Which system should I get?

[pianogal]

My son recently moved out and we are planning to turn his large bedroom into a home theater. He has it wired for 5.1 surround sound and had a fantastic Klipsch system with RB 81 Bookshelf Speakers, RC 62 center, RS 52 surrounds and RSW-10d subwoofer. All except the sub were wall mounted and hard wired through the walls.

He took his speakers and TV but left the wiring and wall mounts. Now we have to purchase a new system but don't want to spend the same $$$ he did.

The room is 12X18 with only 1 standard size door. We have a SONY 60" LCD HDTV we will use. We are considering the following systems and would really appreciate your input. Which one would work better for us? Is there another system that would work even better? Any comments/suggestions are appreciated!

Axiom Audio Epic Midi / 125 5.1 Loudspeaker System
Retails around $1200

OR

Klipsch
RB 61 - Pair of Bookshelf Front Speakers
RC 52 - Center
RS 42 - Pair of Surround Speakers
RW - 10D -Sub
HDTV Dreams has it for $1390
or could build with components purchased one at a time from ebay (that's how my son got his) for less.

Our son had an Onkyo receiver - we are looking at a Yamaha Rx-V465 with 5.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver 525W Total / HDMI switching with 1080p video / YPAO Sound Optimization / Direct Mode / iPod & Bluetooth Compatibility / Cinema DSP / 4 SCENE Buttons
Retail: $499 - HDTV dreams has it on sale for $265.00.

I know nothing about sound systems...so would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

He took his speakers and TV but left the wiring and wall mounts. Now we have to purchase a new system but don't want to spend the same $$$ he did.

While nobody here would enjoy telling you to downsize the speaker budget, I'd like to link a thread for inspiration on a budget. $2,460 for a dedicated HT.

Small Budget, Smaller Room HT Conversion.

The room is 12X18 with only 1 standard size door. We have a SONY 60" LCD HDTV we will use. We are considering the following systems and would really appreciate your input. Which one would work better for us? Is there another system that would work even better? Any comments/suggestions are appreciated!

Axiom Audio Epic Midi / 125 5.1 Loudspeaker System
Retails around $1200

OR

Klipsch
RB 61 - Pair of Bookshelf Front Speakers
RC 52 - Center
RS 42 - Pair of Surround Speakers
RW - 10D -Sub
HDTV Dreams has it for $1390
or could build with components purchased one at a time from ebay (that's how my son got his) for less.:

IMO, you gotta listen to em. Perhaps order one pair of Axiom bookshelves to A/B compare, and simply keep the winner. If Axiom wins, fill it all out, if it loses, return them?

Of course, there are a bazillion other brands to look into. I personally like Ascend and PSB for the dollar.

 

[agarwalro]

+1 what he said. There is no better way to demo speakers than to take them home and use them as you intend to.

 

[AVRat]

SVS SBS-01 5.1 Surround Sound System Black (with PB12-NSD subwoofer) - $1089 + shipping.

 

[captiankirk28]

SVS SBS-01 5.1 Surround Sound System Black (with PB12-NSD subwoofer) - $1089 + shipping.

My parents got this same system after i recomened it to them and they love it, and it sounds very very good for the price!

 

[pianogal]

Thanks!

I've been reading a lot online about the SBS system. It sounds amazing!
Do you think the PB10 sub would be OK? The PB12 looks REALLY big! What would be the advantage to having the larger sub?

Also, what receiver would you recommend with this system.

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[fast1]

+1 what he said. There is no better way to demo speakers than to take them home and use them as you intend to.

agreed.

 

[Soundman]

While nobody here would enjoy telling you to downsize the speaker budget, I'd like to link a thread for inspiration on a budget. $2,460 for a dedicated HT.

Small Budget, Smaller Room HT Conversion.

This really is an inspiration for such a limited budget and shows that a dedicated HT room really can become a reality!

 

[XEagleDriver]

PB10 more than adequate

I've been reading a lot online about the SBS system. It sounds amazing!
Do you think the PB10 sub would be OK? The PB12 looks REALLY big! What would be the advantage to having the larger sub?

Also, what receiver would you recommend with this system.

Thanks so much for all your help!

Sub: I use a PB-10NSD in a 13' x 18' media room and it rocks the room at less than 50% of available gain! Buying any more sub, although fun, is not necessary for either HT or music, although a case for eventually using two PB10s can be made for other reasons.

If your room is not on the ground floor, I use and recommend getting an Auralux Gramma isolation platform for the PB10, it will help keep the bass in the room and out of your walls, floor, other rooms, etc. Link below:

http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_gramma/sound_isolation_gramma.asp

Receiver: The 465 might be a little light on power, and does not have any pre-amp outputs should you want to add an external power amp in the future. To get pre-amp outputs, you would need to get at least a 665. This may save you money over the long-term.

Have fun,

XEagleDriver

 

[pianogal]

Sub: I use a PB-10NSD in a 13' x 18' media room and it rocks the room at less than 50% of available gain! Buying any more sub, although fun, is not necessary for either HT or music, although a case for eventually using two PB10s can be made for other reasons.

If your room is not on the ground floor, I use and recommend getting an Auralux Gramma isolation platform for the PB10, it will help keep the bass in the room and out of your walls, floor, other rooms, etc. Link below:

Receiver: The 465 might be a little light on power, and does not have any pre-amp outputs should you want to add an external power amp in the future. To get pre-amp outputs, you would need to get at least a 665. This may save you money over the long-term.

