Good home speaker system

[s_wilwerding]

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.

[rouxroux]

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

[scottmandue]

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!

[dad911]

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

[GG Allin]

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.

[RWebb]

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/magnepan/mmgw.html

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by RWebb

normally maggies need space behind them - maybe those use a different design principle

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.

[kach22i]

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

[nut11]

Polk Love em!

87 blk coupe

[rouxroux]

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.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

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

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?

[serge944]

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

www.axiomaudio.com

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by kach22i

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

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

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

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?

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)

[911boost]

+ 1 on the Axiom's.

[Eric Coffey]

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

[Moses]

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

[nostatic]

Not necessarily wall mount, but various great speaker systems.

www.ascendacoustics.com

www.theaudioinsider.com

www.av123.com/

[robbajob]

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.

[wcc]

Originally Posted by Moses

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

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