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17K views 41 replies 15 participants last post by  smasher50 
#1 ·
I have a relatively small room that I want to supercharge 12.5 X 10 X 8 = 1000 cubic feet. Music 60%, Movies 40% usage. I'm upgrading from Polk Monitor 40s, CS2, Monitor30s and a HSU STF-2 subwoofer. My former system sounded great for what it was, I retired it another room. Now that I have a bigger budget, I want to get substantially better sound and more impact by getting floorstanders. I will be driving these with a Pioneer VSX-1121-K Thx receiver, will be running in 5.1 mode. I have biamping capability with this receiver so that option is on the table.


What I would like to know, if anyone can put some input, is what kind of "sound quality" I can expect from these 3 setups. Particularly which setup will sound cleaner and more detailed for the money. If anyone can compare what each system sounds like compared to each other, please leave some comments, thanks.


Options:


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Infinity Primus System(via crutchfield.com)


P362 Floorstander $199 X 2 = 400

PC350 Center $150

P152 Bookshelves $75 X 2 = 150


700 for entire system


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Polk Audio System (via newegg when a sale drops)


Monitor70 Floorstander $149 X 2 = 300

CS2 Center $100 = 100

Monitor30 bookshelves X2 (already owned)


400 for upgrade


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Energy System (sale today for CF70s at vanns.com, 229 each)


CF70 Floorstander $199 X 2 = $400

CC10 Center $200-$300

CB5 Bookshelves Pair $199


700-800 for upgrade

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#2 ·
The Energy CF series is going to sound just like your description on the Polks you gave. I would recommend them for a mostly Ht/gaming system, but not for music. They aren't that bad for low to moderate listening and actually very nice for some music, but the louder you crank them the more harsh they get.
 
#4 ·
While I think the Energy CF-70 would be a bit of an upgrade over the Polks... and the price for the CF-70 is good... unless you can get the CC-10 for $200 or less, and the CB-5 for under $100, I think you'd be overpaying on those.


Here's what Stereophile had to say about the Energy CB-10...
http://www.stereophile.com/content/e...r-measurements


I haven't heard the Infinity Primus speakers, but they are well regarded for their price range and certainly measure better than the others.
 
#5 ·
Not sure if you've seen these, or are even interested in considering them... and I haven't heard them so I can't comment on their sound quality...


But EMP is clearing out some of their A-stock E5Ti towers for roughly half price:
http://www.emptek.com/e5ti_clearance.php


Adding in the matching center and bookshelves would put you at $745. And the word is they're going to be running a sale soon on some of the other speakers.
 
#7 ·
The Emptek's look enticing at their price for a pair and have an overall look that appears to be of better construction than some of my other options. Too bad I haven't heard any of their speakers, I'm a bit reluctant to jump the gun on a brand that isn't too well known. Has anyone heard of these empteks?
 
#10 ·
These are very good value:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...r-Black/1.html - Carnival 5 center $129

http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Carni...1098290&sr=8-2 - Carnival 6 floor standers $450 or Carnival 8 floorstanders for $600

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...ck-Pair/1.html - Carnival 1 bookshelf $109


Total - $680 or $830 depending on which floor standers you choose shipping

included


Several folks here, myself included have the Carnival 2 bookshelfs are VERY happy with them. I use them for desktop use & they are fantastic. I have yet to hook up my sub, bass is decent for a 5.5inch woofer. After experiencing these I would hesitate to buy their full setup.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the suggestions but I think I'll just stick to the main three brands I listed. I actually spent some time reading around and choosing the three options I listed. I just can't find a good reason to choose an unknown brand at this time, too risky.
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by avspace /forum/post/21745314


Thanks for the suggestions but I think I'll just stick to the main three brands I listed. I actually spent some time reading around and choosing the three options I listed. I just can't find a good reason to choose an unknown brand at this time, too risky.

All the brands you listed are US main stream. Mordaunt on the other hand is a popular & respected British brand. I had ordered the Primus P162 bookshelfs & the Carnival 2 at the same time. I returned the Primus with 2 days of trying as they were harsh & hurt my ears to the point that I hated listening to anything with them.


The Carnivals produced smooth, clean music. Just because Mordaunt isn't too well known in the US, doesn't make them risky.
 
#13 ·
Have you listened to any of these speakers? They are all good choices but don't expect some "holy cow" difference with these choices. In a room that size, I would save the money and look into room treatments. Do you listen to multi channel music? If so, get another pair of Monitor 40s and then get some room treatments.

You never did mention what you are driving this stuff with.
 
