$3000, what Receiver/Speaker combonation?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Around Christmas we're hoping to get a nice projection system and a 7.1 speaker setup with a nice receiver. We're looking at around $3000 for the speaker and receiver. Last time we spent $2000 for the speakers and $1000 for the receiver. I'd appreciate some comments on what would be good because I don't keep up with them as much as computers.

Also, what if the price range is $1400 for speakers and $600 for receiver? (Basically a total of $2000)

One mor ething, for the money, how do the Bose 7.1 speakers compare?

 

[ElFenix]

7.1?

front c/l/r
rear c/l/r
wheres the 7th speaker go?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Oh yeah, right now we have a Bose 5.1 setup and an Onkyo receiver.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
7.1?

front c/l/r
rear c/l/r
wheres the 7th speaker go?

I don't remember for sure... I think they put 4 in the back, 2 of the rears in 5.1 stay there and then you put two more rears infront of the existing ones. A guy at Ovation told us it helps with... something along the li nes of sounds taking longer to get to the back so it smoothes it out or soemthing.... some BS sounding stuff to me

Either way, I think they go infront of the other rear speakers or something. I know its possible because when I search for receivers all I get is 7.1 and 5.1 at local stores' websites.

 

[ElFenix]

oh, side channels.

anyway, the bose stuff universally sucks for the money.

 

[Shockwave]

Paradigm speakers.
I'd keep the reciever probably. Unless you have to upgrade for the 7.1

 

[NewSc2]

Uh, just don't get Bose. It REALLY sucks. I have the Bose Lifestyle 15 at home, and I have a Swan Diva 4.1/C3/R3 set upstairs. Same price for both, (about $1600 total), the Swans sound leagues and leagues better.

I bought my speakers from av123.com, and they sell Rockets right now which ahve been somewhat acclaimed but also surrounded in controversy. A better place to ask for help would be in:

avsforum.com

or

hometheaterforum.com

Sorry I'm in quick reply and don't have any linking hotkeys.

 

wheres the 7th speaker go?

7.1 is two rear center channels


3000 is not enough cheddar for a 7.1 setup and Bose suck

 

[NewSc2]

Originally posted by: DrJohnMarkway

wheres the 7th speaker go?

7.1 is two rear center channels


3000 is not enough cheddar for a 7.1 setup and Bose suck

he can get a 7.1 setup for less than $3000.

Ascend Acoustics has a pair of their CBM-170's for $328 each. Get 3 pairs = $1000, center channel = $200, SVS subwoofer = $500, and he has $1300 leftover for a receiver. Better than Bose setup too.

 

[EvilYoda]

Hmmmm....7.1 for $2000? I wouldn't suggest skimping on the receiver either...I don't know if you'll be selling your old set, but if you guys upgrade decently often, I'd suggest looking into separates (pre/pro and amps), so you don't have to change EVERYTHING the next time you do this. As for the speakers, let's say you go with a $400 sub (including amp), that leaves you 1600 for 7 speakers, which really isn't a lot.

Do you ABSOLUTELY need fronts, rears, surrounds and a center? Most products don't even support that type of encoding yet, so you're still just getting the sound through a matrix algorithm...for $1600, I would suggest finding used Paradigm Studio 40s, v2 (I personally own a pair)...someone on HTF has a set of 4 and the CC for $1500USD...if you could find a similar deal ($600 for a pair), and you add a little extra money, you could get 4 Studio 20s for your rears and surrounds.

And also, have you accounted for the interconnects and speaker wire? If you don't have it now, it could easily add up to $100+ with so many different runs of lines.

It's late, good luck, I'm sure other people have very good offers too.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Right now I'm about to sleep so I'llread the posts tomorrow but the area is already wired. We are finishing the basement on our own and we have wired it in the walls already. One more question, one of my dad's friends said that for the front channels we should use a thicker cable but not for all the speakers, can someone explain what he meant?

 

[NewSc2]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Right now I'm about to sleep so I'llread the posts tomorrow but the area is already wired. We are finishing the basement on our own and we have wired it in the walls already. One more question, one of my dad's friends said that for the front channels we should use a thicker cable but not for all the speakers, can someone explain what he meant?

Most of your action comes from the front. You'll want to play music from your front 2 channels too (i listen to music in 2.0 and not even 2.1), so it's good to have a stronger connection to your fronts. Of course it'd be best if you could wire up all of your speakers with really good wire, but since most of your audio will be coming from your front two then it'd make the most sense for a budget shopper to splurge on speaker cable there.

BTW I personally use 12 gauge speaker wire... it's REALLY thick.

