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Posted (edited)

Hi everyone,

 

I want to upgrade my Klipsch Quintet 5.1 system. Mainly use home theatre 80% to Music 20%. I'm looking at upgrading the sub too, but I am only discussing speakers in this thread. My living room is an enclosed area 5m x 4m x 2.5m (50 sq m / 2000cu ft) including the kitchen next to it. I am satisfied with my system, but I want something better.

 

I went to The Life Style Store & Apollo Hi Fi and heard a few bookshelves using the test song "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men - Kef Q100, KEF LS50, BOSE 301, B&W 685, Cambridge Audio AeroMax 2, Martin Logan Motion 15, Jamo C103, Q Acoustics 3020, Q Acoustics Concept 20, and Paradigm Mini. Out of those I liked the BOSE 301 the best, the vocals were amazing!! But the sales guy says besides the mids, everything else will not sound good. Second I liked the Jamo C103 and Q Acoustics 3020. Unfortunately, both were heard in 2 different stores, but both vs the Kef Q100.

 

From initially wanting only bookshelves I have now moved on to wanting floor standers as fronts and bookshelves for rears. I heard the Q Acoustics 3050, Q Acoustics Concept 40, PMC TWENTY.23, Sonus Faber Venere 3.0, Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand SE in The Life Style Store and Jamo S628 at Apollo. My top three favourites are the Q Acoustics 3050, Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand SE, and the Jamo S628. The Mozart's sound more "solid and focused", but the QA 3050 have better sparkle, air and soundstage. I'm leaning towards the QA 3050 and think the price difference is not quite worth the jump to the Mozart's. At Apollo, I really liked the Jamo S628 as it sounded more 'full' (it is a 3 way speaker) vs. the BOSE 301 bookshelf.

 

For my final choice I'm tossing between the Q Acoustics 3050 and the Jamo S628. I don't know any store where I can hear them side by side. Are there any thoughts on which might be better? Which would integrate better with a sub? Does a 2 way vs 3 way speaker matter when crossing over to a sub at 80hz.

 

Lastly any other speaker recommendations?

 

Thank you for your help.

Edited by KoNpHuSeD

Posted

Thanks for your input. Any comments on the Bose only playing well with mids and not highs or lows? What are the general consensus surrounding these speakers?

Posted (edited)
  On 28/05/2016 at 2:58 AM, KoNpHuSeD said:

Thanks for your input. Any comments on the Bose only playing well with mids and not highs or lows? What are the general consensus surrounding these speakers?

 

Listen with your ears and ignore what some sales man is trying to persuade you into buying something more expensive and possibly worse. If you liked the Bose 301's the best then buy the Bose 301's.

 

I think the consensus here is that most here have grown up with Bose and like them very much.

Edited by liteneasy

Posted

ooo... whoosh... Thanks Kaynin, I thought liteneasy was serious.

 

The Bose 301 only seems appropriate for 2 channel music and not for home theatre. That's why I cut it from the list.

Posted
  On 28/05/2016 at 3:21 AM, KoNpHuSeD said:

ooo... whoosh... Thanks Kaynin, I thought liteneasy was serious.

 

The Bose 301 only seems appropriate for 2 channel music and not for home theatre. That's why I cut it from the list.

 

 

Out of the speakers you trialed, personally I like the Vienna Acoustics, you wouldn't go too wrong there.  Also the Sonus Faber's would perform well, I think there's a 5.1 package out with the Venere's around your price point.  I'd just look at the 5 speaker package and find my own subbie, all up for around $10k.  The Vienna's would likely come as a 5 speaker package too...

 

As for the Bose 301's, they're good for shed systems and party thrashers...  ;)

Posted
  On 28/05/2016 at 3:28 AM, Kaynin said:

Out of the speakers you trialed, personally I like the Vienna Acoustics, you wouldn't go too wrong there.  Also the Sonus Faber's would perform well, I think there's a 5.1 package out with the Venere's around your price point.  I'd just look at the 5 speaker package and find my own subbie, all up for around $10k.  The Vienna's would likely come as a 5 speaker package too...

 

As for the Bose 301's, they're good for shed systems and party thrashers...  ;)

 

Vienna's Mozarts were nice. I didn't like the Sonus Faber Venere 3.0.

Posted
  On 28/05/2016 at 3:38 AM, KoNpHuSeD said:

Vienna's Mozarts were nice. I didn't like the Sonus Faber Venere 3.0.

 

 

Bang for buck wise, if you get the chance I'd look closely at some Australian manufacturers -

 

 

http://www.osbornloudspeakers.com.au/

 

http://vaf.com.au/

 

http://www.adelaidespeakers.com/

 

 

Not sure you'd get to audition these in Sydney, but a trip to the Melbourne hifi show in 5 weeks would be a great investment.  At your price point you've got an opportunity to get a system better than the average person, so would be worth the $200 return flight, IMHO...

  • Like 1
Posted

liteneasy - Haven't heard the Sonus Faber Cremona and the stores don't have them.

