Starting a home theatre set-up

[dewey1680]

Hi all, just reading some threads here, alot of people who know their stuff it seems like. So i was hoping for some suggestions. I know mostly you build your system by what sounds good to yourself, but i was wondering if people could recommend some speakers for me. I have started with a hk 645 receiver, and a set of mission 753's. I was looking for suggestions on the sub, center, and surrounds of course. I am looking at a m&k v-125 for a sub to start, found one for under $150, which is good for the moment. But i would like to upgrade within a year. I would be willing to spend upwards of $1000 on each area of speaker, roughly $3000 in total. I thank any responses in advance of getting them, thx for the help, advice.

 

[Midcow2]

You probably need to spend more for a sub ..

Hi all, just reading some threads here, alot of people who know their stuff it seems like. So i was hoping for some suggestions. I know mostly you build your system by what sounds good to yourself, but i was wondering if people could recommend some speakers for me. I have started with a hk 645 receiver, and a set of mission 753's. I was looking for suggestions on the sub, center, and surrounds of course. I am looking at a m&k v-125 for a sub to start, found one for under $150, which is good for the moment. But i would like to upgrade within a year. I would be willing to spend upwards of $1000 on each area of speaker, roughly $3000 in total. I thank any responses in advance of getting them, thx for the help, advice.

to be happy. Two good brands at $429 SVS and $299 Hsu would be much better. You probably won't like the $150 sub very long.

You center speaker should match your fronts to maintain timbre, like a mission 79c.

The surrounds and sub don't need to match.

 

[mazersteven]

Welcome to the Forum

Take your time. Keep reading this, and other forums. Audition as many speakers as you can. Bring your own material to audition. Get involved with get-togethers.

 

[speakerman39]

Hi all, just reading some threads here, alot of people who know their stuff it seems like. So i was hoping for some suggestions. I know mostly you build your system by what sounds good to yourself, but i was wondering if people could recommend some speakers for me. I have started with a hk 645 receiver, and a set of mission 753's. I was looking for suggestions on the sub, center, and surrounds of course. I am looking at a m&k v-125 for a sub to start, found one for under $150, which is good for the moment. But i would like to upgrade within a year. I would be willing to spend upwards of $1000 on each area of speaker, roughly $3000 in total. I thank any responses in advance of getting them, thx for the help, advice.

While I am NOT familiar with the Mission speakers, I would suggest that you stay with the same brand for proper voice matching. However, this does NOT apply to the sub as the LFE is non-directional. You do have a very capable receiver imho. How big is your room? Care to give us some dimensions as in L X W X H?? Is your preference mainly on music or ht?? Or, are your preferences about 50/50 respectively speaking?? Are you planning on getting a BR player or own a PS3??? Please give us a bit more info so we can perhaps help you. Welcome to the forum.

 

[dewey1680]

Thx for the quick replies and for joining the forum. First off i never bought the m&k after, it went for almost $200 on ebay, i didn't want to pay that much for a temporary sub. The size of my room is roughly 12' x 20' x 8'. I would say its about a 50/50 on the music/ht usage. I don't have a br or ps3 at the moment, but one of those will be added in the near future. Musicwise, i listen to rock n roll, like springsteen, dave matthews, stuff like that. So i really don't need the thumping, room shaking beats, lol. Of course, any speakers you think are great for a lower price would be all the better. Cheers!

 

[dewey1680]

Midcow, i never knew you should keep your center the same as your fronts. I just bought the mission 753's about 2 weeks ago. The guy i got them from has a kef center, pricey one i would think, and he said it was awesome with the missions. But i will look for a same center as well, thx for the advice.

 

[mazersteven]

Of course, any speakers you think are great for a lower price would be all the better. Cheers!

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

 

[speakerman39]

dewey, I agree with mazer regarding the Ascend Acoustic speakers as they have been very well received. If, you are looking at some even more affordable than the Ascends, be sure to look at the Infinity Primus speakers. Thus, the Primus give a huge bang for your buck. Vanns.com always has some very good deals on them. However, it is only fair to mention but the Ascends would be in a totally different class than the Primus for the most part. To be honest, I have NEVER heard the Ascends but going from my own research I truly do believe this. I did, however, own the Primus speakers and as such am quite familiar with them. Hope this helps and as always good luck with your decision.

 

[Alex2507]

Midcow, i never knew you should keep your center the same as your fronts. I just bought the mission 753's about 2 weeks ago. The guy i got them from has a kef center, pricey one i would think, and he said it was awesome with the missions. But i will look for a same center as well, thx for the advice.

