Entry Level 5.1 Floorstanding - $4-5k

[Katarn]

Greetings All,

Putting together a listening list for a friend of a 5.1 setup for around $4-5k. I have provided him with a list of sub/sat packages but he would prefer floorstanding fronts.

So far I have come up with the following options - I have included one Australian speaker, one US/Canadian and one European. Just to give him a good cross section of what is out there.

Prices listed are RRP...I have assumed that when packaged the price will come down.

Australian Speaker

-----------------------

Krix

Setup - Phoenix(fronts), Equinox(rears), Centrix(centre), Seismix Mk 3(sub)

Price - $3600 approx

US/Canadian Speaker

---------------------------

Paradigm

Setup - Monitor 7(fronts), ADP190(rears), CC290(centre), DSP-3200(sub)

Price - $4500 approx

(Note: Spoke with Steve at Eastwood Hifi.. and he advised to avoid the PDR-10 sub...so I wouldn't need to upgrade my mains. He also said to go with the Yamaha 863 amp as it's better value than the 1800....all up he could package the whole thing for $4700)

European Speaker

-----------------------

Focal JMLabs

Setup - 714V(fronts), 705V(rears), CC700V(centre), SW700V or Velodyne CHT-10R

Price - $3800 approx

As for the amp what do people suggest (keep in mind the budget)..... Was thinking an amp around the 1500-1800 mark would do the trick. Maybe an Integra 7.8 or on the more expensive side the Denon 2808. Would certain amps also be better for certain speakers ?

Bear in mind he wants an amp with 3-4 HDMI and must have Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio

[Jliang70]

Greetings All,

Putting together a listening list for a friend of a 5.1 setup for around $4-5k. I have provided him with a list of sub/sat packages but he would prefer floorstanding fronts.

So far I have come up with the following options - I have included one Australian speaker, one US/Canadian and one European. Just to give him a good cross section of what is out there.

Prices listed are RRP...I have assumed that when packaged the price will come down.

Australian Speaker

-----------------------

Krix

Setup - Phoenix(fronts), Equinox(rears), Centrix(centre), Seismix Mk 3(sub)

Price - $3600 approx

US/Canadian Speaker

---------------------------

Paradigm

Setup - Monitor 7(fronts), ADP190(rears), CC290(centre), DSP-3200(sub)

Price - $4500 approx

(Note: Spoke with Steve at Eastwood Hifi.. and he advised to avoid the PDR-10 sub...so I wouldn't need to upgrade my mains. He also said to go with the Yamaha 863 amp as it's better value than the 1800....all up he could package the whole thing for $4700)

European Speaker

-----------------------

Focal JMLabs

Setup - 714V(fronts), 705V(rears), CC700V(centre), SW700V or Velodyne CHT-10R

Price - $3800 approx

As for the amp what do people suggest (keep in mind the budget)..... Was thinking an amp around the 1500-1800 mark would do the trick. Maybe an Integra 7.8 or on the more expensive side the Denon 2808. Would certain amps also be better for certain speakers ?

Bear in mind he wants an amp with 3-4 HDMI and must have Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio

Is the 4-5K budget for speakers only or is it the price for the whole package ?

[Katarn]

Is the 4-5K budget for speakers only or is it the price for the whole package ?

For the whole package... as you can see from the quote from eastwood it is doable.. and those speaker prices are rrp.

So I am sure money can be shaved... Nearly all Hi-Fi places I have spoken too have offered me at least a 15% discount

Edited May 21, 2008 by Katarn

[Andre281503560612]

I like the Focal package, but maybe get the next floorstanders up, and go for a Yamaha amp as they tend to go well with the focals.

[50mxe20]

I like the Focal package, but maybe get the next floorstanders up, and go for a Yamaha amp as they tend to go well with the focals.

Yea, I felt there was a bigger step between the 714S and the 716S than between the 716S and the next ones up.

[fat]

As the others have already said I would spend the extra and get the 716V's. I had them as my floorstanders and they are very good for the price

[Jliang70]

Focal is definitely a good option. Monitor Audio RS6, matching centre RS-LCR, and Bronz surround speaker and SVS sub are also worthy of your consideration.