 

[orion7144]

I have AR (Acoustic Research) and am very happy. I have gone through JBL, Klipsch, Phase Tech, and Paradigm speakers before deciding on the AR's. The AR's for the money were the best. If you goto a Mom and Pop store you can get them for 30-50% off retail. My front and reat mains have power subs in them and I also have two 12" stand alone subs. You can get away with a mid range Reciever if you have good speakers. I do however use 2 speakers from the Klipsch Quintet system for my "effects chanell"

PS Stay away from Bose.

My setup

FL Center FR Sub

EfectL EfectR


Sub RL RC RR

 

[glen]

I would spend $400 in the reciever, a Pioneer, and $2600 on speakers.
No matter what you spend on speakers, they are far and away the weakest link in any system.
I run about $10,000 in speakers and $300 reciever from Pioneer.
Speakers are the weak link.

Paradigm has done some nice stuff lately.

 

I would spend $400 in the reciever

Your not going to find a reciever in the 400$ range that can properly power a 7.1 setup at reference level. The big three midfi reciever makers flagship models cant even power a 7.1 right without external amplification.


Are you building a dedicated theater room ?
If you are then you will want to replan and get some more cheddar together or your family will be disappointedwith the results.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: DrJohnMarkway

I would spend $400 in the reciever

Your not going to find a reciever in the 400$ range that can properly power a 7.1 setup at reference level. The big three midfi reciever makers flagship models cant even power a 7.1 right without external amplification.


Are you building a dedicated theater room ?
If you are then you will want to replan and get some more cheddar together or your family will be disappointedwith the results.

You are right. I was not even thinking about 7 channels, that bumps it up a bit to:
Pioneer Elite VSX-43TX Multi-Channel Digital A/V Receiver $564.99

 

[conjur]

Put it all into a receiver

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
7.1?

front c/l/r
rear c/l/r
wheres the 7th speaker go?

7.1 is 5.1, but it adds left and right rear channels, so left/center/right, surround left, surround right, surround rear left, surround rear right, subwoofer.

Personally, I'd focus on a really good 5.1 setup now, since I don't believe there are media which actually encode the additional 2 channels, so your receiver will be virtualizing them.

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: glen
I would spend $400 in the reciever, a Pioneer, and $2600 on speakers.
No matter what you spend on speakers, they are far and away the weakest link in any system.
I run about $10,000 in speakers and $300 reciever from Pioneer.
Speakers are the weak link.

Paradigm has done some nice stuff lately.

Seriously? You have 10k in speakers but running a 300 dollar receiver? On the same system? Are you just using the processing from the receiver but using external amplification? Or are you running all from the receiver?

I agree with you that speakers make a huge difference but I also believe in balance. 10k in transducers but 300 dollars in steering and amplification (assuming you're using the receiver) is out of whack IMO.

I always think: garbage in - garbage out.

If you are getting a crappy signal and you're using 300 bucks of amplification then your sound is going to suffer as a result. Your speakers aren't going to work wonders with a cheapie front end system. How efficient are your speakers anyways?

As for the person who has the Swans - big thumbs up. Swans makes good stuff.

For the original poster:

3k is definitely feasible. You can get a great Denon or Onkyo receiver for under 1k. You can definitely get a HT system for 2k. Paradigm, Energy and others all make decent stuff. Read around the usual mags for reviews and recommendations.
How about the Energy Encore system without sub. Check out the Adire Audio Rava Sub (powered) instead. Definitely within 2k.

You should be able to get receiver, HT and sub plus cabling and stands and all taxes for 3k or so if you really haggle - hard.

 

Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw

Originally posted by: ElFenix
7.1?

front c/l/r
rear c/l/r
wheres the 7th speaker go?

7.1 is 5.1, but it adds left and right rear channels, so left/center/right, surround left, surround right, surround rear left, surround rear right, subwoofer.

Personally, I'd focus on a really good 5.1 setup now, since I don't believe there are media which actually encode the additional 2 channels, so your receiver will be virtualizing them.

No do 7.1 Dolby D EX sounds pretty dam good even though its matrixed. DTS EX discrete will really shine against a 5.1 setup. Still its a going to cost 5500+ for a moderate Paradigm,BW, Diva my personal choice, Def Tech, Klispch, Energy setup with dual SVS subs and a Outlaw 950/7100 combo

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: bill_n_opus

Originally posted by: glen
I would spend $400 in the reciever, a Pioneer, and $2600 on speakers.
No matter what you spend on speakers, they are far and away the weakest link in any system.
I run about $10,000 in speakers and $300 reciever from Pioneer.
Speakers are the weak link.

Paradigm has done some nice stuff lately.

Seriously? You have 10k in speakers but running a 300 dollar receiver? On the same system? Are you just using the processing from the receiver but using external amplification? Or are you running all from the receiver?

I agree with you that speakers make a huge difference but I also believe in balance. 10k in transducers but 300 dollars in steering and amplification (assuming you're using the receiver) is out of whack IMO.

I always think: garbage in - garbage out.

