Hello everyone;

I am fairly new to the AVS forum but from the couple of weeks that I have been on here, I have read several posts/threads in anticipation of trying to figure out what audio system would work best for my needs. I was able to do my research on the video side, and realize that the Pioneer Kuro 5010 plasma was exactly what I was looking for. I am a little more intimidated with the audio part of this. The problem, though, is that the majority of things that I am reading are over my head and well beyond my realm of understanding. Also, there are just way too many different vendors/manufacturers to choose from.

Here are my needs and my budget:
-Budget is around $2500-3000 for speakers, sub and a receiver. I think I'm leaning towards the Onkyo 705 as far as the receiver goes.
-My living room size is around 16x12
-My primary goal is to get great surround sound for movies and TV programming.
-I would prefer for the speakers (especially the front 3), to have sleek profile so that I can mount them on the wall alongside and underneath my plasma; so aesthetics are sort of important too (I love the looks of the KEF line of speakers).

I appreciate all of your input and suggestions. Thank you in advance....

glad to see you found the right forum.....you should check out Axiom's on-wall speaker sets they have. They offer a 30 day in-home trial period and look pretty sweet.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicinwalls_main.html

Hello everyone;

I am fairly new to the AVS forum but from the couple of weeks that I have been on here, I have read several posts/threads in anticipation of trying to figure out what audio system would work best for my needs. I was able to do my research on the video side, and realize that the Pioneer Kuro 5010 plasma was exactly what I was looking for. I am a little more intimidated with the audio part of this. The problem, though, is that the majority of things that I am reading are over my head and well beyond my realm of understanding. Also, there are just way too many different vendors/manufacturers to choose from.

Here are my needs and my budget:
-Budget is around $2500-3000 for speakers, sub and a receiver. I think I'm leaning towards the Onkyo 705 as far as the receiver goes.
-My living room size is around 16x12
-My primary goal is to get great surround sound for movies and TV programming.
-I would prefer for the speakers (especially the front 3), to have sleek profile so that I can mount them on the wall alongside and underneath my plasma; so aesthetics are sort of important too (I love the looks of the KEF line of speakers).

I appreciate all of your input and suggestions. Thank you in advance....

welcome to the party!

so much of speakers can be marketing and markup, this is why there are companies finding great success with the internet direct (ID) model. you can sort the threads by "number of posts" and you will have a good idea of the top ID brands (at least around here).

Thanks for the feedback, guys. The extreme variance in price of speakers that I am seeing, in addition to the numerous vendors, makes things quite intimidating for a newbie like me. Although I have allotted myself a decent budget, I want to make sure the money is spent well and doesn't go to waste.
Any additional suggestions for speakers to test out is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. The extreme variance in price of speakers that I am seeing, in addition to the numerous vendors, makes things quite intimidating for a newbie like me. Although I have allotted myself a decent budget, I want to make sure the money is spent well and doesn't go to waste.
Any additional suggestions for speakers to test out is greatly appreciated.

the absolute best bang for the buck are going to be athena asf2's. you can get them for $400 per pair here (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASF2.2). Here (http://www.athenaspeakers.com/modelASF2Reviews.php) are just some of the reviews.

if you can sit in the sweet spot, you probably don't need a center channel.

you can do better if you spend *a lot* more money.

the mackie hrs824mk2 is a professional monitor used in mastering studios. you can see it here (http://www.mackie.com/products/hrmk2/index.html). it would be very difficult to beat them as they have been designed to reproduce music as close to neutral as possible.

I have always hear great things about the Onix Rocket Series from www.**********. They are having a great sale right now.

so much of speakers can be marketing and markup, this is why there are companies finding great success with the internet direct (ID) model.
Absolutely ,and the previous quote is a perfect example of the ID brands marketing.

you can sort the threads by "number of posts" and you will have a good idea of the top ID brands (at least around here).
Or you can realize that speaker selection is a very personal choice and auditioning compaitively against other contenders will tell your ears what suits your tastes best.

Some good sounding and good looking suggestions for your on-walls flanking the plasma:

Era Design4 lcr's in piano black
B&W VR6's
Era PL28's
Definitive Technology Mythos
Totem Tribes


PS.....man up and get the Elite! :)

Absolutely ,and the previous quote is a perfect example of the ID brands marketing.

Why Jake has an ID brand "marketing phobia" is beyond most of us around here. Let a single person say they've "heard" or "like" an ID brand.... and it's automatically some sort of marketing conspiracy or something. :rolleyes:
Geez Jake.... give it a REST already.

Or you can realize that speaker selection is a very personal choice and auditioning compaitively against other contenders will tell your ears what suits your tastes best.

At least here, he hits the nail SQUARELY on the head. It IS a great idea to audition comparatively as much as possible. And the NICE thing about ID brands.... they give you 30 days to audition their product in YOUR home, on YOUR gear. Many, even offer return shipping should you decide they aren't your cup of tea. I know AV123 and I believe Aperion will even pay the original shipping should you decide to return them. See if ANY Brick and Morter dealer will offer ANYTHING close to the same thing. I rather doubt it.

Some good sounding and good looking suggestions for your on-walls flanking the plasma:

Era Design4 lcr's in piano black
B&W VR6's
Era PL28's
Definitive Technology Mythos
Totem Tribes

Some fine suggestions also. Of course, Jake is a Brick & Morter DEALER for B & W and Def Tech (or was it Totem?). Since he didn't point that out, should he also be accused of stealth marketing?

No.... just as the poster he accuses shouldn't either.

so much of speakers can be marketing and markup, this is why there are companies finding great success with the internet direct (ID) model.
Why Jake has an ID brand "marketing phobia" is beyond most of us around here.
You don't see a sort of pot and kettle arguement to be made there?

Since he didn't point that out, should he also be accused of stealth marketing?
Yes, for sure, but his monikor suggests that he is a retailer and system designer. and he seems to be forthwright about pointing that out, usually.

Absolutely ,and the previous quote is a perfect example of the ID brands marketing.


Or you can realize that speaker selection is a very personal choice and auditioning compaitively against other contenders will tell your ears what suits your tastes best.

Some good sounding and good looking suggestions for your on-walls flanking the plasma:

Era Design4 lcr's in piano black
B&W VR6's
Era PL28's
Definitive Technology Mythos
Totem Tribes


PS.....man up and get the Elite! :)

Did you mean B&W VM6? How does that compare to the FPM? Also, what is the MSRP difference between the FPM 5 and the VM6?

I don't want to get into something that's been rehashed over and over, but....

Yes, for sure, but his monikor suggests that he is a retailer and system designer. and he seems to be forthwright about pointing that out, usually.

If using this argument, then any single person posting would need to say something about their affiliation with B & M or ID brands? I have both. My HT consists of AUDES and Harmon Kardon Citation speakers and I have ONIX REF 1's in my two channel rig. I also like other brands from BOTH busness models.

So, If I make a comment that I LIKE the Ascend Sierra's, I'm engaging in stealth marketing as he likes to call it. And, if I happen to comment elsewhere about my fondness for my AUDES Blues or the Sonus faber Cremona's that I heard recently, I would also be accused of stealth marketing because I'm not a B & M dealer or system designer?

That's absurd. But, I digress.... I respect Jake and usually pretty much agree with what he posts. However, for some reason he just won't let go of his ID phobia. As soon as someone mentions ACI, Aperion, Ascend, Av123, Axiom or whatever ID brand.... the poster is engaged in marketing for said company, is being paid under the table yaddy, yaddy, yadda.

It just gets old I guess.