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My picks, we value your opinion.

post #1 of 55
2/19/13 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
Edited to put all info in first post:

So, this is our first jump into serious home theater and I have picked the following to replace the Denon DHT-591BA HTIB we currently run.

Denon 4311ci receiver
Aperion Audio Verus Forte towers
Aperion Audio Verus Forte center
Aperion Audio Verus Forte bookshelves
HSU VTF3 MK4 sub

Layout is attached, ceiling is 6.4'. Floor is tile with an area rug. Room has 6" shelf on the back and left wall (looking at the drawing), that is built into the wall itself like this h.

Balance will be 75% movies/tv shows, 25% gaming with a lot of that Rock Band and other music games. And of course Halo 4 Shows like X-Factor, The Voice, Glee, Americas Got Talent, and a few dramas, action shows like The Following, Touch, Grey's Anatomy.

Total budget is around $4000. Just over if I have to (which with the above setup will be slightly over). Less is always better.


Thoughts?

I've looked into KEF, Ascend, Klipsh and EMP solutions. I think the Aperion setup is our best bet currently but I'm open to suggestions.


Edited by noregrets78 - 2/20/13 at 3:13pm
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post #2 of 55
2/19/13 at 6:16pm
Howdie Noregrets...

A few questions here...

What is your total budget?

Observations

Primarily for music or HT? What mix? What type of music do you like? I don't see a center channel in the mix...intentional or accidental ommision? Phantom center?

Denon 4311CI is top of the line AV Receiver..but do you need that much reciever? What made you choose it? What options does it have that a lower model will not give you? Its allot of money and its a great receiver but we may be able to save you some bucks there.

Aperion is a great brand...have you heard Ascend, EMP, Klipsch or any of these others...or just looked on paper? Nice thing about Aperion is shipping both ways. Don't get me wrong Aperion is a great brand....just trying to understand how you choose them to see what other recommendations I may have.

SVS PB12-NSD sub is a great sub...but not my personal first, second or third choice...is this for movies or music?
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post #3 of 55
2/19/13 at 6:25pm
I agree with the post questioning the high priced AV rec you are looking at. Put another way, it is often suggested that you budget 3x what you spend on the reciver for your speaker budget! That high price AVrec will sound mediocre with mediocre speakers!

I can speak to two speakers that are excellent...
EMPtek, the impression series. Excellent speakers and a very good buy! I own the e5ti...
And a very good friend of mine has the Ascend acoustics cmt340 front stage and those are also excellent. Very clear and detailed and they really can be pushed loud!
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post #4 of 55
2/19/13 at 6:44pm
You guys are failing to account for the fact that AVR has XT32 which will make any grade of speakers & sub sound better to improving the room acoustics.

Travis
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post #5 of 55
2/19/13 at 6:48pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry for omitting the Verus Forte center! Totally accidental.

The receiver pick was based on my desire for Ausyssey XT32 room correction. Because of the irregular shape of the room I thought good correction would be beneficial.

Balance will be 75% movies 25% Gaming with a lot of that Rock Band and other music games. And of course Halo 4 smile.gif

Haven't heard any yet, just trying to narrow my choices. I wouldn't have thought the Aperion Verus Forte line would have been considered mediocre. Total budget is around $4000. Just over if I have to. Less is always better smile.gif
Edited by noregrets78 - 2/19/13 at 6:53pm
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post #6 of 55
2/19/13 at 7:54pm
No, that speaker is not mediocre...was reading on my phone earlier when I posted and occasionally threads get cut off! Never heard the Aperion speaker, but haven't heard anything bad.
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post #7 of 55
2/19/13 at 8:15pm
Thread Starter 
Forgot to also mention we love shows like X-Factor, The Voice, Glee, Americas Got Talent, and a few dramas, action shows.

The reason I chose the Aperions were the reviews of them and the general praise from most of the forum members here. I've been reading this site a lot the past month or so trying to get ideas and learn about this side of HT. I always felt like the setup I had was missing something and the more I learn of my options the more excited I'm getting to get started.
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post #8 of 55
2/19/13 at 9:08pm
I have the Aperion Forte towers and center...have been very happy with them.....you can't lose with the 30 day trial.
Ray
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post #9 of 55
2/20/13 at 5:06am
Lots of good options out there so I'm not going to list specific brands - my only suggestion is to consider the used market. I've had very good luck with it (as have a lot of others) , and your budget will travel a lot farther.
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post #10 of 55
2/20/13 at 6:13am
Thread Starter 
Oh I absolutely am. Especially for the receiver, definitely open to refurbs if anything.

