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small system

post #1 of 18
2/23/11 at 8:49am
Thread Starter 
Just got married and my wife is making me get rid of my big speakers. So I need a system with a smaller footprint. I've done some research and listened to some different systems, but the dealers i've been to don't have everything. I'm looking to keep the price under about $1500. These are my considerations so far:

KEF KHT5005.2
def tech procinema 1000
paradigm cinema 110 ct
mirage mx or micros

Also, circuit city has a deal that expires tomorrow for klipsch quintet IV (no sub) for 299 which I could pair with a great sub with the savings (thinking about SVS sub)

Will be used mostly for movies/tv (90%). My room is medium sized but open on the backside. Using an old Yamaha receiver, but will upgrade soon. Any input would be welcome.
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post #2 of 18
2/23/11 at 9:35am
Thread Starter 
sorry to reply to my own thread, but after some further internet searching, also considering orb MOD2 and hsu enthusiast 2.

By the way, for anyone interested in the klipsch quintet IV, its at circuit city with code: DTB21139.
Also found a deal on Klipsch quintet SL for 399.99. Is there much difference in this system vs. the IV.

This is my first surround system, so thanks for your help
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post #3 of 18
2/23/11 at 9:44am
The def technology procinema 1000 would be my choice
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post #4 of 18
2/23/11 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by andysimpson76 View Post

Just got married and my wife is making me get rid of my big speakers. So I need a system with a smaller footprint. I've done some research and listened to some different systems, but the dealers i've been to don't have everything. I'm looking to keep the price under about $1500. These are my considerations so far:

KEF KHT5005.2
def tech procinema 1000
paradigm cinema 110 ct
mirage mx or micros

Also, circuit city has a deal that expires tomorrow for klipsch quintet IV (no sub) for 299 which I could pair with a great sub with the savings (thinking about SVS sub)

Will be used mostly for movies/tv (90%). My room is medium sized but open on the backside. Using an old Yamaha receiver, but will upgrade soon. Any input would be welcome.

What are your "big" speakers?

Does she understand that you are going to be sacrificing quality and spending more money?
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post #5 of 18
2/23/11 at 1:24pm
Thread Starter 
My wife says that speakers "are not furniture" and we don't have a basement (speakers are in our family room with the tv), so she understands that we will have to spend more on the smaller speakers but its more about smaller footprint for her. Currently I have an old pair of DCM KX-10s that she hates because they are so big. I'm going to keep them, but I'll have to put them in a closet until I move to a house with a basement or something.
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post #6 of 18
2/23/11 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by andysimpson76 View Post

My wife says that speakers "are not furniture" and we don't have a basement (speakers are in our family room with the tv), so she understands that we will have to spend more on the smaller speakers but its more about smaller footprint for her. Currently I have an old pair of DCM KX-10s that she hates because they are so big. I'm going to keep them, but I'll have to put them in a closet until I move to a house with a basement or something.

How small does she need?

Small is a relative term.
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post #7 of 18
2/23/11 at 1:38pm
The Def techs are the only ones to allow for a 80hz cross over..... Anything else requires something higher if my memory serves me right
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post #8 of 18
2/23/11 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425 View Post

The Def techs are the only ones to allow for a 80hz cross over..... Anything else requires something higher if my memory serves me right

According to measurements, the -3dB point of Pro Cinema 1000 is above 100hz, but the -6dB point is 45hz.

They will work crossed at 80hz, but there will be a bit of dip in the response, and a bit more a dip with the center.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/d...i-av-receive-1
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post #9 of 18
2/23/11 at 3:27pm
Is your wife aware how big an SVS subwoofer is?

Note: I have a 15" DIY ported sub that is about 8 cu. ft. so I don't think SVS subs are huge, but many people that are use to Bose and the like think they are huge.
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post #10 of 18
2/23/11 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cschang View Post

According to measurements, the -3dB point of Pro Cinema 1000 is above 100hz, but the -6dB point is 45hz.

They will work crossed at 80hz, but there will be a bit of dip in the response, and a bit more a dip with the center.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/d...i-av-receive-1

Ok well I was going by what Definitive Technology said on their website recommending 80hz crossover
http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...&hometheater=1
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post #11 of 18
2/23/11 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425 View Post

Ok well I was going by what Definitive Technology said on their website recommending 80hz crossover
http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...&hometheater=1

Understood.....

Def Tech is well known for overstating their specs.

For the Pro Cinema 1000 Monitor, they state 42Hz – 30kHz without stating the -3dB point.
The review measured them as -3dB at 150hz - 10khz.

VERY different.
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post #12 of 18
2/23/11 at 4:45pm
I was in the same situation as you back in January. We bought new furniture and my tower speakers were no longer an option. I ended up buying a set of Energy v-mini (4 speakers plus center) and using them with my old Energy sub. They definitely met the wife acceptance factor but after 3 weeks of playing around with crossover settings (100 Hz sounded best) I became frustrated with the lack of fullness in sound. I should mention that this was in a 27x17 room. The v-minis were great speakers and are probably near the top of the satellite system as far as performance goes. My advice is that you will not be overly happy with a small satellite system if you are used to towers.

I ended up buying a pair of Totem Mites (10.8" tall), a Totem Dreamcatcher center, and Paradigm ADP-190 surrounds. Total cost was $1500. This setup sounds incredible and sounds better than my old Energy exl surround system.

I did demo the Promonitor 1000s and they did sound good. I just didn't personally like the looks of the speakers.
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post #13 of 18
2/23/11 at 5:50pm
I would look at this NHT system
http://www.nhthifi.com/Home-Theater-Absolute-Zero-5-1

And just for exploration - The Radius series sounds good.
http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picture...s_closeout.htm
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post #14 of 18
2/25/11 at 8:37am
Thread Starter 
Looked at the NHT absolute zero system and also came across the NHT verve 5.1 system that looks pretty nice. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these systems? In reading reviews about the verve on cnet, they seemed to like the system but also mentioned the cambridge soundworks hd 5.1 system that seems to be discontinued. However, looking at other similar systems, the cambridge ht 305se also looks nice but cannot find one to demo. Anyone heard this system before? Thanks again for everyones input.
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post #15 of 18
2/25/11 at 9:03am
I have owned a few NHT speakers - They strike a good balance with
movies and music. They are neutral and refined. It is hard to beat
them at their price point. I have not heard the Verve system - how
ever, if I was looking for a sub/sat system, they would be on my short
list. The Absolute Zero is one of the better measured speakers around.
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post #16 of 18
2/25/11 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 
so you would recommend the absolute zero over the verve system. it looks like the difference in cost is about $200 more for the abosulte zero. from what i can tell on the specs, the absolute zero uses 2 way satellite speakers as opposed to the 3 way sats from the verve system. but the sub from the absolute zero system looks to be more powerful (300w vs 200w).
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post #17 of 18
2/25/11 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by andysimpson76 View Post

so you would recommend the absolute zero over the verve system. it looks like the difference in cost is about $200 more for the abosulte zero. from what i can tell on the specs, the absolute zero uses 2 way satellite speakers as opposed to the 3 way sats from the verve system. but the sub from the absolute zero system looks to be more powerful (300w vs 200w).

Because of the tweeter and the bigger woofer in the Zero's, and
the better Sub - I would go with the Absolute System. The Zero's
should blend better with the sub.
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post #18 of 18
2/25/11 at 9:48am
Axiom has nice on wall speakers very flat not sure on sound quality. Also Paradigm Cinema 300's are nice.
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