Home Theater System < $3000
HTNewbie -- Fri, 07/28/2006 - 14:24
Hi, I'm completely new to home theater, and was wondering if I could get some recommendations on a 5.1 speaker setup. I plan on powering the speakers with a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS (If there's anything wrong with this choice, please let me know). I have been shopping around personally I have been unable to discern what speakers sound better than another. So far I've seen some Monitor Audio's, Def Tech's, B&W, Infinity, Revel, KEF, and PSB as well as looking at some online retailers such as Aperion. I've been unable to choose a system because most reviews garner high compliments, but generally do not compare with another brand. Another reason I've been having trouble is my room is relatively large at 20 x 18 with 14 foot vaults. So if the users of AVguide could recommend some systems nearing the $3000 mark, it'd be very appreciated.
Reviews are intended to help you put items on your short list, not to take the place of the audition process. (In spite of that sage advice, I'll say I have done the exact opposite before.)
Are there any HT shops in your area? I don't mean just big-box retailers, there are usually other sources available in many cities. I strongly recommend taking the time to personally audition and see the products you are interested in, even if it means a couple hours of driving time.
You need to get an idea of not only how speakers sound, but their size and appearance as well. Pictures don't always do a product justice.
I am new to this Home theatre thing also, but I have about a 3 month head start on researching everything you are about to be so I hope I can help you skip a step. We are also on about the same budget so I hope this helps. ThePioneer TXi 82 was on my short list also, but if you are gonna spend that much on an AVR try buying it online (pricegrabber.com is a great site for this) but go for the TXi 84.
Finding a high end store is GREAT advice, thats what I did. I was very intimidated at first because I knew I was looking at the entry level stuff and thought they would be disinterested in me. I was so wrong, he let me listen to a ton of stuff (he even insisted I listen to their highest end demo just to "See what it was all about").
I have alsmost settled on A Paradigm Atom speaker surround system with a NAD T753 or a Rotel 1057 AVR. I only ruled out the Pioneer and Denon 3806 because my biggest concern is sound quality.
Other speakers to look at are Magneplaners MMG-W's (?) I think. They are about $300 a pair and I hear great things about them but am yet to hear them in person.
Also check oout OutlawAudio.com for good AVR products
You might also check out the recommended systems under "Buyer's Guides" in the upper left corner of AVGuide.com
AVGuide also had a great 2 part article on buying a system for under $2500 or something like that but I could not find it since the layout is new on the website. Perhaps a staff member could shed some light on this location for you, but the gist of it was for only a few (like 2 or 3) hundred more bucks you can buy superior product from a high end audio store and I know the one closest to me offers to come set up all the equipment for you with their SPL meters and stuff, so there is a lot to be gotten for shelling out a coupke hundred bucks. Also, they can match a system much better than you or I can.
sloggy420 wrote:AVGuide also had a great 2 part article on buying a system for under $2500 or something like that but I could not find it since the layout is new on the website. Perhaps a staff member could shed some light on this location for you, but the gist of it was for only a few (like 2 or 3) hundred more bucks you can buy superior product from a high end audio store and I know the one closest to me offers to come set up all the equipment for you with their SPL meters and stuff, so there is a lot to be gotten for shelling out a coupke hundred bucks. Also, they can match a system much better than you or I can.
Yes, there was an article comparing various sub-$2k system. It was a 2-part article that needed to be combined to one during the transition and it will be available later this week.
That said, that article focused on 2-channel system, so it may not be applicable to this particular post.
Ari Koinuma
Ari Koinuma
Web Producer
AVguide.com
You might want to check out the Definitive Technology ProCinema 1000 system, which is reviewed in the next issue of The Perfect Vision (Issue 70). Although your budget is $3k, the $1649 ProCinema is worth a look.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Perfect Vision
The Absolute Sound
Thank you very much to all the users of AVguide. I think I'll wait for the two-part article. Do any users have experience with the Infinity Betas (50, 20, C360, and SW-12)? Also, are Revels (Concerta Series) worth the extra money compared to the Betas?
I don't know much about the Infinity, but the Revel Concerta series is a terrific performer and a real bargain. Revel is the higher-end line of the Harman family, and the performance is usually quite a bit better.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Perfect Vision
The Absolute Sound
Hi HTNewbie,
Revel speakers are excellent across the line.
The story that sloggy refers to was a "secret shopper" piece that I did last summer in The Absolute Sound.
The short and dirty is that you're best off making friends with your local independent upmarket retailer. A shop like this can help you educate yourself and can also make excellent recommendatons about which products work best together (electronics and speakers, for example). Most such shops have great in-home trial policies, and are staffed with enthusiastic salesfolk who can help set up a system for you. You won't get this kind of personal attention in a big-box store.
Good luck and keep reading!
Barry Willis
Barry,
Where would I be able to find this article?