#14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by arshishb /forum/post/21745352


All the brands you listed are US main stream. Mordaunt on the other hand is a popular & respected British brand. I had ordered the Primus P162 bookshelfs & the Carnival 2 at the same time. I returned the Primus with 2 days of trying as they were harsh & hurt my ears to the point that I hated listening to anything with them.


The Carnivals produced smooth, clean music. Just because Mordaunt isn't too well known in the US, doesn't make them risky.

It looks like the Carnival line has been discontinued. They are absent on their web site at least. Yes, people have begun to discover Mordaunt-Short. They are pretty good.
 
#15 ·
I will be driving these with a Pioneer VSX-1121-K Thx receiver, will be running in 5.1 mode. I have biamping capability with this receiver, so speakers that can handle the extra wattage in my options are the CF70s & Monitor70s. I will probably open a can of worms by asking this, but does bi-amping help?
 
#16 ·
I'm another Mordaunt Short fan, and owner of the Carnival 2. It would be great to hear their top line speakers after owning the Carnivals, which IMO are very transparent, pleasing speakers.
 
#17 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by avspace /forum/post/21745392


I will be driving these with a Pioneer VSX-1121-K Thx receiver, will be running in 5.1 mode. I have biamping capability with this receiver, so speakers that can handle the extra wattage in my options are the CF70s & Monitor70s. I will probably open a can of worms by asking this, but does bi-amping help?

No can of worms but, no.

There was a bench test of the 1121 in the past year in Home Theater Mag. But in 5 channel mode, it was well under 100 wpc. I think it was in the 50-60 range. Don't worry, that is typical.

The Monitor 70s have a "fuller" sound than the M 40s just due to the larger drivers but same tweeter. Like others have said, the CFs are a little bright on the high end. More so than the Polks.

I have the Polk M 40s and 50s. However, when I upgrade, I will be looking at B&W, Focal, KEF, Paradigm and PSB. And will at least tripple the price of what I paid for the Polks. This is how much you have to step up to hear a noticable difference in my mind.
 
#18 ·
Thanks for the feedback on the receiver. I just picked it up recently at a nice low price, so much for bang for buck though on the wpc! I actually like the Pioneer sound, compared to Onkyo and Sony, they sound more full and pleasing to my ear.


I also looked at the brands that you mentioned, aside from the B&W and Kefs, auditioning those speakers is a little bit harder. I know where you're going, that's probably the next level of my upgrade pattern, eeking more into esoteric brands that can deliver that extra level of performance, but for a price!
 
#19 ·
This hobby has been compared to drugs many times!

What I have learned and what many will tell you is that you have to pick something that sounds good to YOU! Everyone has there favorites. For me right now, it is the Polks. But it was also a monetary decision. The best speaker I have ever listened to (to me) cost more than my first car! ($3,000) But, that ain't gonna happen for me any time soon.
 
#20 ·
karlsaudio makes some good points. I went from a Monitor 60, CS1 & Monitor 30 setup that cost me all of $340 to Kef Q900, Q300 & Q600c setup that cost me exactly $2000 more! Is the sound worth it? Oh yes! Its been my long time dream to buy "nice" equipment. If you have the means to do so, buy something like that now & forget about it for a while. Mordaunts are also such speakers, they are THAT good. Unless you are a lover of really harsh highs or bright highs according to some; I reckon that the Mordaunts will sound better than the Primus or the Polks that you are thinking about. I have tried both & I can first hard. No comments on the Energy speakers though.
 
#22 ·
The Empteks do look interesting, but one major thing I have a problem with is that their matching center has to be crossed at 100hz, instead of 80 hz. I also can't seem to find that many pro reviews on them. From what I have heard, they have a "laidback" kind of sound and I'm looking for something a little more ferocious to make movies come alive.
 
#23 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii /forum/post/21744819


Not sure if you've seen these, or are even interested in considering them... and I haven't heard them so I can't comment on their sound quality...


But EMP is clearing out some of their A-stock E5Ti towers for roughly half price:
http://www.emptek.com/e5ti_clearance.php


Adding in the matching center and bookshelves would put you at $745. And the word is they're going to be running a sale soon on some of the other speakers.

How do people find deals like this?Do you have any more deals like this?

I want to get infinity's 363 but they are $329 each and dont look like they going to be on sale any time soon,can you recommend speakers to rival p362's for $330 a pair?


Thanx in advance.
 
#25 ·
#26 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by LVIV73 /forum/post/22014069


I meant deals on something good.Isnt BIC is cheap company like Pyle and Boss?

Good is a relative word around here. To me bic is good. Probably best bang for your buck if you have a low budget and want to play loud.
 
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