So pleased I found you !

[thesharkie]

Awesome system. You will be hard pressed to find a better system that gives the sound quality of the Ascends.

I would have recommended the 340's first, but was trying to stay within your budget guide lines.

Don't be scared, push the order button.

Lol,

Mazer, you really do seem to like the Ascend's, and I have to admit, I'm sorely tempted. However, I think I will just get out there and demo a few systems first this weekend and then make up my mind. Thanks so much for the help though.

 

[thesharkie]

Try J&R in the south part of Manhatten. They have pretty decent equipment at good prices. I have bought a few components there and my brother bought some Legacy speakers there.

Astro,

Yeah, I know J&R, however, these were the guys that recommended the Bose Cinemate and then open returning the item, highly recommended the more expensive Bose V20 as the only surround sound I'll ever need... A real shame, as I agree with you, I really like the store and they do offer some great deals.

 

[obscbyclouds]

Obscbyclouds,

Thanks for the info. Just as a heads up, are you allowed to tell me where you purcased the Onkyo from ?

Thanks.

It was from Vanns, but I see the price has gone up since I got mine, it's a good idea to keep checking around for the best prices and any coupons you can find. Prices on these things are never stable. Good luck.

 

[Tomorrow]

Thanks Tomorrow,

Appreciate the advice. I'll definitely start demoing a few speaker sets this weekend. It really does seem a matter of personal preference, but how do you demo the internet only suppliers, hmm ?

There are several ways. First, and most obvious, order a set and try them in your listening room. This is the best way to audition, btw. The negative is that if you don't like them, you'll likely eat the shipping cost back to the ID store. (Aperion is an exception. They will pay for shipping both ways for your audition. http://www.aperionaudio.com/home.aspx) Second, check out the manufacturer's FRAPPR map for speaker brand owner locations...those that would be glad to give you demos in their homes. This is a surprisingly common practice. Also, check this forum for members near you who can provide auditions of their gear. We are generally a very helpful bunch. Lastly, my recommendation is to audition speakers at your nearby brick & mortar stores. Then post here what you liked or didn't like about what you heard. There should be adequate and accurate responses suggesting similar (and perhaps cheaper) ID brand speakers for you to try.

That's how. Have fun putting your system together.

 

[astrodon]

Astro,

Yeah, I know J&R, however, these were the guys that recommended the Bose Cinemate and then open returning the item, highly recommended the more expensive Bose V20 as the only surround sound I'll ever need... A real shame, as I agree with you, I really like the store and they do offer some great deals.

Sorry to hear about that. I never talked to any sales people at J&R. I knew what I wanted and bought it (got a great deal on a Thorens turntable there). I imagine the employees at J&R are as knowledgable on audio and video as BB and CC employees.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Astro,

Yeah, I know J&R, however, these were the guys that recommended the Bose Cinemate and then open returning the item, highly recommended the more expensive Bose V20 as the only surround sound I'll ever need... A real shame, as I agree with you, I really like the store and they do offer some great deals.

Stereo salesman aren't any different than car salesman- they get paid to push the products with the best spiffs or markup. Companies like Monster Cable pay some lavish bonuses to the stores/salemen that push the most of their junk, and I wouldn't be surprised if B[l]ose is the same way. There's a reason they never set their demo up near other speakers: nearly everything else at 1/2 the price or more will sound better!

Still, expecting good advice from a kid at J&R is like expecting good automotive advice at Wal-Mart. The guy in the A/V dept might have been in the home appliance isle the day before. Skilled, knowledgeabe commissioned sales people are largely a thing of the past nowadays. All is not lost, however. Do your research online (this site is a great place to start), then listen to the products at your local stores.

As for internet-only companies, most offer very generous return policies. They know the only way to really know how something will sound is to hear it in your own home, in your own system with your own gear & music. No matter how something sounds in the store, be advised that it will sound different in your home. There's no way around that, it's a fact of acoustics. Not to mention the fact that the brands they push the hardest (ie the most profitable ones) will be set up more carefully. You ever notice some of the cheap store brand stuff is just stacked on the end of an isle? How are you gonna "evaluate" a pair of speakers set on the floor, 1 foot from each other? You can tell they're not making a big effort to sell that product- which might mean you should check it out!

Lastly, read the reviews, but don't let them be a substitute for your own listening. You're the one who has to buy them & you must live with 'em every day. Ultimately you're the reviewer that really matters.