Edited May 21, 2008 by jliang70

[50mxe20]

If you haven't seen it, this is a fun thread:

Focal Jm Lab Speaker Owners

[Captainclive1503561906]

Australian Speaker

-----------------------

Krix

Setup - Phoenix(fronts), Equinox(rears), Centrix(centre), Seismix Mk 3(sub)

Price - $3600 approx

US/Canadian Speaker

---------------------------

I have been considering the Krix setup. The price I've been quoted is a lot higher then $3600. Where did you get that quote from.

I'm in Qld.

Regards

Clive

[Andre281503560612]

I think thats fairly close to retail mate.

[NiKos]

Keep an eye out for superceded models.

I'd also recommend Focal. Managed to grab the 716S, CC700, 706S and Velodyne CHT-12R, all for $2,930. All new too in case your wondering.

Superceded models of course on runout. Grabbed a new Marantz SR4001 Amp for $500 too.

Very happy for the money I paid. My first home theatre system.

Wouldn't mind a Paradigm S6 system down the track though.......mmm.

Cheers,

Nikos

[50mxe20]

Keep an eye out for superceded models.

I'd also recommend Focal. Managed to grab the 716S, CC700, 706S and Velodyne CHT-12R, all for $2,930. All new too in case your wondering.

Interesting price. Was considering selling mine and wondering what a good price would be.

[Katarn]

Okay I will take a listen to the 716Vs... as for the Yammy amp.. my main issue with this is that many of the hi-fi stores in Melbourne don't stock them.

They are either pushing Integra or Denon. I can get the yammy amp from JB i guess.. but i'm sure that will lessen our bargaining power on the speakers..

Hmm I've heard of Monitor Audio but haven't managed to find a retailer who stocks them in Melbourne.

With the Focal speakers i have chosen what is a good choice from an AMP(haven't managed to find a Focal one in the same range).. would the Velodyne I suggest match okay or is there something else better ?

As for the Krix - yes that was retail price both in Melbourne and Perth. Sounds like QLD stores are taking advantage of "extra transport costs"

[Jliang70]

Okay I will take a listen to the 716Vs... as for the Yammy amp.. my main issue with this is that many of the hi-fi stores in Melbourne don't stock them.

They are either pushing Integra or Denon. I can get the yammy amp from JB i guess.. but i'm sure that will lessen our bargaining power on the speakers..

Hmm I've heard of Monitor Audio but haven't managed to find a retailer who stocks them in Melbourne.

With the Focal speakers i have chosen what is a good choice from an AMP(haven't managed to find a Focal one in the same range).. would the Velodyne I suggest match okay or is there something else better ?

As for the Krix - yes that was retail price both in Melbourne and Perth. Sounds like QLD stores are taking advantage of "extra transport costs"

Carlton Audio Visual stocks Monitor Audio speakers.

[Katarn]

Carlton Audio Visual stocks Monitor Audio speakers.

Ahh excellent.. good to know thanks

Hmm seems like a trip into the City needs to be planned. Hit Clef Hi Fi for Krix and then onto CAV in Carlton for the Monitor Audio and then E-Home Solutions in Fitzroy for the Focals.

[50mxe20]

With the Focal speakers i have chosen what is a good choice from an AMP(haven't managed to find a Focal one in the same range).. would the Velodyne I suggest match okay or is there something else better ?

As for the Krix - yes that was retail price both in Melbourne and Perth. Sounds like QLD stores are taking advantage of "extra transport costs"

Krix and Focal are light years apart in sound. IMHO. Not sure how you could be comparing them.

Is your question an amp one or a SW one?

I stuck with the Focal SW. I reckon it's pretty good and matches with the other Focals well.

Any good quality amp will drive the Focals.

I'd be listening to them and deciding if you can hear a difference and then going with the one you like from a sound point of view.

[Cooksta59]

Greetings All,

Putting together a listening list for a friend of a 5.1 setup for around $4-5k. I have provided him with a list of sub/sat packages but he would prefer floorstanding fronts.

So far I have come up with the following options - I have included one Australian speaker, one US/Canadian and one European. Just to give him a good cross section of what is out there.

Carlton Audio Visual have Monitor audio http://www.carltonaudiovisual.com.au/?q=node/view/66 in Melbourne.

whoops beaten by jilang there.

