What to buy for $4000?

[WmAx]

Okay then. I have been looking at http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html

The reviews are pretty good and I like the fact that it is transparent.

And maybe combining it with http://www.axiomaudio.com/ep400.html since it should fit perfectly in small rooms.

What do you think about that?

There is NO other option for this price range that will equal or come close to the B&W specific model I recommended earlier. The minimum price for a speaker pair NEW, that performs to that level, is about $15,000 USD.

Axiom is a vastly inferior option, comparably.

Not quite as good as the used B&W 801 Series II/III, but a more available option, is to get B&W 805, and two/twin high quality subwoofers, and a Behringer DCX2496 to transparently integrate the twin subs to the 2 way monitors. This specific monitor has lower cabinet acoustic output/resonance as compared to most, and has very linear drivers with a smooth off axis response. Combine with two high fidelity subs(one near each speaker is a must) crossed at about 90-100Hz using the powerful DCX active crossover. IN addition, the DCX allow for subtle modifications to sound signature to meet your preferences.

A bit over your budget if you buy them new, but will provide extreme high fidelity if done exactly as I specify. For subs, I would like to ideally recommend a pair of JL Audio Fathom F110 10" active subs. If you can get the B&W 805/805S/805N used in mint condition, then this should allow budget for the twin subs.

Do not pay too much for amp. Speakers are FAR more important to place money into. You should not pay more than $400-$500 for a top performing solid state amplifier for your main speakers to perform as well as they ever can.

-Chris

 

[motomouse]

What about PSB synchrony one floorstanding ? There is almost nothing on this forum about them WHY???
After reading your post I was looking at those B&Ws but its hard to spend some money($2K) on 20+ years old speakers

 

[WmAx]

What about PSB synchrony one floorstanding ? There is almost nothing on this forum about them WHY???
After reading your post I was looking at those B&Ws but its hard to spend some money($2K) on 20+ years old speakers

I don't see the issue. $2000 for those speakers is nothing. Look up your inflation index. They sold for $4500-$5000 in the late 1980's, which would roughly approximate $10,000 today. The current 801 is between $15,000-$20,000 range. The old 801 here, performs very comparably still, to the modern ones. You won't touch anything anywhere near the quality of this speaker for $2000-$3000, at least not of which I'm aware. A new speaker with comparable build quality and measured performance will start at about $13,000-$15,000 USD, and then, only if you shop VERY carefully/wisely.

-Chris

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The room is 9,35 feet x 8,20 feet. I think there is 11,48 feet to the ceiling. It has wooden floors.

Are those dimensions correct?

Is it like 9 ft x 8 ft x 11 ft ceiling?

If so, I think that's kind of small for anything else besides 5 identical bookshelf speakers + 1 subwoofer + 1 receiver.

Examples:

Five NHT SuperZeros $150 x 5 = $750 + Shipping:
http://www.nhthifi.com/Absolute-Zero-White_2?sc=12&category=1210

NHT Classic Ten Subwoofer $500 + Shipping:
http://www.nhthifi.com/Ten?sc=12&category=1210

Denon AVR-790 for $500:
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR790-7-1-Channel-Multi-Zone-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266428757&sr=8-6

Or similar items.

 

[motomouse]

Thanks wmax and what series would be better 2 or 3 from those matrix ??

And you didnt say anything about Synchrony One does it mean they wont have a chance against ?

 

[Chamomile tea]

Well, I'm very confused. AcuDefTechGuy says my room is too small for anything else than small bookshelves and WmAx says that I can put floorstanding in there, if I just work on the acoustics in the room. I wanna believe that WmAx is right, but when I think about it, I am going to sit really close to the speakers, and even closer than I first thought, because the speakers shouldn't be standing too close to the wall, to get the best sound right? Man, that's a dilemma

 

[WmAx]

Well, I'm very confused. AcuDefTechGuy says my room is too small for anything else than small bookshelves and WmAx says that I can put floorstanding in there, if I just work on the acoustics in the room. I wanna believe that WmAx is right, but when I think about it, I am going to sit really close to the speakers, and even closer than I first thought, because the speakers shouldn't be standing too close to the wall, to get the best sound right? Man, that's a dilemma

Let's get rational. The B&W 801 is a 2 Way. Look at it. A little two way speaker that just happens to be sitting upon a 15" sub.

The close spacing of the tweeter and mid-range will allow this speaker to work well close or far distances. No problem. If this speaker had a wide spacing of drivers, or many drivers in an array, then you could not use it close to you. But this is not the case here. This speaker will work superbly in either format.

-Chris

 

[Drifter]

Buy new B&W 804's and a used Yamaha DSP A1 for the first couple of years -- then move up to separates. You can find DSP A1's on the use market for abou $400-$600.00. Believe me, the DSP A1 will let the 804's sing and you'll have a blast with the Yamaha's home theater capabilities. Eventually, I would suggest you upgrade to Rotel gear. The B&W 804's will be a lifetime audio investment. You take care of them - they'll take care of you!