Upgrading To Better Speakers!

[mdabb]

OK I'm on the hunt for a new speaker setup. I have so far found some brands/models in or almost in my budget. If I have to piece together a setup over a period of time it is not going to bother me. What I want is to be satisfied musically and for the Home Theater aspect. I am only going to have the space for one setup and have to get it right the 1st time.

The following brands and models are ones I am looking at right now and are open to other suggestions but they will have to be of comparable quality and price wise to what I am looking at the moment. I plan on auditioning all the ones I have on my list and no blind buys. I will most likely be driving a good distance to do this for some brands as there is or is not any dealers close to me. (just South of Youngstown,OH)

Some of what I'm looking for is the opinion of those who are familiar with by owning/owned, (yourself, friend or family) auditioned yourself with any of the following speakers. To me this is a hard choice. If there is anything negative or positive I should know please tell. Maybe even something I should be aware of. Please note that if you have a suggestion there are two brands that will not be on my list and that is not because I don't like them. I just want something other. (no Klipsch or Polk and please do not bash me for this.)

I have not considered subwoofers of yet and pending what setup I get will influence the subwoofer I choose. As I may buy the matching model or buy something else but for now it's the main setup.


Revel Concerta
http://www.revelspeakers.com/product...eries=concerta

F12 (fronts) S12 (surr) C12 (center)


Monitor Audio Gold series
http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/range.php?range=1

GS60 (fronts) GS10 (surr) GSLCR (center)


B&W 700 series
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/displa...nfid=817&sc=ht
(if they are in my price range which I don't know of yet ,but hope) If anyone can tell me the prices it will be appreciated.

703 (fronts) 705 (surr) HTM7 (center)



Dali IKON series
http://www.dali.dk/us/page245.aspx?sub=214&grp=58

series 8 (front) series 2 (surr) and center channel


Dali Helicon (pair at a time)
http://www.dali.dk/us/page245.aspx?sub=214&grp=56

800 (front) 300 (surr) C200 (center)


Like I said I very well may buy a setup piece by piece so if you know of anything in the price range of the Dali Helicon series or in the price range of the others models please do tell. Thanks in advance for all feedback.

A thanks is in order to fellow member RUR for suggesting the Dali Helicon series. These are beautiful and are among my favorites so far.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by mdabb

B&W 700 series
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/displa...nfid=817&sc=ht
(if they are in my price range which I don't know of yet ,but hope) If anyone can tell me the prices it will be appreciated.

703 (fronts) 705 (surr) HTM7 (center)


.

Not sure what your budget is, but this is the exact setup I have.

The 703's are $1,600 each, the 705's and the HTM7 are about $800 each... important to note, the pair of stands for the 705's set me back $325 or so... and the stand for the HTM7 was about $400, they're very nice stands, but you should factor that into the cost of the speakers.

There is an audio/video store that carries these (Audio-Visions) they're in Cleveland, Akron, Canton,..... I'm sure one should be somewhat close for you, so you can check them out.




The Dali's, and Monitors are great too..... The Helicon 800's would be out of my budget!!! if you get any of those, I doubt you'd be let-down. I don't know much about Revels though.....


Good luck!!!

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

....I don't know much about Revels though.....

An upscale division of HK, Revels are great speakers. Lately, I've been watching Salon 2's on A-gon and daydreaming..... Widely considered one of the finest speakers made at any price(!)

[Woody]

I have never heard Dali speakers, but they are very highly regarded.

I heard Revels quite a few years ago, and I am very familiar with B&W.

I personally liked the Revels I heard back then, they were somewhere around 6-8k for the pair, so I can't really speak to how they compare to the Revels you have chosen.

B&Ws are a stalwart, and are very well known and well regarded.

As many will tell you, listen to them, and pick the ones you like the best. I suspect the 3-4 speakers you have chosen will sound VERY different from each other.

I think it is great that you are open to piecing it together if the costs get high. Doing that ensures that you will never think, "man, I should have bought the better ones", and if you take care of them, speakers can last your lifetime, or at least until you can't hear any more.

[Amel]

good thread with some good links

have to reply to come back later for buying purposes

[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.

[RandDawg]

How would you guys say Martin Logan compares to those brands?

[RUR]

Originally Posted by RandDawg

How would you guys say Martin Logan compares to those brands?

I'm so glad you asked! I believe ML's compare favorably with any speaker on that list. They are, however, fairly directional, and a lot of folks find that this limits them in HT situations i.e. the sweet spot is relatively small. In 2ch audio and using complementary components (preamp/amp), they're awfully hard to beat at anywhere near their price point.*

*Disclaimer: I've owned ML's for 19 years, so my opinion may be just slightly biased.

