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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject: 1500- 2k for surround.... What to get? |
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I'm breaking down.
After years of holding out for a real Mid-FI setup i'm ready to go cheaper... here's the deal.
I'm going to buy a Denon AVR 3806 not new or Stat of the art but nice. And i want surround speakers to go with...
some caveats...
I HATE DEF TECH!!!!!.
I dont like Paradigm.
If i had the cash i'd buy a set of these... http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=4057
B&W XT8 w/ the surrounds and be done. but.....
or id get a set of totems... but alas... cash ....
So what else is there? Any suggestions?
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Last edited by emdawgz1 on Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:32 pm; edited 1 time in total
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Nashou66 wrote: | John How much are those XT8's?
Athanasios |
MAP is 3,500 per pair. I like them because of the size, they'd fit nicely in my living room. If i had more space i'd opt for 804's
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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John, check out Aperion audio. Internet-direct, price points for every budget, shipping is free, you get a 30-day in-home audition, and the best part is if you don't like them, they even pick up return shipping!!!! No risk whatsoever to try them out.
Some of them have reviewed really well, too. Nice mid-fi match for the Denon, I'd say. Check them out - if I were in the market right now, I would.
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/Speakers,19.aspx
SC
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WanMan
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 10270
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1500- 2k for surround.... What to get? |
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| emdawgz1 wrote: | I'm breaking down.
After years of holding out for a real Mid-FI setup i'm ready to go cheaper... here's the deal.
I'm going to buy a Denon AVR 3806 not new or Stat of the art but nice. And i want surround speakers to go with...
some caveats...
I HATE DEF TECH!!!!!.
I dont like Paradigm.
If i had the cash i'd buy a set of these... http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=4057
B&W XT8 w/ the surrounds and be done. but.....
or id get a set of totems... but alas... cash ....
So what else is there? Any suggestions? |
When I bought my speakers I was a total newbie. I still am, but I am now understanding I can tell a difference not just between a brand's specific product vs. another in a blind comparison for the same source and processing.
With this in mind, I could never rule out an interior manufacturer unless it was something beyond the product (price, poor construction, etc.). Taking to heart your comment about Paradigm, what is it about that company you do not like?
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe it's a preference, Wan. Personally, I'm not a big Paradigm fan either. To me, they sound very bright... almost harsh. Not Klipsch bright, but bright nonetheless. He's got a set of floor-standing Studios... 60's, maybe and the matching center. They're just a little too bright, harsh... edgy for me.
Of course, when he came down to listen to my system, he thought my system sounded dead, muffled, soft... whatever. Maybe it's the soft dome tweeters in my speakers that I prefer (and he dislikes) and the titanium metal domes in the Paradigms that I dislike (and he prefers).
I think everybody's ears and preferences are different enough, it leads us to prefer the different sounds that come from different manufacturers enclosures, crossovers, and driver designs. Rooms and room treatments are a biggie, too. One set of speakers might sound great in one room and terrible in another, while another set of speakers might be the complete opposite.
SC
PS - What's an "interior manufacturer"? 
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:44 am Post subject: |
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| ecrabb wrote: | Maybe it's a preference, Wan. Personally, I'm not a big Paradigm fan either. To me, they sound very bright... almost harsh. Not Klipsch bright, but bright nonetheless. He's got a set of floor-standing Studios... 60's, maybe and the matching center. They're just a little too bright, harsh... edgy for me.
Of course, when he came down to listen to my system, he thought my system sounded dead, muffled, soft... whatever. Maybe it's the soft dome tweeters in my speakers that I prefer (and he dislikes) and the titanium metal domes in the Paradigms that I dislike (and he prefers).
I think everybody's ears and preferences are different enough, it leads us to prefer the different sounds that come from different manufacturers enclosures, crossovers, and driver designs. Rooms and room treatments are a biggie, too. One set of speakers might sound great in one room and terrible in another, while another set of speakers might be the complete opposite.
SC
PS - What's an "interior manufacturer"? |
I always repeat the Klipsch bright statement too but I realize that the only Klipsch I have heard were either computer speakers or the small cheap Klipsch. I would love to hear some of the THX Klipsch offerings. I bet they are pretty good.
I seem to prefer a more smooth laid back presentation but at the same time need dialog to be crisp, clear and loud.
I happen to also agree with Wan...let me hear the thing first...then I can dismiss it...all else being equal.
I do think fit and finish are important as well as I think speakers are a type of porn for me.
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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nuttall_chris
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 832
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:55 am Post subject: |
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I'm running Klipsch RF-63 fronts and an RC-64 center and love them. If you watch for a sale they can be had for ~$600 per speaker. The matching surrounds go for around $500 a pair.
