Spend My money! Speaker Time!

[Walldiver77]

Ok...

Let's assume that I don't know crap about speakers... And that I've searched up and down all these threads, ... have now amassed more questions than answers, and am now so confused about speaker selection I don't know which way to point my banana plug.

I need some help?

Budget: It would be nice if it stayed around the 1K area. Yes, I would consider buying used!

Room size: 13 by 19.5 (although the "system" will be located in one end of this room making the viewing/listening area really 13' X 15')
Ceiling height: Runs from a low of 7.5 feet to 9.5 feet lenght wise.

The new speakers will be powered by my new Denon 2807, which is what started all this. It has replaced an old Technics stereo receiver I bought when I was 20 (now 47). I built the speakers for this system from solid Black Walnut.... they were sweet in their day. I opened up the grills on them the other day to find there was no foam supporting the cones.... floating in air. Is it time toe replace them?! I would guess that would be the result of too much college partyin'.... way back when I did inhale.

I would rather stay with a matched system and not buy different brands of speakers. I do like towers, but is my room too small for them? I also like the towers that have subs in them that are efficient enough to allow me to forgo buying an a dedicated sub (however, I'm not opposed to any suggestions).

Looks of the speakers? Well... sure, that would be nice, but I'm more interested in the performance than looks.

This system will be used for both music and movies equally.

I do appreciate your responses!

 

[corysmith01]

Hey Walldiver, welcome. First things first...have you gone out and listened to any? That'll be the first thing everyone asks/tells you to do. If not, you owe it to yourself. If you're going to invest the cash, take the time, drive around to a handful of places, equipped with material you listen to/watch often and know well, and just listen. It's part of the fun.

That aside, are you looking for a 5.1 or 7.1 set up? Are you opposed to internet direct brands? If you do opt for a sub, do you want the price of the sub to be included in your $1K limit (that'll be challenging), or would there be a separate budget for that?

And yes, it's time to replace those speakers. You're off to a good start with the 2807. That's an awesome unit.

 

[agarwalro]

From experience I recommend the Axiom audio M60ti's, the work very well with the Denon receiver.

Some more towers in your price range that have a good rep are AV123, B&W, Def Tech, etc. It will be best if you listen to them and choose for yourself.

 

[Walldiver77]

Hey Walldiver, welcome. First things first...have you gone out and listened to any? That'll be the first thing everyone asks/tells you to do. If not, you owe it to yourself. If you're going to invest the cash, take the time, drive around to a handful of places, equipped with material you listen to/watch often and know well, and just listen. It's part of the fun.

That aside, are you looking for a 5.1 or 7.1 set up? Are you opposed to internet direct brands? If you do opt for a sub, do you want the price of the sub to be included in your $1K limit (that'll be challenging), or would there be a separate budget for that?

And yes, it's time to replace those speakers. You're off to a good start with the 2807. That's an awesome unit.

CorySmith,

Thanks. It took me forever to make up my mind on the 2807; Glad that's out of the way!

5.1 setup.... Have no need for two more speakers in such a small area. I would allow a bit more to include a separate sub. I am not opposed to internet direct brands. Thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

Just don't buy any speakers being sold from the back of a white van, from a guy who said his boss would kill him if he didn't sell them. In fact just stay away from white vans during the holidays, that could be very dangerous.

 

[Sheep]

The SVS SBS-01 system and BIC HT-75 system are 2 good contenders.

The SVS is bookshelf based, while the BIC is tower based.

The SVS is more suited to music, while the BIC is more HT oriented.

The SVS has a 10inch subwoofer, the BIC has a 12, but the SVS is ordesigned, and would probably walk all over the H100.

Those are the first 2 I would consider, and personally, I woudl lean towards the SVS, due to the subwoofer, build quality, and I prefer bookshelfs.

SVS: http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

BIC: http://www.bicamerica.com/index.php (Acoustech system)

SheepStar

 

[corysmith01]

Sheep's thrown out some great options and I'll throw another "can't go wrong" offering in there...an Onix x-ls set up. I own them and am biased, but in the past year I've also owned B&W DM601 s3's and Paradigm Studio 20 v.3's...and these x-ls have left me every bit as satisfied, if not more so. Anyhow, you could get:

4 x-ls = $438
1 x-cs = $139
1 SVS PB10-NSD = $429

for a total of $1006. Of course you have to alot for shipping, but at just over $1K, that's some serious room-filling sound.

I'd still recommend going around and listening, but these are all great contenders if considering the ID route.

 

[Walldiver77]

Great replies!

