mmm...classic rock, a "large end of small/small end of medium" sized room and a preference for a wide, deep soundstange, eh?
I've got just the speakers for you! (assuming you aren't too picky about looks
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Ascend Acoustics CMT-340SE Mains
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340SE Center
*optional stand for the CMT-340SE Mains that basically makes them look like towers
Emotiva ERD-1 dipole/bipole surround speakers
*substitute Ascend CBM-170SE if you want monopole surrounds on stands or Ascend HTM-200SE if you want monopole surrounds mounted on the wall
Rythmik FV12 12" ported subwoofer (available through Ascend so you can create a more convenient order with fewer separate shipments if you like - plus bundle pricing discounts
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*Also be sure to pick up an Auralex GRAMMA isolation riser to decouple your subwoofer - they're only $50 and available through Amazon or Sweetwater.com
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The SEAS tweeter used in Ascend's speakers is truly something special at this price point. It's easily my favorite tweeter in this price range and plays WAY above the competition in terms of performance. The CMT-340SE speakers deliver a very wide, very expansive soundstage while still delivering a flat and neutral frequency response. Having the CMT-340SE Mains and matching CMT-340SE Center gives you something very rare at this price point: a truly seemless and virtually flawless front soundstage with pans across the front three speakers that do NOT display an audible tonal shift as they pass from main to center to main. I HATE when you can easily hear the audible shift in tone as sounds pan across the front. The 3 Ascend CMT-340SE speakers up front is a real treat
Personally, I favor dipole surround speakers. Properly set up (ie. 2-3 feet above seated ear height and directly to either side of the listening position) dipole surrounds recreate the multiple surround speakers that you find in a commercial movie theater. The Emotiva ERD-1 surround speakers are a good sonic match for the Ascend CMT-340SE front speakers and they fit very well within your price range.
That said, some people prefer direct-firing, monopole surround speakers. It's a matter of personal preference. And if you listen to music way more than movies/TV, it's worth mentioning that the 5.1 music formats (SACD and DVD-Audio) were meant to be played back through direct-firing surround speakers. The Ascend CBM-170SE bookshelf speakers are the perfect monopole choice if you are going to have your surround speakers on stands and a little ways away from the walls (they are a ported speaker, afterall). The Ascend HTM-200SE small bookshelf speakers are sealed and easy to mount on the wall, so they make the perfect monopole choice for a wall-mounted surround.
At this price range, it can be tough to find a subwoofer that can truly play down to 20Hz and do so without losing control of transients and clarity. Luckily, your room is not too large, so massive output is less of a concern.
Rythmik's FV12 ported subwoofer will nicely match your room size and deliver genuine 20Hz output along with good transient response.
Some alternatives in subwoofers would be HSU Research's VTF-2 MK3 or SVSound's PC12-NSD DSP/PB12-NSD DSP.
The SVSound subs would actually be my preference, but they are more expensive and, sadly, the PB12-NSD DSP isn't available at this time. If you don't mind the tall cylinder design, the PC12-NSD would be a fantastic choice. But again, it's a more expensive subwoofer than the Rythmik FV12.
The HSU VTF-2 MK3 is a great choice for music and exactly the same price as the Rythmik. It has less amplifier power though and it doesn't extend right down to 20Hz with very much strength. It's great for music where there isn't much below 35Hz anyway because its transient response is excellent. But you can glean a little more extension without losing any control or paying any extra with the Rythmik FV12.
Regardless of what subwoofer you choose, be sure to decouple it from the floor! Decoupling makes an audible difference. It is not a panacea for all bass problems, but it is definitely a worth-while improvement - especially since it greatly reduces the "bleeding" of bass into other rooms of the house or building... think happier neighbors and significant other
It doesn't really matter HOW you decouple your subwoofer, but the Auralex GRAMMA is a very effective and affordable decoupling device, so I heartily recommend them. They provide a nice, stable platform for your subwoofer and effectively decouple it from the floor for only $50, so it's an easy recommendation to make
My final comment is that all of these recommended speakers are very plain-looking: they are all just black boxes
If you want something with nicer looks, I'd almost certainly point you to EMP Tek and their Impression Series speakers - so check those out too! That said, I easily favor the SEAS tweeter found in the Ascend speakers, so if looks aren't a priority, that is the way to go IMO.
Hope that helps!
