Realistic Dream Speaker Setup

[itschris]

I'm thinking a bit down the road. Maybe in 5 years or so when our daughter goes away for school, we''ll probably move and build a new house somewhere and with that I can build a nice dedicated media/entertainment room.

At that point, I want to build a higher end system one that will do both ht and audio justice. If I were to do it today, the equipment list would look something like this:

- 2 Macintosh mono blocks for R & L and a 5 or 7 channel for the rest
- B&W 800's
- Planar DLP Projector with self-masking screen for movies and events
- 60" + LCD or Plasma for regualr viewing

What other speaker setups, assuming a max of that price range, would you be considering. My dream would be to have 3 801's across the front and the 802's for all my surrounds. I've heard B&W's in a great room and when setup properly, I really love the sound. However, I'd like hear what speakers you guys would go with.

 

[Matt34]

I'm thinking a bit down the road. Maybe in 5 years or so when our daughter goes away for school, we''ll probably move and build a new house somewhere and with that I can build a nice dedicated media/entertainment room.

At that point, I want to build a higher end system one that will do both ht and audio justice. If I were to do it today, the equipment list would look something like this:

- 2 Macintosh mono blocks for R & L and a 5 or 7 channel for the rest
- B&W 800's
- Planar DLP Projector with self-masking screen for movies and events
- 60" + LCD or Plasma for regualr viewing

What other speaker setups, assuming a max of that price range, would you be considering. My dream would be to have 3 801's across the front and the 802's for all my surrounds. I've heard B&W's in a great room and when setup properly, I really love the sound. However, I'd like hear what speakers you guys would go with.

If I ever came into a windfall of money my system would look strikingly similar to user rmk's. I would probably switch out the JL's with a half-dozen or so 18" subs in a IB setup though.

Edit: My second choice would be some RBh T-2 towers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No. No. No.

You want Five 800Ds Towers + One ASW855 Subwoofer + Five McIntosh MC1201 Monoblock Amplifiers + One McIntosh MX136 Preamplifier/Processor.

Can you put all this into the Finance of the house?

 

[codexp3]

You'll like the McIntosh until you have to carry them down the stairs, or worse up the staris! I own three of them. 150x3 = 450lbs! No, thanks! I love the looks and they're built like a tank, but after moving them twice I introduced a no amp over 65lbs rule. My new Brystons are 635w at 8ohms and weight 50lbs and they sound every bit as good. I’m a McIntosh fan for life, but I’m not putting them back in the system until I'm 100% sure I’m NEVER moving again.

 

[itschris]

I don't think that equipment list is total outrageous. I'm thinking if a few things turn out the way I expect, it may be just be doable or at least something close. I love Macintosh and I love B&W. I think 800's all around would be superb, but that is overkill especially on the budget. I'm definately thinking I'd stick with Mac pre-amp or see what they have on the processing side. I thought they used to have a really nice HT piece, but I don't see that anymore... perhaps I just overlooked it. But I like the idea of having a tall rack of amps... I always wanted a system with tower of components. I envison my room looking something like this:

 

[mike c]

i'd like the Thigpen Rotary and a dedicated room with an acoustically transparent screen where I can put 30-40 SVS Ultras behind the screen.

 

[itschris]

To me a room like this you get a lot of use out of. The more I thought about it... I dont want theater seats. I want a room that's like... well... a room. Someplace you still want to go sit and be in even if you're not watching a movie. A place were 2 channel audio will shine and HT will make you laugh out loud as you watch the shlubs waiting in line at the local AMC movie theater.

I can also see just hanging out here reading, playing guitar, or just bullsh*tting with friends.

I could easily tone it down and just go with a single multi-channel amp from Mac, but I do like the idea of 2-4 of them sitting nicely behind the glass. The speakers, I don't know... I'm sure I'll change my mind, but this is where I'm at right now and why I was wanting some other opinions.

View attachment 5942

I should mention that these photos are from the Rives Audio site. I love what they did with this room.