If I could find the Verus Grand's used for the price of the Verus Forte's new or less, I would jump all over it.

One more thing to add, hard tile flooring with an area rug. This is our starter home so I'm not about to go crazy with it. When we move I'll get 100% into the setup and probably move to a projector but that is a few years off at least.
Edited by noregrets78 - 2/20/13 at 6:23am
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post #11 of 55
2/20/13 at 6:55am
Give aperion a call and ask them if they have b stock verus grands not listed on their site - when I tried them out their we're some flawless b stock found that way. You may get lucky.
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post #12 of 55
2/20/13 at 6:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by madhuski View Post

Give aperion a call and ask them if they have b stock verus grands not listed on their site - when I tried them out their we're some flawless b stock found that way. You may get lucky.

Good to know thanks!!! I have time for this, the Forte's wont be in until end of May so I have plenty of time to find used in the mean time. I don't want to wait much past then though.
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post #13 of 55
2/20/13 at 1:05pm
XT32 may be a huge boost for you... A couple suggestions: Look at the Onkyo 818 and see if you can pick up a lower version..say a 1713 Denon and test it...that will tell you if money is well spent on the XT32.

As for the speakers... I would look at EMP and / or SVS.

EMP I think would give you best bang for the buck and with movies and games being primary purpose...I think they would work. My two cents.
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post #14 of 55
2/20/13 at 1:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie01 View Post

XT32 may be a huge boost for you... A couple suggestions: Look at the Onkyo 818 and see if you can pick up a lower version..say a 1713 Denon and test it...that will tell you if money is well spent on the XT32.

As for the speakers... I would look at EMP and / or SVS.

EMP I think would give you best bang for the buck and with movies and games being primary purpose...I think they would work. My two cents.

Thanks Newbie!

Unfortunately the 818 won't work in the space I have, it's a massive 8" tall! Might have some ventilation issues even with an open front and back cabinet. The Denon is only 6.7 which is the size of the Denon I have now and it doesn't even get warm. I originally wanted the 818 but the size and quality concerns turned me off to that receiver.

EMP has been ruled out. The center is too big for the space I have.
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post #15 of 55
2/20/13 at 2:01pm
EMP also offers 30-day trial. They've also got a smaller center (how much space do you have?). Not sure if you've seen that they have 2 centers or not. At the most recent GTG posted on here, the EMP's were well regarded next to the Phil 2's, new SVS towers, etc. Are they better? Who knows. Depends on the person and their goals lol. Too many factors to say what's "best". About all you can do is listen to as many speakers as you can, listen to what people have to say about the speakers you're looking at and see if they're consistent and on par with what you like in a speaker. I'm sure the Aperions are very nice, but they look to come in almost 2x the price of the EMP's (and way more than 2x if you get lucky enough to come across an EMP sale). You've got plenty of budget though!

Check here, audiogon and audioholics classifieds
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post #16 of 55
2/20/13 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
I did see both EMP centers. Even the smaller one wont fit. Sucks, I would have gone EMP and saved some cash.

Sub change, HSU VTF3 MK4, updated original post.
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post #17 of 55
2/20/13 at 6:03pm
Got you on size limitations...

That being the case...go for the Aperion. If you dont like them..return them and come back and tell us.

For your situation...just my opinion...HSU gives you more bang for the buck there. Aperion makes a great set of speakers.

Not sure what price your looking at for the Denon but you may give accessories4less a try. They are very reputable and an authorized dealer. I have never read a bad thing about them. It may save you a few bucks.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR4311CI/DENON-AVR-4311CI-9.2-Channel-Network-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html
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post #18 of 55
2/20/13 at 6:54pm
Myself, along with many others, have had great experiences with A4L
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post #19 of 55
2/21/13 at 3:41am
fwiw, take a look at the focal 814v's and matching center $1150at accessories4less and a pair of focal 705v $400 at music direct.imo these will sound great for a shitload less money. never heard the aperions but imo for $1300 less the focals are the better bang for the buck. enough money saved to get dual outlaw lfm -ex1's$1200 and pretty much any avr you need. just another recommendation to look at
Edited by smasher50 - 2/21/13 at 4:08am
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post #20 of 55
2/21/13 at 4:31am
Thread Starter 
The HSU is at the top of the list, thanks for the info!

I did see A4L and will most likely get the receiver there. Will check out the Focals today, thanks for the suggestion!

