Please recommend speakers for Denon AVR-X4000

[Parkaash]

Good day, folks.

I just scored a Denon AVR-X4000 and have no idea what speakers to get.

The scenario:

- Space is a combined living/dining room with various furniture; dimensions @ 20' x 18' with 19' ceilings.
- Use will be 50/50 HT and music
- Want to do a 5.1 system and strongly considering floor standing fronts and wall or ceiling mounted surrounds;
- Since the space is pre-wired for 5.1, I might use these for surrounds even if the rear speakers are pre-wired to the ceiling.
- Speaker budget @ $2,500
- Ability to expand without changing the speakers

I've looked into the several brands including the ones below and am more confused than when I started the research --

Klipsch Reference R28F
Jamo S 628 HCS (Checked out Ebay and saw one being sold that is fairly to close to me.)
DefTech ProCinema 800

Also would appreciate everyone's help on the following --

- Type of wire to get
- Floor dampening for the subwoofer (another apartment unit below me)
- Recommended AV rack



Thank you.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I love the VTI modular racks. They come in wood (BL) or thick glass (BLG). Glass is more expensive. They are modular, so you could add more modules if you need.

VTI BL404 4 Shelf Audio Rack - BL404X

For cables, pretty much any 10G, 12G, or 14G will do. I like the C2G Velocity.

Amazon.com: C2G / Cables to Go 29176 10 feet/3.04 Meters Velocity 12 AWG Speaker Cable Blue: Electronics

 

[sawzalot]

Good day, folks.

I just scored a Denon AVR-X4000 and have no idea what speakers to get.

The scenario:

- Space is a combined living/dining room with various furniture; dimensions @ 20' x 18' with 19' ceilings.
-

Also would appreciate everyone's help on the following --

- Type of wire to get
- Floor dampening for the sub (another apartment unit below me)
- Recommended AV rack


Thank you.

I like bluejeans cable for speaker wire.
Monoprice for interconnects
The racks posted by ADTG look very nice as well.

19 foot ceilings ? In an apartment , wow , now that's impressive for sure.

 

[GranteedEV]

- Space is a combined living/dining room with various furniture; dimensions @ 20' x 18' with 19' ceilings.
- Use will be 50/50 HT and music
- Am strongly considering floor standing fronts;
- Since the space is pre-wired for 5.1, I might use these for surrounds even if the rear speakers are pre-wired to the ceiling.
- Speaker budget @ $2,500
- Ability to expand without changing the speakers

How about Ascend Sierra towers?

Type of wire to get

Something with lots of flexible strands. 14 awg is nice.

- Floor dampening for the sub (another apartment unit below me)

I know submarines require water, but subwoofers don't! Don't need to dampen anything!

Now if you're talking about limiting the passage of sound through the floor, it's kinda tough. Deep Bass frequencies tend to pass through anything.

 

[Parkaash]

I know submarines require water, but subwoofers don't! Don't need to dampen anything!

Now if you're talking about limiting the passage of sound through the floor, it's kinda tough. Deep Bass frequencies tend to pass through anything.

LOL! Yep, subwoofer it is... Thanks, GranteedEV.

I was hoping there was a way of limiting the passage of sound through the floor and saw some photos here where the subwoofer was placed on top of some type of dampening material.

 

[herbu]

I was hoping there was a way of limiting the passage of sound through the floor

Your X4000 has a feature within its Audyssey called LFC. I think it's Low Frequency Containment. It says, "Dynamically monitors the low frequencies and prevents them from traveling through walls". And it lets you set the amount of "containment" you want.

I just tried it on mine while listening to music with a strong thumping bass. It seems to be an adjustable low freq filter. When I turn it on and play with the adjustment, I can clearly hear/feel the thumping ramp up and down.

I'm not sure simply isolating the subwoofer from the floor will do what you want. If the frequencies are low and loud enough to thump your ears, I suspect they will thump the floor too. But if it's a problem for you in an apt, maybe this LFC will help.

BTW, good call on the X4000. I love mine.

 

[Parkaash]

Your X4000 has a feature within its Audyssey called LFC. I think it's Low Frequency Containment. It says, "Dynamically monitors the low frequencies and prevents them from traveling through walls". And it lets you set the amount of "containment" you want.

I just tried it on mine while listening to music with a strong thumping bass. It seems to be an adjustable low freq filter. When I turn it on and play with the adjustment, I can clearly hear/feel the thumping ramp up and down.

I'm not sure simply isolating the subwoofer from the floor will do what you want. If the frequencies are low and loud enough to thump your ears, I suspect they will thump the floor too. But if it's a problem for you in an apt, maybe this LFC will help.

BTW, good call on the X4000. I love mine.