Chris.
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:04 am Post subject: |
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I have heard the RF I suppose (I think they have those at American TV). I think those are a bit harsh from a Denon.
Does Cliff have the THX version? LCRs?
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nuttall_chris
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 832
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:12 am Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | I have heard the RF I suppose (I think they have those at American TV). I think those are a bit harsh from a Denon.
Does Cliff have the THX version? LCRs? |
I'm not familiar with the RF I, was it maybe the RF-10 or the F-1? If so the RF-63 and RC-64 are many orders of magnitude better (in my opinion) and are much better quality speakers.
Chris.
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:00 am Post subject: |
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Should have punctuated....RF, I suppose...not RFI...sorry.
All in YOUR ears and no one elses. I hate it when people say other speakers sound like crap.
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WanMan
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 10270
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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| ecrabb wrote: | Maybe it's a preference, Wan. Personally, I'm not a big Paradigm fan either. To me, they sound very bright... almost harsh. Not Klipsch bright, but bright nonetheless. He's got a set of floor-standing Studios... 60's, maybe and the matching center. They're just a little too bright, harsh... edgy for me.
Of course, when he came down to listen to my system, he thought my system sounded dead, muffled, soft... whatever. Maybe it's the soft dome tweeters in my speakers that I prefer (and he dislikes) and the titanium metal domes in the Paradigms that I dislike (and he prefers).
I think everybody's ears and preferences are different enough, it leads us to prefer the different sounds that come from different manufacturers enclosures, crossovers, and driver designs. Rooms and room treatments are a biggie, too. One set of speakers might sound great in one room and terrible in another, while another set of speakers might be the complete opposite.
SC
PS - What's an "interior manufacturer"? |
Right, and I am sure the processing and amplification were neutral and played no part in the overall evaluation. 
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perisoft
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2920
Location: Ithaca, NY
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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I love how you guys' idea of a cheap-ass audio system is double what I've spent on my entire ht!
That servo sub is pretty cool, but it's kinda funny how they're breathlessly going on and on about the benefits of a servo, as if it's the first one anybody's made...
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bbfarmht
Joined: 27 May 2006
Posts: 1273
Location: Where the Mississippi runs east to west!!
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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If I can remember Cliff has the KLF-30's. That is one of the reasons I have damn near settled on Klipsch.
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: 1500- 2k for surround.... What to get? |
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| WanMan wrote: | When I bought my speakers I was a total newbie. I still am, but I am now understanding I can tell a difference not just between a brand's specific product vs. another in a blind comparison for the same source and processing.
With this in mind, I could never rule out an interior manufacturer unless it was something beyond the product (price, poor construction, etc.). Taking to heart your comment about Paradigm, what is it about that company you do not like? |
It's a matter of taste. I listened to Para's every day for almost a year (i used to sell them) and never liked them. They just sound overly bright and kinda detached... like im listening to speakers...
I prefer B&W nautilus, or Totem, or PSB.
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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: 1500- 2k for surround.... What to get? |
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| emdawgz1 wrote: |
I prefer B&W nautilus, or Totem, or PSB. |
Funny I had a listen to PSB before I bought my Paradigms. They sounded flat to me. The Paradigms sounded more natural.
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: 1500- 2k for surround.... What to get? |
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| AnalogRocks wrote: | | emdawgz1 wrote: |
I prefer B&W nautilus, or Totem, or PSB. |
Funny I had a listen to PSB before I bought my Paradigms. They sounded flat to me. The Paradigms sounded more natural. |
Which ones did you hear. I really like Stratus silver and gold. The lower lines are a bit different. The image and alpha lines are really ordinary sounding.
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ecrabb
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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| bbfarmht wrote: | | If I can remember Cliff has the KLF-30's. That is one of the reasons I have damn near settled on Klipsch. |
Cliffy's KLF-30's sound awesome, indeed. But, you can't go buy a brand based on hearing one discontinued model in one room (I'm not saying you have, of course).
I really like the sound of Cliff's system, and to be honest, I was actually surprised to hear he was running Klipsch's. However, I think one of the things that makes Cliff's system sound so awesome are the completely matched mains - something most of us can't do unless we go with an AT screen and false wall - and the effing incredible LFE.
Still, as much as I like the sound of Cliff's system, I still don't like the sound of the Klipsch bookshelf-size speakers. It's a personal taste thing, and everybody's is different.
I will say one thing: Based on seeing/hearing Cliff's setup, and seeing/hearing Art's setup, I'm definitely doing an AT/false wall setup in my next theater. Definitely.
SC
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