Someone on Audioholics turned me on to JTR speakers. OMG want! Can't fit them in my current house but when we move and get a bigger place those may be the ones that replace this starter system.


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post #21 of 55
2/21/13 at 9:23am
Thread Starter 
Ok, possible new plan.

Since I really really want JTR speakers when we move, I'm thinking of dropping the budget a bit.

Still want the Denon 4311CI, that Audyssey XT32 looks too good.

Thinking now of maybe HSU VTF-15H for the sub and instead of floor standers, getting bookshelves on stands. My biggest problem is the Center has to be 19.75" or less. If that wasn't a problem I would have gone EMPTek or Ascend but their centers are too big.

Thoughts?

Thinking about:

Verus Grand Bookshelves
Verus Forte Center
Verus Forte Satellites (this is the verus grand bookshelf package without the sub).
HSU VTF-15H sub.
Edited by noregrets78 - 2/21/13 at 11:47am
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post #22 of 55
2/21/13 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
These are my 2 choices the way I see it, 4k budget.

1)
Denon AVR-4311ci
Aperion Grand Bookshelf Fronts
Aperion Forte Center
Aperion Forte Surrounds
HSU VTF 15H Sub


2)
Denon AVR-4311ci
Ascend Sierra-1 Fronts with stands
Ascend Sierra-1 Center
Ascend HTM-200SE Surrounds
HSU VTF 15H Sub.


Now, between those two, or another setup for 4k, what do you think? Keep in mind the center and rears are space sensitive. Center can't be more than 19 3/4" wide. Rears should be 6" wide or less.
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post #23 of 55
2/21/13 at 11:51am
Both will likely sound pretty close to each other. Both will be great. At that point I'd just choose based on aesthetics, efficiency, warranty, etc.
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post #24 of 55
2/21/13 at 12:56pm
Are you fixed on your size requirements? Any way you could fit this in? Seems like a good deal.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1449859/3-jtr-triple-8s-1-900-shipped-price-drop
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post #25 of 55
2/21/13 at 1:23pm
Give the Aperion a try..if your not in love...come on back... Since Aperion is zero risk. Ascend is great...but frankly I like the Aperion better.. Unless you get the NrT Upgrade but then your in a whole new cost range.

As madhuski pointed out...I can't figure out your space requirements... If you break them down may be able to figure something else out.
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post #26 of 55
2/21/13 at 1:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by madhuski View Post

Are you fixed on your size requirements? Any way you could fit this in? Seems like a good deal.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1449859/3-jtr-triple-8s-1-900-shipped-price-drop

Unfortunately the JTR's are too big width wise to work as a center for me.

I am 99% sure I'll be selling this setup when we move off Long Island in about 4-5 years and going with JTR's in a real theater room and getting a good projector setup as well. By then I would hope to do a rack mount system, dedicated amps, etc.
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post #27 of 55
2/21/13 at 1:34pm
With the Aperions have a 30-day trial...that would be my go to. You seriously can't beat that for someone like yourself. If you like them, great! You're done. If not, you return them for no cost to you and move on to something else.
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post #28 of 55
2/21/13 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie01 View Post

Give the Aperion a try..if your not in love...come on back... Since Aperion is zero risk. Ascend is great...but frankly I like the Aperion better.. Unless you get the NrT Upgrade but then your in a whole new cost range.

As madhuski pointed out...I can't figure out your space requirements... If you break them down may be able to figure something else out.

No real restrictions on bookshelves/towers or sub. The center must be 19 3/4" or less wide and less than 10" high. The rears must be 6 1/2" or less wide but that's with a 1/2 inch of it over hanging the shelf I have to put it on.

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post #29 of 55
2/21/13 at 3:26pm
I'll chime in as an Aperion owner. Give the gurus a call and ask them which speaker would work better for you. I don't think you could go wrong with either Grand bookshelves or Forte towers but their customer service gurus could answer any questions you may have. I use the Grand bookshelves for my rears and think they sound great when listening to SACD recordings. Jason and others will let you know which ones should work best for your setup and won't give you the hard sell. As said by others with the 30 day trial if you don't like them the only thing wasted is the time unboxing and repacking the speakers. Great company to deal with.
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post #30 of 55
2/21/13 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
Crap. 3rd option:

Same receiver and sub, Denon, HSU.

Aperion 5T towers
Aperion 5C center
Aperion 4B surrounds (5B bookshelves are too big)

Was looking at the NRT upgrades for the Ascends and if they really need them that's another $450 on top of it for the fronts and center.


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