Any recommendations for a 2.1 or 3.1 in the 4 to 6k range

[RGUN]

Been trying to figure out how it makes sense to spend my budget. I figure going higher end on the speakers is the best bet since I figure they will last significantly longer than any receiver. I've got nothing right now. Yesterday I stopped in to look at paradigm studio 60s but found out they are made in china... They recommended totem Forrest's, assembled in Montreal, parts from canada, Germany and Sweden (or Switzerland).

Any recommendations within that budget?

 

[purbeast0]

check out the later parts of my build log here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2281468

i picked up some jtr speakers as well as subs. they are made in wisconsin, usa.

i had demo'd klipsch, b&w, paradigm, salk, golden ear, and monitor. granted i never listened to any of those setups in my own listening area, what i've heard thus far blows those other speakers i demo'd out of the water.

i couldn't be happier with them. i also bought these blindly without hearing them first. i currently have a 3.2 setup (just don't have my surrounds yet) and i've spent just over $6k on the 3 speakers + 2 subs. you could easily do a 3.1 with the same setup for under $6k.

not saying you have to definitely go this route, but i'm telling you that i am MORE than happy with my setup thus far, although i've only had it connected for less than a day lol. and it sounds this awesome with very little calibration thus far. going to toy around with it more tonight.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

When you say 2.1/3.1 are you solely looking for the speakers and a sub or are you also getting a receiver and other equipment within that overall budget?

 

[JackBurton]

In the 6k range, you'll have some excellent speakers to choose from. Take a look at B&W's Diamond series, Paradigm's Signature series or if you'd like Salk SC SongTowers. The Salk's are tougher to audition because they don't have a brick and mortar store to demo them at. You can also check out JTR speakers, but I would only use those if you plan on using them in a dedicated theater room.

Me personally, I'm most likely going to go for the B&W 805 Diamonds. Beautiful sounding speakers that look great too. As for the sub, I'm leaning toward a Paradigm sub.

And just as an FYI, the Paradigm Signature series are made in North America.

 

[vi edit]

If you are interested in US built speakers, look at Phase Technology:

Well built, supported, and reveiwed speakers.

http://www.phasetech.com/

 

[RGUN]

When you say 2.1/3.1 are you solely looking for the speakers and a sub or are you also getting a receiver and other equipment within that overall budget?

I own nothing right now. I'll need a receiver but will sacrifice here to get better speakers.

As far as I know, I will need a sub, a left and right, maybe a centre, and a receiver.

 

[sdifox]

Been trying to figure out how it makes sense to spend my budget. I figure going higher end on the speakers is the best bet since I figure they will last significantly longer than any receiver. I've got nothing right now. Yesterday I stopped in to look at paradigm studio 60s but found out they are made in china... They recommended totem Forrest's, assembled in Montreal, parts from canada, Germany and Sweden (or Switzerland).

Any recommendations within that budget?

Nothing wrong with made in china speakers. Most are made there now. Key is what is your room dimensions and what kind of use you are putting them to.

Have a listen to Energy Veritas 6.2, 6.3 too.

 

[nsafreak]

Nothing wrong with made in china speakers. Most are made there now. Key is what is your room dimensions and what kind of use you are putting them to.

Have a listen to Energy Veritas 6.2, 6.3 too.

First I've heard that they're made in China. The Paradigm Atom v5s that I bought about 3 years ago have a sticker on them stating that the parts are from Canada and that's where they're assembled as well. Must be a pretty recent development.

 

[sdifox]

First I've heard that they're made in China. The Paradigm Atom v5s that I bought about 3 years ago have a sticker on them stating that the parts are from Canada and that's where they're assembled as well. Must be a pretty recent development.

this article says they still build them in Canada...

http://www.marketnews.ca/QA/FEATURE:SupplySide-CanadianMade:ParadigmElectronicsInc..html?page=2

 

[RGUN]

I can find very little information online. Does anyone know if the paradigm studio 60s are made in canada? The guy at the hifi store said no, have to move to totem or other high end brand.

 

[EvilYoda]

I'm fairly certain the Studio line is still made in Canada - maybe one of their entry-level lines is manufactured in China.

