Upgrading To Better Speakers!

[Intamin]

I'd like to commend this thread for giving me some great speakers to buy for myself when I graduate from college. Damn I can't wait to make real money haha. Personally, I'd be torn between the Monitor or the B&W's, favoring the B&W's.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Beta Man is that the suggested retail prices or a dealers price? I really am considering something like the Dali 800s as I think I may be in love with them. I haven't seen these in person, but have talked to a dealer about prices as they are roughly $7000 a pair. Although the dealer said he is more than willing to talk shop cosidering I would buy the surrounds and center from him when I could. So with that in mind I could consider a proposal on speakers up to that price.


I am glad to hear the B&W 700 series are within my budget. I figured I should consider starting with the price point of the Dali Ikon series 8 being roughly $1800 a pair and work my way up to models into the price range of the Dali Helicon series 800. I plan on hearing as many speakers in my region within that price range to see how much if any difference there is in sound quality.

I am planning on keeping my new setup for a number of years I might as well buy a setup that I can love and upgrade around.

Well.... MSRP is as follows:

703's are $1,650 each
705's and HTM7 will be $825 each

I got my 705's and HTM7 before the 703's (upgrade bug bit early!!) so here's a couple things to consider.....

Don't get the 705's for the surrounds.... get the DS7's, unless you listen to a lot of multi-channel music (or like the look of the 705's... I have them all in Rosenut, and they're gorgeous)

Also... when I got the 705's and HTM7, The day after Thanksgiving last year.... the B&W prices hadn't risen, so MSRP on them was $750 each I believe, and I got them for for $700 after tax, out the door.....

Now the prices have risen, so getting them at $750 or so, is probably the best you can do (never know though... if you get the 703's at the same time, they'll probably work with you)

$1,650 each is the "new" msrp for the 703's, I paid $3K for the pair, since I had already purchased the 705's, HTM7, a pair of 686's (that I was using for the surrounds) two months prior, and I was also getting the DS7's at the same time....

Either way, definitely check out that store I told you about.... I had the one in Canton install the flip-out in my jeep, but the one by me (West-side of Cleveland) is home-theater only..... I guess the market for home theater isn't as big in the Canton area..... either way... they're pretty good stores.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by m_tyson

I would go with commercial gear, like Mackie studio monitors (HR824MKII or HR626) and a pair of subs (HRS120) and then some Buttkickers to round things out. Best bang for your buck IMHO.

Left field there...... the OP hasn't shown any desire to run a multiple sub set-up, let-alone buttkickers.....


I've never listened to the speakers you mentioned, so I can't comment on those.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by prerich

Revels are beautiful (look and sound). OP you really can't miss with any of these choices. Add JM Labs to your list.

There is a JM Labs dealer in Akron + Cleveland also.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Well.... MSRP is as follows:

703's are $1,650 each
705's and HTM7 will be $825 each

I got my 705's and HTM7 before the 703's (upgrade bug bit early!!) so here's a couple things to consider.....

Don't get the 705's for the surrounds.... get the DS7's, unless you listen to a lot of multi-channel music (or like the look of the 705's... I have them all in Rosenut, and they're gorgeous)

Also... when I got the 705's and HTM7, The day after Thanksgiving last year.... the B&W prices hadn't risen, so MSRP on them was $750 each I believe, and I got them for for $700 after tax, out the door.....

Now the prices have risen, so getting them at $750 or so, is probably the best you can do (never know though... if you get the 703's at the same time, they'll probably work with you)

$1,650 each is the "new" msrp for the 703's, I paid $3K for the pair, since I had already purchased the 705's, HTM7, a pair of 686's (that I was using for the surrounds) two months prior, and I was also getting the DS7's at the same time....

Either way, definitely check out that store I told you about.... I had the one in Canton install the flip-out in my jeep, but the one by me (West-side of Cleveland) is home-theater only..... I guess the market for home theater isn't as big in the Canton area..... either way... they're pretty good stores.

Thank you again for the prices and suggestions.

Yeah, as you go towards Canton and over to Youngstown the demand or the ability to sell hi-end electronics and be profitable is almost non-existant. I think with the way our regional economy has been for the last few decades has had a sad effect on most and everyone is leaving. Basically I plan to go to the Cleveland-Akron area, Pittsburgh and possibly Columbus. There seems to be a lot of hi-end dealers in Maryland so I plan on making at least one journey to an area or city like that in order to know what it is like to hear hard to find hi-end brands that are not in our area.

Ultimately I would like to have my new setup for at least a decade which is why I am considering spending the big bucks. In that amount of time I would most likely upgrade three times anyways if I were to buy average gear. So if I'm going to spend it anyways I might as well get my money's worth.

[Beta Man]

a good set of speakers will last 20 years... A decade is just the honeymoon stage

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by m_tyson

I would go with commercial gear, like Mackie studio monitors (HR824MKII or HR626) and a pair of subs (HRS120) and then some Buttkickers to round things out. Best bang for your buck IMHO.

Im not sure you understand what I'm looking for. I will buy one sub but it will be the last piece of equipment I buy. Butt-kickers have never been my thing or multiple subs. Thanks anyways!



