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Help with building my system

247 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by smv22, Oct 3, 2019

smv22

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2019

I have been lurking on these forums for some time and am now ready to make my first purchase and was hoping to get some thoughts and advice on my potential setup.

My overall room is around 28x11 though the TV area though the TV/living room area is around 13x11 in one corner with large floor to ceiling glass windows while the rest is an open kitchen layout. My primary use of this system is going to be 80/20 HT/music. I plan to start with a 3.1 system. Atmos or any height speakers or 5 or 7 channel surround are at least 3+ years away for me and are not significant considerations at this stage for me. My total budget is around $3500 including the receiver.

I plan to mostly watch TV/movies through an Apple TV 4k and don't plan any other video inputs and stream music via my iOS devices (currently Spotify but maybe Tidal HQ in the future).

Here is what I am thinking:

Marantz 6013 A/V receiver

Martin Logan motion 40 L/R
Martin Logan motion 30 center
I'm open to the subs but debating between ML 1000W and SVS PB/SB 1000 or 2000 though space in my apt is definitely a premium so size is an important factor. My sub will also need to be wireless.

I am able to find a reasonably attractive offer on the ML motion 40s at an authorized dealer in the $1350-$1500 range (compared to the $2000/pair list price) and the ML 30 centers around $500. The Marantz receiver runs for around $900 leaving around $600+/- for the subs.

Would a power amp like the Emotiva A-150 or A-300 help my system tremendously?

What else should I be thinking about in my setup? Are there other configurations that I should be exploring?

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1 - 8 of 8 Posts

Dave Grohl

· #2 · Oct 1, 2019

smv22 said:
I have been lurking on these forums for some time and am now ready to make my first purchase and was hoping to get some thoughts and advice on my potential setup.

My overall room is around 28x11 though the TV area though the TV/living room area is around 13x11 in one corner with large floor to ceiling glass windows while the rest is an open kitchen layout. My primary use of this system is going to be 80/20 HT/music. I plan to start with a 3.1 system. Atmos or any height speakers or 5 or 7 channel surround are at least 3+ years away for me and are not significant considerations at this stage for me. My total budget is around $3500 including the receiver.

I plan to mostly watch TV/movies through an Apple TV 4k and don't plan any other video inputs and stream music via my iOS devices (currently Spotify but maybe Tidal HQ in the future).

Here is what I am thinking:

Marantz 6013 A/V receiver

Martin Logan motion 40 L/R
Martin Logan motion 30 center
I'm open to the subs but debating between ML 1000W and SVS PB/SB 1000 or 2000 though space in my apt is definitely a premium so size is an important factor. My sub will also need to be wireless.

I am able to find a reasonably attractive offer on the ML motion 40s at an authorized dealer in the $1350-$1500 range (compared to the $2000/pair list price) and the ML 30 centers around $500. The Marantz receiver runs for around $900 leaving around $600+/- for the subs.

Would a power amp like the Emotiva A-150 or A-300 help my system tremendously?

What else should I be thinking about in my setup? Are there other configurations that I should be exploring?

Not my own experience, but Emotiva gear is said to do a nice job for small money. If I had to go the same route as you, I would take this consideration, I think.

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gajCA

· #3 · Oct 1, 2019

smv22 said:
I have been lurking on these forums for some time and am now ready to make my first purchase and was hoping to get some thoughts and advice on my potential setup.

My overall room is around 28x11 though the TV area though the TV/living room area is around 13x11 in one corner with large floor to ceiling glass windows while the rest is an open kitchen layout. My primary use of this system is going to be 80/20 HT/music. I plan to start with a 3.1 system. Atmos or any height speakers or 5 or 7 channel surround are at least 3+ years away for me and are not significant considerations at this stage for me. My total budget is around $3500 including the receiver.

I plan to mostly watch TV/movies through an Apple TV 4k and don't plan any other video inputs and stream music via my iOS devices (currently Spotify but maybe Tidal HQ in the future).

Here is what I am thinking:

Marantz 6013 A/V receiver

Martin Logan motion 40 L/R
Martin Logan motion 30 center
I'm open to the subs but debating between ML 1000W and SVS PB/SB 1000 or 2000 though space in my apt is definitely a premium so size is an important factor. My sub will also need to be wireless.

I am able to find a reasonably attractive offer on the ML motion 40s at an authorized dealer in the $1350-$1500 range (compared to the $2000/pair list price) and the ML 30 centers around $500. The Marantz receiver runs for around $900 leaving around $600+/- for the subs.

Would a power amp like the Emotiva A-150 or A-300 help my system tremendously?

