Home audio & video: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!!
Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!!
by ZOD - 12/1/05 7:27 AMFirst of all, thanks to every one who has responded in the past to my other post. This is a great site and research tool. I have been researching and waiting to put a home theater system together for almost a year now and just about done. The components are going to be Sony 60XBR1, Denon AVR 3806, Sony DVP NS70H (although still considering an upgrade here). Now focusing on the speakers. I'm looking at Cambridge Soundworks 300, Infinity TSS 4000 (comes with TSS 110 SATs and sub) or going all out with an Atlantic Technology 2200 series. The room size (at least the listening area) is 19 x 15, but room itself is larger because actually a bit open and has a large hallway that leads to two other rooms.
Any opinions on the speakers would be appreciated. Unfortunately, the room is only wired for 5.1. To wire for 6.1 or 7.1 would be a real pain as this is a finished basement with sheet rock finished ceilings, wall to wall carpet etc.. So would either have to run wires on the outside and cover or would have to go with wireless speakers.
Speakers!!!!!!
by jcrobso - 12/1/05 7:52 AM In reply to: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!! by ZODYour choiches look good, you might add the JBL and Klisph speakers to list.
Speakers are a very personal thing, YOU need to spend sometime listing to them to finaly decide. There are brands I like and brands I can't stand.
A hint: When your buying speakers close your eyes and just listen. John
Good points
by ZOD - 12/1/05 8:23 AM In reply to: Speakers!!!!!! by jcrobsoI knew that this question would be a tricky proposition. I agree that speakers are a very subjective choice. I live in RI so have heard Cambridge speakers in-store and in friends homes for many years and I know they are pretty good speakers. Conversely, I am not a Bose fan. Not that they are bad, I just don't see how they are worth all the extra money. As for Infinity, I've heard the higher end models (like the Beta 50) and think they are great. Just never heard the TSS 4000 and cannot find any in stores around here. Same thing with the Atlantic Tech. speakers. A friend of a friend has one of the higher end model packages (i.e., $5,000 plus) and they were great. These speakers you never find in stores and unless you know someone with $$$ to have had a custom home theater set up, tough to listen to in person.
Energy speakers
by grimgraphix - 12/1/05 8:35 AM In reply to: Good points by ZODare another good value but also hard to find to demo.
grim
Not a Fan!!!
by jcrobso - 12/1/05 8:43 AM In reply to: Good points by ZODNo highs, no lows, must be B@se.
Internet Only Speaker Choices
by TiVolution - 12/1/05 12:05 PM In reply to: Good points by ZODJust to add more choices for you ... check out the internet only companies (direct from factory to you.) These have good products at great prices and deserve a serious look:
www.aperionaudio.com
www.av123.com
www.axiomaudio.com
The way you audition these speakers is to either order them for a free 30 day in-home trial (although some do charge for shipping) or by going to their online forum and asking for an audition from someone near you. Believe it or not, many people who buy these speakers are willing to let you come over and hear their systems.
Happy Hunting
Axiom Speakers
by Dan Filice - 12/1/05 12:46 PM In reply to: Internet Only Speaker Choices by TiVolutionI've heard good things about Axiom Speakers. I know they advertise on the HomeTheaterSpot.com website and a lot of readers there have purchased them and rave about them.
bass reflex
by cravinbob - 12/2/05 9:13 AM In reply to: Axiom Speakers by Dan Filicebass reflex systems are the way to go in MHO. Brands help but speakers sound different in different settings. A bass reflex cab can sit in one place without audible differences to the average ear while smaller high frequency speakers are easy to move. I grew up in the days of big stereo speakers, big amps etc and am also a performing musician, I did a small acoustic gig once with a bass reflex PA and was sold on the idea and sound in an instant! Good EQ is a must also
check out low end of high-end
by aaldag - 12/2/05 9:20 AM In reply to: Good points by ZODcheck out some of the bookshelves made by some of the high-end brands. I have Tukans made by Linn and they are amazing. They don't make Tukans anymore, but the Katans are their replacement. May cost you a couple bucks more, but a good bookshelf will sound better than a cheap tower any day of the week.
Surround Sound.....
by Riverledge - 1/11/06 9:55 PM In reply to: Speakers!!!!!! by jcrobsoIt seems as though you've made some excellent choices
so far, both audio and visual. Some great points have
been made on this thread. Speakers tend to be a KEEPER
they are last to be replaced; unless you make terrible
mistake.
Keeping in mind that you're a videophile (as opposed
to a stereophile) I would seriously recommend the
Klipsch THX systems available on the market. Lots of
configurations out there; Paradigm is good as well,
but it may be harder to find a dealer. Always audition
speakers. Bring DVD's and CD's you know WELL, and
judge with closed eyes. This is the audio test.
You don't need Snell or B&W speakers.
Remember you HEAR the speakers, not the electronics.
Klipsch THX speakers seem like your answer.
Good listening.
B.I.C. America
by Brianstech - 12/2/05 9:36 AM In reply to: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!! by ZODYes this topic is very subjective, so here's my 2 cents.