As for you, OP...there are a gajillion choices for you out there, especially if you're buying everything together. Get a few recommendations here/online but I still think it's important to spend time at your local B&M store listening. Just make sure you don't listen too much to the sales person.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Far as I know the Monitor series is now made in China, while all the higher end stuff is still made in Canada.

On a related note, I own a pair of Monitor 9s, the v7 (Chinese-made ones), and I find them too bright in my setup, although that is probably more the fault of my large, uncarpeted room with three big windows.

I also own a pair of Mini Monitors (v6 made in Canada) and prefer the sound of those, although they too don't sound great in my current place.

The moral of my tale is that you may want to save a bit of your budget for room treatments. I was always sceptical of the necessity of this... until I moved into a "difficult" apartment.

 

[s44]

HT or music?

HT = those JTRs or something along those lines

music = lots of options, including the usual fancy stereo shop stuff

 

[RGUN]

I'm fairly certain the Studio line is still made in Canada - maybe one of their entry-level lines is manufactured in China.

As for you, OP...there are a gajillion choices for you out there, especially if you're buying everything together. Get a few recommendations here/online but I still think it's important to spend time at your local B&M store listening. Just make sure you don't listen too much to the sales person.

Spoke to paradigm electronics inc today. Very quick to answer questions. 100% of the electronic components are made in canada. The only item outsourced is the cabinet itself, which indeed comes from china. All assembly, testing and electronic components are within canada.

To answer another question, it will start as a small 2 or 3.1 for both ht and music and expand into a 5.1+

 

[JAG87]

Spoke to paradigm electronics inc today. Very quick to answer questions. 100% of the electronic components are made in canada. The only item outsourced is the cabinet itself, which indeed comes from china. All assembly, testing and electronic components are within canada.

To answer another question, it will start as a small 2 or 3.1 for both ht and music and expand into a 5.1+

Like Yoda said, the Reference series (which includes the Studio and Signature), is made 100% in Canada. The Monitor series v7 is made in China.

With that kind of budget if I were you, I would look for used Signature S6 speakers. In fact, you could even stretch to used S8. Prices are generally half of what brand new ones are, so you're looking at 3000-3500 for the S6 and 4500-5000 for the S8. Frankly if you get the S8 you pretty much don't need a sub woofer. Heck even with the S6 there's no need, but I guess if you want to hear lower than 30 Hz properly, you still need one.

 

[RGUN]

Like Yoda said, the Reference series (which includes the Studio and Signature), is made 100% in Canada. The Monitor series v7 is made in China.

With that kind of budget if I were you, I would look for used Signature S6 speakers. In fact, you could even stretch to used S8. Prices are generally half of what brand new ones are, so you're looking at 3000-3500 for the S6 and 4500-5000 for the S8. Frankly if you get the S8 you pretty much don't need a sub woofer. Heck even with the S6 there's no need, but I guess if you want to hear lower than 30 Hz properly, you still need one.

There are used S6's available at my local shop. They want much more than 50% of the new cost though. Is 50% the going rate on "mint" used Paradigms? Also, could anyone recommend a receiver to drive these speakers that wont break the bank if I stretch that far on the speaker?

 

[EvilYoda]

50% for a speaker, used, is pretty low. Especially the higher end you get, I think speakers tend to hold their value better. S6's haven't been around for a long time either and you have to take into consideration how much and how hard they might have been driven.

You're welcome to buy my pair of Dynaudio Contour S1.4, of course. (I also have a Velodyne Digital Drive 12 to sell! A spanking 2.1 system, if I do say so myself)

 

[SheHateMe]

Since there is already a thread made here. Is it possible for me to just set up a 3.1 setup with a 5.1 capable Receiver. My mother gave the second biggest room in the house to my little sister, so my plans are dashed to have 5.1 in my room.

The room I got is small, so this is all I need.

Will the sound be messed up since the receiver is going to send the sound through all the speakers and I will be missing two of them?


Secondly, will a 3.1 setup through a 5.1 receiver try to simulate surround sound?

 

[Howard]

There are way too many options with that kind of money, and all but one of the suggestions you receive will be ignored.

Could I instead interest you in what characteristics to look for in a speaker?