Most likely I will buy in this order left and right channels, center, surrounds and then the sub. It really depends on the overall cost. I've read some interesting professional reviews about the Revel F12s and the reviewers claim that the sound reproduced rivaled speakers that cost 10 x the amount. It will be interesting to see if that is true or not. Funny they never tell what expensive brand/model they are talking about that sounds less impressive. It sounds convincing but is it truthful. That's why I'm done with blind buys.

Guys and ladies who have it good out there please understand people like me who live in areas that are economically depressed do not have a lot of options. We sometimes have to take a chance and buy with blinders on or based soley on a reviewers praise. I am however stepping out of the box and thankfully my business is doing fairly well. I am blessed to have an opportunity to buy speakers that I normally would have dreamed about.

[Beta Man]

Not sure if you stated it or not... but are you going to go with separates???

Although not "ideal" I push my 700 series with a Marantz SR7001 and it does just fine.... I'm shopping around for separates but the marginal increase in sound quality I'm finding (it's there, don't get me wrong) isn't enough for me to spend that much money though...... Maybe I'll just get a better AVR (when Rotel puts out their new line)

[mdabb]

Seperates are on the horizion and I'm waiting until a greater number of hi-end companys start to manufacture models that are caught up to todays technology in the home theater. Since everything is rapid to change in home theater. I don't know wether I will get a BD player that will decode the newer surround codecs and output analog or PCM or look for a preamp that does the processing? Definetely will be at some point looking for quality pieces of equipment.

As for right now I have an Onkyo TX-SR875 that I bought just recently and have an older 2-channel amp (Carver M4.0T) that I may utilize for the main L,R channels and use the Onkyo as a pre for those two channels.

Whatever I do will deserve thoughtful consideration. As for now I figure get the speakers then design around them as time goes by.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

...Maybe I'll just get a better AVR (when Rotel puts out their new line)

Oof! Let's talk.

Originally Posted by mdabb

...and have an older 2-channel amp (Carver M4.0T) that I may utilize for the main L,R channels and use the Onkyo as a pre for those two channels..

Which is an excellent amp. The preferred setup for a single HT/2ch setup is a pre/pro for HT coupled with a dedicated 2ch pre with HT bypass.

Whatever I do will deserve thoughtful consideration. As for now I figure get the speakers then design around them as time goes by.

This is, IMHO, the right sequence. Find the speakers you like, then build everything else around them. Room treatment is the other big difference-maker, if WAF and logistics will permit.

[m_tyson]

My point is that your budget is within the price range (even at retail) for very high quality commercial speakers - the type actually used to mix and produce the music and movies you listen to - and IMHO they are a superior investment over popular consumer brands at the same or multiples of their price. And the powered monitors have built-in amps, so your receiver does not need to do double duty as an amp, and can just pre-out to the monitors. This opens the door to a lot of quality receivers at lower prices, and can save you money.

I mentioned getting a pair of subs because it really helps to provide uniform low-end sound across a seating area. If you are considering spending thousands of dollars on your setup over time to achieve a quality listening environment (not even going into room acoustics), paired subs should be on your radar.

Originally Posted by mdabb

Im not sure you understand what I'm looking for. I will buy one sub but it will be the last piece of equipment I buy. Butt-kickers have never been my thing or multiple subs. Thanks anyways!



Most likely I will buy in this order left and right channels, center, surrounds and then the sub. It really depends on the overall cost. I've read some interesting professional reviews about the Revel F12s and the reviewers claim that the sound reproduced rivaled speakers that cost 10 x the amount. It will be interesting to see if that is true or not. Funny they never tell what expensive brand/model they are talking about that sounds less impressive. It sounds convincing but is it truthful. That's why I'm done with blind buys.

Guys and ladies who have it good out there please understand people like me who live in areas that are economically depressed do not have a lot of options. We sometimes have to take a chance and buy with blinders on or based soley on a reviewers praise. I am however stepping out of the box and thankfully my business is doing fairly well. I am blessed to have an opportunity to buy speakers that I normally would have dreamed about.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by m_tyson

My point is that your budget is within the price range (even at retail) for very high quality commercial speakers - the type actually used to mix and produce the music and movies you listen to - and IMHO they are superior investment over popular consumer brands at the same or multiples of their price.

I mentioned getting a pair of subs because it really helps to provide uniform low-end sound across a seating area. If you are considering spending thousands of dollars on your setup over time to achieve a quality listening environment (not even going into room acoustics), paired subs should be on your radar.

A pair of subs is a dicey proposition at best.

Here is where 2+ subs is good.

1. When you have a complete accoustic analysis done of your room on both the horizontal and vertical axis, that gives exact locations of all peaks and nulls that exist in your room.
2. When you have complete control over equalization of both (or more) of these subs. (very rare)

Far too many people place 1 sub on the "left" and 1 sub on the "right" without having a clue what effect the sub positioning actually has on the bass frequencies at the main listening positions.

Will 2 subs give you more bass? Yes.

