What will $1200USD get me for surround speakers?

[pjviitas]

I had posted previously about the shipping problems on a set of speakers to Baffin Island and had a little bit of feedback about Sony's being a mistake.

I will be getting out of here to the rest of the world, Vegas actually, in about 3 weeks so I can hold out till then to get my speakers.

Any ideas on what $1200USD will get me for a set of surround speakers?

Best Regards, Hedgehog

 

[billnchristy]

1200 should get you just about anything you want for surrounds.

What do you have for the rest of the system?

Axiom and AV123 make some good dipoles in the 600 a pair range and I am sure you could find even more expensive if youd like.

 

[pjviitas]

I guess I should have been a little more explicit.

I meant $1200USD for a set of surround speakers.

I have a Dell 32" LCD TV and Sony HDMI receiver.

 

[Nick250]

$1200 will buy you a lot these days IMO and the choices are vast. Almost overwhelmingly so. I might start by reading reviews here and to Google speaker reviews for Paradigm, Ascend, Boston Acoustic, B&W and on and on. Start auditions as soon as you get Vegas. There is no substitution for auditions. That's the real starting place IMO, at least it was for me.

Nick

 

[Seth=L]

Do you mean 5 speakers and a sub? Surround speakers specifically are the speakers that go on the sides and/or rear of your surround sound setup. Saying a set of surround speakers may be easily interpreted as a pair of specialized surround speakers. I am of coarse, assuming that you mean a 5.1 set of speakers.

SVS has a good system for around that price, the SVS SBS-01.

Edit: I want to add the Ventriloquist system from HSU. Get that with the HSU STF-2 sub all for under $800 after shipping direct from HSU. I had the STF-2 a while back, wish I still had it, it was a very good sub for the money. I got my STF-2 used for only $70 from a stupid pawn shop, they had no clue what they had.

 

[pjviitas]

I'm still new here so I don't have all the terminology down.

Thats correct, I did mean 5 speakers and a sub...5.1 system.

 

[Seth=L]

Edited last post.

 

[Pianoman84d]

I'd also look at AV123's Onix X-Series of Speakers. They have several packages that are within your price range. Also look at Axiom's, & Ascends for main speakers and buy a sub somewhere else. If you are very careful you can stay within that 1200 budget that way. Someone else mentioned the SVS SBS-01 already as well.

The X-series are within your budget.

There are some good options out there. If I was doing this all over again, I'd buy my Onix X-Series again. but thats just me

 

[pjviitas]

I would like to start out by saying that its quite obvious that you guys keep your finger on the pulse of the speaker world.

With that being said, all the speakers you guys mentioned are great and are more than adequate for the rest of the equipment I have. I actually feel like the rest of my system won't live up to this speaker purchase however, it's my understanding that this is the way it is supposed to be.

Since, I am a Finnish-Canadian the birch-type finished speakers hit me viscerally. They gave me the strongest "I want..I want" feeling that one gets. So the Epics and the AV123's get my vote there.

I also consider myself a technophile. It just happened that the SVS's where the first speakers I looked at and they also hit me in the gut. The feeling I got from the HSU's and Ascends seemed to pale in comparisonion to the SVS's however.

So, those where my first reactions. I know they are very subjective and have more to do with web site layout and marketing however, even as a scientist, I understand that many times first impressions relay the purest data even if it can't be fully explained.

I will have to start pouring over the numbers now. Unless someone can justify spending the extra money for the Epic Midi 125s it's starting to look like a toss up between the following:
-SVS SBS-01 System
-AV123 x-cs 5.1 System

As far as shipping is concerned, I am in Vegas for a week. This should be ample time to have the speakers shipped to my Hotel.

Thanks for all your help guys...any other comments would be great.

Best Regards, Hedgehog

 

[billnchristy]

I have a 5.1 X series system as my upstairs tv/ht. 3 X-CS across the front and 2 X-lS in the back with an X-sub for the low end. Bang for the buck is very high and much higher than what you can get out of little cubes by far.