I like to listen to multi channel music (SACD and DVD-A) so all my speakers are of the same product line (listed in my signature). If you go the Primus route as Speakerman39 suggested, check out the prices at theaudiovideosource.com.

An option that hasn't been mentioned yet is getting the sub you want now with only left and right fronts. Pick up the center and surrounds later.

 

[Halon451]

Thx for the quick replies and for joining the forum. First off i never bought the m&k after, it went for almost $200 on ebay, i didn't want to pay that much for a temporary sub. The size of my room is roughly 12' x 20' x 8'. I would say its about a 50/50 on the music/ht usage. I don't have a br or ps3 at the moment, but one of those will be added in the near future. Musicwise, i listen to rock n roll, like springsteen, dave matthews, stuff like that. So i really don't need the thumping, room shaking beats, lol. Of course, any speakers you think are great for a lower price would be all the better. Cheers!

If I were you I wouldn't waste money on a "temporary" sub - that just doesn't make any sense. You could spend more on a good set of fronts and do without a sub altogether for a little while until you have the cash to get something you'll be happy with for years to come. I went without a sub for a few months before I had the money to order my SVS, and I am entirely glad I did so. Once I had it set up, the months I went without one didn't matter one bit.

 

[dewey1680]

I like to listen to multi channel music (SACD and DVD-A) so all my speakers are of the same product line (listed in my signature). If you go the Primus route as Speakerman39 suggested, check out the prices at theaudiovideosource.com.

An option that hasn't been mentioned yet is getting the sub you want now with only left and right fronts. Pick up the center and surrounds later.

I think that is what i am going to do Alex. I have a small center that does the job for now, so i am going to go after the kick *** sub. I live in small town alberta, 3 hours from calgary, edmonton, so its hard to listen to products. I just have to go off reviews, which i feel safe doing. Thx for your opinion.

Halon, i think i have a good set of fron't at the moment, one's that i love the sound of. The mission 753's are an 90's speaker, but they have awesome mid and top sound. They are a little weak on the bass, that is why i need a sub, lol. Thx for the advice, and about how much does a good svs sub go for, i never heard of that brand before.

 

[Halon451]

Halon, i think i have a good set of fron't at the moment, one's that i love the sound of. The mission 753's are an 90's speaker, but they have awesome mid and top sound. They are a little weak on the bass, that is why i need a sub, lol. Thx for the advice, and about how much does a good svs sub go for, i never heard of that brand before.

Well, SVS is only one of several good options for a sub. I mentioned that only because it's what I have, and I have more direct experience with it than any other brand. Mine (PB12-NSD) cost me $657 shipped, and it is a very good performer.

Other brands that you can Google: Hsu, Outlaw, Elemental Designs, AV123 (MFW-15), and there are a few others that are championed by members of this forum. I'd say that SVS and Hsu probably get the most mention around here, with the AV123 MFW-15 model closing the gap from behind.

 

[dewey1680]

Cool, thx Halon. How about b&w, m&k, klipsch, velodyne, and kef? Obviously these are names of speakers i know and think are good quality. How do these rate as well. I guess there are forums on here that discuss subs? I have some research to do. Thx again

 

[Midcow2]

Get an SVS sub here are some prices ..

I think that is what i am going to do Alex. I have a small center that does the job for now, so i am going to go after the kick *** sub. I live in small town alberta, 3 hours from calgary, edmonton, so its hard to listen to products. I just have to go off reviews, which i feel safe doing. Thx for your opinion.

Halon, i think i have a good set of fron't at the moment, one's that i love the sound of. The mission 753's are an 90's speaker, but they have awesome mid and top sound. They are a little weak on the bass, that is why i need a sub, lol. Thx for the advice, and about how much does a good svs sub go for, i never heard of that brand before.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub.cfm

$429 PB10-NSD ( very good) - $949-$1149 PB12-Plus (better), PB13-Ultra $1399-$1699) (best) All are great, bigger is better and also more expensive!


If your really want the best kick ** sub get a JL Audio FATHOM f113 but expensive, $3,400

In summary, the PB10-NSD is very good and it only gets better fro mthere, But you would be happy with the sound of any of them!

 

[AVRat]

Unfortunately, the ID subs can be pricey getting them into the North Country. SVS has a Canadian distributor: http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/

 

[mazersteven]

Thx for the advice, and about how much does a good svs sub go for, i never heard of that brand before.

That is why I recommended that you spend some time on this, and other forums to become familiar with what brands are available to you.

 

[Halon451]

That is why I recommended that you spend some time on this, and other forums to become familiar with what brands are available to you.

Great advice there...