|   speaker confusion | switch
Jan 11, 2002 9:23 AM | | i used to be somewhat of a car audio geek (in high school), so i know a little about speakers, but i've just started shopping for a HT system and am completely confused - too many brands/options... i'm leaning towards an onkyo 696 to power the system (any other suggestions would be helpful) and i live in a relatively small apt (in NYC - nothing else need be said). so, i would like a 5 channel set-up. i'm hoping to spend under $2500 (including cables, dvd player, receiver and speakers). thus, i have allocated about $1000-1500 for the speakers. should i buy separates or a HT speaker system. since i have a small apt., i thought that bookshelf speakers would be a good option until i listened to the ones in my range. they kind of sucked. the towers, in the same range all sounded better (except for the pair of $1000 bookshelf speakers that were unbeleivable). if anyone can recommend a HT speaker system or separates that fit within this price range, i would greatly appreciate it (keeping in mind that i live in NYC - i find that there are really super hi-end stores, and then there's the wiz and circuit city so it's hard to find stuff in my range). (any suggestions on receiver and dvd player (with mp3, cdr, cdrw, and progressive scanning) would also be great). THANKS! |
| re: speaker confusion | Old_lane
Jan 11, 2002 9:41 AM | | First realize progressive scan DVD is only compatible with HDTV or EDTV so if you're not going that route any time soon it's better to get a non progressive. But for progressive I like the Panny RP56 (but no OSD for mp3) I believe one the of JVC models has that. Both are probably around 200, cheaper online of course. For the receiver the onkyo is good the 595 is also good and can probably be found online for around 300 or less so that would leave you with 2000 for speakers which is a decent budget. Also the Denon 1802 is around this price. For 2000 I think tweeter sells a klipsch package (RF3 mains plus the center, sub, and surrounds for around 2200 which is excellent). For your 1000-1500 budget I'd suggest maybe paradigm titan fronts (220) atoms for rears (180)leaving you about 600 for a center and sub. The timbre matched center for the paradigms is around 250 I think and mirage has a good 8 in sub for 300). If you can spend 1500 you might be able to move up to their monitor series. I would go with the first option though and maybe step down the receiver and spend more on speakers (they'll last longer and won't have to be upgraded when new formats pop up) |
| re: speaker confusion | switch
Jan 11, 2002 9:51 AM | | i am upgrading to hdtv. BUT, i've been told by people in hi-end stores (obviously while trying to sell their products) that a non-progressive scan, higher end dvd player (i.e., the marantz that he was trying to sell me) is much bettter than an jvc or panasonic (i.e., the one the guy at circuit city recommended). ALSO, i forgot to mention that i want a dvd player with a 5 disc changer (cause i currently do not have a CD player to match with a component system). |
| re: speaker confusion | Old_lane
Jan 11, 2002 10:03 AM | | Hahaha...higher end means more money you spend. The more you spend the more they make. Lately I've heard a lot of hubbub of salespeople pushing marantz ( maybe they get higher commissions off of it...ask them if ya want to make them squirm a bit). Get the panny rp56 or the JVC and save the money to upgrade something that will make a bigger difference like speakers or receiver or bigger tv. The panny rp56 has a faroujda chipset and faroujda makes highend deinterlacers (ones that costs thousands) so their chips are generally regarded as one of the best and for 200 bucks thats a steal. Personally I hate salesmen so I started learning about this stuff from this site and other sites about 6 months ago. Now I feel very comfortable going into a store and talking to those bastards. If you want the five disc with progressive it'll cost about twice as much. JVC makes a seven disc changer with pro-scan, and also DVD audio not sure if mp3 compatablle but it probably is. It costs around 400 retail but you should be able to find an online site for a bit less. I currently use my single disc dvd player as my cd player and it works fine cause I wanted to spend the money on other stuff and I definately don't have loads of cash to spend. |
| Totally agree | Corehhi
Jan 11, 2002 10:31 PM | | I have a $250 JVC DVD player non-progressive scan that works fine with my 51" RPTV, I wouldn't waste money on a high end DVD player. I would look at the Denon line of receivers, that's what I own. Speakers are tricky and you need to go listen to many to see what the differences are in their sound. I would check out some really high end speakers just to hear the difference between low end and high then work your way to your price range. Good luck. |
| PS about subs | Corehhi
Jan 11, 2002 10:56 PM | | I lived for about 8 years in apartment buildings and a kick ass sub woofer will cause you a problem. If you get a really nice sub that puts out really deep base you'll find out that the poeple who live above you, below, to the sides maybe for 2 or 3 apartments each way will be listening to same thing you are and not liking it! I would spend more money on the 5 speakers and short the spending on the sub. Later on when your in a better set up you can up grade your sub. When I moved into a free standing house the first thing I did was go buy a good sub. I love it but in small apartments(I'm guessing big building) a good sub will cause you many problems. |
