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5.1 or 6.1 systems in 1500 - 2500 range

477 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by goodconsumer, May 3, 2002

madawu

Discussion Starter · May 2, 2002

Hi,

I am building a home theater room in my basement. Time to burn some bucks for speakers.

We want to have awesome sound system for movies first. We also listens to Jazz and classic music most of time. Well, some soft rock too. What speaker packet would you suggest?

Thanks.

mada

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ELMitz

· #2 · May 2, 2002

Go to Paradigm and check out their recomended speaker systems. For the money, it's hard to beat Paradigm, though Energy and PSB also have great bang for the buck speakers. You could get a terrific 7.1 setup for $2000 from each of these companies. I own Paradigm so I'm partial to them.

Keep in mind that while opinions vary, most agree that in a 7.1 setup, dipoles on the side and direct firing speakers in the rear are optimal. Your room conditions or listening tastes may be make the choice different.

Bottom line, audition as many setups as possible and buy the one you like best!

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JKohn

· #3 · May 2, 2002

Sounds like you're in the same price range as me for speakers. Here's the system I'm in the process of upgrading to:

Axiom M60ti mains

Axiom VP150 center

Axiom M3ti surrounds

Axiom QS8 surround back (single)

SVS 20-39PCi sub

Assuming you buy factory outlet on the Axioms (minor comsmetic blemishes, hardly noticeable if at all), you can get the above setup for $2100 delivered (Axiom offers free shipping). Based on my research on the internet and various forums, I don't think you can get a more capable system for this price range. Of course, speaker quality is a subjective issue, but if you decide you don't like them both the speakers and the sub offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so the only thing you're out is return shipping.

You can get more info abou the above setup from http://www.axiomaudio.com and http://www.svsubwoofers.com

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jbabbitt

· #4 · May 2, 2002

I agree with the first response. Although I am partial to B&W and Martin Logan, because that is what I have, it is tough to beat Paradigm in this price range. You might want to check out the M&K though. I have really enjoyed this as well. But make sure that whatever you buy, you get to hear first. Some people recomend buying speakers online, and that can be great for price, but make sure you hear them locally first.

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goodconsumer

· #5 · May 2, 2002

I'm looking for speakers too. And one name that I am looking that hasn't be mention yet (surprisingly) is the Diva line up. Internet only via **********. Be sure the check out their specials. You can get several packages and also get a sub at a discounted price. You can also talk to them about rolling your own package. You can find auditions at audioenvy.com. The unofficial faq is audioenvy.com/diva . But it'd probally be best just to look at "book 3".

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=113098 It's at around 1600 messages for this thread and this is the third of three threads.

And as ELMitz said. LISTEN.

BTW, there was a great message in the unofficial diva thread about sound. It helped to clearify what you hear, how to describe it, and what it looks like on a graph. (i.e. if there is a hump in the mid-range that sound is more forward, etc). Thought it was really good and can't find it now.

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madawu

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 2, 2002

Thanks for your reply.

For paradigm, which series should I look at? What is the best price online?

goodconsumer: thanks for the heads up about swan diva. I will schedule an audition through audioenvy.com soon. BTW is av123 the only distributer for swan diva?

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ELMitz

· #7 · May 2, 2002

The Paradigms are unavailable for sale online from authorized dealers... as far as I know. I would establish a budget, which you have, and then look at the various system choices available. My advice to you is:

A. The important speakers in a HT setup

Center
L/R Main
Subwoofer
Sides (or Rears in 5.1)
Rears (in 7.1)[/list=1]

If you have to compromise somewhere, do it lower on the list.

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goodconsumer

· #8 · May 2, 2002

av123 is the only distributor of the diva's. (more info in question/answer 2 of audioenvy.com/diva faq. BTW, the faq is a fan written one [with input from other fans]).

Also if you have questions, i'd say feel free to call av123. They have great customer service (see unofficial diva thread for documentation by a lot of people on this) and that'll also let you "develop" a relationship with them/help you feel more comfortable if you purchase from them. BTW, don't call swans. Swans make the speakers, av123 distributes.

FYI, the ********** site has been redesigned, I'm not sure if all the bugs are worked out.

Oh. One other thing, depending on what package you get, av123 have a distribution "issue". Demand for these speakers have been much higher then anticipated and Mark's (the pres) significant experience in the field has not been a good guild for predicting growth (pretty much his own words, again see unofficial diva thread). Supply should exceed demand in June (they made a double order). This shouldn't really affect you too much if you decide to go with the diva's, since you are going to set up an audition. Right?

And it'll take some time to listen to all the speakers that people suggust. (When I called then in mid April they had everything in stock except the 6.1's).

A few other names to throw out that you might want to check/listen to:

PSB and NHT.

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goodconsumer

· #9 · May 2, 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by ELMitz
The Paradigms are unavailable for sale online from authorized dealers... as far as I know. I would establish a budget, which you have, and then look at the various system choices available. My advice to you is:

A. The important speakers in a HT setup

Center

L/R Main

Subwoofer

Sides (or Rears in 5.1)

Rears (in 7.1)[/list=1]

If you have to compromise somewhere, do it lower on the list.

Curious, why is the center listed first? IMHO, I'd put L/R Main before Center. Just seems more useful that way. (Just curious, not criticizing.)

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Gluegun

· #10 · May 2, 2002

The center is first cause, more often than not, that's where most of the sound comes from.

What channel do you think handles all of those on-screen voices that let you HEAR what is actually said in a movie, lol?

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goodconsumer

· #11 · May 2, 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Gluegun
The center is first cause, more often than not, that's where most of the sound comes from.

What channel do you think handles all of those on-screen voices that let you HEAR what is actually said in a movie, lol?

That's what I thought the answer would be. I just had to hear it to make sure I had the right reason.

I'm learning alot on this site, but I'm also trying to get a deeper understanding of the whys. That usually isn't give as much as the whats.

I also realize that the answer didn't take into account music since that isn't really what this thread is about, but for me that would also be important.

Thanks.

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goodconsumer

· #12 · May 3, 2002

Here's the description of sound that I really liked... finally found the link:

http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/printpost.php?postid=852370

Posted by bigwally on 02-04-02 05:33 PM:

netarc,

The Divas are a more neutral speaker than the B&W DM's and they have less sizzle on top (less bright). No amount of break-in will change that. Correctly used, the term "laid back" means that there is a small dip in the mid-range which allows the speakers to project a more distant image, as opposed to a "forward" speaker which will have humped midrange and a narrow horizontal dispersion pattern which brings the image closer to your face. The Diva's tend to image about 3-4 feet behind the speakers so they are close to neutral but somewhat laid back. The B&W DM's are more forward sounding so you should hear more presence in the vocal range. Brightness is a measure of energy from 4kHz to 8kHz and the B&W's will have more of that than the Diva's as well.

This is a preference issue, no one speaker sounds right to everyone. Some of us, myself included, try like heck to stay clear of speakers that are forward or bright as they tend to be overly fatiguing during extended listening sessions. Most people who are new to the hobby are attracted to bright, forward, zippy speakers and that's why Best Buy, CC, and Good Guys sell mostly speakers in that category. A very laid back speaker like Dynaudio has typically very little appeal to novice listeners so you're not likely to see them there, but rather in hi-end boutiques where the average buyer has had enough of "bright and forward" and wants to move on to a less fatiguing sound that will make even poorly recorded digital music listenable for extended periods.

This is probably not what you want to hear, but Your Diva's may not be the speaker for you, at least right now. That is unless you find yourself adapting to their sound and learn to appreciate them for their differences vs. the DM's.

Hope that helped, one way or the other!

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