Good home speaker system
 

I'm looking to wire up my living room for surround sound. I will likely be hanging the speakers on the wall, so size is not a big factor, though I probably wouldn't want any speakers too big.

I'm looking for a good system (or better yet, a good brand) of speakers to buy that will be good speakers, but won't break the bank (not looking to spend more than about $1,500 on the system). Any ideas? I want to stay away from the mini cube speakers - I want real speakers.

For a beautiful sounding (and looking) planar unit, I'd suggest something like the Magnepan MMG-W's. Not $$$ and you have a no risk trial with many of their models. They will mount on the wall very easy, and not be a "box" that attracts attention. I've been a Maggie fan for over 30 years, going back to the Tympani 1D's.

EDIT: Here's a link for you: http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMGW

I just replaced my my old 5.1 reciever with a Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH and I am very happy with it. $600-$700

As far as speakers... I don't know where to start... too much data!

I happen to like Paradigm, after auditioning quite a few. No shortcuts, you should demo some and let your ears decide.

I have a set of Canton LE109's. They are about 5 years old. I paid about $1K for them and at one point powered them with a 500 watt per channel McIntosh amp. The speakers are rated at 125 watts I believe, and the handled most of the 500 watts from that amp with no problems and no distortion. They very good speakers for the money, German too.

Thay have a neat swivelling wall mount to bring them out enough for the dipole to "bloom"...then they just pivot back in flat against the wall. VERY slick, custom look.

Martin Logan makes some speakers that you can hang on the wall (super thin).

Polk Love em!

87 blk coupe

Wow...thanks for the review...I've never seen that, but it puts my thoughts into print rather well. These little things are simply AMAZING! I sold VERY high end audio back in the 70's, and Maggies have always been "giant killers" especially when blocking their (haha) low frequencies and using a nice sub.

Those look very nice... I notice they don't give a recommended wattage... what is a reasonable guesstimate at how many watts you need for "spirited" listening?

I notice in their reviews they are running mono blocks, can you drive these with a 100W receiver?

Axiom. Haven't heard a better speaker for the money. Their M3s are especially good.

www.axiomaudio.com

I sold my Mac. amps to a guy with ML's, they're watt hungry.

No problem with 100watts(spirited, yes...Grateful Dead crush level...nah)...I assume you'll be running a powered sub to take care of the low-end, so just roll off the Maggies around 100Hz and sail away. ( If you need help with the caps needed to block the how-freqs, I'll help you out there...only about $5 worth of parts. Very simple)

+ 1 on the Axiom's.

Personally, I'd spend the whole budget on a nice 2ch. pair, or even a decent 2ch. pair + a nice sub rather than a mediocre 5.1 set-up (yes, even for home theater). Keep your eye on fleabay and Audiogon for deals in your area so you can see/demo them before you buy, and avoid shipping costs.

If you definitely want to go the 5.1 route, check out Definitive Technology. As more of a 2-ch. purist, they wouldn't be my first choice, but for 50/50 (music/movies) use, they are pretty hard to beat. If you can wait on a sub, you can put together a decent Def Tech. package for around $1500 if you don't mind used gear and/or waiting for a good deal to come along. Here is an idea of what I would probably go with:

Left & Right

Center channel

Rear (side) surrounds


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:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1227024198


Overstock has a couple of sets as well:

M&K 1

M&K 2


SmileWavy

The Yamaha YSP-4000. It's an A/V receiver and offers amazing surround-sound emulation. Simple and uncluttered. No speakers to mount on your walls. No wires to run. You really must add a good subwoofer as well. This unit outperforms my big Denon receiver and Boston Acoustics 5.1 surround sound system

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISj38y_ksUI

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1223092860.jpg

Not necessarily wall mount, but various great speaker systems.

www.ascendacoustics.com

www.theaudioinsider.com

www.av123.com/

Not 'real' speakers, but I'm looking to get some of these. They have a 30 day trial and tick the wife friendly box.

http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=32

I do like the look of those Magnepans though.

+1 I have this one too and REALLY like it. Also I agree on adding a sub too.