Surround sound speakers for around $4000
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Since you like your subwoofer, I'd look at monitor style speakers. As for brands, I'd start by listening to Paradigm Reference, NHT, PSB, and Joseph Audio.
You might also want to try placing your speakers along the long wall (i.e. Mains on the 20ft wall). I've heard positive results using this method.
Greg
You might also want to try placing your speakers along the long wall (i.e. Mains on the 20ft wall). I've heard positive results using this method.
Greg
Quote:
| Originally posted by Greg_R: Since you like your subwoofer, I'd look at monitor style speakers. As for brands, I'd start by listening to Paradigm Reference, NHT, PSB, and Joseph Audio. You might also want to try placing your speakers along the long wall (i.e. Mains on the 20ft wall). I've heard positive results using this method. Greg |
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3-4000 would get you a complete Sonus Faber surround system of Concertos at the front, Concertinos at the rear and (if you must have a center) Solo.
If you started to look used you could really do well. $4,000 would get you Martin Logan SL3 as fronts, Aerius as rears and their center speaker.
Either approach would get you a great sounding system for music and movies.
Steve
If you started to look used you could really do well. $4,000 would get you Martin Logan SL3 as fronts, Aerius as rears and their center speaker.
Either approach would get you a great sounding system for music and movies.
Steve
I am looking to replace my B&W speakers. I currently have B&W DM640's for my main front speakers, B&W DM? for my center channel, and two Definitive Tech BP-2's for my rear channels. They are driven by a Sunfire Cinema Grand amp and Theater Grand processor/preamp. I am satisfied with my subwoofer which is a Velodyne Servo F-1200. My room is rectangular (15 feet wide and 20 feet long) with an 8 foot ceiling. My question is... what speakers would improve my surround sound and at the same time retain good musical quality. I am looking to spend in the range from $3000 to $4000 (minus the subwoofer) for a center channel, 2 main front speaker, and two rear (direct or dipole) speakers. I auditioned the Triad Gold speakers and loved their sound. However, unless I can find a source from which I can purchase demo's I'm afraid they will be out my price range.
I often read that it is best to listen to speaker systems since speaker selection is a personal choice. Problem is... I never can compare systems using the same set up. Any advise out there among you stereophiles will be sincerely appreciated....Bill G.
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William S. Gazaway
[This message has been edited by gaz (edited April 30, 2000).]
I often read that it is best to listen to speaker systems since speaker selection is a personal choice. Problem is... I never can compare systems using the same set up. Any advise out there among you stereophiles will be sincerely appreciated....Bill G.
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William S. Gazaway
[This message has been edited by gaz (edited April 30, 2000).]
If you're looking for dipole surround speakers, I don't have any idea. But, if you're looking for a set, you can do one of two things.
You can try buying a full set (L,C,R,SL,SR) from a specific brand. The advantage is that the speakers will be timbre-matched, will have its phase correctly aligned, and will sound the same when a rotating sound is performed. For HT, Def Tech is a good one, especially since you already have 2 rear ones, you can spend more on the front, say the 2000 or even shell a bit more and get the 3000. Polk Audio although a bit more low-fi, is quite good for movies. NHT is another candidate, since they base their HT speakers from their audio lines. The drawback of using HT-oriented speakers is that they don't sound too well for stereo music listening.
The other way is to try to find a pair of good sounding musical speakers that you like, and buy 5 piece of them. This WILL be expensive, and another drawback is SOME of the more musical speakers aren't as dynamic as the HT-oriented ones. Since you have a sub, you can opt for mini-monitors, which will sound quite nice. DynAudio are good speakers, Martin-Logans are good for both music and HT, but require LOTS of power to open up, Magnepans are also good (again, lots of power needed), B&W Nautilus (IF you can spend the money).
Personally, (I repeat: PERSONALLY) I believe speakers are the most important audio link. Amps, and sources CAN affect the sound, but not as much as speakers do. I don't believe in cables. As such, usually for auditioning, I'll bring a familiar test CD, and try to listen to it and see the weakness/strength of the music being played back. You want to hear it spot on (inside the sweet spot), to the left, right, front and back, and even to the OUTSIDE of the speaker area. Some dealers will allow you to bring you own amp, and hook it up to the speakers, some have more elaborate HT setup, so it's a hassle for them to do so. I once brought my DVD player for this purpose, so I know some dealers will do it.
All in all, your ears (and your spouse's) are the things that matter. Good luck.
Ciao.
Muljadi Budiman.
You can try buying a full set (L,C,R,SL,SR) from a specific brand. The advantage is that the speakers will be timbre-matched, will have its phase correctly aligned, and will sound the same when a rotating sound is performed. For HT, Def Tech is a good one, especially since you already have 2 rear ones, you can spend more on the front, say the 2000 or even shell a bit more and get the 3000. Polk Audio although a bit more low-fi, is quite good for movies. NHT is another candidate, since they base their HT speakers from their audio lines. The drawback of using HT-oriented speakers is that they don't sound too well for stereo music listening.
The other way is to try to find a pair of good sounding musical speakers that you like, and buy 5 piece of them. This WILL be expensive, and another drawback is SOME of the more musical speakers aren't as dynamic as the HT-oriented ones. Since you have a sub, you can opt for mini-monitors, which will sound quite nice. DynAudio are good speakers, Martin-Logans are good for both music and HT, but require LOTS of power to open up, Magnepans are also good (again, lots of power needed), B&W Nautilus (IF you can spend the money).
Personally, (I repeat: PERSONALLY) I believe speakers are the most important audio link. Amps, and sources CAN affect the sound, but not as much as speakers do. I don't believe in cables. As such, usually for auditioning, I'll bring a familiar test CD, and try to listen to it and see the weakness/strength of the music being played back. You want to hear it spot on (inside the sweet spot), to the left, right, front and back, and even to the OUTSIDE of the speaker area. Some dealers will allow you to bring you own amp, and hook it up to the speakers, some have more elaborate HT setup, so it's a hassle for them to do so. I once brought my DVD player for this purpose, so I know some dealers will do it.
All in all, your ears (and your spouse's) are the things that matter. Good luck.
Ciao.
Muljadi Budiman.
Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard a great deal about the Martin Logan line, Steve. Do you or anyone else know of a reliable source where I could go to get these used speakers on the internet? Thanks for your help...Bill G.
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William S. Gazaway
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William S. Gazaway
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One of the good things about our little hobby is that people tend to be very honest. I've bought all sorts of things used over the Net ranging from a Fosgate 3A at $175 to Gallo Nucleus Reference speakers at $2800, including a pair of Martin Logan CLS iiz for $1800.
It tends to be real enthisiasts who own high end gear. The two best places I've used are Audiogon and eBay.
Steve
It tends to be real enthisiasts who own high end gear. The two best places I've used are Audiogon and eBay.
Steve
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Atlantic Technology makes some killer speaker sets. The AT 450e THX system is supposed to be great for theater and music. Contact Alan Gouger here, he is an Atalntic Tech dealer.
[This message has been edited by Tom M (edited April 30, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Tom M (edited April 30, 2000).]
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