Sub or subless

[kern]

I am considering speakers for an eventual 5+.1 system with an emphasis on 2- and 5-channel music; roughly, 60% classical, 20% jazz, electronic, rock, 20% movies. With immediate budget a limitation, I am leaning away from a full set of inexpensive, poorer sounding speakers to a few higher quality speakers with additions later. I would welcome recommendations regarding good full range fronts without a sub in comparison to less versatile fronts with a sub.

Some configurations I have considered:

Axiom M60ti x 2, M3ti x 2, VP150, no sub
(growth: quality sub)
Axiom M22ti x 2, M3ti x 2, VP150 with $300 sub
(growth: M60ti x 2 in front)
Polk RTi8 x 2, RTi4 x 2, CSi5 with $300 sub
(growth: RTi12 x 2 in front)

Denon 3805 in a 14' x 17' x 8' room. I would prefer floorstanding fronts eventually.

Thank you.

 

[mulester7]

.....how used to having a sub in the mix are you?....my first true sub was a ten inch dual voice-coiled thumper in a Nissan Wagon about 18 years ago that was sledge hammer solid....I was hooked immediately hearing and feeling the really low stuff, and enjoyed watching the rearview mirror vibrate, haha....so called audiophiles claim phases are stepped on with a sub....that's hooey....that depends on whether you allow the sub to stick out and be too directional with audible confusion from the overlaps, or tastefully bring the sub/s up under the mains to be non-directional and it sound like it's the mains going all the way to the bottom with pop and pronounced oscillation....

 

[zumbo]

Your systems range a good bit in price.
1) $1585.00 Axiom (no sub)
2) $1425.00 Axiom (wsub)
3) $1939.85 Polk (wsub)
Of these three choices, I would choose the Polks.

Now for my suggestion.
Morduant Short Avant 906x2. (749.95)
Morduant Short Avant 902x2. (349.95)
Morduant Short Avant 905c. (249.95)
$300.00 sub.
Total $1649.85
I have not heard these, but Audioholics raves about them. At this price, they are definitely, definitely worthy of a listen. Look at this link to the 12k recommended system and read about these speakers. click here

 

[shokhead]

Axiom M22ti's 4@$880
SVS 25-31pci@$550
Axiom center $250
$1630 and then some stands. This would sound killer with a 2805 or 2805,imo.

 

[kern]

As an addendum, I priced the Polk system (RTi8 based) w/out sub at $1096. I am working with around $1500 for speakers at present.

 

[zumbo]

Word of the day
addendum: A thing to be added; an appendix.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I am considering speakers for an eventual 5+.1 system with an emphasis on 2- and 5-channel music; roughly, 60% classical, 20% jazz, electronic, rock, 20% movies. With immediate budget a limitation, I am leaning away from a full set of inexpensive, poorer sounding speakers to a few higher quality speakers with additions later. I would welcome recommendations regarding good full range fronts without a sub in comparison to less versatile fronts with a sub.

Some configurations I have considered:

Axiom M60ti x 2, M3ti x 2, VP150, no sub
(growth: quality sub)
Axiom M22ti x 2, M3ti x 2, VP150 with $300 sub
(growth: M60ti x 2 in front)
Polk RTi8 x 2, RTi4 x 2, CSi5 with $300 sub
(growth: RTi12 x 2 in front)

Denon 3805 in a 14' x 17' x 8' room. I would prefer floorstanding fronts eventually.

Thank you.

Why not consider the FXi dipoles for the rear if you are going with Polk? IMO, they are better for HT and mine sound outstanding by themselves, and can take a ton of power. Two tweeters really help out in the rear if you aren't running a 7.1 setup. I can give you a big thumbs up on the Polk/Denon combo. I love the sound and flexibility of the two.

 

[mulester7]

Word of the day
addendum: A thing to be added; an appendix.

.....so let it be written, haha......

 

[shokhead]

Why not consider the FXi dipoles for the rear if you are going with Polk? IMO, they are better for HT and mine sound outstanding by themselves, and can take a ton of power. Two tweeters really help out in the rear if you aren't running a 7.1 setup. I can give you a big thumbs up on the Polk/Denon combo. I love the sound and flexibility of the two.

How do they sould with multi-channel audio?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If you are referring to SACD or DVD Audio, I still haven't decided on the player. 7 channel stereo sounds amazing though with cd's and stereo tv. The FX series sound so good with two tweeters, it pi$$e$ me off they don't put dual tweets in the center and towers. They're not overly bright as one might think, but smooth and clean. That is one thing I absolutely admire about Polk - their soft dome tweeters. The only other speakers that I feel compare to the Polk's tweeters are the Paradigm Studio and the B&W Nautilus line.

 

[Wyngdh]

If you're sitting with a Denon, take your time and buy the best. I have a B&W configuaration (budget system, 610i, 602 S3, LCR60). This weekend I visited my fave Hi-fi shop and they lent me the baby ASW300 to test. I was sold on the concept. It definitely gives you 'mid-range' that you never realised existed. I tried some Lena Horne, Eagles, Diana Krall. It did nothing for the old rocker Bat out of Hell. But then I guess, I might have to spend a little more money than planned. The great part, I never realised it worked on stereo and surround. So, for other audiophytes like myself who are totally into music, take the leap!

 

[shokhead]

If you are referring to SACD or DVD Audio, I still haven't decided on the player. 7 channel stereo sounds amazing though with cd's and stereo tv. The FX series sound so good with two tweeters, it pi$$e$ me off they don't put dual tweets in the center and towers. They're not overly bright as one might think, but smooth and clean. That is one thing I absolutely admire about Polk - their soft dome tweeters. The only other speakers that I feel compare to the Polk's tweeters are the Paradigm Studio and the B&W Nautilus line.

I've read that dipoles are better for movies but nit as good for music,

 

[RJB]

To be removed?!

Word of the day
addendum: A thing to be added; an appendix.

And I always thought that an appendix was something that you had removed!