If you are looking for more bass, 2 subs will help you there. As will the volume contols on the subs. More is just not always better.

[m_tyson]

I think room acoustics and equalization are beyond the scope of the OP's question, hence my comment "(not even going into room acoustics)". But when factoring them in, and doing things right, I suspect that the OP will have better results with (properly placed and equalized) paired subs. Neener neener.

Originally Posted by Woody

A pair of subs is a dicey proposition at best.

Here is where 2+ subs is good.

1. When you have a complete accoustic analysis done of your room on both the horizontal and vertical axis, that gives exact locations of all peaks and nulls that exist in your room.
2. When you have complete control over equalization of both (or more) of these subs. (very rare)

Far too many people place 1 sub on the "left" and 1 sub on the "right" without having a clue what effect the sub positioning actually has on the bass frequencies at the main listening positions.

Will 2 subs give you more bass? Yes.

If you are looking for more bass, 2 subs will help you there. As will the volume contols on the subs. More is just not always better.

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by m_tyson

My point is that your budget is within the price range (even at retail) for very high quality commercial speakers - the type actually used to mix and produce the music and movies you listen to - and IMHO they are a superior investment over popular consumer brands at the same or multiples of their price. And the powered monitors have built-in amps, so your receiver does not need to do double duty as an amp, and can just pre-out to the monitors. This opens the door to a lot of quality receivers at lower prices, and can save you money.

I mentioned getting a pair of subs because it really helps to provide uniform low-end sound across a seating area. If you are considering spending thousands of dollars on your setup over time to achieve a quality listening environment (not even going into room acoustics), paired subs should be on your radar.

I have 0 amount of experience when it comes to comercial studio equipment and Honestly love floorstanding speakers with a good woofer to help out with music. For me and only me I can speak but I'm sure one 12" or 15" sub will satisfy me. My speakers are also going to be a piece of furniture. As time goes by I plan on getting hi-end equipment from brands such as Linn, Conrad Johnson, Bryston, etc.... maybe even Anthem. I just haven't researched and decided what route to go so I am not sure how self powerd monitors will sound or will sound better. Could it be better at reproducing sound. I wouldn't know?

If you would like to point out something specific to me maybe I can get a better grasp of your thoughts as of right now you have me confused.

Some day in the next couple of years when I finish gutting and updating the home I am currently in. I plan on selling my house and my half of my business and moving on to something else somewhere else. These speakers/equipment are going to be with me a long time and I don't want numerous upgrades. I need something that will lend it's quality in every aspect of living space.

[mdabb]

Believe me I know there is a lot of consideration when planning a listening enviroment. Right now I am in the stages of aquiring speakers as it is time for an upgrade however they just will not be in their permanent home. In the near future I will build the space they deserve. My very own space.

I can't remodel a house to my liking when my intention is to sell that house. The home I am currently in has served my purpose. A stepping stone rather than throw away money on rent I bought a house as an investment to redo and turn a proffit but not huge proffit. My current home is being redone with consideration to my local economy and way of living. That way it will appeal to a larger variety of people and they can make it their own.

At this point in time my friend and I copartnered in business and subcontract kitchen and bathrooms from his familys home improvement supply business. I will be moving on to others things as I never wanted to do this line of work forever. It is very proffitable where I live and there isn't a lot of diversity in our regional economy.

Home theater and music are my joy and have been since I was younger. Now I have an opportunity to buy quality pieces so I ask for advice from whoever might lend any. I use that advice or experience if it is worthy to help me aquire a great setup. I am in no way an expert in home entertainment and have learned from the school of hard knocks what to avoid. I really do not have anyone around me that thinks spending a lot of money on speakers or equipment is a worthy investment. So the only quality gear I see is in magazines or on the internet and do not get to see it in action. So.........

Thank you all for helping!

[Beta Man]

We just bought a new house, we need 4 Bathrooms and the Kitchen re-finished.... There's no way we can afford it right away though

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

We just bought a new house, we need 4 Bathrooms and the Kitchen re-finished.... There's no way we can afford it right away though

You only have 4 bathrooms?? lol j/k

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by hagar852

You only have 4 bathrooms?? lol j/k

One was designed for a handicapped guy that lived there (added to the house since he couldn't get upstairs) It's crazy because it's big enough for him to get a wheel-chair into the shower area, so it's a tiled wall, with the faucet etc etc..... it reminds me of a Gym-Locker-room shower facility!!!

It needs serious work!!!

EDIT: sorry so far off topic!

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

One was designed for a handicapped guy that lived there (added to the house since he couldn't get upstairs) It's crazy because it's big enough for him to get a wheel-chair into the shower area, so it's a tiled wall, with the faucet etc etc..... it reminds me of a Gym-Locker-room shower facility!!!

It needs serious work!!!

EDIT: sorry so far off topic!

Not off topic if you put audio equipment in there... In wall speakers perhaps??

[Beta Man]

Here's the "Handicap accessible" bath.... from outside, in....

Bath.jpg

The toilet is on the wall to the left..... too big to get with one picture!


YMCA.... it's fun to stay at the YMCA....