 

[chadnliz]

When looking 5 yrs down the road it doesnt make much sense to look at todays products, in 5 yrs it could be a while new ball game with entirely new options to explore. However, I would take a look at Vandersteen speakers, the BW is a thrilling sound that may gorw on you quicklyand a more smooth sounding speaker like a Vandersteen perhaps would be a better long term choice. For amps I like Classe and Audio Research, both like Mcintosh have well respected long term repitations. About the only thing to look into today would be speakers and amps, any Projector or display is going to be somewhat a relic in 5 yrs, then we will be looking at 1440P displays. While I would rather own Vandersteen I do own BW speakers for full disclosure purpose but they are used for all my surrounds, cheers.

 

[itschris]

I agree... I'm just putting this out there for an "as of today" kinda of exercise. I know things will change dramatically. I was reading that current display technology is advancing so rapidly that in 5-8 years... 75-90 inch flat panels will be common and 4 power... the new HD format will be in full swing.

It seems that power and speakers don't change much though. I've had my Sunfire for almost 10 years and it still rocks it just fine and isn't outshined by newer stuff in it's league. I'll check out Vandersteens. I'm not terribly familiar with them. One things that I do consider important is the esthetics. There's just something about a B&W 800 series speaker ... the domed mid, the yellow drivers... it just makes me drool.

 

[itschris]

Just looked at the Vandersteens. Now I know they're a fine speaker, but you think they could do something with the styling. They're a bit dated looking. That shouldn't be important in the grand scheme, but the money things cost... I sorda think you should get it all.

 

[jostenmeat]

i'd like the Thigpen Rotary and a dedicated room with an acoustically transparent screen where I can put 30-40 SVS Ultras behind the screen.

If you said that to me with a straight face, I actually would believe you.

 

[mike c]

If you said that to me with a straight face, I actually would believe you.

well, if money really DID fall on my lap. i'd be dead serious

40 subs up front + 10 on the left + 10 on the right + 10 at the back

 

[jamie2112]

well, if money really DID fall on my lap. i'd be dead serious

40 subs up front + 10 on the left + 10 on the right + 10 at the back

My dream system would have to involve a beachfront house and attached sushi bar. Then I would buy a 802d b&w set for every room in the house. I would also have to buy 100000 dollars worth of power and Levinson preamps with solid silver cables everywhere. Of course if money were no object.......

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

To me a room like this you get a lot of use out of. The more I thought about it... I dont want theater seats. I want a room that's like... well... a room.

I agree 100%!

That room Pic looks great. I like a room that I can just lie down on some comfy (but great looking) sofas and enjoy Music & Movies. It's gotta look great and be casual and comfy at the same time.

 

[itschris]

You know a friend, actually a one of the execs I work with has a ridiclously nice theater room... I'd say easily $150K. The last time I was over there for a holiday party, we were talking and I asked him how often he uses it. He couldn't remember the last time he was in there. He said he doesn't like watching movies all that often. I just find that crazy. Not that you don't like movies every night, but that you spend the $ and build a room in a way that didn't fit your tastes. His installer did him know favors. They clearly didn't probe and find out what he really wanted.

The room I design will hopefully be similar to the one like I posted. Who knows, maybe I won't be able to have the B&W's or Mac monoblocks, but even if I were to put my current setup in there, it still would be a great setup system-wise, but the room itself would be a place I would spend a lot of free time in.

 

[mike c]

i havent watched a single movie in my HT since january or february.

 

[jamie2112]

i havent watched a single movie in my HT since january or february.

That is very sad to hear Mike. Is your "SUB Museum" HT set up yet?

 

[mike c]

That is very sad to hear Mike. Is your "SUB Museum" HT set up yet?

i have the two eD's and one DIY eD setup now. i already have both eD's knobs at 1-2pm ... i can barely hit matching levels with the other channels.

i'm just not happy enough with the setup to watch a movie.

 

[jamie2112]

i have the two eD's and one DIY eD setup now. i already have both eD's knobs at 1-2pm ... i can barely hit matching levels with the other channels.

i'm just not happy enough with the setup to watch a movie.

You are still my SUB hero Mike and I hope you get it to where you are happy with it, soon...

 

[Warpdrv]

How about Art Sonnenborn's theater... with 4 Seaton Submersives, and Mark Seaton's New "Cataylysts" array for the front sound stage... Looks dam impressive.

http://www.artsonneborn.com//index.html