Newbie needs some opinions

[Bicster]

Greetings,

Having recently graduated college I have decided to treat myself to a home theater system. I do not have a huge history with speakers so please bear with me. In the dorms I had a Bose lifestyle system, which sounded great to me. Later I purchased a pair of Wharfedale Valdus 500's. Once again, to me, they sounded phenomenal.

In any case, I have decided to go with either Aperion or Axiom for my 5.1 system. Is there a general consensus as to which brand makes the better speaker? I listen to music (classical, rap, rock) as often as I watch DVD's, so I would like a system that can do both well.

Finally, overall, are Aperion and Axiom "higher-ed" or "better" companies than Wharfedale? I do love my 500's, but if better speakers exist (which obviously do) I would like to hear about them.

I apologize for the length and the lack of knowledge, and thank you in advance for your help. Also, please feel free to email me at TheFoolosopher@sunflower.com

 

[JoeE SP9]

I suggest that you visit one or more of the high end stores in your area. That way you can get a chance to listen to a large variety of speakers and equipment. Please note Best Buys, Circuit City and the like are not high end. Here in the Delaware Valley Tweeter comes close. They carry many of the products and speakers that you may be interested in.

 

[Unregistered]

From a looks standpoint I think Aperion has an edge over Axiom as far as actual build quality I've never taken a speaker from either company apart to see. Another place you may want to look at is http://www.av123.com/ great stuff there as well. You'll get a great speaker from AV123, Aperion, or Axiom, just comes down to taste in sound and looks.

 

[toquemon]

i don't live in the States, so i don´t know Axiom or Aperion. What I do know is that ENERGY speakers are one of the best i've ever heard. I think they're Canadian.
Check the website: www.energy-speakers.com.
I heard the Connoisseur C-5 with a Rotel amp and i think they sound incredible. I will buy a pair of those next Christmas. Here in Mexico they cost $1,200 a pair, I think in the States will cost less.

 

[sheep]

E is C

yes, Energy speakers is a canadian company. And they just came out with 3 new subwoofers.
8.3 - 8 inch 100 watts RMS
10.3 - 10 inch 200 watts RMS
12.3 - 12 inch 300 watts RMS

they are front firing aluminim drivers and have down firing ports. When i auditioned them each one filled the 15 x 15 room nicely and it was very clean.

as for a system for yourself, you need to tell us how much you are willing to spend. But since you did purchase bose speakers, im guessing a fare bit.

i personaly would go with the axiom epic80 system. in the review it no cons about its sound quality, or at least non that i found to be that important in hte long run.

the aperion audio towers, which is there book shelf speaker wit ha 8 inch powered sub below it, had slightly recessed mid range and narrow sweet spot.

plus the axioms are cheaper.
sheep

 

[Bicster]

For the 5.1 I would like to be around 3500, not including reciever, amp, etc.... I am also now looking into Magnepan. What do you think?

 

[JoeE SP9]

Magnepan's were the first high end speakers I ever bought (1976). I have never looked back. I have converted several fellow audiophiles to maggy's. If you have the room for them they deliver a sound quite different from conventional boxes. Initially they seem to many people to have no bass (not true). Most of the smaller maggy's really need a sub. A real sub, not an 8" woofer packed into a box with built in amp. Maggy's generally sound so good that you need a decent sub to complement them properly. I'm not sure if Magnepan is still offering their deal with the Mini Mags (MMG's). If they are you get to test a pair for 30 days at home. If you don't like them you are only out shipping charges. If you like the sound of them but want more you can trade them in at no loss on a bigger pair. Ohm offers the same sort of a deal on their speakers. While the Ohm's being omnidirectional have a different kind of sound than panels which are dipolar or boxes which are essentially indirectional they are something worth investigating. Any time you can audition speakers in your home you can make a more informed decision about purchasing.

 

[Bicster]

Joe,

If I could bother you for a few moments:

I think I am going to have to go with the Maggies. I have never heard a sound like that before. Ill admit its not for everyone though. Now, the sales clerk I spoke to today said I can run the system with an av receiver. This just doesnt seem right. Do you have an opinion? It seems that separates would be a necessity, but what do I know. Also, there is no way I could wall mount the rear speakers, do you think anything is lost by putting them on stands?

 

[JoeE SP9]

I must admit that I use electrostatics now. Unless you buy them used you're talking a lot more money than most maggy's. That said; IMHO the 1.6QR's ($1600 pr.)are the best buy in the line, maybe in all audio. I know that maggy's like lots of current. The larger the maggy the greater the current. I would suggest at least 100WPC of some high current watts as a minimum for making them sound right. For the larger ones I would suggest 200WPC or more minimum. Maggy's really don't come alive until you feed them with lots of watts. As for rear speakers; unless you have the kind of space I'm fortunate enough to have, you will probably have to use boxes for your rears. In that case stands are virtually mandatory unless you mount them on the wall or ceiling. Rather than list all my stuff you can read for yourself in member systems, how much is your system worth.

 

[Bicster]

Thank you very much, your advice is priceless. For where I am right now, I think the 1.6's will change my world.

 

[JoeE SP9]

I am a little jealous. You are in for a treat that would be nice to re-live. Although they sound great out of the box, Maggy's like any other speaker require break in time. Let us all know how you feel a month or so after you take delivery.

 

[Bicster]

The only problem I have with Magnepan so far is their weak website. I expected a little more. Everything else is top shelf.

 

[JoeE SP9]

I haven't checked their website but I will. In the meantime complain to them about the site. All that I have heard indicates they are good folks to deal with. Maybe you can help bring about a positive change. Their speakers certainly deserve it.