Cambridge SoundWorks New Ensemble II Home Theater Speaker System
 

well, i figured i could find the answer to this question by seraching the site, but i couldn't, so what do you think of the Cambridge SoundWorks New Ensemble II Home Theater Speaker System?

http://www.hifi.com/products/product...=1005005659177

is cambridge good stuff? is this a good setup?

thanks

i will eventually be buying an entry level (maybe 2nd step) onkyo, or denon receiver to go with it.

I have had the ensemble I system for many years, and I have never had a regret purchasing it. The Ensemble II uses the same satelites but a single woofer module. I have their older surround speaker and it's excellent. I recently tried their center channel speaker, but returned it as it didn't sound better then the older center channel I had (identical to left/right satelite).

As an entry level system it's great, especially at only $500.

It sounds like you are looking at spending about $400 on your receiver and $500 on a set of speakers. I would recommend putting more money into your speakers and saving money on the receiver. For instance:

Onkyo TX-DS494 $249
PSB Alphas x 4, PSB Alpha Center $449
Sony WM-40 Sub $139

Total Cost: $837

Or if you wanted even more power (the PSB Alpha's are easy to drive, the Onkyo 494 will play them plenty loud), you could upgrade to an Onkyo TX-DS595 for $348.

Total Cost: $936

Reasons to avoid the Cambridge System:

1. Passive Sub.
2. Detailed Specs avoid anything having to do with sound.

thanks -

skar - i am actually going the cheap way, i can get the speaker system in open box condtion for $150 - which is a good deal, so i dont have a $500 speaker budget. but i appreciate the input -

if i can get the specs of the speakers (or any speakers for that matter), what should i be looking for?

after i did alot of surfing, this is all i could find:

Features:
Subwoofer contains dual 6 ½" woofers in an acoustic suspension enclosure
Satellite speaker dimensions: 8 1/4"H x 5 1/4"W x 4 1/4"D
Satellite speaker dimensions: 8 1/4"H x 5 1/4"W x 4 1/4"D
Subwoofer dimensions: 16"H X 7 3/4"W X 13"D
Covered by a 10-year parts and labor warranty
Each satellite incorporates a long-throw mid-bass/midrange speaker and a 1 ¾" direct radiator tweeter.

So i should try to steer away from a passive subwoofer?


What essential bells and whistles are missing from the TX-DS494?

thanks

For $150 get it if you can, the surround speakers alone sell for over $100 on ebay. If you decide you don't like it you could make money by selling it. At that price point the only other options are cheap mass market speakers which are almost certain to sound worse. The bass module they include only goes to about 50Hz, so if you like movies or music with bass then you'll want a powered sub. Add a $139 Sony WM-40 sub (as skar suggest) and you should be very happy.

While cambridge doesn't post specs on their speakers, if you e-mail them they should give you some. These speakers have been around for over a decade, when they first came out they were really good for the money (The great reviews posted on their website are actually from the mid 90's). As time went on they lowered the price to stay competitive, but it's still the same speaker and shows it's age compared to newer speakers at it's current price ($500). There good with movies, o.k. with music.

Go to www.audioreview.com to see consumer reviews of products.

Specs that I use:

Sensitivity (Anechoic chamber measurements are best)
Frequency Range
LF Cutoff
Impedence
Crossover Frequency
Internal Volume

I highly recommend active (powered) subs.

Nothing is missing from the 494. The 595 adds more power and a learning remote.