What else should I be thinking about in my setup? Are there other configurations that I should be exploring?

I'd get a pair of 35XT bookshelves over the Motion 40s as they measure far better.

$1000/pair on Amazon; the Cherrywood is just gorgeous.

The 50XT center is $670 on Amazon.

I'd get a Rhythmik sub.

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=140

Probably don't need an external amp.

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smv22

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 2, 2019

gajCA said:
I'd get a pair of 35XT bookshelves over the Motion 40s as they measure far better.

$1000/pair on Amazon; the Cherrywood is just gorgeous.

The 50XT center is $670 on Amazon.

I'd get a Rhythmik sub.

Probably don't need an external amp.

Thank you for your feedback.

I'm still new at this so can you help me understand what you mean by the 35XT measuring far better than the Motion 40s? What should I be looking for in the measurements? And if I understand you correctly, you would recommend the 35XT + 50XT LCR over the Motion 40 L/R and Motion 30 Centers assuming they are approximately the same cost?

Any thoughts on the Ascend Sierra 1 or 2? And the PSA MT-110 paired with a RSA sub? I understand it might end up being a little more expensive than my original budget but if they sound head and shoulders better than the Martin Logan option for HT use then I would consider stretching my budget.

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gajCA

· #5 · Oct 2, 2019

smv22 said:
Thank you for your feedback.

I'm still new at this so can you help me understand what you mean by the 35XT measuring far better than the Motion 40s? What should I be looking for in the measurements? And if I understand you correctly, you would recommend the 35XT + 50XT LCR over the Motion 40 L/R and Motion 30 Centers assuming they are approximately the same cost?

Any thoughts on the Ascend Sierra 1 or 2? And the PSA MT-110 paired with a RSA sub? I understand it might end up being a little more expensive than my original budget but if they sound head and shoulders better than the Martin Logan option for HT use then I would consider stretching my budget.

Well, the thing about the Martin Logans is you can get them at Best Buy or Crutchfield with free returns and $10/box returns respectively and they will match the much lower Amazon pricing if you ask them to.

What you are looking for in measurements is as flat as possible from 100hz on up, (below 100hz the measurements are imprecise so don't worry about those) with no severe dips or humps and gently rolling off above 10khz is fine.

The 35xt measurements for the "listening window" are the top chart and the Motion 40 are the bottom chart. The XT has a larger tweeter for better power handling than the regular motion series.

If you are located near Ascend in LA or PsA in Ohio then by all means give them a try and they are great but with your budget I'd look at Rhthmik, HSU or PSA for a subwoofer as they perform deeper than the very nice RSL sub. PSA are "the" choice if you want maximum concert level volumes with no distortion and don't mind the industrial looks, but neither PSA or Ascend offer free or inexpensive returns.

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Audiophile75

· #6 · Oct 2, 2019

If you said music is more important I wouldn’t have responded but you said HT is of big concern so here is what my thought was....
If you are concerned about space / location / WAF for your sub you may want to consider multiple subs. Although one big sub might give you your BOOM you may not be able to place it in a good location which may actually ruin your response. By going with multiple subs you will have a more overall smother response even placed in a non-desired location. Just keep in mind also that if you wind up doing one in every corner (just saying) keeping them all the same series/size will also benefit you.

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altpensacola

· #7 · Oct 2, 2019

smv22 said:
Here is what I am thinking:

Marantz 6013 A/V receiver

Martin Logan motion 40 L/R
Martin Logan motion 30 center
I'm open to the subs but debating between ML 1000W and SVS PB/SB 1000 or 2000 though space in my apt is definitely a premium so size is an important factor. My sub will also need to be wireless.

I am able to find a reasonably attractive offer on the ML motion 40s at an authorized dealer in the $1350-$1500 range (compared to the $2000/pair list price) and the ML 30 centers around $500. The Marantz receiver runs for around $900 leaving around $600+/- for the subs.

Would a power amp like the Emotiva A-150 or A-300 help my system tremendously?

What else should I be thinking about in my setup? Are there other configurations that I should be exploring?

Last part of your thread....
I have a Marantz similar to the 6013. I also have a big fat Emotiva (200w X 5). I am in a house not an apt. I have different speakers than the those Martin Logans, but I looked at those. Here is what I think, you don't need the outboard amp. Concentrate on proper placement and room treatments for things like reflections if needed.
The configurations you should be exploring are speaker placement in relationship to main seating area. Then go from there.
Use that fine room correction built into that Marantz for surround set up. You are on your way.

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smv22

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 3, 2019

Thank you for the feedback and the comments - they are appreciated. I'm going to make a decision in the next few days.

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