Have fun,

XEagleDriver

Thanks for the great info. The room is on the 2nd floor and my son's system 'rocked' the entire 3200 square foot house - so I'm glad you suggested the isolation platform. I will gladly purchase one!

Thanks also for the advice on the receiver. One of the few issues I had read regarding the svs system is that it requires more 'power' to run it as compared to the Klipsch system I was originally considering.

I am looking for a receiver in the $500-600 range. If anyone has any suggestions for a better amp in this price range. I would appreciate it.

Thanks - you are a HUGE help!

 

[captiankirk28]

For a reciver i would recomend the Marantz 6003 it is very well built and has a very good amp in it and will power your system no problem, it also has all the new decoading (True HD ect.---) and it is very sexy. Check out some of the referbished one you can get some very good deals that still have a factory warr.

 

[mke1078]

You need to get the system that sounds best to YOU. I personally don't like the Klipsch sound and would never recommend their products. You should identify your budget and go to a boutique store and do alot of listening.

 

[pianogal]

Klipsch sound

I agree that Klipsch has a very in your face kind of sound. I prefer a smoother, richer sound....DH and DS love Klipsch, that's why DS used them. DH doesn't really care - he's letting me do the research and will go with whatever I think is best.

Definitely like the price of the SVS system - that plus all the great reviews I read on the system means I am close to choosing that one. Just want to make sure I have a good enough receiver to power it and make the sound as good as possible with a lower end system.

We have a cheap Pioneer system downstairs in the family room with a 42" Samsung plasma. DH is using it right now to preview music for a Christmas show. It is awful......paid about $600 for it at Best Buy - the surround keeps going in and out.

We definitely want something much better for the home theater - but don't have big $$ right now to spend. DS did leave quality mounts, cords, etc.

I know the SVS will never 'rumble' the room with the sound presence of the Klipsch RB81's my son had in there. But we don't need that kind of 'power' - just want a good, well balanced, realistic sound that moves smoothly around the room. We're musicians so clarity in the instrumental voices is important to us as well.

We don't mind starting with a couple of speakers and a receiver that are quality and adding more over time as we can afford them if that is a better way to go.

Thanks again!!

 

[AVRat]

PG, how did you/spouse feel about your son's speakers? Did you ever find them to be shrill/harsh to your ears? If so, then perhaps the Klipsch aren't for you. Yes, there is about a 10 Db difference between the SVS/Klipsch but any decent ~90-100W receiver will have plenty of power for your room.

And as EagleDriver said, the PB10-NSD would be plenty and will save you about $200.

You can purchase a Yamaha HTR-6260 (90W) for about $400.

You may be surprised about the "rumble" in the room as the SVS subs outperform the Klipsch subs by a country mile.

Edit: You answered before I finished my post. DH/S = Dear husband/son?

I just did some checking and found this, just to kick things up a notch: http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4000

 

[pianogal]

Yes, they were at times 'brassy' perhaps to my ears - very bright - sometimes too much so. DH/DS - dear husband/son never thought so.

Hmm...another one in the mix! Thanks!! LOL

So in you opinion, how does the ascend compare with the SVS in overall bang for the buck? I know nothing about any of these brands except Klipsch...and best buy is the only place we have to look/listen.

Thanks!

 

[XEagleDriver]

Many option in your budget at several places online

Thanks for the great info. The room is on the 2nd floor and my son's system 'rocked' the entire 3200 square foot house - so I'm glad you suggested the isolation platform. I will gladly purchase one!

Thanks also for the advice on the receiver. One of the few issues I had read regarding the svs system is that it requires more 'power' to run it as compared to the Klipsch system I was originally considering.

I am looking for a receiver in the $500-600 range. If anyone has any suggestions for a better amp in this price range. I would appreciate it.

Thanks - you are a HUGE help!

Pianogal,

Glad to help. You will not regret getting a Gramma and they are not very expensive--it practically saved my marriage .

I would not limit your receiver search, there are many good ones in your budget. I have both a Yamaha and a Denon and am more partial to the later.

If you decide on a 665, the 665 is available for ~$500 from several different online retailers most of which have free shipping/no tax. Be sure to check Yamaha's site to ensure the online retailer you select is authorized, or risk not having an enforceable warranty.

Link below lists several 665 retailers, most of whom are authorized:

http://www.pricescan.com/Yamaha-RX-V665-7.2-Channel-Digital-Home-Theater-Receiver/el/241140.html

Another excellent option to consider is to either buy last years model (663, v1800, etc.) at a significant discount, or potentially buy a used AVR from someone who is upgrading/going to separates--the Audioholic For Sale area is useful in that regard.

XEagleDriver

 

[Soundman]

I just did some checking and found this, just to kick things up a notch: http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4000

That's an awesome deal for that price! The only thing is this setup does not include a sub. Still that's a great setup.

 

[pianogal]

Ascend Wall Mounted

Can the front speakers for the ascends be wall mounted? I don't want speakers on stands. Everything I've read about them mention mounting them on stands. Thanks again for your help and patience.

 

[jostenmeat]

I just did some checking and found this, just to kick things up a notch: http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4000

Jeez, that is an excellent deal!

pianogal, get this set. If you don't like it, for whatever reason, you will be able to sell it off pretty easily, in fact maybe even for profit... depending...

ok, that's a new set? no-brainer, IMO. get em. end of story. Just a matter if the finish is not to your tastes, but otherwise...