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.

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

:D
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1223128914.jpg

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! ;)

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

The wall of sound.

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!

Hmmm the WOS was awesome.

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.

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

early 70's dead rulesSmileWavy

WOH?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1223141857.jpg

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!

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.

Just to make things worse:

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

You're welcome :p

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

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. ;)

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).

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

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

$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:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1223157314.jpg

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. ;)