Speakers Recommendation Please

[shivang222]

I checked, but there is no access to SVS unfortunately. Any other suggestions for a sub replacement?

 

[shivang222]

So I went back today and I got some updates. First of all, the amp i was planning on getting earlier only supported 3.1 channels so i changed it to another new marantz amp. I was also mentioning the wrong subwoofer. And finally, they didnt have the 600 series center speaker so I am thinking of going with the CM centre. Anybody know how that center speaker is?

This is now what I'm looking at:

B&W 685 x2 (front)
B&W 686 x2 (rear)
CM centre
ASW610 (subwoofer)
Marantz NR1501(amp)

Total: about $2,600

 

[Lordoftherings]

I checked, but there is no access to SVS unfortunately. Any other suggestions for a sub replacement?

HSU, perhaps?

 

[Lordoftherings]

So I went back today and I got some updates. First of all, the amp i was planning on getting earlier only supported 3.1 channels so i changed it to another new marantz amp. I was also mentioning the wrong subwoofer. And finally, they didnt have the 600 series center speaker so I am thinking of going with the CM centre. Anybody know how that center speaker is?

This is now what I'm looking at:

B&W 685 x2 (front)
B&W 686 x2 (rear)
CM centre
ASW610 (subwoofer)
Marantz NR1501(amp)

Total: about $2,600

The CM centre will be perfect with your 685 & 686 speakers. It's a very appropriate match, thee ONE.

You look very good so far, from here, man.

 

[shivang222]

I know its been a while, its just that I can't find the full set of speakers anywhere! I want to try them together before buying them..

Anyway, I was told by the B&W salesman at one store that I would not need a subwoofer, and my music should still sound great. He basically told me I would be wasting my money by getting a subwoofer. Comments?

Also, I may have not mentioned this before, but I want this system for 100% music. The salesman told me for music all i need is 2.1 because music is only capable of producing true 2.1. Would it be a waste to get the surrounds? I'm sure you can still output the music to all five speakers, though. Wouldn't that sound better?

I was thinking, for music would the system be better to get two of B&W's floorstanding speakers as fronts instead and not get surrounds? The music doesn't need to be quite that loud. Quality is of much more concern.

 

[GO-NAD!]

You only want the system for music, but do you have any intention to buy SACDs or DVD-Audios? They are formats that can provide up to 5.1 channels, so the salesman isn't right when he says music is only "2.1". Or, at some point in the future, do you plan to set up a home theatre? If it's "no" to both questions there isn't much point in buying a surround system.

Plus, do you live in an apartment building with poor sound insulation? A powerful subwoofer could incur the wrath of your neighbours.

So, with the same budget, you could get a very nice integrated stereo amplifier and a pair of floorstanders (or a pair of bookshelf speakers and a compact subwoofer). As a NAD owner, I have no reservations about recommending NAD for an amp. I have no idea what prices would be there for NAD amps.

Do you already have a CD player? If not, that is something to budget for. Plus, if you listen to the radio, a tuner as well.

 

[shivang222]

Would floorstanding speakers significantly improve the sound quality of my music? Also, if I opt with a pair of floorstanding speakers (given that I live in an apartment and do not need the music to be really that loud) do I need a subwoofer? Would it be sufficient to go with an amp and two floorstandings? What about a center channel?

 

[GO-NAD!]

Would floorstanding speakers significantly improve the sound quality of my music? Also, if I opt with a pair of floorstanding speakers (given that I live in an apartment and do not need the music to be really that loud) do I need a subwoofer? Would it be sufficient to go with an amp and two floorstandings? What about a center channel?

Floorstanders don't necessarily improve the sound quality, they just tend to provide deeper bass frequency extension. Do you listen to classical or jazz music? That's where most deep bass frequencies are found in recorded music. If you like bass, you probably want a subwoofer. There aren't a lot of floorstanders that can reproduce the deepest bass frequencies of a good subwoofer. The ones that can, tend to be quite expensive and demand a lot of current from your amplifier.

One option is to buy the best bookshelf speakers you can get within your budget and later on, if you decide you want deeper bass, buy a subwoofer to go with them.

How much floor space do you have? Two floorstanders will occupy less floor space than 2 bookshelf speakers (on stands) and a subwoofer. As for a centre channel, if you stick with stereo, you won't need it.

From the questions you are asking I would suggest that you do a LOT more research into what you really need, before you buy anything. There are a lot of good articles on the Audioholics website that you could read, as well as other audio websites.

 

[shivang222]

thanks go-nads. haha that sounds weird.

how do think getting two b&w cm7s or other 600 floorstandings with the asw608 with a marantz amp? is that better sound qualitywise? or would two 685s with that sub n amp b better?

 

[3db]

thanks go-nads. haha that sounds weird.

how do think getting two b&w cm7s or other 600 floorstandings with the asw608 with a marantz amp? is that better sound qualitywise? or would two 685s with that sub n amp b better?

sounds like your getting overwhelmed on this.. Here's what I would do if I were you..
What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

 

[GO-NAD!]

sounds like your getting overwhelmed on this.. Here's what I would do if I were you..
What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

I don't know if you read the whole thread, but the OP wants a system just for music, as it will be in his dining room. I get the impression that he's now leaning towards a 2.0 or 2.1 system ( he didn't say he would be listening to SACD or DVD-Audio). I strongly suggest deciding how the system will be laid out in the room, in order to narrow down the list of speakers to audition. The space isn't that large (1550 cubic feet), so it would be wise to decide which type of speakers are most suitable before auditioning, i.e. 2 bookshelf speakers, 2 bookshelf speakers + subwoofer, 2 floorstanders, or 2 floorstanders + subwoofer. As for the amplifier/receiver, good quality and power - brand doesn't matter, as they will sound the same.

