Sound System under $3000

[maseo503]

Originally Posted by pmac

Well if you want to bring the $$$ value down a little without sacrificing sound quality, I would make one recommendation...Audition a pair of PSB Alpha B1's!

Dang it! i thought i was the only PSB Speakers owner around here... i was reveling in the exclusivity of owning these obscure, hidden "gems"...
I have Image T45,C40,and B15(2 pair)

Alpha B1's are... i can't put it in words... just embarrasses speakers 2 and 3 times its price... unbeatable accurate midrange.

[shelland]

Originally Posted by darkblueme

I dunno. I wouldn't say Polk Audio are the best speakers, but they have a sound that makes my ears smile. You know what I'm talking about. It's that feeling you get when you hear a good set-up. You feel an instant connection with it, right? That's what happens to me EVERY TIME I hear Polk Audio speakers. It doesn't happen with any other brand, so I think it's safe to say that for better or for worse, I am a Polk Audio man.

I'm sorry to hear that you had a less than stellar experience with Paradigm - whether it was the fault of the actual speakers or the salesmen. If Polk are the speakers that give you the biggest smile, then Polk is what you should be buying.

[darkblueme]

Originally Posted by mlomeli

What store???

http://utahaudio.com/

State Street and 10669 South, sort of by SouthTowne Mall.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Dipole for surrounds, Bipole for the rears.

Some speakers have both options.

Excellent advise.

[nezff]

get you some Klipsch speakers. these are some of the best and most efficient speakers on the market.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by nezff

get you some Klipsch speakers. these are some of the best and most efficient speakers on the market.

You have posted on three different threads saying "get Klipsch, they're the best" and "Nothing else comes close" etc. etc. etc.... and that's basically it....

A) You have to audition speakers for yourself to decide what sounds good to you.

B) There are NUMEROUS speaker manufacturers who create a higher quality build product than Klipsch, but whether they sound better to "you" depends on "you"

We all understand... you have Klipsch... and you're happy with them, but unless you've spent thousands of hours auditioning 500 different setups, and even then..... your statement doesn't carry any weight. Many people here find the sound of Klipsch speakers to be very satisfying.... and that's good, but suggestions, and giving your opinion as "absolute fact" are two different things.

In his price range, I think it would be wise for him to audition some Klipsch speakers, I agree with you, but I also think there are many other speakers in this price range he should listen to also.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by nezff

get you some Klipsch speakers. these are some of the best and most efficient speakers on the market.

Sorry, someone has misled you.
You are incorrect.

Which other speakers have you auditioned?

[maseo503]

Originally Posted by nezff

get you some Klipsch speakers. these are some of the best and most efficient speakers on the market.

i agree with the others... put some Klipsch reference in a room with a number of large windows...hardwood or tiled floors , bare walls and you have a nightmare of inaccuracies throughout the mid-high range. And when it comes to accurate music reproduction (2 channel or multi-channel) these Klipsch take a back seat to a great number other speakers no matter how well-compensated the room is.
Great speakers, if you're listening habits is 100% action movies/games @ high volumes. I wouldnt want to watch and listen to Chris Botti Live or any live concert blu-ray with Klipsch speakers.

[rogman]

A couple of years ago, I was in the mindset of "get Klipsch- they're the best". Not sure why. I think it was because they just looked cool on the floor at Best Buy. Also, they have cool ads in magazines with those shiny gold cones. One day I sat and listened to them. I was NOT impressed.

Anyone who says "...Get _______ they're the best" is wrong. We all have different tastes in how we think things should sound. As mentioned before, it's best to audition them in your home to know for sure. Also, I don't think efficiency is a big determining factor, unless you're using an under-powered A/V receiver. Who cares if you have to turn the volume up a bit with one speaker compared to another to play at the same level?

I've mentioned Aperion's before, so I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but I have two Aperion 5.1 systems that I'm very happy with. I know Dobyblu has mentioned Axiom's as well. They are similar direct to consumer Internet companies (although if you live in Oregon, you can visit the Aperion store there.)

You can audition both in your home for free. Aperion covers shipping (both ways if you return them), Axiom make you pay return shipping. If it were me and I really wanted to compare, I'd get Aperion's and then buy your 2nd choice (Polk, Klipsch, whatever) at a place with a 30 day return policy. Compare both and see what you like best. I had intended to do that with my 1st Aperion system (422s, S8 sub, $799) but it sounded so good I didn't bother. When I bought my new system in December (533Ts, 533C, 534SS, S12 sub, ~$2264) I didn't even bother to compare them to anything else. I knew they would be awesome, and I wasn't disappointed. I've had that system to ear shattering levels (volume set to +3 on Elite VSX-92 with AC/DC Live BR) and it sounds AWESOME. No hint of distortion at all. Better than a concert because there's no drunk guy puking on you!

For movies, the dialogue is great (crisp, clean) and the sound effects rattle the whole house. That S12 sub is killer! The system is in the basement in a 15x28 room and you can still feel it on the 2nd floor.

Good luck in your decision...

[sssick]

I have Definitive Technology speakers and I love them.

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by rogman

A couple of years ago, I was in the mindset of "get Klipsch- they're the best". Not sure why. I think it was because they just looked cool on the floor at Best Buy. Also, they have cool ads in magazines with those shiny gold cones. One day I sat and listened to them. I was NOT impressed.

Anyone who says "...Get _______ they're the best" is wrong. We all have different tastes in how we think things should sound. As mentioned before, it's best to audition them in your home to know for sure. Also, I don't think efficiency is a big determining factor, unless you're using an under-powered A/V receiver. Who cares if you have to turn the volume up a bit with one speaker compared to another to play at the same level?

