Setting up a new home theater

[fatmike]

Wow, this speaker stuff is hard. So far I've made a few of the easy decisions for my home theater:

- Samsung D8000 51" Plasma.
- Samsung Blu Ray (it was basically a free-be with the TV and it plays 3D). I'll probably buy an Oppo at a future date.
- Denon 2112 Receiver. I picked the reciever mostly based on it's features.

I am planning a 7.1 system that will be used for both movies and music (figure about 50:50). But I want to make sure it has kick butt performance for movie soundtracks. I've already run the surround and rear wires behind the walls and the TV arrives on Sunday. So nothing to do now except get some speakers...

I am new to this market and I am amazed by how expensive and confusing buying speakers can be. Also, I didn't help myself by letting my wife know a few of the things I am considering...I think she was thinking a few hundred dollars for speakers...

My room is an odd shape. It's 28' long on the longest side. Most of the room is 12' wide, but there is a punchout where the stairs are that increases the 12" dimension to more like 18' for about 6 feet.

Here is the layout of the room:

{---------28 feet ------------}
{------------------------------}
{ TV--------------------Rears}
{ Front------couch-----------}
{---------{----------}
________{----------}
________{----------}

One of the surround speakers will be where the room widens. The rears will be 28' from the TV.

I want to buy a 7.1 system right out of the gate with a center and subwoofer. One of my concerns is getting a kicking subwoofer that will shake the room. I also want to make sure that the soundfield is complete (meaning you can't locate any one speaker).

Ultimately, this is driving me to spend more on speakers than I'm comfortable with. Money really isn't an option (I can afford it), but it's just a little shocking how much a system like this can cost.

So where to I begin? A system around $3K all in is about right, but if I can find something in the low $2K's I would be more comfortable.

I am consider the Aperion sytems (either the 5T's or either of the Verus systems) based solely on their reviews. Although I did speak with them on the phone and I was pleasantly surprised by their customer service. The 30 day return policy is nice, but the truth is that if I buy them I won't return them. The Verus Grand is more than I think I'll spend.

I am also considering a Paradigm system with 9 towers, mini monitors, c290 and an upgraded subwoofer. There is only a limited discount on this system, and I question if my local dealer isn't being aggressive enough.

I read a review today for the Wharfedale Diamond 10s. I made a quick call to the dealer and got an agressive price. I can't listen to them in advance, and I'm unclear on the return policy. Also, I have some concerns about the brand's presence in the US.

The Epik subwoofer is interesting.

I plan to make a visit to a local dealer and see what they have that I can listen to, although I'm not sure that I would be able to really hear the differences.

This speaker stuff is hard.

I'm open to any input on the decision process or recommendations for my situation.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[AVRat]

Well, if looks aren’t that important and basic black works, an Ascend Acoustics CMT-340/CMT-340C/HTM-200 combo ($1328) and dual Epik Legends (~$1100) will definitely give you the experience you’re looking for.

 

[fatmike]

Thanks for the feedback AVrat. I will check that out.

I listened to the Paradigm Monitors today. Glad I did. I don't really care for them at all... The Studio 10 bookshelf speakers were far more interesting to me.

I did like the sound of the B+W's (684). I will consider them (or the 683's). The subwoofer really helped them though.

Not sure I made any real progress today, but I guess I discovered something I don't like so that is a step in the right direction.

 

[fatmike]

We'll I've made some more progress:

The Sonus Fabers (Liutos) are fantastic. Incredible soundfield. Tight base, explosive, open and crisp. I wish that I'd never listened to them...just a bit too much money for me. They were by far the most precise and wow they really had some pop. I'm amazed that they are the lowest end of the line. I can rule them out due to cost (probably...).

I like the Totems, they were a good overall speaker. Better bass that you'd expect, but for me the sound field was lacking. I listened to a few of their models and ruled them out (some more progress).

I was pleasantly surprised by the Revel line. The Performas were really nice. To my ear they were nearly as good a the Sonus Fabers. Nice soundfield. Tight base. I definitely preferred them to anything else except the Sonus Fabers. I need to figure out if I can afford them though in a 7.1 sytem. The Concerto floorstanding speakers did OK too. Clearly a little more muted than their big brother, but a nice neutral sound. They lacked some of the pop and brightness in the soundfield but they are solidly in consideration. The Concertos were at the lowest price and had the lowest build quality (not real wood).

The other speaker that surprised me was the Quads. I hadn't done any research on them prior to shopping, and they are solidly in consideration. They are priced in between the two Revel models (closer to the Concertos actually) and they have a nice sound. Definitely a little bright (a little exaggerated high end?), but I liked the overall soundfield and package.

I will get some prices and look at my options again.

I am still considering the Aperions, although after some dissapointments, I am concerned about buying anything without listening to it. Can anyone compare the Aperions (Verus Grand) to any of the speakers I've listened to?

Any other feedback for me?