I have a $300 Pioneer running $6,000 Legacy Focus Mains. amd a the surround speakers.
You don't get a crappy signal.
Signals in $300 recievers are indistinguishable from $5000 Krells in ABX testing - ALWAYS.
Not even one single person has ever distiguished between the two.
You say a balanced system?
Well, a $300 is way out of balance with $10000 speakers because it is so much better still than the speakers.
I also have custom treated my room with mineral fiber and to reduce a lot of reflections that smeer imaging and color the sound.
I have Set up the system with a1/3 octave RTA and test equiptment.

 

[glen]

Paradigm System Eight

 

[EngenZerO]

I would stick with 5.1 for now...and invest in some high quality speakers that do not tax you wallet.

Ascend Acoutics CMT-340c (center version) (~$300)
2xPair of Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Main/Rear (surrounds) (~$690)
SVS 25-31PCi Subwoofer (~$600)

Pioneer Elite 53TXi (~$1200) or Harmon Kardon 525 (~$800)


Trust me...I have the Ascends and they are a quality product. I have auditioned B&W, NHT, Paradigm, Energy, and more. I ended up taking a risk and ordered the Ascends off the internet. I went off the reviews and praise these have gotten on avsforums.com and htf.com and have not regretted it at all. The voicing is supurb and the detail and imaging is fantastic for music. The movies come out director like...their frequency curve is almost linear so one will not get bloated effects or misvoiced speech. I find the brightness levels to my liking. Also...the 340 uses the same tweeter as the 170's but in a wider dispersion setup so you will get a true timbre match.

Also you will not go wrong with an SVS; it will destroy and sub in the market imo. The price and quality is phenomenal. I have the smallest version the 25-31PCi which also recieved a custom 22Hz tune (my request). This little sucker puts out 112SPL (measured in my room). This round cylinder will shake your walls and provide chest compressing bass for movies. It is also very nice for music, it hits hard and clean. I looked at velodyne and paradigm subs also as alternatives, but trust me the SVS delievers clean true bass that is also linear and not inflated in the 40-60hz region. I can feel my legs shake and I am 13 feet away from the sub ( mind you my sub is not in a corner and is in a open basement ).

Both these compainies have awesome customer service.

With recievers is comes down to personal preference. You wont go wrong with either...

Ozzie

 

[EngenZerO]

Originally posted by: NewSc2

Originally posted by: DrJohnMarkway

wheres the 7th speaker go?

7.1 is two rear center channels


3000 is not enough cheddar for a 7.1 setup and Bose suck

he can get a 7.1 setup for less than $3000.

Ascend Acoustics has a pair of their CBM-170's for $328 each. Get 3 pairs = $1000, center channel = $200, SVS subwoofer = $500, and he has $1300 leftover for a receiver. Better than Bose setup too.

^ ack I didnt see yer post...but atleast there are others that know the quality of Ascends and SVS...

SC2 do you have Diva's? Seeing that you got them from av123.com before the Rockets came out?

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: glen

Originally posted by: bill_n_opus

Originally posted by: glen
I would spend $400 in the reciever, a Pioneer, and $2600 on speakers.
No matter what you spend on speakers, they are far and away the weakest link in any system.
I run about $10,000 in speakers and $300 reciever from Pioneer.
Speakers are the weak link.

Paradigm has done some nice stuff lately.

Seriously? You have 10k in speakers but running a 300 dollar receiver? On the same system? Are you just using the processing from the receiver but using external amplification? Or are you running all from the receiver?

I agree with you that speakers make a huge difference but I also believe in balance. 10k in transducers but 300 dollars in steering and amplification (assuming you're using the receiver) is out of whack IMO.

I always think: garbage in - garbage out.

I have a $300 Pioneer running $6,000 Legacy Focus Mains. amd a the surround speakers.
You don't get a crappy signal.
Signals in $300 recievers are indistinguishable from $5000 Krells in ABX testing - ALWAYS.
Not even one single person has ever distiguished between the two.
You say a balanced system?
Well, a $300 is way out of balance with $10000 speakers because it is so much better still than the speakers.
I also have custom treated my room with mineral fiber and to reduce a lot of reflections that smeer imaging and color the sound.
I have Set up the system with a1/3 octave RTA and test equiptment.

When I mean balanced I mean getting your amp section on a par with your speakers.

If you enjoy your system then more power to you. It's your nickel.

I'm just saying that, just my opinion, a 300 dollar receiver (which includes all your HT steering and pre/power section!) is "weak" at best. Would you actually say that auditioning an 800 dollar Onkyo or Denon won't make a difference to your dynamics, sound quality and overall HT enjoyment? That's like running Pirelli P Zeros on a Hyundai Excel and justifying it because it's the tires that "contact" the ground.

I suppose that we could have all ranges of transducers but 300 bucks of pre/power and HT steering is all you need? Wow.