Looking for new complete system, a bit overwhelmed

[Monkeypillow]

I've noticed that a lot of people have separate systems for music and movies, and while that may be ideal, is not feasible given my budget and space restraints.

I'm fairly new to this relatively high-end audio game, so my knowledge is somewhat limited in this area. It seems that everyone takes a different approach to a system, and that just adds to my confusion.

What I'm currently looking at is a set of good quality (probably internet brand) 5.1 speakers in a package. I feel that the package approach will work best for me because the speakers will match tonally, and that's important to me.

Because I will need these speakers to handle an array of sources, I think a Surround sound processor will suit my needs best. Paired with a good multi-channel amp, this system should perform well for music and movies from multiple sources. I have an Onkyo 605 and am pleased with its performance, so maybe something from the Integra line would do me well.

I don't know much about dedicated source components, but I've heard good things about Cambridge Audio's CDPs, so maybe I'll look into them.

Changes, additions, suggestions? As I've said before, my experience with higher-end audio is pretty limited, so I'll gladly consider any and all advice.

Thanks for being such a wonderful community.

 

[meat01]

What is your budget? I would concentrate on getting a good pair of speakers and then a sub and then get another pair of speakers for the rear when you can afford it. Then you can worry about a multi channel amp. You do not want to skimp on the speakers and then drop a lot of cash on a multi channel amp. Is the Onkyo 605 a surround sound receiver?

 

[warpdriver]

Go with high quality bookshelf speakers, add a sub, then add a center, and the rears. Most good speakers will allow you to mix and match, but ideally, you really want identical speakers if possible for the best seamlessness of sound. The best surround systems have identical speakers across the front even.

Try to audition as many brands with your own ears, you'll quickly start to narrow your choices and understand what you want, there's nothing like hearing a headphone or speaker with your own ears. If you do try out an Internet brand, also try to make sure that you have something to compare them to, because almost any speaker will sound ok these days, but comparing back to back speakers will often show weaknesses in one or the other readily.

 

[Monkeypillow]

Thanks for the responses. I've currently got 4 Polk RTi8s for fronts and surrounds, 1 Polk CSi 3 for the center, and a PSW110 subwoofer. I like the Polks, especially for the price I paid, but they're a bit warm, which isn't a problem for movies, but it affects music. The imaging isn't seamless, but that's probably because the CSi3 is a bit smaller that the RTi8s. The subwoofer is nothing to write home about, but it was free, and it adds a bit of extension to the range.

I've heard good things about the Aperion Audio lines as well as AV123. Anyone care to comment on wither of these brands?

Yes, the Onkyo is a surround sound receiver, but it doesn't have pre-outs, so I'd have to get a new receiver that does if I want a separate amp.

I'm looking for new equipment because this setup will eventually be moved into the gameroom.

In addition to music and movies, a big use of this system will be for PC games.

I've heard a lot about balanced systems, and some of the higher-end processors and amps have balanced inputs and outputs. Would I benefit from a balanced setup?

Also, I would like to be able to use this setup with headphones as well, but I don't know how i would go about configuring that. Maybe using the preouts for zone2 to a headphone amp? Or would that sound any better than the headphone output on the processor?

Sorry for all of the questions, and thanks for all of the help.

 

[meat01]

Don't worry about an amp yet. Go with the Onkyo's built in amp for now.

 

[Monkeypillow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meat01 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't worry about an amp yet. Go with the Onkyo's built in amp for now.

That's what I'm doing.

But in a few months, the Onkyo won't be in the room anymore, so I'm looking early to get an idea of what I want for this room.

 

[Planar_head]

Try here: Outlaw Audio

Stereophile reviewed one of their 2 ch receivers, so I guess their pretty good. Can't help you on speakers though (not a fan of home theater).

 

[Monkeypillow]

I've looked into their line before, and some of their stuff looks good.

Unfortunately, nothing of theirs decodes TrueHD or DTS-HD. Thanks for the input, though.

 

[Planar_head]

Well, if you're shooting for a amp, I don't see how their amps can go wrong.

On the receiver end, I'd say the Integra for sure. i'm guessing you're doing Blu-ray? Or just DVD? If you're just doing DVD, you could pair a Oppo DVD player with the Integra, which I heard was also decent, in both picture and sound. (Stereophile also reviewed that in a Listening article i believe).

