Speaker Search

[David Maki]

I'm in the researching phase of a new system for our great room. Room dimensions are 13'x20' roughly. I have in ceiling rear speakers as I don't have a true back wall in this great room and placement of rears would not be ideal due to how the room is configured. With that being said the rears are staying. I'm looking to get 2 new fronts first and a center and sub and a new receiver down the road. I don't know if money will allow for all speaker components at once so I'm focusing solely on fronts right now and ideally would like to keep them under $1000. The room is used for a mix of TV/Movie watching and listening to music. Since I'm new at this can anyone recommend some brands/models. I'm planning on listening to Paradigm Studio 20 v.5's soon at a local shop. The Sierra-1's are also looking nice and within my price range, of course I can't sample them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

http://www.amazon.com/NHT-N-AZB-Absolute-Speaker-Black/dp/B000BYNP7K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1303482307&sr=8-4

http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-absolute-zero-speaker-system

http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-absolute-zero-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

The Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

You can't get better measurements than +0.94/-0.82 dB!

I would get three of the NHT Absolute Zero for the front 3 speakers ($175 x 3 = $525).

Then add a subwoofer for $500:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/549694429/jamo-d6sub?s_c=site_search

Total + $1,025 (free Shipping, no tax)

 

[zieglj01]

Also take a look at this deal - Wharfedale
http://www.musicdirect.com/category/580

 

[David Maki]

Thanks for the recommendations so far. What does everyone think of the B&W CM5? I've an opportunity to pickup a pair of these in piano black for $1200. I love the way they look, but have never heard them. I think the $1200 price will last a bit so I will get the opportunity to check them out before I need to commit. It's a bit more than I want to spend on the fronts, but curious as to what everyone thinks and if $1200 is worth it for these.

 

[GranteedEV]

What does everyone think of the B&W CM5? I've an opportunity to pickup a pair of these in piano black for $1200. I love the way they look, but have never heard them.

If it's anything like the CM1

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/bw_cm1/

All I can say is NO THANKS, even for $50

 

[David Maki]

Sorry to sound like an amateur, but what does all that mean?

 

[Swerd]

If you are considering bookshelf speakers in that price range, you should look at the Salk SongSurround I. It is marketed as a rear channel speaker to go with the Salk SongTower, but two of them make excellent sounding speakers on their own. They can produce bass down to about 50 Hz and will need subwoofers for full range sound. For about $1300 you can get the same woofer & tweeter in a floorstanding cabinet with bass down into the low 40s, the SongBird.

The Salk wood finishes are outstanding, and in my opinion are better that anything in that price range. See a few examples here.

I haven't heard the Paradigm Studio 20, but I've heard the Sierra-1 and I like the SongSurround better.

Sorry to sound like an amateur, but what does all that mean?

This graph means those speakers have a big hole in the middle of the sound spectrum, the upper midrange. They will initially sound warm and smooth, but they will lack enough detail to be unsatisfying in the long run. For the money, you can do better than the B&W CM series.

Speakers that measure flat across the audio spectrum, especially in the middle, roughly 200 Hz to 4000 Hz, in my opinion, sound the best.

 

[Alex2507]

If it's anything like the CM1

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/bw_cm1/

All I can say is NO THANKS, even for $50

Is that the same as this?

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/bw-cm1

I remember skyline/Sean saying something about a B&W speaker with
a 5 in it that he said sounded great ... maybe the CM5? IDK.

 

[David Maki]

Today I spent about 2 hours with the Paradigm Studio 20 v5 and I completely loved everything that I heard. What can I expect from the Sierra-1's in terms of differences? I was literally itching to open my wallet and put down my AMEX for the Paradigm's today.

 

[tom67]

If I had it to do over the first time, I might consider something like the HSU system in link.....than add two quality fronts later and use on "B" Speaker for two channel stereo only. I am doing that now with efficient Klipsch speakers which I feel are better for HT and 2 Paradigms up front.....and you get a pretty good sub in the bargain

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/enthusiast1.html