Thanks for the advice, Herbu. I still have to unpack the X4000 because don't have my speakers yet.

If the LFC does indeed help reduce the thumps, maybe I can isolate it more so I can have a bit more bass. :-D

BTW, if you don't mind me asking, what speakers do you have?

 

[rojo]

Your X4000 has a feature within its Audyssey called LFC. I think it's Low Frequency Containment. It says, "Dynamically monitors the low frequencies and prevents them from traveling through walls". And it lets you set the amount of "containment" you want.

I just tried it on mine while listening to music with a strong thumping bass. It seems to be an adjustable low freq filter. When I turn it on and play with the adjustment, I can clearly hear/feel the thumping ramp up and down.

I thought you were kidding until I googled it. That sounds like something fictional you'd make up to give a rookie a hard time, like turn signal fluid or a left-handed screwdriver. Does it sound like it introduces dynamic compression, like Audyssey Dynamic Volume but only for 150Hz and lower?

 

[zieglj01]

Also would appreciate everyone's help on the following --

- Floor dampening for the subwoofer (another apartment unit below me)

It is called volume control - sound travels

 

[herbu]

BTW, if you don't mind me asking, what speakers do you have?

Currently I have Aperion Verus Grand Towers & Center... and an SVS PB12Ultra subwoofer... and a Rythmik FV15HP subwoofer. Both of these subwoofers are very strong. I'm replacing the 2 towers in the front, and will move them to surround rears in my 7.2 setup. I'm not replacing the front towers because I don't like them. It is mainly just my next step in experimenting w/ the system. I've ordered a couple new fronts that are completely different than my Aperions, and I've been told they may/will sound better for 2-channel music. I'll see.

My recommendation is to read A LOT of speaker reviews on the Audioholics site. Pick a few that seem interesting to you. Search this forum for the ones you pick. Everyone will agree it is best to actually listen to the speakers in your short list, but that might not be possible. I can't really recommend Aperion to you because I think you said your budget was $2.5k for 5.1, and I haven't heard the Aperions that fit that price range.

I also can't recommend my new speakers because even I haven't heard them yet, and they also won't fit your budget. But I would strongly suggest you look at the speakers at this site: Philharmonic Audio
The owner/builder is Dennis Murphy. Google him and search this forum. I don't think you'll find a more respected designer. You can email him from his site, ask any questions, and he will be more than helpful.

Does it sound like it introduces dynamic compression, like Audyssey Dynamic Volume but only for 150Hz and lower?

Rojo, I'm not educated enough to hear the difference between filtering and compression. I can tell you the particular song that was playing had that constant thump thump thump that is popular these days in so much of the music I hate. I could hear it in my ears and feel it in my chair. I found it specifically to play with the LFC. Turning the LFC "On", then varying the control from 1 to 7, clearly attenuated or accentuated that thump thump thump. I didn't notice adverse affects to the higher frequencies. Honestly, it seems to do a respectable job if your intent is to moderate the thump thump thump without dulling a wide band like the old Bass/Treble controls.

I can see how it could be useful in an apartment.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Rojo, I'm not educated enough to hear the difference between filtering and compression. I can tell you the particular song that was playing had that constant thump thump thump that is popular these days in so much of the music I hate. I could hear it in my ears and feel it in my chair. I found it specifically to play with the LFC. Turning the LFC "On", then varying the control from 1 to 7, clearly attenuated or accentuated that thump thump thump. I didn't notice adverse affects to the higher frequencies. Honestly, it seems to do a respectable job if your intent is to moderate the thump thump thump without dulling a wide band like the old Bass/Treble controls.

Seems like another great feature from Denon.

One thing I love about great processors - they can tailor the sound to your needs without messing with the important overall SQ (200Hz-10kHz).

You want more bass? No problem.

You want less bass? No problem.

Again, the salient point is that the overall SQ in the important listening window 200Hz-10kHz is unaffected.

 

[Parkaash]

My recommendation is to read A LOT of the reviews on the site. Pick a few that seem interesting to you. Search this forum for the ones you pick. Everyone will agree it is best to actually listen to the speakers in your short list, but that might not be possible. I can't really recommend Aperion to you because I think you said your budget was $2.5k for 5.1, and I haven't heard the Aperions that fit that price range.

Rojo, I'm not educated enough to hear the difference between filtering and compression. I can tell you the particular song that was playing had that constant thump thump thump that is popular these days in so much of the music I hate. I could hear it in my ears and feel it in my chair. I found it specifically to play with the LFC. Turning the LFC "On", then varying the control from 1 to 7, clearly attenuated or accentuated that thump thump thump. I didn't notice adverse affects to the higher frequencies. Honestly, it seems to do a respectable job if your intent is to moderate the thump thump thump without dulling a wide band like the old Bass/Treble controls.

