I am in the process of shopping around for a new AV equipment and would love the recommendations of experienced audiophiles. I have a room that's 25' x 15'. I currenly have a Hitachi 55" Plasma (only 1080i, will eventually upgrade), and a Denon DVD-1930CI (will eventually upgrade). I am looking to purchase a 5 speaker surround sound system, with sub-woofer, amplifier and surround sound processor that is capable of producing great video and audio for not only movies but also for listening to CD's. There are so many different manufacture's to choose from and it's a little overwhelming to try to select the best possible system for my budget. As far as the speakers are concerned I'm considering: 1. Paradigm's Signature Series, 2. PSB Synchrony Series, 3. B&W , 4. Revel, 5. Focal, 6. Sonus Faber, 7. Other recommendations? For the amplifier and pre-amp souround sound processor I am considering: 1. Anthem Statement series, P5 amp, D2 proseccor, 2. Anthem MCA 50 amp, AVM 50 processor, 3. Bryston 9B SST amp, SP 2 processor, 4. Krell, 5. Ayre, 6. Marantz, 7. Other recommendations? My maximum budget for the speakers, amp and processor are $20,000.00, although I'd would like be able to spend much less for a great system. Any advise or recommendations from experieced audiophiles would be greatly appreciated.
Forums
You'll have a better system if you go 2.1! You don't need all those extra speakers, amps, etc. If you spend your money on a really good stereo setup you will blow away any AV setup for the same cost! All those extra speakers will require major room treatments to sound any good at all.
disclaimer: I like music on a stereo much better than watching TV. The pictures are better!
Chris,
if you're looking for a great home theater. The first thing, I would do is go out and audition speakers for your mains. Find the sound that you like best first and foremost. I see you have Sonus Faber on your list which I am quite impressed with and amd current a fan and owner of Vienna Acoustic speakers (I would recommend giving them a listen too) As for a system in that price range, I would reccomend looking at NAD or Arcam Pre-amp/processors, and power amps. Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grands (Mains), Mozart Grands (Surrounds), Maestro (Center), and a REL B1 for your subwoofer or what REL calls "Sub-bass system". That would be an AMAZING set up especially if there is a dealer close to you that has gone to Sumiko's Masters and Star Training. Sumiko, importer and distributor in the U.S. for Vienna Acoustics and Sonus Faber, has a training they do to preform proper speaker placement and adjustments to your gear to get it tuned in for almost any room enviroment. And a System like that would set you back about $16k.
But that's just my opinion on a great home theater system. Ultimately, you're going to have to go listen to speakers for the mains to see the sound you like and then go from there for the rest of the matching speakers.
Site Map / Direct Links| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Features | |
Show Reports | |
Show Reports | |
Recommended Components Blogs Latest News Community |
|
Shop Resources Subscriptions |
