Speakers for Home Theater

Discussion in 'Horn Depot' started by OUEngineer, Mar 29, 2010.

  1. OUEngineer

    OUEngineer 500+ Posts

    I'm doing my HT and getting estimates and was curious about other's experiences. I am pretty ignorant of the speaker/audio landscape. I'm finding there are so many brands out there that it's making it difficult to pare down to a select few.

    Dali
    B&W
    Definitive Technology
    Paradigm
    Martin Logan

    These 5 seem to be where I'm being persuaded by the companies I'm dealing with. Anyone have thoughts and/or preferences?

    This will be a 7.1 channel setup in a dedicated theater room. My budget for the entire installation is $20,000. I'm planning on allocating about $5,000 - $7,500 of that total on speakers.

    I've been looking at avsforum, too, but was hoping for additional feedback, if anyone has any. :)
     
  2. GHoward

    GHoward 2,500+ Posts

    Get ready for a bunch of White van jokes.

    I don't know much about speakers, but if you are just going to use them for watching movies, you don't have to spend big bucks on speakers, since sound quality is not utmost importance. Or I should say you probably won't be able to tell the difference between a $2000 set of speakers and a $7500 set of speakers while watching Gladiator. (where you can definitely tell the difference between a $500 set and $2000 set). Of course if you plan to listen to music (specifically jazz, classical, etc) then by all means get top quality stuff. I'd rather spend the extra on a better projection system or remote control system.
    I've had good experience with Klisph.
     
  3. Seattle Husker

    Seattle Husker 10,000+ Posts

    I recently bought a Klipsch set and love it. I was looking for a set under $2,000 (including subwoofer) though.
     
  4. Uninformed

    Uninformed 5,000+ Posts

    I like B&W and Martin Logan. Go listen to them side by side and tell me what you think. Don't listen to more than 2 systems on a visit and make sure the same amp and the same preamp settings are used. Sometimes its good to check the subwoofers as well to make sure one of them isn't being amplified more than the other.
     
  5. EPThorn

    EPThorn 500+ Posts

    I have the entry level 600 series (total 5.1 cost was about 3000) from B&W and really like them.
    However subs are not B&Ws specialty, i ended up getting a velodye miniv8 ,about 6 months later, which is actually cheaper (but outperforms the limited range and power handling B&W sub.
     
  6. GHoward

    GHoward 2,500+ Posts

    If you go to demo stuff, take your own Cd/dvds. Pick a movie you know well.
     
  7. NEWDOC2002

    NEWDOC2002 1,000+ Posts

    I'm going to throw another speaker brand into the mix that I ended up with at home and I listened to a ton of stuff prior to purchase. PSB. I got their midline image series. It was simply the best for me for both music and home theater. I matched them to another brand sub but even the midrange towers hold their own. The have a dipole speaker that was sufficient for 5.1 and created a better surround sound. A lot depends on your room.

    I got them from a guy that sells "factory Blem" models even though mine looked perfect and they're in a dark room anyway. They have a very natural sound stage. There are a few retail dealers around in the bigger cities. Everyone else on here is spot on with their recs so I don't think you'll be displeased with any purchase. BTW, anything over a few grand is likely wasting your money. The amount spent to get higher quality sound above the 2-3k price point goes up exponentially.

    DMC
     
  8. hlaustin

    hlaustin 250+ Posts

    Listen to them all and pick out what you think sounds best. I sell Paradigm, Def Tech and Klipsch. My personal choice are Paradigms. They have been rated one of the best value for dollar speakers from top to bottom for sometime. Are you looking for floor standing, on-wall, or in-wall. What size is the room. What are you going to push it all with as well.
    If I were doing a system for a home theater room and had this kinda budget here is what I would look to do.
    Paradigm Studio 60s fronts
    Pardigm CC690 center
    Pardigm ADP590 sides and rears
    Paradigm Sub12
     
  9. NMGaucho

    NMGaucho 25+ Posts

    Can't go wrong with PSB(speakers) and NAD(receiver) combo. I have the following setup and it sounds amazing for music and movies.

    NAD T773 Receiver: paid $500 for it on audiogon in mint condition, it goes for $1800 new.
    PSB Image T45-Fronts..paid $400 used ($800 new)
    PSB C60 center- paid $200 used ($450 new)
    NHT classic 2 surrounds pair-paid $200 (new $500)
    Energy S10.3 subwoofer- paid $200 (new $500)
    Oppo SACD/DVD player-paid $150 (new $300)

    Most of this I purchased on Audiogon in great condition (audiophiles really take care of their equipment). So I got approx 4.5k setup for a little over 1500 and it sounds incredible! Looks like you have a much larger budget than I did, both NAD and PSB have higher end equipment that would work nicely for you.

    NADThe Link

    PSB The Link

    Audiogon High End Audio: The Link
    true audiophile website, some of the guys on here have $500k systems.Check out the virtual systems to get some ideas and be amazed at some of the setups
     
  10. OUEngineer

    OUEngineer 500+ Posts


     
  11. hlaustin

    hlaustin 250+ Posts

    Here is some pricing that I could do if you were to come to Austin on the def tech stuff.
    BP 7002 997 each
    clr 2500 797
    BPX 447 each
    SuperCube 1 697

    Break down of the paradigm pricing
    Studio 60 1797 pr
    CC590 997
    ADP590 1197 pr
    Sub 12 1797
    I don't have the 7002 on the floor but I have the step up and down from them. I know the Paradigm comes in a little higher in price but I think it is well worth it. I feel they are much more natural, have much more accurate mid-range and better seperation.
     
  12. NMGaucho

    NMGaucho 25+ Posts

    If I were near Dallas I would snatch these up in a heartbeat!
    Great speakers for that price...
    The Link
     
  13. alden

    alden 1,000+ Posts

    I like B&W for music. For a theater, any would probably work.
    My dad has paradigm, and they're pretty good.
     
  14. NMGaucho

    NMGaucho 25+ Posts

    Here ya go!

    [​IMG]
     
  15. scottsins

    scottsins 1,000+ Posts

    I don't object to spending lots of $$$ on stuff like this. That said, I just had a $1000 set of Polk speakers put in (just for the main 4 speakers) and I can't imagine needing any more from them.
     
  16. longyak

    longyak 250+ Posts


     

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