| re: speaker confusion | switch
Jan 11, 2002 10:17 AM | | i agree that speaker preference is very subjective. i guess what i was really interested in was 1. some brands to look out for; and 2. whether to go buy a prefab system or to buy separates. i.e., b/c the systems are sold as a set, are they matched better to produce a more natural range or is that just the easy route? basically, i'm hoping to use you guys to ease my shopping experience. btw, thanks for the help so far - i'm definately learning. |
| re: speaker confusion | switch
Jan 11, 2002 10:44 AM | | i was listening to a polk HT system the other day. i forget the model #. anyway, it had the small satellite speakers and was hooked up to a 10" powered sub. i found that it totally lacked the middle frequencies. that's been my problem with the smaller speakers. i don't know if it's possible to accurately reproduce solid midrange frequencies using a 3 1/2" cones. i could be mistaken though. so, here lies the dilemma. i have a small apt., so bookshelf speakers would be ideal, but i haven't heard any (for under a $G) that have a full, ruch sound even when hooked up to a good sub. the highs were great though. if anyone could recommend some prefab 5.1 systems that have that full-range sound, that would be great. (btw, what about definitive tech procinema? - i find that every time i walk into a high end store that sells them, the push them first (kind of like the marantz ordeal mentioned above). or, maybe someone could recommend a smaller-sized tower speaker (preferably with a 6 1/2 or 5 1/4 and a tweeter, rather than more speakers), and some matching speakers to complete the 5.1. thanks |
| re: speaker confusion | Chuck G
Jan 11, 2002 11:07 AM | | Check out NHT speakers. Their new SB2 superaudio speaker would be a good place to start. You could get 4 of those (about $200 each if you shop a little) plus the superaudio center (not sure of price but should be in the $275 range. Then add a HSU VT2 sub for about $450.
Thats about $1500 for a great speaker package. You should be able to get a decent receiver (HK, Denon works well with NHT) for around $600 or so. That leaves $400 for a decent DVD player ($160 to $220 range).
You should be able to cable the whole setup with Accoustic Research cables with the remaining $200. |
| re: speaker confusion | M Lowie
Jan 11, 2002 11:34 AM | | switch,
check out harvey a/v...45th between 6th and broadway and check out their special on the energy h/t package. Online @ www.harveyonline.com. While you are there at the store, be sure to see/listen to their martin logan/bryston setup on the 2nd floor.....pure heaven. |
| re: speaker confusion | Mark Wo
Jan 11, 2002 11:44 AM | | May want to consider the Paradign line of speakers. Since you live in New York, it would be worthwhile for you to drive to Canada and pick-up what you like in the paradigm line. You can save upwards of 50% over what you would pay here in the States. Best speakers I have ever heard for the price you pay.
Mark |
| re: speaker confusion | switch
Jan 11, 2002 11:50 AM | | any thoughts on the boston acoustic HT speakers? i used to have boston pro series speakers in my car (car gone - stolen) - probably sounded better than any home system i ever heard.
yeh, i'm planning on going to the harvey store on 19th and broadway today. thus, i'm sure i'll have more stupid questions on monday :o). btw, thanks for the tip mark but canada is kind of far - especially when you live in nyc and don't have a car. |
| re: speaker confusion | Bryan
Jan 11, 2002 1:03 PM | | My suggestion:
nOrh marble 4.0 fronts - $1,075 ( http://www.norh.com )
nOrh 3.0 Prism surrounds - $200
Adire Audio Rava - $400 ( hppt://ww.adireaudio.com )
Outlaw 1050 - $499 (http://www.adireaudio.com )
Panasonic RV-31 - $180
Total - $2,255, leaving you $145 for wires, stands, interconnects, etc. Could substitute the marble 4.0s and Prism 3.0s for the ceramic 4.0 package and Adire Audio Dharman and that should come in around $175 less. |
| Oops: http://www.outlawaudio.com (nt) | Bryan
Jan 11, 2002 1:04 PM | | |
| re: speaker confusion | stloldhead
Jan 11, 2002 2:05 PM | | I was doing the same search these past few days. After reading all the reviews I could & some suggestions from the people here, I settled in on the Onkyo TX-DS696 for $599 & the Panasonic DVD-RV31k for $161 from J&R, http://www.jandr.com/. They are in NY, which means no tax for me, but I had to add for s&h. Those are the prices I haggled them down to. I wanted a DVD with multi-disk to play my CDs, but after all the DVD reviews, I decided I'm better off using the DVD for movies & getting another CD player for my music. For speakers, I'm going tomorrow to audition a set of Energy Encores that I talked the guy down to $930. All the reviews sounded good, so I'm sure I'll bring them home. Good luck with your search... |
| re: speaker confusion | stloldhead
Jan 11, 2002 2:08 PM | | I forgot to add all my units will be coming from authorized dealers, so there won't be any problems with warranties should I get my hands on a lemon. With the sounds of most reviews, those warranties are well worth the extra couple bucks you might have to spend... |
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