CorySmith, agarwalro, Sheep, Seth=L

Thanks! I'll now do a little research on these....... I would suppose that the Axiom Epic Midi line would be a little out of my reach. They do look nice.

I live out here in the sticks and to listen to these would involve a trip to Albuquerque, Denver, or Phoenix. So, your advice will be what I most likely stick with.

I'll let you know,.... but don't hold your breath; this may take a while.

 

[KC23]

I got the M60ti (Axiom) and I'm very happy with them. Audictioned them Vs BW703 and perfered the M60s and they were half the price of the Bw703s.

Get them factory direct and they are under $900 US dollars.

 

[Pianoman84d]

If you go to Denver to audition stuff, the AV123 headquarters is nearby. Give em a call, I'm sure they'd put on a meet and greet.

 

[Nick250]

Hey Walldiver, welcome. First things first...have you gone out and listened to any? That'll be the first thing everyone asks/tells you to do. If not, you owe it to yourself. If you're going to invest the cash, take the time, drive around to a handful of places, equipped with material you listen to/watch often and know well, and just listen. It's part of the fun.

That aside, are you looking for a 5.1 or 7.1 set up? Are you opposed to internet direct brands? If you do opt for a sub, do you want the price of the sub to be included in your $1K limit (that'll be challenging), or would there be a separate budget for that?

And yes, it's time to replace those speakers. You're off to a good start with the 2807. That's an awesome unit.

I second everything corysmith said.

Nick

 

[GreenJelly]

First, everyone who comes in here with a $1K budget, I recommend the same thing. Buy a 2 or 2.1 speaker system, and NOT a surround sound. The value of 2 good speakers easily out does anything that you can get for a 5.1 setup at that price.

Go to stores that ONLY sell Audio and Video Equipment. If you cant get a private place to listen to the speakers, then you are wasting your time. You just cant hear over 20 customers.

Axioms are great speakers, but not my flavor. I would recommend you listen to some B&W. You could get a pair of 604's for a 2 speaker system on ebay. These speakers DO NOT need a subwoofer. This ofcourse doesnt include any power.

If your budget includes the need for a receiver, I would drop down to the 603's. The going price for B&W 600 Series 3 speakers on Ebay is between 2/3 and 1/2 the original cost. Again, the 603's are really good on the low end.

If you want try out NHT, they make some more inexpensive speakers that sound great.

Again, I can only leave you with more questions... Follow your gut, listen to speakers, take your time, and consider the whole options.

BTW; dont buy into the salesman selling speaker cable... Just use any lamp cord, and soder on some nice connectors.

 

[Walldiver77]

Sheep's thrown out some great options and I'll throw another "can't go wrong" offering in there...an Onix x-ls set up. I own them and am biased, but in the past year I've also owned B&W DM601 s3's and Paradigm Studio 20 v.3's...and these x-ls have left me every bit as satisfied, if not more so. Anyhow, you could get:

4 x-ls = $438
1 x-cs = $139
1 SVS PB10-NSD = $429

for a total of $1006. Of course you have to alot for shipping, but at just over $1K, that's some serious room-filling sound.

I'd still recommend going around and listening, but these are all great contenders if considering the ID route.

CorySmith,

Did you look at AV123s package X-series deals? They have three in the x-series line that look like they might do. The most expensive ($894.00) uses the center speaker (X-CS... Isn't it great how simple their designations are?!) as for center and two surrounds. Do you think there package sub would do? Shipping and all, this package would get to my door for $1078.00. Would the X-CS speakers be an improvement over the X-ls speakers?

Note to self: I also need to go back and look at Axiom again.

 

[billnchristy]

Judging from your room size the X-sub will do an excellent job in your room.

It is more musically inclined but it does a decent job on LFE duty for movies as long as it doesnt have to go too low (sub 30s).

For an 8" with a 150w amp it will blow your mind though.

I believe there is a review here as well as the X-LS...both were given pretty high marks.

The X-CS sounds identical to the X-LS but is 3dB more sensitive.

I run a X-CS,X-LS,X-sub system in my room thats around 13x17 and it does a great job for music, movies and tv.

 

[Walldiver77]

The decision is ...

I decided, and have them coming, on the AV123 X series speakers. I did upgrade the x sub to the ULW 10 with a 350 watt amp. I would hope that satisfies my appetite for the low stuff.

Thanks to all that responded!

 

[Nick250]

I have UFW-10 and I am very pleased with it. Depending on your tastes and room size, you might want place it near field when it's on LFE duty.

Nick