johan851
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Posts
- 194
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- 23
This happens once or twice down the line whenever I'm starting to get into something new. It happened with computer hardware, and now it's happening with speakers. Basically, I'm a review fanatic - I want to get the absolute best bang for my buck that I can. I hate wasting money. So I run around and read massive amounts of reviews, forums, anything I can get my hands on, in an attempt to educate myself. At some point I over-educate, or get overwhelmed with options, and start second-guessing everything I do. Then I find some fitting forum and post a thread in it with the intent of figuring stuff out. Maybe you guys can help me?
Here's my gear:
Computer Source (AV-710)
Yamaha RX V393 Receiver
Harman Kardon HKB6 Bookshelf Speakers
What I listen to (roughly):
Music 80% / Movies 20%
Acoustic 40%
Soundtracks 30%
Classical/Jazz 15%
Favorite Artists:
Jason Mraz, Ben Folds, DMB, Boston, Vivaldi, Norah Jones...that's a pretty decent cross-section of what I listen to.
What I want:
- Something that sounds better. I realize that my reciever probably isn't top notch, and I know my bookshelves aren't spectacular. They were cheap though.
- A clear upgrade path. I probably can't afford a $1000 setup now, but it'd be nice if I could work my way towards something great piece by piece. I'd rather have great speakers and a sub-par amp than decent speakers and a decent amp, simply because I can replace the sub-par amp down the road without replacing the speakers.
My current budget:
Around $400
I was planning on spending this budget on a Mirage S12 sub, but now I'm wondering whether or not it's a good choice. I'm a college student, so I'm going to be moving once/twice per year, usually into different rooms and such. A feel like a sub would bother people around me, be a pain to configure in different (and small) rooms, and probably do more harm than good for most of what I use my speakers for (music). I figure I might get one eventually once I start making some Electrical Engineer type of income, but I really don't have the house for it, and won't for a couple of years.
I can't find reviews for any of my equipment, so I really don't know how it stacks up. Right now I'm thinking that upgrading my bookshelf speakers wouldn't be a bad idea. I've heard good things about the Energy C-3's, and there's some nice speakers in the classifieds from time to time. A lot of people seem to like some of the Athena models, too.
I'd rather spend my budget on one aspect that I won't have to upgrade for a couple of years, I think. Also, I'll always have more money eventually, and I recognize the merits of saving things up. It's not burning too much of a hole in my pocket. If I need to wait a month or two to have more cash so I can really make a difference in my setup, I'm all for it.
So, all of that said (I know it was long), what do you guys recommend? Should I stick with the subwoofer idea? Should I save up and get some floorstanding speakers? I was looking at these: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/542299059 but I'm definitely not set on anything. Is my amplification not cutting it?
Thanks for bearing with me. You feel like you're getting a handle on something, then realize you're a total n00b again...
Here's my gear:
Computer Source (AV-710)
Yamaha RX V393 Receiver
Harman Kardon HKB6 Bookshelf Speakers
What I listen to (roughly):
Music 80% / Movies 20%
Acoustic 40%
Soundtracks 30%
Classical/Jazz 15%
Favorite Artists:
Jason Mraz, Ben Folds, DMB, Boston, Vivaldi, Norah Jones...that's a pretty decent cross-section of what I listen to.
What I want:
- Something that sounds better. I realize that my reciever probably isn't top notch, and I know my bookshelves aren't spectacular. They were cheap though.
- A clear upgrade path. I probably can't afford a $1000 setup now, but it'd be nice if I could work my way towards something great piece by piece. I'd rather have great speakers and a sub-par amp than decent speakers and a decent amp, simply because I can replace the sub-par amp down the road without replacing the speakers.
My current budget:
Around $400
I was planning on spending this budget on a Mirage S12 sub, but now I'm wondering whether or not it's a good choice. I'm a college student, so I'm going to be moving once/twice per year, usually into different rooms and such. A feel like a sub would bother people around me, be a pain to configure in different (and small) rooms, and probably do more harm than good for most of what I use my speakers for (music). I figure I might get one eventually once I start making some Electrical Engineer type of income, but I really don't have the house for it, and won't for a couple of years.
I can't find reviews for any of my equipment, so I really don't know how it stacks up. Right now I'm thinking that upgrading my bookshelf speakers wouldn't be a bad idea. I've heard good things about the Energy C-3's, and there's some nice speakers in the classifieds from time to time. A lot of people seem to like some of the Athena models, too.
I'd rather spend my budget on one aspect that I won't have to upgrade for a couple of years, I think. Also, I'll always have more money eventually, and I recognize the merits of saving things up. It's not burning too much of a hole in my pocket. If I need to wait a month or two to have more cash so I can really make a difference in my setup, I'm all for it.
So, all of that said (I know it was long), what do you guys recommend? Should I stick with the subwoofer idea? Should I save up and get some floorstanding speakers? I was looking at these: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/542299059 but I'm definitely not set on anything. Is my amplification not cutting it?
Thanks for bearing with me. You feel like you're getting a handle on something, then realize you're a total n00b again...