B.I.C. America has made speakers for many decades, including a lot of award winners. Some of the awards are for extremely high quality at a low cost.
As far as I know, they still do all their manufacturing here. Their main office is in Stow, Ohio, about 1/2 hour from me.
B.I.C. is all I use. Some of my 5.1 speakers are about 10 years old, and are still like new. I have a 12" subwoofer (cabinet is large and heavy with wheels) that came with a separate 100 watt solid-state amplifier. Talk about "rattling the neighbors".
Anyway, all their speakers come with a 7-year warranty. And the prices are really good.
Hope you haven't bought yet
by NM_Bill - 12/2/05 9:38 AM In reply to: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!! by ZODHey ZOD, congrats on being on the verge. I'm a music/audio fan of 50 years. Nice TV choice. I have the smaller Denon - regard the 3806 as overkill, but I haven't considered the newest tech specifics of the big rig. If possible upgrade the DVD player. I could recommend NAD or Denon, for example. I think the consensus is doing what connections you can straight to the TV, bypassing the receiver.
Which brings the maybe most important choice - speakers. "Tho there's some legitimacy to tech in speakers, far less than the other components. With a good choice you may have speakers forever, even if relegated to an eventual secondary zone. Hoping you're in an urban area - go to all decent to somewhat higher end listening rooms and put your time in. It's your most important choice. I come from the hi-fi tradition the sound should be accurate - not booming needlessly. It takes time - there is such a thing as listener fatigue (because, after a while the speakers are bothering your eardrums.)
I do recommend the actual personal care and service of an independent dealer in business for many years. My recent purchase - I Googled like hell; clicked links galore. A bit of polite negotiation got me a worthwhile 8% over online pricing - and worth it.
There's a total forest of speaker possibilities, some decent brands have been mentioned. I truly advise shopping above and beyond Best Buy and Circuit City - their folks don't usually know diddley, and their listening area is to impress the masses only. So Google for all advise. I don't hesitate to say make sure you listen to Paradigm and NHT. I haven't heard all by any means. If I had the bucks I'd really consider B&K.
Just a small caution, a few speakers have onerous power requirements due to, say operating at 2 ohms, but rarely.
If possible, learn much before unleashing the bucks. Congrats, good luck, and really enjoy.
A PS for emphasis: You'll replace everything else before good speakers.
Hope you haven't bought yet
by NM_Bill - 12/2/05 10:31 AM In reply to: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!! by ZODHey ZOD, congrats on being on the verge. I'm a music/audio fan of 50 years. Nice TV choice. I have the smaller Denon - regard the 3806 as overkill, but I haven't considered the newest tech specifics of the big rig. If possible upgrade the DVD player. I could recommend NAD or Denon, for example. I think the consensus is doing what connections you can straight to the TV, bypassing the receiver.
Which brings the maybe most important choice - speakers. "Tho there's some legitimacy to tech in speakers, far less than the other components. With a good choice you may have speakers forever, even if relegated to an eventual secondary zone. Hoping you're in an urban area - go to all decent to somewhat higher end listening rooms and put your time in. It's your most important choice. I come from the hi-fi tradition the sound should be accurate - not booming needlessly. It takes time - there is such a thing as listener fatigue (because, after a while the speakers are bothering your eardrums.)
I do recommend the actual personal care and service of an independent dealer in business for many years. My recent purchase - I Googled like hell; clicked links galore. A bit of polite negotiation got me a worthwhile 8% over online pricing - and worth it.
There's a total forest of speaker possibilities, some decent brands have been mentioned. I truly advise shopping above and beyond Best Buy and Circuit City - their folks don't usually know diddley, and their listening area is to impress the masses only. So Google for all advise. I don't hesitate to say make sure you listen to Paradigm and NHT. I haven't heard all by any means. If I had the bucks I'd really consider B&K.
Just a small caution, a few speakers have onerous power requirements due to, say operating at 2 ohms, but rarely.
If possible, learn much before unleashing the bucks. Congrats, good luck, and really enjoy.
A PS for emphasis: You'll replace everything else before good speakers.
DENON3806+ ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGY 4200 MADE IN HEAVEN
by stewart norrie - 12/2/05 12:48 PM In reply to: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!! by ZODI just bought the same Denon amp and 5 Atlantic technology 4200 speakers with there 272PBM THX subwoffer. The sound is totally involving and naturally sounding(the other night while watching a movie I heard someone knocking on the back door but it wasent, ya it was in the soundtrack) also I run all my vidio cables rite to my hi-def monitor good luck stewart norrie
(NT) speakers
by mnm02443 - 1/7/06 5:47 PM In reply to: Help me complete the system, need speaker package advice!!! by ZODGet the definitive 7600 bi polar speakers. they sound great and they have a built in sub so you won't have to bother buying a seprate subwoofer. You won't be able to find a better speaker for the $$$. Cost is about $1,200 a pair. If you want to check them out go to www.definitvetech.com I also have the Denon AVR 3806 and it sounds unbelievable.
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