I can see how it could be useful in an apartment.

Thanks, herbu! I'm starting to lean towards the Klipsch R28s right now but I'll go through the reviews again. I was thinking of getting specific speakers -- like many of the forum members do -- but I'm not that comfortable yet with what I know.

Also, if the LFC does moderate the thump thump thump, then it will be useful for apartment living.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks, herbu! I'm starting to lean towards the Klipsch R28s right now but I'll go through the reviews again. I was thinking of getting specific speakers -- like many of the forum members do -- but I'm not that comfortable yet with what I know.

Also, if the LFC does moderate the thump thump thump, then it will be useful for apartment living.

There are so many speakers. If you've heard those Klipsch R28 and liked them, then it should be good.

Just go to stores and compare all speakers available. Don't just rely on reviews. Everyone has a different preference. If you listened to Pioneer, Infinity, B&W, Definitive Technology, Golden-Ear, Paradigm, etc., and you still think the Klipsch sound the best to you, then the Klipsch are the right speakers for you.

 

[Parkaash]

Thanks, AcuDefTechGuy.

I've scheduled visits this weekend -- from BB to a couple of three shops that have showrooms.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks, AcuDefTechGuy.

I've scheduled visits this weekend -- from BB to a couple of three shops that have showrooms.

That's probably the best way.

Recently and in the past, I've sold my Revel Salon2, B&W 802D2, KEF Reference 201/2, Philharmonic 3, Focal 826V, Dynaudio X32, ATC SCM7, TAD 2201, Definitive Technology BP7000SC, and a few others. I've auditioned many other speakers. And I am now getting RBH speakers, which I believe will be the last loudspeakers I will ever need to own.

Some people may think, "RBH speakers must be really super for him to sell all those speakers to get RBH?"

But the truth is, everyone has his own preference. Just because I recommend RBH doesn't mean RBH is the best. Just because some people recommend KEF, Revel, B&W, Ascend, Salk, Philharmonic, PSB, etc., does not mean those speakers are the best. It's just people's preferences.

So buy based on your own preference (by audition). Use the reviews as a guide to audition speakers.

But there are many great sounding speakers available.

 

[Cos]

Parkaash,

The VTL rack that was suggested works very well as I just purchased one for myself a short while ago.

I see that you are in the Chicagoland area. I would suggest going to a few places to demo if you have the time. If you are in the suburbs, please check out my dealer, Deluxe Audio & Video in Naperville IL.
http://www.deluxeaudioandvideo.com/

I have been buying from the owner for 12+ years and have always been taken care of. I am a huge fan of GoldenEar, obviously , but he does carry other brands. I just referred a user on these forums who got a nice deal on his GE Triton 2/Aon2/SupercenterXL setup.
(suggest demo'ing the Triton 7s if you have time)

Other Places to check out:

Saturday Audio Exchange: Saturday Audio

Has a pretty diverse setup and carries a lot of different brands (Klipsch / KEF / PSB / Monitor Audio)
- Has limited store hours

If you are going to go to best buy I strongly suggest going to the (NEW MODEL) Magnolia ones that are expanded which include the Downers Grove, Schaumburg and one Chicago location. (Think Magnolia on Steriods) They are revamped, have a broader selection of speakers than the typical Magnolia @ Best Buy. I wouldn't hope for getting a great deal unless they have specials

 

[herbu]

And I am now getting RBH speakers, which I believe will be the last loudspeakers I will ever need to own.

If I had a nickel...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If I had a nickel...

For every time I say that about 1 particular speaker?

I can't recall. I wonder how many times I've said that about one speaker. I think I said that when I bought the Orion. But I haven't said that until the SX-T2/R.

I guess only time will tell.

 

[herbu]

I've scheduled visits this weekend -- from BB to a couple of three shops that have showrooms.

You are fortunate to have multiple places to actually listen to various speaker brands. It is one of the few, (maybe the only), things attractive to me about living in or near Chicago... or any big city. I like hearing gunshots and knowing it's just a trusted "neighbor" shooting dove or squirrels or clays or targets.

 

[Cos]

You are fortunate to have multiple places to actually listen to various speaker brands. It is one of the few, (maybe the only), things attractive to me about living in or near Chicago... or any big city. I like hearing gunshots and knowing it's just a trusted "neighbor" shooting dove or squirrels or clays or targets.

Chicagoland is a broad...broad area covering a wide footprint. I live in Naperville which is about 1 hour to Chicago....40 minuets the way I drive (rush hour not included)

I am far enough away that the only gunshots I hear are coming out of my speakers