Good home speaker system

[ramonesfreak]

when you say $1,500 for the system, are you saying thats what you want to spend for the amp and speakers or just the speakers? the whole system will be tough for that little money, sorry

i recommend going to a hi-fi shop and talk to some experts and bring room dimensions with you

i run a basic 2 channel stereo for both music and DVDs. i watch a lot of concert films and use a bryston B-60 with B&W CDM1SE speakers. i have a small room. have had this setup for 9 years and couldnt be happier with the quality and sound...not cheap though.

for $1,500 for the whole setup, your pretty much stuck with department store brands and quality

[ramonesfreak]

[TerryH]

Unlike video, audio is much more subjective. We can all mention what we like, but that doesn't mean it would be your favorite. It's best if you can audition your speakers before buying. Bring your own CD that you're familiar with.

Because audiophiles are always seeking musical nirvana, there is a lot of great slightly used stereo stuff out there. It can be a very expensive hobby for addicted and you can pick up incredibly expensive - high quality components for cheap, relatively speaking. I consider my audio system good, but I spent several times $1500 and most of my stuff was used or sold as blems.

If Polk or JBL or Bose suit your fancy, then your shopping will be over quickly, so just enjoy!

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally Posted by srandallf

Sure do miss those days. The Dead, not the speakers.

The wall of sound.

[ramonesfreak]

for an affordable surround amplifer that (possibly) is better than your typical best-buy stuff, check out NAD .... NAD stuff is nice, but likely the lower end stuff in the hi-fi stores....but youll get good service and repair work afterwards and an expert salesperson to educate you.

and for speakers, you might find some PSB speakers in your budget but they will be small. ultimately, in a hi-fi shop, your looking at $1,500 plus - for a pair of small 60 watt front speakers

another $1,500 for a low end surround amp.... so...do the math and add 2 rear speakers and a sub

a good sub that can handle BOTH movies and sound good for music is not going to be cheap!

[911boost]

Hmmm the WOS was awesome.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

M&K is another brand I wouldn't hesitate recommending. However, they are no longer in the consumer sector AFAIK, so sets like these are NLA, but pop up from time to time:

I have M&K for my H.T. system, awesome little speakers. Be careful, though. They closed their doors because China would not stop the flow of cheap knock offs. M&K could not tell the difference until they opened them up for repairs, the knock offs are junk inside.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Hmmm the WOS was awesome.

:-) the thread is slowly morphing into a WOS appreciation thread..hehehe.

early 70's dead rules

[kstar]

WOH?

[scottmandue]

Wellllllllllllll, I think the original poster is finding audio is like automobiles.

Some people are happy with a Honda and some people will not settle for anything less than Ferrari performance.

If I had deep pockets I would have one room dedicated to home theater and one for analog stereo and probably drop six figures on the two.

Unfortunately I am just an average guy so I have to settle for a better than average system I have cobbled together for some where around $2000.

To the OP, I haven't auditioned most of the speakers posted here however if you follow the links posted I think you will find an above average speaker system in the $1500 range.

Personally I have bookmarked the Magnepan, Axiom, AV123, Ascend, sites... damn you guys!

[RWebb]

since maggie has a wall mount speaker now - i'd get that -- listen in a good store first or use their return privilege for m.o.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Personally I have bookmarked the Magnepan, Axiom, AV123, Ascend, sites... damn you guys!

Just to make things worse:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=89

You're welcome

[s_wilwerding]

Originally Posted by srandallf

when you say $1,500 for the system, are you saying thats what you want to spend for the amp and speakers or just the speakers?

I figure that's what I'd spend on the speakers.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by srandallf

for an affordable surround amplifer that (possibly) is better than your typical best-buy stuff, check out NAD .... NAD stuff is nice, but likely the lower end stuff in the hi-fi stores....but youll get good service and repair work afterwards and an expert salesperson to educate you.

and for speakers, you might find some PSB speakers in your budget but they will be small. ultimately, in a hi-fi shop, your looking at $1,500 plus - for a pair of small 60 watt front speakers

another $1,500 for a low end surround amp.... so...do the math and add 2 rear speakers and a sub

a good sub that can handle BOTH movies and sound good for music is not going to be cheap!

I purchased a pair of piano black PSB stratus silver-i's as blems 6 years ago and got 60% discount off the $2200 retail price. The only blem I found was the PSB logo was crooked. Later bought the matching center channel. They look great, blend into any room, and make great sound for theater and stereo. They're acompanied by two subs, a SVS and an HSU. Mains are fed by Yamaha pre and an ATI amp at 700W per channel.

We can almost arrange furniture with the volume knob.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Just to make things worse:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=89

You're welcome

I already post over there (neener neener)... got some good info on the Pioneer Elite receiver.

Found a Magnepan dealer in Lahabra... probably going to check them out next month (going on vacation this month and should conserve funds).

[TerryH]

Maggie's have a distinct sound. Not for everybody.

[RWebb]

true - listen for a while -- not for 5 minutes

Snells sound super for 5 minutes, then they seem increasingly harsh - or at least edgy - rather than 'etched' and super accurate

neighbor has them and i always kid him about that

tons of xlnt speakers out there - psb is one - i have them in the bedroom

no reason to buy a mediocre speaker with all the greats around

of course a tube amp can tame things down a bit also
i have tube pre-amp and transister amp, which is next best thing

[imcarthur]

$1500. May I assume this is for a 5.1 setup - L & R, center, 2 x rear + floor sub? And you are looking for On wall not In wall? That rules out much of what has been mentioned above.

I try not to jump these threads & start selling, but you might want to peek at our Sib & Cub combo. See Focal. It fits the price & it is very good. If you need to find a local dealer, PM me. Apologies for the biased self-serving post . . .

Ian


But since I'm already 'selling' . . . here is what I'll be playing with next week:



A bit above the budget @ $180,000 per pair. But that does get me or one of my cohorts in your home for setup & THAT is priceless.