Speaker suggestion for under $3K

[grubby]

My wife and I are building a new house and I have been given the go ahead for the Home Entertainment room. The room is 18'x20' with 9' high walls. We are a family of 5 and my wife is a music teacher. The system will be used for approximately 50% movies and 50% music. Our music preferences are jazz, classical, and contemporary christian. I would like to stay under $3000 for the speakers and I have basically narrowed the A/V Receiver down to the Yamaha RX-V3800, Denon AVR-3808, or the Onkyo TX-SR875. I would like a 5.1 speaker system and if applicable will probably drive the mains with two channels. We live in south central Nebraska so good audio stores are no where to be found (closest in Omaha [4 hours away]). So I really don't have the luxury of listening to the speakers or comparing them. I am asking for any ones input as to the pros and cons of these systems:

1) Aperion Initmus 633 Concert system

2) Mirage OMD-15 system

3) Axiom Epic 60.500

4) Paradigm Monitor 9 system

5) PSB Image Perfomance system

I know others talk about using 5 book shelves with a big sub like an SVS.


If anyone has other suggestions I would appreciate them also.
Thanks

 

[3db]

My wife and I are building a new house and I have been given the go ahead for the Home Entertainment room. The room is 18'x20' with 9' high walls. We are a family of 5 and my wife is a music teacher. The system will be used for approximately 50% movies and 50% music. Our music preferences are jazz, classical, and contemporary christian. I would like to stay under $3000 for the speakers and I have basically narrowed the A/V Receiver down to the Yamaha RX-V3800, Denon AVR-3808, or the Onkyo TX-SR875. I would like a 5.1 speaker system and if applicable will probably drive the mains with two channels. We live in south central Nebraska so good audio stores are no where to be found (closest in Omaha [4 hours away]). So I really don't have the luxury of listening to the speakers or comparing them. I am asking for any ones input as to the pros and cons of these systems:

1) Aperion Initmus 633 Concert system

2) Mirage OMD-15 system

3) Axiom Epic 60.500

4) Paradigm Monitor 9 system

5) PSB Image Perfomance system

I know others talk about using 5 book shelves with a big sub like an SVS.


If anyone has other suggestions I would appreciate them also.
Thanks

All are solid choices and you need to audition for yourself to see what sound you like or expect. I heard the Axioms and the Paradigns and I prefer the laid back nature of the PSBs. I'm not a fan of omni technology having heard the Mirage as well. I haven't heard Aperions. I can't comment on how the Aperiosn sound.

 

[Swerd]

I would add the Song Series speakers by Salk Signature Sound to your list. A complete 5.1 system would fall into your price range.

Jim Salk is a small internet direct speaker maker in Detroit and his cabinet making and wood finishing are first rate.

I have a pair of the SongTower QWT speakers and love them. See my post about my listening impressions of them.

 

[funked up]

I am by no means an expert on this, but from what I've been reading, I would consider Rocket speakers from AV123. Just go to there website(www.AV123.com) and click on system builder and play around from there. You could put together a killer 5 speaker system, and still have a good chunk of money left over to put towards an svs sub. Plus they have a free in home trial period.

 

[AVRat]

Like 3db, the PSB setup would be my choice but I’d go with an AV123 MFW-15 sub instead. http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=178&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

 

[Warpdrv]

Just giving out another price point suggestion...

SVS MTS-01 system....

I bought these and I'm still in the trial period, but so far I really like them alot..

You can order them without a Subwoofer, which would put you at the price point you are looking at... Not sure why they only show w/subwoofer prices now...

You can call or email to get a price on them without the sub...

Don't forget to watch the B-Stock page for prices on subs, I got 3 out of my 4 subs from B-Stock... perfect...

 

[bandphan]

im thinking if your wife is a music teacher, id consider bring her to demo speakers. She might have some valued input. Martin Logan makes some very nice in wall/ceiling speakers that have a wonderful detail.


http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/passage.html 800ea
http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/ticket.html 320ea
http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/dynamo.html 560ea

 

[Sheep]

I would also throw Ascends on there as well.

