eddieZEN
Second Unit
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2004
- Messages
- 411
Ryan,
Have to agree with Alan and Nick: better to get the best possible L/R mains and no center, instead of compromising on a cheaper L/C/R combo. Doing HT with a good pair of L/R mains and no center is far better than listening to music with a pair of crappy L/R mains or crappy L/C/Rs.
I found during my speaker hunt a couple of months ago that nothing under about $1200 could really beat the Ascend 170s, which amazingly go for a measly $340 shipped. Clarity, detail, naturalness, zero listener fatigue...outstanding little speakers. Their only drawback is a less than gorgeous form factor but the sound is definitely gorgeous. (I went with the larger 340s only because I have a cavernous space so I needed the extra driver and wide dispersion tweeters.) Spend the change left over on some wall mounts or speaker stands and you'll be set!
Paradigm and Athena were the two retail brands that I found packed the most value for the money.
And unless you plan on listening to a lot of DVD-A/SACD surround music, the rear surrounds are really the least important speakers, doing barely 10% of the work during most HT apps---I'd recommend going with something like the Polk R15s for $100/pair, for a 15% speaker timbre matching is really beside the point.
Have to agree with Alan and Nick: better to get the best possible L/R mains and no center, instead of compromising on a cheaper L/C/R combo. Doing HT with a good pair of L/R mains and no center is far better than listening to music with a pair of crappy L/R mains or crappy L/C/Rs.
I found during my speaker hunt a couple of months ago that nothing under about $1200 could really beat the Ascend 170s, which amazingly go for a measly $340 shipped. Clarity, detail, naturalness, zero listener fatigue...outstanding little speakers. Their only drawback is a less than gorgeous form factor but the sound is definitely gorgeous. (I went with the larger 340s only because I have a cavernous space so I needed the extra driver and wide dispersion tweeters.) Spend the change left over on some wall mounts or speaker stands and you'll be set!
Paradigm and Athena were the two retail brands that I found packed the most value for the money.
And unless you plan on listening to a lot of DVD-A/SACD surround music, the rear surrounds are really the least important speakers, doing barely 10% of the work during most HT apps---I'd recommend going with something like the Polk R15s for $100/pair, for a 15% speaker timbre matching is really beside the point.