Need advice on new speakers. $800-$1,000 budget.

[mattysemo247]

Hello everyone, I finally replaced my 10 year old Sony ES receiver for something a little more current – Pioneer Elite SC-05. So now I need to upgrade my speaker system in the next couple months.

I am looking to spend between $800-$1,000 on a 5.1 or 7.1 system. If anything, I’ll start with the 5.1 and eventually add if I run out of funds.

Right now I have a pretty scattered system. For the fronts I have Cerwin Vega 3 way 15 inch floor standing speakers, a B&W center, Boston Acoustic rears, and a Klipsch 12 inch sub.

I would like to stay with tower front speakers, but everything else I’m up for. After reading a couple of threads I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for Klipsch, Energy, Polk, Boston, and some other ones. But it’s been so long I’m a little out of the game. Someone else posted a complete set up of Ascend Acoustics for under a grand http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4000

I would prefer to get a brand I can listen to locally at Best Buy or Ultimate Electronics to make a final decision. But if there are enough strong recommendations, I would probably go with that. Oh, and the speakers would mainly be used for 90% movies and 10% music. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

[dick_grayson]

I have a pair of the Ascend Sierras. They are spectacular.

[Sdallnct]

I highly recommend a SVS or HSU sub.

Then you will have to listen to see what you like. I'm a big B&W fan, so maybe build around the B&W you have if it is relatively new and you can get matching other pieces.

Otherwise, I'd look at KEF, B&W, Paradigm, and if your receiver can handle it, maybe the Maggies!

[JZ1276]

I say keep your sub and get 4 def tech pro monitors and a pro center. I use them with my Pioneer receiver and they sound excellent. Not towers but with the sub does it really matter?

[Sdallnct]

I just looked at what you currently have...Cerwin Vega, Klipsch 12, you many not like the sound of the mainly British style speakers I mentioned.

You really need to listen. Tho I'd still recommend the SVS or HSU sub. Course if I had a grand for new speakers, it would be hard to pass on this set up...

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

Or get 5 (or 7) of the Mirage Nanosats with a HSU or SVS sub. That would be really nice as well....

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

You could get 7 of the above + a HSU for the lower end of your budget and would be nice.

or upgrade to this and use your existing sub till you want to switch it out.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

This is an easy pick, but I'd still prefer the HSU or SVS sub, probably...

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...e-Black/1.html

I think you in particular are really going to need to do a lot of listening. Many very good speakers sound different. Me? I'm prefer British style speakers. KEF B&W, etc. These are very accurate, smooth sounding speakers. However most do not have that "in your face" bass that a Cerwin Vega or JBL would have. Not to say they don't have bass. They do, but it is tight and smooth but NOT boomy.

While the American style speakers such as CV and JBL are more "in your face" some would say more "impressive" but not as accurate or as smooth.

This doesn't mean one is better then the other. It is a personal preference. For example, Klipsch has a huge following. But I just don't like them. Maybe I sold to many Cornerhorns back in the day...LOL...but they just don't do it for me. However, I would encourage you to listen as they may be right up your alley!

(Oh the above are broad generalities, just to get you thinking. There are individual models that differ. In addition, you get up to the top of the line KEF or B&W and it is hard to find any fault with them. Course those cost as much as a car for a surround set up...LOL).

[Spiky]

Originally Posted by JZ1276

I say keep your sub and get 4 def tech pro monitors and a pro center. I use them with my Pioneer receiver and they sound excellent. Not towers but with the sub does it really matter?

Depends on whether you want to hear your sub or just bass. The 80Hz crossover recommended by so many is really not low enough to remove directionality from bass. I'm not an elephant, but I can pinpoint the sub in most people's systems with my eyes shut and virtually any kind of movie playing.

Personally, I would sell the Klipsch since it probably has a value of a couple hundred, helping out your budget. Upgrade the sub as Sdallnct suggested and then build from either the Boston or B&W, depending on what you like the best.

(btw, no receiver can handle Maggies)

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by Spiky

(btw, no receiver can handle Maggies)

LMAO....I did a quick check and they are not in his budget anyway....

[Spiky]

Heh, heh.

Magnepan is one speaker that really wants some power. Real serious, raw wattage. Maybe 400wpc minimum.

[Sdallnct]

oh...I agree....but I listened to some w/some Krell Mono's...and omg....I needed a cigarette when I was done.

[SoSpacey]

Skip the 7.1. With a limited budget, focus on the 5.0 for now and add to it later.

How big is the room the system is going in?

[JimRochester]

I have the Definitive Technologies and they are very good speakers. I was thinking of upgrading to Paradigm but I also use my system for mostly movies. The extra fidelity of the Paradigms would be lost. Def Tech are a good sounding upper middle end speaker.

[mattysemo247]

Originally Posted by SoSpacey

Skip the 7.1. With a limited budget, focus on the 5.0 for now and add to it later.

How big is the room the system is going in?

We have a finished basement that measures 30' x 25' x 8' but the actual listening area is only in the first part of the basement.

After doing some more research, I’m starting to narrow down some possible set ups. I might be able to convince the wife by going up in price just a little if it’s worth it:

Axiom Epic Midi 125 for $1,286

There were a couple SVS deals from $900 to $1,200 depending if you want a 5 or 7 channel set up, if you want a sub, and if you want book shelf or their new line of towers coming out next month

And as Ace just pointed out, The Speaker Company. The only thing I’m worried about is that I have not heard much about them. But their prices are solid and the few reviews I could find were pretty positive for the price. I can get a complete set up for $800-$1,000

So what do you guys think about these?

[cko]

Originally Posted by SoSpacey

Skip the 7.1. With a limited budget, focus on the 5.0 for now and add to it later.

I'd go even further and say skip the 5.0 and focus on the 3.0 or 2.0 first and then match the rears up later. The B&W center is probably your best piece to build around. Scour audiogon/videogon or craigslist to see if you can find anything that matches up with that or a new L/C/R set.

[Spiky]

The Speaker Company? Do they also operate out of white vans?

[cko]

Originally Posted by Spiky

The Speaker Company? Do they also operate out of white vans?

I'd think the name would need have more hyperbole or sound like a legit brand to qualify as a white van speaker brand. eg: accusound, millenium theater systems, paradyme.

actually, they are a legit, albeit small and new company that is making some decent low-cost speakers.

[mattysemo247]

Alright guys, I think I’ve got it narrowed down to three different options:

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE mains + CMT-340 SE center + CBM-170 SE rears for $998

SVS - SCS-01M 7.0 Set with SBS-01 surrounds (Without Subwoofer) for $889

SVS - STS-01 5.0 Set with SBS-01 surrounds (Without Subwoofer) for $1,099

The Ascend Acoustics offers free shipping. Does anyone know roughly what SVS charges for shipping?

Also, the SVS STS-01 won’t be out until next month. I’m a little worried about ordering those speakers without any reviews. So if I do end up going with those I might have to wait a little longer.

So what do you think? Any last minute inputs?