Looking to get new speakers...

[Maximus]

Well, I'm looking to get new speakers, my budget is £3500 for 7.1.

I have a Yamaha RXV3800 on the way already. I will be getting a Panasonic BD35 to replace the PS3 in the AV rack, and the projector is going to change sometime soon. I might even replace it with a direct view TV depending on what the new Sony 55" is like.

What is the recommendation?

As you may be able to tell, I'm doing an overhaul after about 7 years and I want this one to last even longer if possible. Especially the speakers, but there in lies my problem, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to speakers, the only thing I do know is not to buy Bose...

[CasualKiller]

With a budget in that range I'd be all over PSB's:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/

[Johnny Vinyl]

WOW! That is indeed a significant budget for speakers and I have no doubt you'll get something absolutely stunning at that price point.

I'm guessing that your budget equates to about $7,000 - $8,000 USD/CDN. If that's the case, your options are many. But before our resident experts give you advise, they'd probably need to know some more information as to your listening habits, the kind of sound you like, do you have any space restrictions, the size of your room, etc. And the other thing that is going to come up (sorry, RUR...LOL) have you considered a budget for room treatment/acoustical improvements?

Whatever you decide on, and this is the only advise I can give you, go and audition as many speakers as possible. Do NOT buy blind.

Good luck and let us know what you ended up with.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Look into Bowers & Wilkins. They have high quality product at reasonable pricing for that quality.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2441

If you can, make sure to go into a home theatre specialty store and sample some different systems. Taking the time to do so will make you 100000000000000 times more comfortable with the money that you are spending.

[RUR]

Max, as John and Petra have said, we can suggest makers/models to listen to, but you should listen to as many as possible to find the best fit for your tastes. Try to do so in a well equipped specialty shop and not a big box store. Of the makers I'm familiar with and which I know you can find in your price range, I'd suggest:

B&W
Dali
Sonus Faber

and a couple I'm not so familiar with, but about which I've heard good to very good things:

KEF
Focal

All of these will have models within your price range.

See John, I didn't even mention the RT word........

[Slec]

Originally Posted by RUR

Max, as John and Petra have said, we can suggest makers/models to listen to, but you should listen to as many as possible to find the best fit for your tastes. Try to do so in a well equipped specialty shop and not a big box store. Of the makers I'm familiar with and which I know you can find in your price range, I'd suggest:

B&W
Dali
Sonus Faber

and a couple I'm not so familiar with, but about which I've heard good to very good things:

KEF
Focal

All of these will have models within your price range.

See John, I didn't even mention the RT word........

KEF makes really nice speakers and Focals are absolutely beyond amazing. When you go out searching, take your own source material (a CD that your very familiar with), and try to hook up to your exact receiver, or one that is similar. Many Home Theater stores give 30 days in home for trial (atleast in the States they do), this is a great way to try out different setups in the room they'll be used. Happy Hunting!