I dont think you can do better for 800 or so bucks really unless you buy used and even then it might be tough.

 

[ChrisJam]

Since, I am a Finnish-Canadian the birch-type finished speakers hit me viscerally. They gave me the strongest "I want..I want" feeling that one gets.

Would you be partial to a Finnish speaker company? Amphion speakers are on my list of speakers I want to audition over the next two years. Amphion makes fine speakers from what I've read. Some are expensive, and some not-so-much.

http://www.amphion.fi/index.htm


Chris

P.S. Welcome to the site!

 

[Zer0beaT]

Baffin Island eh? I'd love to see what it's like up there!

I think some more info on the use of the speakers (mainly movies? Is most of your music listening 2 channel? etc) the size of room they're going in is very useful to know especially when there is a budget.

Something that is really confusing me here is, you're going to Las Vegas for a vacation or moving there permanently?

If you're just vacationing there, how are you planning to get a sizable 5.1 speaker system on the plane for the way back? I imagine there would be a hefty charge to fly a big box back, and you'd possibly get hit with duty aswell.

If you're ordering online direct speakers from the states shipped up to you, again duty, tax, big shipping cost.

I'd consider Axiom, they're located in Ontario, a bit North of Toronto and provide free shipping, though I'd call them and double check if Baffin Island falls within that (it should). The thing is it might be tough to configure a system under $1200 USD unless you disclude the subwoofer (which you could always get later no need to go with an Axiom sub either)

Another option that might fall under your budget is SVS who now have a Canadian specific store at sonicboomaudio.com

Maybe check out their 5.1 package and contact them to see about shipping etc.

Aside from that I can't think of any other good options that would be convenient.

 

[pjviitas]

Hmmm...going over there next summer. Not sure if I can wait till then to get a set.

 

[pjviitas]

I am going to Vegas for an Autodesk conference...its called Autodesk University. It's only a week but it's a perfect opportunity to get what I want while the getting is good. When you live on Baffin Island you can't be too picky about your chances....just got to take them when they present themselves.

With that being said I actually was worried about the same thing as you regarding getting a big heavy box back on the plane not to mention the possibility they might not show up in Ottawa. Canadian North which is one of the only 2 links in and out of Iqaluit has a deal for $25 per box which allows you to check excess baggage at $25/piece.

Thanks for the tip on Axiom and I had actually already looked up www.sonicboomaudio.com for the SVS speakers. Now I have 2 choices if I want to go that route.

About my listening choices...60% (2.1)TV, 20% MPEG/AVI (some 2.1 some 5.1)Movies, 15% DVD (5.1)Movies, 5% (2.1)MP3s

Thanks Again, Hedgehog

 

[SVS in Canada]

Thanks for considering SVS as one of your choices for a surround system. As the official SVS distributor in Canada, we would be thrilled to sell the first set ( as far as we know) of SVS speakers to Baffin Island.

We have some great shipping deals worked out with different carriers north of the border here and can probably ship you up a set cheaper than you think.

Contact us by email with your shipping details and we can work out a quote for you.


thanks,

Mason
www.sonicboomaudio.com

 

[billy p]

I'm still new here so I don't have all the terminology down.

Thats correct, I did mean 5 speakers and a sub...5.1 system.

I will tell you flat out the the sbs-01 bookshelfs are very good. I've heard them and you won't be disapointed. The svs subs are all highly recommended, so if the shipping price is right you won't be disappointed!!

Regards, Billy p

 

[pjviitas]

Mason:

I've posted an e-mail from your web-site.

Best Regards, Peter

 

[pjviitas]

Was just at the Amphion site and could help to admire the "art meets science" look of their speakers...typically Finnish.

http://www.amphion.fi/products/krypton/kryptonframe5.htm

A perfect example of "form meets function"