SheepStar

 

[rnatalli]

Without auditioning and choosing blind based on you music preferences, I'm going to guess Paradigm, PSB, or Axiom from you list would be good picks. I wouldn't forget about Monitor Audio and B&W. $3k will get some nice MA speakers or B&W speakers. I also like jazz and classical and prefer speakers with a crispy sound as opposed to a laid-back sound. Speakers with metal tweeters generally produce the sound I'm talking about. But others will prefer a laid-back sound for jazz and classical. Everyone's taste is different and everyone will hear different things.

 

[abboudc]

I am by no means an expert on this, but from what I've been reading, I would consider Rocket speakers from AV123. Just go to there website(www.AV123.com) and click on system builder and play around from there. You could put together a killer 5 speaker system, and still have a good chunk of money left over to put towards an svs sub. Plus they have a free in home trial period.

I'd second taking a look at Rockets. Love mine.

 

[Warpdrv]

Maybe we should ask, what speakers are you using now, or currently used to that you find appealing or what do you not like in a speaker....

 

[calnbs]

Like 3db, the PSB setup would be my choice but I’d go with an AV123 MFW-15 sub instead. http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=178&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=768150

Here is the scoring summary with the Home Theater score and Music score, respectively shown as (HT-M).

Prices and whether the items are available Internet Direct or from a store are now included. Keep in mind that ID pricing will usually be firm, or slightly discounted, where some BM products will see substantial discounts. BM = Brick and Mortar. ID = Internet Direct. ID/SI = shipping included.

Elemental Designs A7-900 ($2200 ID/SI): 116 points (63-53)
Epik Conquest ($1599 ID): 112 points (60-52)
SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)
Epik Castle ($999 ID): 109 points (59-50)
AV123 MFW-15 Duals: 109 points (56-53) (note, duals were tested as duals are offered as a package)
Creative Sounds Dual SDX-15 driver + Behringer EP-2500 Amp + Behringer DEQ2496 ($1630 ID): 105 points (57-48)
JL Audio Fathom 113 ($3500 BM): 103 points (53-50)
AV123 MFW-15 ($599 ID): 103 points (53-50)
Def Tech Trinity ($3000 BM): 102 points (54-48)
Velodyne DD-18 ($5000 BM): 100 points (50-50)
ACI Maestro ($2400 ID): 97 points (47-50)
eD A5-350 ($715 ID/SI): 96 points (50-46)
JL Audio Fathom 112 ($2600 BM): 95 points (45-50)
Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo ($999 ID): 94 points (47-47)
Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo ($899 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III + Turbo ($799 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Epik Valor ($549 ID): 91 points (44-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III w/o Turbo ($699 ID): 91 points (45-46)
SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points (47-43)
Axiom EP-500 ($1230 ID/SI): 90 points (43-47)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III + Turbo ($599 ID): 88 points (42-46)
SVS PB12-Plus/2 ($1299 ID): 87 points (47-40)
SVS PB12-NSD ($599 ID): 86 points (43-43)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III w/o Turbo ($499 ID): 86 points (40-46)
Rocket UFW-12 ($999 ID): 85 points (provisional) (35-50)
Acculine A-sub ($289 ID/SI): 85 points (provisional, currently out of production) (40-45)
Elemental Designs A2-300 ($350 ID/SI): 83 points (44-39)
SVS PB10-NSD ($429 ID): 83 points (43-40)
Dana Audio 600 ($869 ID): 83 points (36-47)
Rocket X-Sub ($199 ID): 78 points (34-44)
BIC H-100 ($229 eBay): 78 points (40-38)
Rocket Tyke: 60 points

 

[3db]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=768150

Here is the scoring summary with the Home Theater score and Music score, respectively shown as (HT-M).

Prices and whether the items are available Internet Direct or from a store are now included. Keep in mind that ID pricing will usually be firm, or slightly discounted, where some BM products will see substantial discounts. BM = Brick and Mortar. ID = Internet Direct. ID/SI = shipping included.

