[paradigm96]


I have what is probably a common dilemma.. I used to not care that much about my AV gear or sound it produced as long as it was "good".. That is until I got a great set of headphones. Then all of the sudden my world and ears opened up to the possibilities of what's out there. It made me realize the my old system...Pioneer VSX 1020 with a cheap Polk Audio sub and my Paradigm bookshelves (I've had since'95)..all sounded weak and unbalanced to me... I had to change that.....

 

I started with my speakers... The headphones that changed me were the PSB M4U2's and so I figured I'd look into their speakers since the headphones had led me this far... I found a used pair of image B5's for a good deal .. I got them home and hooked them up.. Then I did my first Bi-Amp set up with speakers... It definitely made a difference..But now everything was so revealing on the speakers I found myself constantly changing the sound field settings to match whatever I was watching or listening to.. I came to the conclusion a new receiver maybe was in order.

 

I got the chance to listen to the NAD 748 and WOW I was in another league altogether... So I went for it

 

My wife and I listen to a lot of music of all styles and watch a lot of TV/Movies... Right now I'm running a 3.1 configuration with PSB Image B5(Bi-Amped), PSB Image C5 center channel and a BIC PL 200 subwoofer. My goal is to have a WARM, RICH, FULL sound at reasonable listening levels. Our room is18 X 30 with 9' ceilings.... We don't sit that far away from the system when we are watching TV but we do move around the space quite a bit. The B5's are just too thin sounding no matter what I do setup adjustment wise.

 

I am so confused with all of the options out there it is making it difficult to decide...

 

Through a lot of online research I have narrowed the candidates to:

 

KEF Q series not sure to go with the new Q700 or Q900 or Q300 on a stand with Q600 center....OR on Ebay there are earlier models of the Q and the C series out there. I've also seen the "CODA" and "CRESTON"... It all looks good and they are cheaper for sure.. I'm just not sure what will best match my NAD.

 

PSB.. T6's and keep the C5 center

 

TEKTON.. The M-LORE or The LORE... These speakers sound like they'd be exactly what I am looking for given the efficiency and performance that everyone talks about.. I would more than likely get the matching center to go with it.

 

GOLDEN EAR... Triton 7 and matching center channel

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Kini62]

I'd try a set of the Imagine B series monitors before the towers. A poster hear (Brian Fineberg IIRC) went from B6s to the Imagine Bs and report a real nice increase in sound quality. At he reports that they still match well with the C5 center.


Plus they're less expensive than the towers.


Another option would be to go for the larger B6 and a better, more tuneful sub.

 

[paradigm96]


Thanks... I'll look into the Imagine B's.. Bass is something that is very important.

 

The BIC sub is ok.. But I hear you on the more "tuneful" part... Good word!  I haven't heard that one until now... What would you recommend around $300-600 range?

 

I have fond some used ones online... but I am leery of used electronics (especially subs) ...  As I am fearful how the've been cared for before being up for sale.

 

[Kini62]



Quote:
Originally Posted by paradigm96  /t/1520165/looking-for-the-perfect-speakers-for-nad-748v2#post_24418474


Thanks... I'll look into the Imagine B's.. Bass is something that is very important.


The BIC sub is ok.. But I hear you on the more "tuneful" part... Good word!  I haven't heard that one until now... What would you recommend around $300-600 range?


I have fond some used ones online... but I am leery of used electronics (especially subs) ...  As I am fearful how the've been cared for before being up for sale.

In that price range- SVS PB1000 or SB1000 for $499. P for ported, S for sealed. SVS may or may not have the recently discontinued SB12 and PB12NSD models for $599. All SVS subs include shipping, 45 day in home trial and return shipping and full refund within those 45 days if not happy.


Rythmik LVR-12 is about $599 with shipping.


HSU VTF2-MK4 is around $600 with shipping too (I think).


You're room is very large so you can't expect a ton of low bass from just one sub unless it's a JTR Orbit Shifter

but any of the subs I mentioned would be a significant upgrade in sound quality and low frequency extension over your PL200.


A good sub will allow for a nice 80 or even 100hz crossover so that the bottom end is filled in very nicely with great full, warm bass like you want.

 

[zieglj01]

Skip the KEF C series


Also look at Focal
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/FOCAL717VHVN/FOCAL-Chorus-717V-716V-Dual-6-1/2-Tower-Speaker-PAIR-Havana/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/FOCALCC701HVN/FOCAL-Chorus-CC701-CC700-Dual-6-1/2-Drivers-Center-Speaker-Havana/1.html