores in your area??? There is no way you can ask someone dealer or otherwise which are good speakers. You have to hear them and most dealers will offer listening appointments where you go in with your own cd's and try out speakers. I just went through this whole process myself to find my five surround speakers. Coincedentally my sales guy also mentioned Kef (don't know the model) bookshelfs and they were horrible IMO compared to what I bought.
I do agree with the other posts about spending more on less. For a $1000 Canadian you can get some great bookshelf fronts and a decent sub.

 

[GomGom]

Where are you located?? Are there audio stores in your area??? There is no way you can ask someone dealer or otherwise which are good speakers. You have to hear them and most dealers will offer listening appointments where you go in with your own cd's and try out speakers. I just went through this whole process myself to find my five surround speakers. Coincedentally my sales guy also mentioned Kef (don't know the model) bookshelfs and they were horrible IMO compared to what I bought.
I do agree with the other posts about spending more on less. For a $1000 Canadian you can get some great bookshelf fronts and a decent sub.

Any suggestion for that? I'm in Vancouver BC

 

[walmat]

There has to be some audio stores in Vancouver. I'm in Toronto and I bought my speakers at 2001 audio. It's a chain but I don't know if they're in the west. Try them otherwise I don't know what's out there.
You could also try futureshop although they have fewer speakers to choose from.
Hope that helps