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October 14, 2010 - 2:02pm
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Hey Guys.. I am not a newbie, but I need to put together a system.HELP
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If he liked his Onkyo, I would suggest he consider getting another one. They offer good quality and cutting edge technology in each price range.
As for speakers, the fact that he already has a center makes for a problem since it is very important for the front three speakers to be voice matched. So, he should consider getting a similar design from the same brand, if possible, or replacing it by obtaining a set of matched front L/C/R speakers.
Kal
I've been the happy user of an Onkyo TX-NR807 for the last year. It supports DLNA streaming of hi-res content (96/24), is multi-zone and sounds just fine. It even has a MM phono input. This box can be had for around $700 - a steal. A $4,000 budget for a pair of floorstanders should get a pretty nice pair. The Onkyo has a Pure Audio mode which switches off processing and directly outputs audio.
I second the Onkyo vote but would like to know more about his existing speakers, room size etc before putting my head on the chopping block.
ok...speaker wise. This is an email to me answering my query to him...
For the cabasse check out the caberra center. It's the closest thing to what I have, which has been discontinued. http://www.cabasse.com/us/range/oceo/mc40 Same with the Klipsch- this is the new model of what I have- virtually identical. http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/rb-81-ii-overview/ TruAudio- the specs on the TI-165m are the exact same as the ones I have except for the construction. Mine are actually a pair of speakers from the outdoor line- they sounded so damn good I put them inside instead. http://www.truaudio.com/products/ht-tc-series-new.asp Klipsch are the main rear speakers and Tru Audio are the surround speakers velodyne sub
so...
he wants a pair of really good main speakers and a nice reciever.
go ahead, put that head out there, DM.
the room:
room is 15.5 ft. long 12.5 ft. wide- at least that is the listening area where everything is located.. it is L shaped with the bottom right part of the L forming a small dining area. At the top of the L are the TV, components sub, and floor speakers. That array takes up about 80 inches of space on that wall. I'd like to stay close to that. In the bootheel of the L is the left s speaker (Klipsch) 2 TruAudios in the middle, and then at the end of the sectional- what would be a corner at 12.5 feet, if not for the shape, is the other Klipsch.
sub- http://www.crutchfield.com/s_2323750RB/Velodyne-DLS-3750R-Black.html?tp=187
Room Layout... the Ceilings are 9 feet.
I have no idea what those large black rectangles represent but one thing I'm certain of. If your friend wants to keep his Klipsch speakers Klipsch are most probably the only brand they will blend with as all Klipsch have a very individual 'signature' sound. (I'm trying to be polite here) You could possibly manage to blend one of Yamaha's part horn loaded designs but even that could be a noticeable mismatch.
Another problem is the L shaped room. They are always difficult to get the bottom end right in unless careful and extensive use of bass traps is used and that often triggers the threat of divorce.
He is not dead set on Klipsch, actually, he is more concerned with having a really nice pair of 2 ch speakers... the surround thing is more an afterthought. He can, after all, grab some of the cheaper sets for surround(a matching set like audio advisor sells.) the black thing is a l shaped sofa... wraparound.
so lets forget the matching thing..
just a nice pair of nice speakers for 2 channel and a nice receiver. and without saying too much, lets just say that divorce isn't an issue.
yeah, lets not worry about matching...he can grab a set like this(one of many)
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EPAVS5.1 for that.. as surround is not really a concern of his. He just wants to focus on 2channel right now. just needs to grab a reciever and a nice pair of loudspeakers.
so....reccomend me a pair of speakers and a reciever for 4500!!
Any of the $1800-$2000 msrp AVR
Hey...thanks rgibran
Ive just spoken to him....and he really doesn't care about the surround aspect of it as really the only use he has for that part is for the kids movies/SFX.... he really wants to focus all his money on 2ch. so by all means, stretch the budget as far as you can...
the Definitive Technology Mythos STS SuperTower just might be the best loudspeaker I've heard for $3000/pair."
-Stereophile August, 2008
Magnepan MMG pair for $600 sent into Peter Gunn (alias) for Magnestands for $2000. $2600 total for loudspeakers which will beat most that cost ten times as much. Denon AVR-4311CI for $1600. Emotiva XDA-1 DAC for $300.
$4500 total.
Does he do woodworking?
Rgibran's choice is terrific!
I was also going to mention Revel, especially since he could expand his surrounds in the future using the same line, as budget permits.
But, since they make it so fucking hard to find out their prices for each piece, fuck 'em.
Their website won't list prices, and their contact list for findings dealers gives "no results" when I shop giving a Vegas zip code. When I expand it to include So Cal, I get dealers without weblinks.
So, screw Revel.
The PSB Image 6 is also killer....especially for its price!
The Paradigm floor standers are great, too.
Between the definitive Technology or PSB/Paradigm lines, I think you're friend can't lose.
For the receiver, be sure to check the new Yamaha line with active room analysis crap on it. They seem cool. I've used a Yamaha somthingorother for home theater and liked it.
Home Theater in a Box from Best Buy for around 400 bucks and then a Jolida 302 with Dynaudio speakers taking up whatever is left. Better yet, I'd consider installing the surround speakers in the walls and ceilings. The 2 channel stuff would be for 2 channel stuff and the home theater stuff would be for movies.
no home theatres in a box!
so right now it is between the PSB and the Zu Audio Essence..(man, those look great!..and they sell factory direct..no middlemen!
http://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers.html...p;category_id=1
Better listen first. Those two sound quite different.
Kal
no can do, Kal...no audio shops near him, deep in Rural Alabama...and he has never been involved in proper audio anyway, so either one will sound fantastic to him I am sure!
what are your thoughts on speakers in that price range??
Teddy,
I live in Alabama as well. Here is a store that carries good mid grade home audio. Cohens Electronics is the name of the store. They are friendly and will work with him. They are located in Montgomery (Central Alabama). Here is a list of their brands:
http://www.thinkcohens.com/availableelectronicsbrands.html
Mark