Elemental Designs A7-900 ($2200 ID/SI): 116 points (63-53)
Epik Conquest ($1599 ID): 112 points (60-52)
SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)
Epik Castle ($999 ID): 109 points (59-50)
AV123 MFW-15 Duals: 109 points (56-53) (note, duals were tested as duals are offered as a package)
Creative Sounds Dual SDX-15 driver + Behringer EP-2500 Amp + Behringer DEQ2496 ($1630 ID): 105 points (57-48)
JL Audio Fathom 113 ($3500 BM): 103 points (53-50)
AV123 MFW-15 ($599 ID): 103 points (53-50)
Def Tech Trinity ($3000 BM): 102 points (54-48)
Velodyne DD-18 ($5000 BM): 100 points (50-50)
ACI Maestro ($2400 ID): 97 points (47-50)
eD A5-350 ($715 ID/SI): 96 points (50-46)
JL Audio Fathom 112 ($2600 BM): 95 points (45-50)
Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo ($999 ID): 94 points (47-47)
Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo ($899 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III + Turbo ($799 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Epik Valor ($549 ID): 91 points (44-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III w/o Turbo ($699 ID): 91 points (45-46)
SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points (47-43)
Axiom EP-500 ($1230 ID/SI): 90 points (43-47)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III + Turbo ($599 ID): 88 points (42-46)
SVS PB12-Plus/2 ($1299 ID): 87 points (47-40)
SVS PB12-NSD ($599 ID): 86 points (43-43)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III w/o Turbo ($499 ID): 86 points (40-46)
Rocket UFW-12 ($999 ID): 85 points (provisional) (35-50)
Acculine A-sub ($289 ID/SI): 85 points (provisional, currently out of production) (40-45)
Elemental Designs A2-300 ($350 ID/SI): 83 points (44-39)
SVS PB10-NSD ($429 ID): 83 points (43-40)
Dana Audio 600 ($869 ID): 83 points (36-47)
Rocket X-Sub ($199 ID): 78 points (34-44)
BIC H-100 ($229 eBay): 78 points (40-38)
Rocket Tyke: 60 points

Where is PSB in this list or is it primarily ID brands?

 

[Guangui]

Where is PSB in this list or is it primarily ID brands?

It is a sub list...PSB has very good subs, but yes, you can get subs from ID's with better performance for the same price. If you are buying a complete 5.1 PSB set, and don't want to go thru the hassle of ordering the sub somewhere else, I highly recommend their subs.

 

[3db]

It is a sub list...PSB has very good subs, but yes, you can get subs from ID's with better performance for the same price. If you are buying a complete 5.1 PSB set, and don't want to go thru the hassle of ordering the sub somewhere else, I highly recommend their subs.

Oh Its a sub list.. No worries then. I agree with you a 100% on this.

 

[trnqk7]

I would also recommend looking at the Dali Ikon series, if you don't pay list on it, you should be able to get it under $3k for a 5.1 setup. I really enjoyed listening to them, better than B&W (in comparable price range). All of the speakers listed have good reps though.

 

[ineednot]

JBL Studio L Series off of Ebay...They sell as refurbish, but are brand spanking New..You can pick them up at 1/4 of the retail price...Check them out they come straight from Harmon Kardon factory....

 

[Mark in GA]

Man you are one lucky guy to have a wife that OK's a $3000 budget for A/V!!! You had better give her a big hug!

Now, with a budget like yours,

AV123 Rockets - take your pick, but I would look hard at the RS850's for the front, RSC200 center, and RS250's for surrounds. Then I would add in a MFW-15 subwoofer to round out the .1 in your 5.1 system.

With any of the receivers you list and these speakers, you would have an out of this world audio setup. I mean tingles up and down your spine!

All the best,
Mark in GA

 

[3db]

Have you made any decisions (inserting subliminal message recommending PSB Image series) regarding your speaker choice?

 

[ineednot]

for a hair over $1700 I was able to get JBL Studio L series speakers in cherry, which consist of ....

2 l890
1 lc2
4 l820
1 l8400

I was also able to Yamaha v2700 for $440

speaker wire from lowes...