 

Kaynin - I'll look into the Australian manufacturers, but I'm unlikely to go to Melbourne.

Posted

Thanks for the link. I don't mind second hand at all. Though I won't buy anything without being able to listen to it first. Additionally, looks do play a part, so vintage looking speakers aren't my preference.

Posted

PMCs are a great purchase and there is a pair for sale somewhere on here . Add even a new pair of PMC bookshelves for rears and you are saving yourself a lot of cash and upgrading your sound into the bargain.

Posted (edited)

Don't know the Bose but I'd go with the shop assistant and say no

The Vienna acoustic range are excellent if you can afford the mozarts will make the 20% of music increase to 40%

We are as a site cynical about the modern Bose products

The large sub that produces most of the sound doesn't give a true or realistic sound reproduction

Edited by djb
Posted

You have not said what you are or will be using as an amp , As you have said in your post 80% HT one can assume a ht amp.Do not assume that adding better speakers will give better sound,it could be worse as the better speakers will high lite any problems that your source and amp have.

 

You have said that you are satisfied with what you have but want better but have not included Klipsch in the speakers you auditioned.You could purchase one their reference HT systems for around 5000 at the moment,and as they are around 98db efficient they will not strain the output of a HT amp,if my assumptions are correct.

Posted

Hi seymour,

 

I'm using the Sony DH750 receiver. I would have liked to have heard some Klipsch speakers, but haven't had the time to go to listen to them.

I demoed the Jamo S628 vs the Jamo C109 and I don't think Jamo's signature is for me.

 

I have now narrowed it down to the Q Acoustics 3050 and the Vienna Accoustics Mozart. The QA 3050 are a bargain for their performance, but the Mozart has such a solid in depth sound.

Would my receiver be fine to drive the Vienna speakers?

 

Is anyone using the Vienna's for home theatre? If so how are they?

Posted
  On 29/05/2016 at 8:32 AM, KoNpHuSeD said:

Hi seymour,

 

I have now narrowed it down to the Q Acoustics 3050 and the Vienna Accoustics Mozart. The QA 3050 are a bargain for their performance, but the Mozart has such a solid in depth sound.

Would my receiver be fine to drive the Vienna speakers?

 

Is anyone using the Vienna's for home theatre? If so how are they?

 

The Vienna speakers require a very good amplifier to be at their best and one that also that has decent current capability. The specs do not always tell the entire story and although seemingly efficient, this can be  somewhat misleading in deciding on a suitable amplifier.

IMO the Viennas are best suited to music only and the Q Acoustics would be a better choice and partner very well with the Sony for HT duties. There is also a very considerable price differential, which if not spent, could go towards a future amplifier upgrade.

Posted
  On 29/05/2016 at 12:50 AM, liteneasy said:

What? Bose is life.

 

@@liteneasy

 

I know you are enjoying this but please remember that this is the section where new members seek genuine help and guidance. 

  • Like 1
Posted
  On 29/05/2016 at 9:31 AM, rantan said:

The Vienna speakers require a very good amplifier to be at their best and one that also that has decent current capability. The specs do not always tell the entire story and although seemingly efficient, this can be  somewhat misleading in deciding on a suitable amplifier.

IMO the Viennas are best suited to music only and the Q Acoustics would be a better choice and partner very well with the Sony for HT duties. There is also a very considerable price differential, which if not spent, could go towards a future amplifier upgrade.

 

Hi rantan, thanks for your input. Congrats on selling your Concept 40's, I was very tempted to buy them.

 

I agree with what you. The Q Acoustics are easy to drive and I get to keep my receiver for now. If I get the Vienna Acoustics I'll have to buy a new receiver.

 

I can get the 5 Q Acoustics speakers new - 3050, 3020, 3090c for $1800.

I can get the 5 Vienna Acoustics speakers second hand - Beethoven Baby Grand, Haydn Bookshelf, Maestro Center for $4700.

Posted

....and with the $3k saved,call Pete @ DeepHz and order 2 x PSA XS15SE's subs while they are on sale! Awesome subs and free postage.

Posted

I wouldn't worry about getting floor standing mains if your use really is 80% HT. I have Focal 826vw's floorstanders currently sitting idle while perfectly happy with their little brother 807vw's as mains in my HT room. 

 

You will most likely crossover your receiver at 80hz so floorstanders are really a bit of a waste of money, unless also used for critical 2ch listening... and you have a 2ch pre or integrated with HT bypass etc.

Posted

jamiebosco - funny you should mention that sub as it's on my shortlist.

 

blybo - thanks for you experience. How come you don't use the floorstanders for HT use? Is there not much difference between the bookshelf and the floorstanders?

 

It seems as most of my listening is to geared towards movies, people have stated it's better to go the QA 3050 route.

Seems like the extra price I'll pay won't gain much more enjoyment for movie watching.

 

This is surprising as I thought most people would be recommending the Vienna Accoustics, but it's the opposite.

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