[mdabb]

With my area being the way it is. (not a lot of hi-end dealers) I am looking for dealers who carry a wide range of brands even if that means I will have to drive further but will be able to do some serious comparing. I think I'll start by visiting somewhere within an 1 1/2 hours drive and look for a dealer/s like the one I talked to in Maryland as they offer quite a few of the brands I have looked at so far.


I am really curious to see just what a difference in sound there may be according to price. I am sure it will be wise in any case as this could turn into an investment for me. I just do not want to keep rebuying speakers.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by mdabb

With my area being the way it is. (not a lot of hi-end dealers) I am looking for dealers who carry a wide range of brands even if that means I will have to drive further but will be able to do some serious comparing. I think I'll start by visiting somewhere within an 1 1/2 hours drive and look for a dealer/s like the one I talked to in Maryland as they offer quite a few of the brands I have looked at so far.


I am really curious to see just what a difference in sound there may be according to price. I am sure it will be wise in any case as this could turn into an investment for me. I just do not want to keep rebuying speakers.

If you can swing the 800's I'd say give them a serious audtion. Dali incorporates ribbon tweeters in their speakers, and it helps make voices and instruments sound very natural. They have extended frequency range to around 30 kHz, and that will give you a lot of transparency and headroom, especially with lossless audio tracks and SACDs. I think you'll be pleased.

If that doesn't work out then consider the Icons or B&W 700s. I absolutely love B&W speakers as well. They offer a highly refined and detailed sound as well.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by RandDawg

How would you guys say Martin Logan compares to those brands?

Logans IMO are another VERY different sound than traditional speakers. I find electrostats are a love/hate thing. You either love them or hate them. As the above poster said, they are very directional and have a smaller "sweet spot" than some others.

Once again I say, listen to them. You will know in about 10 seconds whether or not you like their sound.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Woody

Logans IMO are another VERY different sound than traditional speakers. I find electrostats are a love/hate thing. You either love them or hate them. As the above poster said, they are very directional and have a smaller "sweet spot" than some others.

Once again I say, listen to them. You will know in about 10 seconds whether or not you like their sound.

Not in your case, I'm sure, but so many folks hear non-electrostat models only (Montage/Mosaic) at the local Magnolia, improperly set-up and driven with some pedestrian AVR. This is vastly different than Vistas/Vantages/Summits in a properly treated room and with proper amplification, etc.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Betaman 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 $1200 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.

7k vs. 1.2k is a huge difference when it comes to speakers.

I didn't know the price of the most expensive set you linked, but in a case of the price differences you specified, I suspect the most expensive ones will sound ALOT better than the less expensive ones. Not really apples to apples though, what you will have to justify is if they sound $5800 better.

I live in OH also, it is pretty slim pickins with regards to hi-fi in NE OH. The store Beta mentioned has B&W, but I am unaware of any shops any more with Revel or Dali in the area.

[mdabb]

With a company like Dali offering such a wide variety of different costing speaker lines. I think it will be interesting to hear and see the consideration they put into a lower priced line.

It is really hard to find prices of hi-end speakers so I really am unaware of what is avaliable when considering something similar along the line of the Dali Helicon series or the price range of the B&W 700s. It will hopefully be in the next 2-4 weeks when I get the ball rolling so I hope to gain some knowledge in variety.

Some of the ones I like are over 10k a pair and WOW. I have set the $$ limit at the price point of the Dali helicon series. Not including sub as I am focusing on the fronts, center and rears for right now. If I end up piecing together then so be. I have wasted a lot of money so far on home theater and could of had something like that by now if I just would slow down.

Again thanks to all with the help!

[mdabb]

I have a correction: The Dali IKON 8s can be had for the $2200 range.

I was thinking of the Revel F12s which can be had for $1200-$1500 range.

This is also a big factor: being able to find dealers that are willing to make deals. I am sure most do. Most electronics can be bought under suggested retail prices. Thankfully!

[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.

[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

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Not sure what your budget is, but this is the exact setup I have.

The 703's are $1,600 each, the 705's and the HTM7 are about $800 each... important to note, the pair of stands for the 705's set me back $325 or so... and the stand for the HTM7 was about $400, they're very nice stands, but you should factor that into the cost of the speakers.

There is an audio/video store that carries these (Audio-Visions) they're in Cleveland, Akron, Canton,..... I'm sure one should be somewhat close for you, so you can check them out.




The Dali's, and Monitors are great too..... The Helicon 800's would be out of my budget!!! if you get any of those, I doubt you'd be let-down. I don't know much about Revels though.....


Good luck!!!

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

[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.