Whew, I think I'll take a break for now.

 

[screwdriver]

monkey pillow ,

ll take a stab at this . first of all how big is your listening room , second is how much power do you have ( specs of the amp) you will use , third what is your budget.

from there maybe the replies will be more specific coz people are throwing things at you at different directions .

 

[Monkeypillow]

The room is almost 200 sqft. The amp that I already have is rated at 90 watts per channel when driving all 7 speakers, but that will be moved to a different room.

I haven't really decided on a budget, but the speakers are the most important part, so maybe something like $1000-$1500 for all of the speakers?

 

[obobskivich]

$1000-$1500 for all the speakers, to take a noticable step up from the RTi series?

tbh, I don't see it happening, you might look at just upgrading your reciever, or upgrading your reciever and getting some more aggressive mains, like LSi series towers (which should match alright in multichannel for movies/games (honestly I've never really noticed an issue mix'n'matching for movies, as long as you at least have two of the same speaker for each pair (I'm an incredibly cheap date when it comes to surround sound quality, so take that into account))

at $1500, I can't think of much that'll out-do the RTi8's, as they're $200/ea, so thats $800 as a setup, you might look at Mirage (except they don't make the OMNI line anymore, and Omnisat is iffy for two channel, the OM Design towers are amazing, but $2400-$3500/pair (like most other speakers that'd be a noticable step up from your RTi's))

for $1500, you could do a very nice pair of stereo speakers, like Polk LSi's (maybe, if you're willing to bend a little above $1500, and you catch sales), Logan Purity's (you'll need a very high current amp to deal with their swing down to 1 ohm on the HF (aren't stats great?)), Klipsch's ICON series (but almost every Klipsch I've ever heard is a lot more forward than almost every Polk I've ever heard, which doesn't lend itself to music listening for most)

like, $1500 will basically get you the same thing you've got, just different brands, but I can't think of any package of speakers which will give you a good setup for music listening, imho Polk Audio makes the cleanest pair of speakers under ~$800 (and the next step up to the $800-$2500/pair range, I'd still put Polk up near the top, along with Mirage's OM Design)

as far as $1500 speaker packages, theres quite a few, but none of them are going to be pushing absurd musical quality

so maybe getting a separate music system would be a decent idea? like getting an amp and good 2ch setup, and just feeding it from your reciever as zone 2, so you can keep all of your sources, but have a good listening system (this is honestly all I see, unless someone else has a great idea, or you feel like spending the months required to put used hardware together)

as far as going with $1500 into a 2ch setup, you could look at something like the Logan Purity's or Montage's, Klipsch's new Icon towers, Vienna Acoustics has a few nice towers, MA offers the RS series which should fit into your budget (no idea if they're available in your area easily), something like that fed from a decent high quality 2ch amp, from Rotel, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc

if you feel like quintupling your budget and just being downright spendy, you could consider like the NHT Xd Ultimate theatre system, from everything I've read, the Xd's are excellent SQ, but it is a $7500 package (yeah, I know, thats probably irrational for your budget, but its the only audiophile-esque HT setup I know of (in terms of what the manufacturer bundles together as a package, I know you can just as well build a theater out of a Sunfire 9.2 and Logan towers for all 9 channels (seen it, its weird))

 

[screwdriver]

you need to hit the other forums for advice - you need a double duty speaker that will be great on both movies and music right?

 

[RogerB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeypillow /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've heard good things about the Aperion Audio lines as well as AV123. Anyone care to comment on wither of these brands?

Last week I received a pair of ELT 525m's from AV123. They are the monitors in the new line recently released by AV123.

I LOVE these little monitors!!!!! Not only are they absolutely beautiful but I can't believe all the incredible sounds that are coming out of these little puppies!

Go over to the av123 website and give the ELT's a look!

My 2 cents......

Roger

 

[Monkeypillow]

Again, thanks for all the replies.

The speakers aren't really meant to outdo the Polks, just for another purpose. Since the computer will be a big source, they really need to be bookshelf speakers. $1500 is probably a bit much for bookshelf speakers, and these probably will never be pushed all that hard. I'm kind of a quiet listener.

I may just go with a good headphone setup for now, and integrate that with a speaker setup later.