 

[3db]

I don't know if you read the whole thread, but the OP wants a system just for music, as it will be in his dining room. I get the impression that he's now leaning towards a 2.0 or 2.1 system ( he didn't say he would be listening to SACD or DVD-Audio). I strongly suggest deciding how the system will be laid out in the room, in order to narrow down the list of speakers to audition. The space isn't that large (1550 cubic feet), so it would be wise to decide which type of speakers are most suitable before auditioning, i.e. 2 bookshelf speakers, 2 bookshelf speakers + subwoofer, 2 floorstanders, or 2 floorstanders + subwoofer. As for the amplifier/receiver, good quality and power - brand doesn't matter, as they will sound the same.

My approach will still work becuase I've suggested auditioning speakers for music not HT. Therefore, he simply needs to eliminate the center and surround channels from the equation. Further more, he can decide to go down two streams, towers or bookshelfes with a sub and use the sytematic approach for both streams. Either way, teh OP needs to decide which lay out he wants. I'm more of a tower man myslef and it will take up less real estate then having two bookshelves on stands (still takes teh same amount of real estate as towers) plus the subwoofer which is the additional real estate that towers don't need.

 

[GO-NAD!]

My approach will still work becuase I've suggested auditioning speakers for music not HT. Therefore, he simply needs to eliminate the center and surround channels from the equation. Further more, he can decide to go down two streams, towers or bookshelfes with a sub and use the sytematic approach for both streams. Either way, teh OP needs to decide which lay out he wants. I'm more of a tower man myslef and it will take up less real estate then having two bookshelves on stands (still takes teh same amount of real estate as towers) plus the subwoofer which is the additional real estate that towers don't need.

I prefer towers myself, but it really depends on the situation. If he's pressed for space, he can wall-mount bookshelves and add a sub (or not) and occupy less floor space than a pair of towers. Also, being a dining room, I would guess that he won't be able to pull these speakers out into the room very far. I would surmise that, in general, bookshelves tolerate closer placement to a wall, as the higher bass cutoff will permit it. Again, that's generally speaking. His room and the speaker in question will dictate of course.

 

[shivang222]

thanks guys basically right now im asking if the cm7s will sound noticeably better for music than the 685s?

 

[GO-NAD!]

thanks guys basically right now im asking if the cm7s will sound noticeably better for music than the 685s?

I've heard the 685 and it's a good bookshelf speaker, but I've never heard the CM7 before, so I can't offer an opinion on it. But, I would say it's like comparing apples and oranges. They are two different size speakers from two different lines. I don't think it would be fair to compare them and say one is better than the other.

 

[3db]

thanks guys basically right now im asking if the cm7s will sound noticeably better for music than the 685s?

You really need to stop asking our opinions and listen to the speakers yourself and make a real informed decision. The thing is, only you have your ears and we can never hearwhat you hear if you know what I mean. Sit, and listen, and take notes just liek I told you. Trust your own ears and if you really like it, who cars what the rest of us thinks. Good luck

 

[GO-NAD!]

You really need to stop asking our opinions and listen to the speakers yourself and make a real informed decision. The thing is, only you have your ears and we can never hearwhat you hear if you know what I mean. Sit, and listen, and take notes just liek I told you. Trust your own ears and if you really like it, who cars what the rest of us thinks. Good luck

Amen to that!

 

[shivang222]

aiight ill do that

 

[njedpx3]

Your room is pretty small so bookshelf speakers will work. If you are going to listen to movies -DVD, TV then you should think of a matching center to the front speakers to maintain timbre; seemless front sound. The front speakers are most important followed by the center. Rear speakers are for enchancement and can be much smaller. Good brands for the sub are SVS and Hsu; the sub is important fro low sounds especially if you use bookshelf speakers.

There are many speakers that will work including Bose. However, to each it is a personal listening choice and if you can audition it is best.

Two very good bookshelf speakers are Cambridge Audio S30 and Berhinger Truth 2030A or Mordant Shorts You could get 5 of these for around $700-$800. Three matching front speakers gives you perfect timbre.

A Bose solution woul be a pair of 901s for the fronts and VSC30 center/surround - retail total $1700. I would not buy theri Home threater Acoustimass systems.

For you room the best sub is probably the SVS PB10-NSD for $449 . You need this with either system.

Good Luck!
Njedpx3

 

[shivang222]

So I finally ordered these speakers:

B&W CM7 (for both left and right in maplewood)
Marantz NR1501 Amp

I spend $2,250; hope I didn't pay too much.

Anyway, the system will arrive on Saturday. I have one question: I want to connect my laptop which has an on-board sound card to the amp. I could do this using RCA cables, but I was hoping to connect it digitally AND wirelessly. Is this possible? I have been looking around for Bluetooth receivers (my laptop has bluetooth capability) that connect into the amp, but I could not find anything so far because the amp does not have a USB slot. Any suggestions?