Your recommendations for the best 50% HT / 50% music speakers less than $2500 (1 Viewer)

[Kelly]

Well, I have recently upgraded my receiver with a Denon 3802 and bought the Panasonic RP56 DVD player. I am now ready to replace the Bose acoustimass with some real speakers. My wife and I enjoy music also so the speakers have to do equally well musically. What are your recommendations for a good surround speaker package for less than $2500. My room is approximately 13x26. Thanks!

 

[Martice]

I don't think there is an actual best speaker out there because everyone will have a different preference in regards to what they look for in a speaker. However, shortly you should have a few mentions on companies like PSB, Paradigm, Def Tech, Boston, B&W, Klipsch etc..

Go listen to them and try if possible to get in home auditions. IF that's not possible and you have to purchase them before you can bring them home, make sure they have a money back return policy. If that doesn't work then bring in your CD's that you know most intimately and go with the in store demo.

Good Luck and let your ears be your final determining factors.

 

[Evan S]

Kelly,
Martice is right...it's totally subjective.
If you want a decent offering, you can get a pair of Paradigm Studio Reference 40's for the front for $900 if you don't mind not getting the wood veneers (no difference on the sound), a pair of the Studio Reference 20's for the surround channels ($650) and a Studio Ref CC for the center ($500)...great reviews for all three on www.audioreview.com and the package can be yours with haggling for slightly less than $2K. It's Paradigm's top line...you really can't go wrong.

 

[Rick Radford]

Kelly,
8 foot ceilings in that 13x26 room?
The Paradigm offerings are fine products. If you are interested, there are a number of internet companies that have well regarded products... but unless you know someone locally with the speakers, it'll be tough to audition.
Here are a few well reviewed internet speaker companies:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/
http://www.norh.com/ (a bit on the different side)
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/
http://av123.com/divaproducts.html
http://www.atlantictechnology.com/
http://www.hometheaterdirect.com/
And for a sub: (there is NO substitute!)
http://www.svsubwoofers.com/
I put together a nice package from Axiom and SVS for well under $1800. My risk was the return shipping if I didn't like any particular piece. I kept them all.
Another sub worthy of contention would be the HSU VTF2. That and the Paradigm package would be in the neighborhood of $2500 or less.
Enjoy the shopping experience!

 

[Larry B]

Kelly:
Martice hit the nail on the head; heed his words.
Let me pull out my soapbox:
As I wrote in another post just yesterday, we all want affirmation that we have made good choices (this applies to just about everything in life, not just audio equipment). But ultimately, all that matters is how the equipment sounds to your ears (and to your wife's )
You will often see individuals asking for feedback on some recent acquisition, or seeking comparisons on two or more pieces of equipment they are contemplating buying. IMO, the only value in this is to see whether there have been quality issues with a particular model, or unexpected difficulties in setup. Presumably, people bought what sounded good to their ears, and it is human nature to believe that one has done a good job selecting. Accordingly, if one asks about model x from company y, one will hear from all the owners of those products who will tell you how much they love it. (That is not an exaggeration; people often use the word "love.")
(Pet peeve time: Individuals who declare that "they couldn't be happier." In other words, if someone gave these individuals a zillion dollar Meridian system (for example), they wouldn't be happier than with their current stuff? Give me a break. If you mean that you are satisfied with your purchase, and believe it performs well for the money, just say so. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. )
And so Kelly, I'll end where I began: Re-read Martice's post, and then go listen.
Larry

 

[Dustin B]

If you have or have access to some word working tools, seriously consider DIY. As soon as I get the time and the money together I plan on building a full setup from Adire Audio's kits. There are many other places that offer great kits you could try as well. SCH, ACI, there are numerous plans out there for Dayton and Audax systems. Head to the DIY advanced section to get some help picking which kit would be best for you.
For example, from Adire you could get 3 Kit281s, 2 Kit81s, a Tempest/AVA250 (built into a sonosub) for $1032 plus shipping, cabinet materials and finishing materials. Depending on the finish you choose will depend how much more it costs. Lets say $400 to $900 to build and finish all the cabinets (depending on the finish you choose).
Members of this forum who have built them compare the Kit281 to the Paradigm Studio100, B&W804, PSB Stratus Silver etc. One member was set to buy a pair of B&W804s but decided to give the kits a try, he kept the Kit281.
I have personal experience with a Tempest sonosub. I wouldn't trade it for a Servo15.
If you don't have access to the tools, guess this isn't really an option and I just wasted 5min of my time