I'm sure the Revel speakers are great, but I am unable to find any dealers with showrooms.
I'm currently considering ordering some speakers online from Aperion. Do any AVGuide users have experience with this brand?
The secret shopper piece was a two-parter in The Absolute Sound issues 158 and 159.
I have no experience with Aperion, sorry.
BW
HTNewbie wrote:Barry,
Where would I be able to find this article?
I'm sure the Revel speakers are great, but I am unable to find any dealers with showrooms.
I'm currently considering ordering some speakers online from Aperion. Do any AVGuide users have experience with this brand?
This article will be available on AVguide.com shortly. The article was to be combined during the recent redesign launch, but I have been busy putting out other fires.
Please check back in a week or so, or feel free to send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to send the PDF to you.
Sincerely,
Ari Koinuma
Ari Koinuma
Web Producer
AVguide.com
I've seen Aperion speakers at shows, but have not heard them enough to form a judgment about the quality. They seem well made. Their angle is that bypassing the retailer allows them to deliver better quality for less money. The downside is that you can't audition the speakers before buying, and you don't get a good dealer's advice on matching the speakers to the rest of your system.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision
robert_harley6 wrote:You might want to check out the Definitive Technology ProCinema 1000 system, which is reviewed in the next issue of The Perfect Vision (Issue 70). Although your budget is $3k, the $1649 ProCinema is worth a look.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Perfect Vision
The Absolute Sound
I started with Def. Tech. Pro Cinema 100s about two and a half years ago with a Sony 3000ES. I recently upgraded my center to a Mythos 3 and my sub to a Supercube 3. While I was in the local dealer I listened to the new Pro 1000 and they are outstanding sounding speakers for the price range.
I personally suggest you find a local Def. Tech. dealer and spend some time listening to the Pro 1000s. It won't be a waste of time.
I reviewed the Definitive ProCinema 1000 system for TPV and can vouch for the fact that it plays "above the rim." Don't let the modest price fool you; this is a very serious speaker system.
Here are some alternative systems in the near $3000 range:
KEF 6001 ACE-system
(4) HTS6001 ACE L/R/surround speakers at ~$499/ea.
(1) HTC6001 ACE center channel at ~$499/ea.
(1) PSW2500 subwoofer at ~ $649
(I reviewed a KEF system similar to this, but with the bigger PSW3500 sub, in AVguide Monthly and TAS--find the review on this site. This system uses KEF's radical ACE technology to get "big enclosure" sound from a relatively compact system.).
DALI Ikon system
(2) DALI Ikon 6 floorstanders at ~$1595/pair
(1) DALI Ikon Vokal 2 center channel at ~$595
(2) DALI Ikon 1 bookshelf speakers at ~$795/pair
(Barry Willis reviewed a variant of this DALI system in TPV 69. In this case, I suggest you forego a subwoofer for the time being, so as get into DALI Ikon-grade surround sound while holding prices in the near $3k range. You can add a sub later.)
Energy Reference Connoisseur system
(2) Energy Reference Connoisseur RC-70s at ~$2000/pair
(1) Energy Reference Connoisseur RC-LCR center at ~$300
(2) Energy Reference Connoisseur RC-R surrounds at ~$600/pair
(Arnie Williams reviewed a variant of this Energy system in TPV 69. As in the DALI system above, I suggest you forego a subwoofer for now, to get into Energy RC-grade sound at around $3k. You can add a sub later.).
Best,
Chris Martens
TPV/TAS
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I finally found a dealer about 40 miles away that carries Energy, Revel and Monitor. I will be demoing all three this week. I've also decided on a receiver from another dealer, the Rotel RSX-1057. Any other recommendation before I finalize? Looks like my home theater is taking shape! Will update as things change. Thanks so much to AVguide.
Judging by my recent review experiences with the Rotel RSX-1067 (the 1057's bigger brother), I think you'll appreciate Rotel's no-nonsense engineering and purist approach to sound quality. I know I did.
Not too long ago, TPV featured a review of the Monitor Audio Radius 5.1-channel system, while TAS featured a review of the Monitor Audio Silver Series RS8 floorstanders with a sidebar on the slightly smaller and less expensive RS6. Both reviews are archived on this site.
Happy shopping, and even happier listening.
Best,
Chris Martens
TPV/TAS
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I like Def Tech - big sound for that bid room! By the way does the old lady mind big speakers or is she going to limit you? My .02 cents - outlaw is under powered crap!
I'm almost positive I'll be getting the Revels, just need to audition some PSB Images at some point this week. However, concerning the receiver. I have a question as to whether the Rotel 1057 can outperform the Harman Kardon AVR 7300. The HK is considerably heavier, and if the specs are better thanthe Rotel, therefore the HK SHOULD sound better??? There aren't any more dealers in my area that carry the 7300. It's only available online at this point so I'd love hear your suggestions.
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