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BoulderBob, welcome to Stereophile Forums. Congrats also on your new house.
Like me, you're lucky enough to live in the epicenter of high-end audio manufacturing. Many of the world's leading products are made within 50-miles of your home and the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest is one of the premier events of its kind in the USA. Since you've got a little time, I hope you'll avail yourself of the wealth of information in your area.
Regarding two-channel vs. multi-channel, I'm not really sure which camp you're in. Most of us here at "stereo" phile are dedicated two-channel geeks. That means basically that we tend to put music first. AV is part of our daily lives and some of us have both 2-channel and mCh systems, but for music we're two-channel guys. If that store steered you to two-channel because your a music lover, then I whole heartedly support that. If there were other reasons, then I'm not so sure. Putting a mCh guy into a 2-channel straight jacket, when all he wants to do is watch Blu-ray action videos is a mistake. You might share more about why you're heading down the two-channel road. (There's lots of good company here).
The proposed system actually looks pretty nice. It's oriented toward video, so if you're big into music, then you might consider other speakers; however, those will surely get the job done.
It can be a bit overwhelming, but you should consider driving down to Greenwood Village on October 10, 11 and/or 12 to attend the Rocky Mounstain Audio Fest. You can see a way broader view of what's available in all price ranges and actually compare some things that excite you.
Go into some other stores. I highly recommend Soundings in Greenwood Village for your situation. They love 2-channel but they can install a wonderful mCh system in your room, if that's what is best for you. From Colorado Springs up to Boulder there must be a dozen great stores. Pick two or three to get their views. At RMAF you can meet many of them and the manufacturers that populate our beautiful part of the world.
Dave (Greenwood Village)
Thanks for the response Dave. Being in Boulder, I went to Listen Up as I think they are really the only place nearby without leaving the
Great, yes, you're a 2-channel guy. I figured you been to LU, given the suggested pieces. Go to Soundings to see and hear a Vienna Acoustics Primare combination.
Also, roll around over at www.audiogon.com to see prices on used equipment in A+ condition. Those Sonus Fabers cost more for a reason, but they might fit you budget if you buy used. (Use similar caution to buying on Ebay, but these are real deals at A'gon).
It's real easy to dive off the deep end. I recommend starting with a system in line with what you're looking at. Don't get drawn into something like The MusicalTwit Ref2.4, which you WILL see at A'gon and there'll be plenty of people recommending this or that. Stick with the names for now and buy at good prices. If you get serious, then you can dump the equipment on A'gon and get something else. Most don't go that far, so starting relatively basis makes sense.
For your large room, I agree with floor standing. Forget Bose, please.
See ya around,
Dave
Please, no Bose.
It sounds like you are interested in a pair of good full range tower loudspeakers that are fairly unobtrusive and a stereo amplifier that will complement them. I am a big fan of Vandersteen loudspeakers and always recommend listening to the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature IIs. With stands they run $2345. They are not necessarily unobtrusive though, with 39.75" high x 16" wide x 10.25" deep dimensions and weigh 60 lbs. each. However, if you can make room for them they are one of the best sounding speakers for the money. I am also a recent convert to Emotiva equipment. The Emotiva RSP-1 preamplifier ($630) and Emotiva XPA-2 power amplifier ($800) are exceptional values, would be, in my opinion, as satisfying as the Rotel stuff, and would work well with the Vandersteens and whatever turntable and/or CD player you use for music and whatever DVD/BluRay player you use for movies. As far as amplifier power goes, I believe in ample good, clean power and the 250 wpc of the Emotiva will be advantageous in filling your large room with sound with the Vandersteens and providing sufficient dynamic headroom for those transients that bring your music and movies to life.
http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/Pdffiles/31978_eprint.pdf
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14...007-part-1.html
http://www.affordableaudio.org/EmotivaXPA2.pdf You will have to copy this link and paste it into your browser address line and hit your Enter key. For some reason it won't go to the site correctly if you just click on the link.
Don't buy anything yet.
Get thee to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in October and listen.
October 10, 11, 12 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center.
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest
If you don't take advantage of that resource, you deserve Bose, forever!
Welcome, by the way!
Great advice, Buddha. And, yes: Welcome.
Look at Magneplanar's budget speakers. They tend to dissappear in the room and sound great and can be had for a song.
http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG
The Magneplanar MMG is the biggest tease in audio available today. It's affordable and if you like it, you're screwed. I've been a planar fan for a long time and the MMG is to blame.
Mark
Thanks for the responses everyone. Audiogon.com is quite a resource where it appears there are great deals. Looking at the level of stuff I am looking to buy, am I pretty safe buying quality used equipment? I know that there is the risk of fraud....my question is more about how does mid-hi end audio gear stand up over time?
Amazing how much information, opinions, and choices are out there...pretty easy to get overwhelmed.
And yes, I will be checking out the audio show before making any decisions. Great timing.
Bob
Mid-hi equipment remains competitive for a very long time. Only the cutting edge stuff changes relatively rapidly - and even this change is not very fast.
And another plug for Maggies. The lower priced ones are an especially good buy.
While the Magneplanar MMG are good sounding loudspeakers, they are not full range (50Hz
See you at RMAF.
I've had good luck with A'gon purchases and sales. There are enough sellers with lots of feedback so that you don't have to take a total shot in the dark. Before hitting the PayPal button, actually contact the seller and get a real good vibe. If there's any doubt, then just don't do it. There'll be another piece along in a few days, if not a few hours. At the price ranges where you're looking and a step up, there's very little risk, so long as you feel good about the seller.
Oh, I'm anti-Maggie, but you'll be able to hear for yourself at the show.
What would you suggest for $600.00 that will provide an equal taste of the hi-end?
There are lots of nice box speakers for around this amount, but none I know of that have anywhere the same degree of clarity and harmonic accuracy - but they may be out there.
I'd go for a used two-way, like the Celestion SL-600 or little Pro-acs (Tablette? is that the right name?).
BTW, where'd the $600 budget come from? He was considering a $3500 speaker, but looking to end up below there. If he'll go up to say $2000, then all kinds of options will open up.
Including better Maggies or Martin Logans
Great speaker suggestions, Dave.
The $600.00 came only from the discussion of the little MMGs.
I agree, I had a set driven by a Jolida 2002 40 watt tubed amp in a small room and they sounded FAR bete than any other speaker I owned at the time regardless of the price. I now have them in my TV system being driven by a mass market Onkyo receiver and they still sound good.
Well, spent and bit of time at the dealer today comparing the B&W and Sonus Fabers....pretty amazing...wasn't even fair really...the Sonus were so much more dynamic and full across the mid...I thought the B&W CM7s were too boomy and lacking in the mids. Good times.
Bob
Now all you need to do is listen to Vienna Acoustic.
It's on my list!