I've mentioned Aperion's before, so I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but I have two Aperion 5.1 systems that I'm very happy with. I know Dobyblu has mentioned Axiom's as well. They are similar direct to consumer Internet companies (although if you live in Oregon, you can visit the Aperion store there.)

You can audition both in your home for free. Aperion covers shipping (both ways if you return them), Axiom make you pay return shipping. If it were me and I really wanted to compare, I'd get Aperion's and then buy your 2nd choice (Polk, Klipsch, whatever) at a place with a 30 day return policy. Compare both and see what you like best. I had intended to do that with my 1st Aperion system (422s, S8 sub, $799) but it sounded so good I didn't bother. When I bought my new system in December (533Ts, 533C, 534SS, S12 sub, ~$2264) I didn't even bother to compare them to anything else. I knew they would be awesome, and I wasn't disappointed. I've had that system to ear shattering levels (volume set to +3 on Elite VSX-92 with AC/DC Live BR) and it sounds AWESOME. No hint of distortion at all. Better than a concert because there's no drunk guy puking on you!

For movies, the dialogue is great (crisp, clean) and the sound effects rattle the whole house. That S12 sub is killer! The system is in the basement in a 15x28 room and you can still feel it on the 2nd floor.

Good luck in your decision...

+1.. I also own Aperions and they are very very well built speakers.. Their quality is hard to match in their price range..

I just got the new 5B's and 5C and they sound amazing.. This is after hearing the 532's and 533-VAC which were also amazing..

[surfdude12]

i know your budget is $3K with the receiver, but consider these L/R towers, $1700/pair:

http://www.salksound.com/songtower.shtml

they were hailed in an AVS thread hunting for the "perfect speaker" as being easily worth twice their price:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069

[maseo503]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

i know your budget is $3K with the receiver, but consider these L/R towers, $1700/pair:

http://www.salksound.com/songtower.shtml

they were hailed in an AVS thread hunting for the "perfect speaker" as being easily worth twice their price:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069

i laud you on mentioning the salks... but the majority of avs members are well-seasoned, veteran listeners and owners of high-end speakers.... asking a novice or first-time buyer to denote the intricacies of PSB, Axiom, Aperion, Defs, Klipsch vs Salk Songs would be a disaster... as such individuals have not trained their ears to depict at such high performance levels. Secondly...the majority here seem to be near 100% movie watchers...so a musical speaker such as the Salks, while worth it, wouldnt justify the price in a 3k set-up.
OP should just be done with it and get the PSB Image.

[Scooby Blu]

I picked up these for my set up. Love the sound and the price !

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/displa...fid=2375&sc=ht

[bkbluray]

I would urge you to either:

A) Consider the Onkyo 705 receiver, that does everything you need for less than half the cost (about $550)

OR

B) Consider a Pioneer instead of a Denon. My friends who have higher-end systems tell me Pioneer is where it's at for higher end.

Also, +1 on the Paradigm suggestion. My dad has a set of Paradigm speakers, and from my experience (although limited), they're the best I've heard so far.

Edit: I'm jealous that you have a $3000 budget! But then again, I'm a college student.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

I picked up these for my set up. Love the sound and the price !

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/displa...fid=2375&sc=ht

Scooby, what ones did you go with? and did you get the B&W sub? I find their subs very musical, but not deep enough for HT (at least not for the ones they sell under $2,000)

I have quite a few of their speakers, and highly enjoy(ed) my 686's (the smaller of the two bookshelfs), but have since replaced them. I enjoy the sound from most of the B&W speakers I've heard, I find them rather warm, and very musical, but with very bright highs..... it's a very pleasant combination to me. I still have the 686's and I plan on using them for a small 2-channel setup for a spare room (they were surrounds before the upgrade-itis took over)

These would certainly fit in your budget quite nicely, but again, you gotta listen to them to see if they're up your alley.


good luck.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by maseo503

i laud you on mentioning the salks... but the majority of avs members are well-seasoned, veteran listeners and owners of high-end speakers.... asking a novice or first-time buyer to denote the intricacies of PSB, Axiom, Aperion, Defs, Klipsch vs Salk Songs would be a disaster... as such individuals have not trained their ears to depict at such high performance levels. Secondly...the majority here seem to be near 100% movie watchers...so a musical speaker such as the Salks, while worth it, wouldnt justify the price in a 3k set-up.
OP should just be done with it and get the PSB Image.

well i guess we'll agree to disagree on this one. i'm not sure if you read the thread but the Salk Songs reportedly handle HT as effortlessly as music. a five month audophile quest for a perfect speaker is rather convincing to me, but thats just me. and as far as deciphering speaker performance, i thought the golden rule was to listen to them first? sure eveyone has varying ability, but IMO i'd still listen even if my ability was lower than average

[Scooby Blu]

Beta Man. Got the 686's and the HTM62 and the ASW608 sub. I have my set up in a small apartment so I could not get too crazy Planning on getting house Spring of 09 and then the real fun will comence !! Have my audioquest wire as well. Well worth it ! Using their Mini's for surrounds. I agree, very warm and has a nice soundstage. Elton 60 sounds kick ass ! So does AC/DC and Gilmore ! Plus my wife thinks small speakers are "cute". Used to have some bad ass Polk 11T's . But the clarity of the B&W's are just amazing !

[Beta Man]

I listen to music EVERY DAY when I get home from work..... even days when a new blu is in my mailbox

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I listen to music EVERY DAY when I get home from work..... even days when a new blu is in my mailbox

Proceed with caution Beta Man we don't want to see the wrath of the great WickyWoo. I need my music fix as well !