what price aesthetics?

[wyllisx1]

Or more to the point does the shape of the surrounds make a noticeable difference?

First a little background info:

This system will be used about 85% HT.

My room is about 2400 feet but not centered. The room is a combo living/dining room that opens into a small kitchen. I'll be sitting about 8 ' from the tv. But since I live in a condo I won't be able to crank it up often. Luckily my neighbors aren't home that much.

I don't have W so the WAF factor doesn't exist. My girlfriend is nearly deaf so she'll be listening with the Sennheiser hp's that I already have for her.

I've been tossing around a few options.

The Hsu Research Ultimate 1 http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/ultimate1.html $1999.00

An Axiom Audio setup of 2 M60s & 4 QS4s a VP150 & a Hsu VT3 MK 2 $2814.00

A Svs 7.0 SCS-01 system with a SB12-Plus $1974.00

I haven't decided on the receiver yet but am leaning towards a Yamaha rx v1700.

I'd like to keep the whole setup before cables below $3k but the Axiom setup does look nicer & has FS rather than BS fronts. Not to mention the shape of the rears. Does the shape make a big difference?

Any opinions or other suggestions?

I don't plan on living in the condo for more than 2 years & will be bringing the system with me. I feel like I may as well get the 7.1 now & not have to replace it or augment it with non matched speakers when I move.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

Both speaker systems are great options. If asthetics are a factor check out the real wood veneer on the X-series speakers from AV123. They will have several tints and finishes shipping from their new factory including black, sycamore, and rosewood.

For the Surround speakers, the HSU are a direct radiating speaker with a single woofer and tweeter. The Axiom QS4's are a bipole (or quad pole) surround speaker designed for a more disperse surround field.

Both companies will be around for a while so your shouldn't have a problem starting with 5.1 and adding the surround back speakers later. If you go 5.1 Axiom, consider the QS8's for surrounds. You can also get 10% off in their B-stock section.

 

[Seth=L]

I had a post here, where did it go?

 

[wyllisx1]

Thanks I'll take a look at Av's. No comment on the SVS option, anyone?

Since I won't be able to play them very loud all that often will they be a good choice when I have to play them at a lower db level?

Believe me I'd love to vibrate the pictures off the walls on a regular basis if it would be possible.

As for the reason to go 7.1 now I was thinking I could use the extra rears as a zone 2 speaker option in my bedroom for music only.

Again if this is wrong thinking please let me know.

 

[Warpdrv]

I had a post here, where did it go?

I'll bet that you had mentioned SVS in that post, so they deleted it...

I have had that happen a couple of times on me here Seth...
Even one of which I mentioned HSU as an alternative and they still deleted the post, as It could have been construed that I was leaning towards SVS...

Come on here... is this not an opinion of a person trying to help another in need...?

I am in no ways connected to SVS, aside that I own a product of theirs, and I am happy with it....

 

[Warpdrv]

I personally find better results with somewhat larger mains/bookshelf speakers and good size surrounds and full size subwoofer, as opposed to those setups with small sattelites a Mid bass module like that shown with the HSU ultimate... or SVS ht setups Im sure many here would agree. Those little satelite speakers don't blend to a Sub very well, so they add in that mid bass module..

AV123 has package HT pricing... http://www.av123.com/products_category_pack.php?section=speakers&brand=3
Rocket RS450 Ultra HT $2097.00
Rocket HT Package # 1 $2398.00
Rocket HT Package # 2 $2298.00

I really like those type of configurations, and then just figure out what sub you might need...

In which you have many to choose from SVS, HSU, AXIOM, and AV123,
I think you will find the sound from that type of configuration is much better, and you will less likely feel a need to upgrade...

This is only my personal opinion, and I am not stating you have to go with AV123, (although tons of people love them) as you could piece a system together from anywhere, just to give you an idea of how to achieve a better sounding system.

 

[wyllisx1]

Sorry for delayed reply.... holiday weekend & all.

Thanks for the thoughts so I guess I'll be going with either the Axiom's or AV's. With either the Hsu VTF-3 MK3 or the SVS New PB12-NSD.

Now if I'm not going to go with a 7.1 setup is there a reason to upgrade my current Yamaha RX-V430 receiver? Is 75 watts enough power to run the above systems?

 

[Warpdrv]

I run a 5.1 setup and it works just fine....
If you do some research, you will find that there is hardly nothing recorded in 7.1. You can save some money by adding rear surround speakers at a later date.

Your receiver will power your speakers, but it would be better sound quality wise, if you had more power, but it will work.
I was checking out your receiver to see if it had preamp outputs, but it doesn't so it would be hard to add an external amp.
You can always upgrade your receiver at a later date.

good luck

Warp

 

[wyllisx1]

Thanks Warp

I'll probably just go with the 5.1 due to the lack of anything available in 7.1. If I upgrade the receiver too it'll be 7.1 receiver that I can run 5.1 on for now.

I've been looking over the AV123 site & a different question came up. Are RSS300 Dipole Surround rears the way to go since they'll be mounted on a wall directly behind me not on a side wall. Or would the RS250 MKII be better? With only a $100.00 difference between the packages it's a wash.

 

[Warpdrv]

How close are those rears to your seating position?

Im not the best to answer this question, surrounds should be placed at the sides of your listening position, (and rear surrounds behind if you had a 7.1 setup.)

Im not too sure about 5.1 setup with surrounds behind you.. Its not the norm, but not unheard of either...

 

[billnchristy]

Have you registered over on the av123 forum?

I would post the question there.

I dont have them so I cant tell you, but it would seem the 300s would be the way to go since it would be harder to locate them sonically.

 

[wyllisx1]

Not yet. Don't know if they'd be too amenable to comparing Axiom to there own.

 

[wyllisx1]

The rears will be against the wall & the seating position will be about 12" from the wall. Unfortunately there isn't much room to change the layout due to a picture window.

It seems the dipole type speakers are ideal to mount on a wall or maybe that's the worst thing i could do.

 

[billnchristy]

People compare other brands of speakers all the time, it is probably one of the friendliest places on the net.

 

[wyllisx1]

Thanks guys. I have narrowed it down to the Axiom or the Av123 setup. The problem I am having is i keep upgrading the speakers & going over my budget..

 

[Warpdrv]

Thanks guys. I have narrowed it down to the Axiom or the Av123 setup. The problem I am having is i keep upgrading the speakers & going over my budget..

Welcome to the world of the neverending upgrade !!!!

I ended up going below my speaker budget, but my first budget was unrealistic in regards to my wallet....