I would add that its imperative that your friend listen to your list of speakers for himself.All of the brands you have listed are well worth a listen and differences between them can be subtle at times, I would recommend taking the same dvd's and cd's to auditions so at least that part of the process is a constant.

Other factors will be beyond your control such as room acoustics, setup and different sources driving the speakers.

1 mans meat is another mans poison

Edited May 22, 2008 by cooksta

[50mxe20]

I would add that its imperative that your friend listen to your list of speakers for himself.All of the brands you have listed are well worth a listen and differences between them can be subtle at times, I would recommend taking the same dvd's and cd's to auditions so at least that part of the process is a constant.

Other factors will be beyond your control such as room acoustics, setup and different sources driving the speakers.

1 mans meat is another mans poison

Good analogy.

I agree.

[Jliang70]

Ahh excellent.. good to know thanks

Hmm seems like a trip into the City needs to be planned. Hit Clef Hi Fi for Krix and then onto CAV in Carlton for the Monitor Audio and then E-Home Solutions in Fitzroy for the Focals.

If you are in the city, you can also go to Audiolifestyle located at 214 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. (http://www.audiolifestyle.com.au). They stock Focal, Mission, Elac, Kef and some other brands of speakers. I think you got mixed up with E-home and Audiolifestyle. E-home is at Dandy Road, Carnegie.

[Katarn]

Krix and Focal are light years apart in sound. IMHO. Not sure how you could be comparing them.

Is your question an amp one or a SW one?

I stuck with the Focal SW. I reckon it's pretty good and matches with the other Focals well.

Any good quality amp will drive the Focals.

I'd be listening to them and deciding if you can hear a difference and then going with the one you like from a sound point of view.

Hi Lyle.

Actually it was both an amp and Subwoofer question .. but thanks for the advice

and yeah jliang I got mixed up *blush*

And yes I'll be taking my friend listening.. his money after all

And Lyle I mainly included the Krix to be on the lower side of the 4-5k budget

[50mxe20]

Hi Lyle.

Actually it was both an amp and Subwoofer question .. but thanks for the advice

and yeah jliang I got mixed up *blush*

And yes I'll be taking my friend listening.. his money after all

And Lyle I mainly included the Krix to be on the lower side of the 4-5k budget

Remember my advice is only an 'opinion/personal preference'.

There are many people here who love Krix. I tried too but fell 'out of love'.

The love of my life is a much cleaner sound with less bass that I felt the Focals and possibly the Paradigms give one.

Just like I felt Denon amps were warmer than Yamaha.

But again sound is such a personal thing I don't believe anyone can give advice. Only guidelnes.

Taking your friend is an excellent idea. And going together is good too because you can bounce ideas off each other.

Some (but not all) salesmen are very good too, especially in specialist shops.

Taking music and movie scenes that your familiar with is also a very 'sound' idea.

The only problem is that auditioning does take a lot of time.

Have fun!

[Katarn]

Remember my advice is only an 'opinion/personal preference'.

There are many people here who love Krix. I tried too but fell 'out of love'.

The love of my life is a much cleaner sound with less bass that I felt the Focals and possibly the Paradigms give one.

Just like I felt Denon amps were warmer than Yamaha.

But again sound is such a personal thing I don't believe anyone can give advice. Only guidelnes.

Taking your friend is an excellent idea. And going together is good too because you can bounce ideas off each other.

Some (but not all) salesmen are very good too, especially in specialist shops.

Taking music and movie scenes that your familiar with is also a very 'sound' idea.

The only problem is that auditioning does take a lot of time.

Have fun!

Yep I realise that... I'm probably with you on the preferring clean sound over bass. But I will see what my friend thinks.. he may end up just wanting a good bang for buck system that will give him lots of boom in movies.

Yeah I know I hated going into AV stores at the start by myself armed with very little knowledge....gives sales people that chance to spin tall tales about certain products.

And yep already got our seperate libraries selected...got some slight differences in tastes in movies and music. So I'm taking along stuff that may test the systems in different ways.

As for amps I guess at the end of the day brand is somewhat irrelevant.. and really just comes down to features and the sound they provide versus the price point you can get one at.

[50mxe20]

Yep I realise that... I'm probably with you on the preferring clean sound over bass. But I will see what my friend thinks.. he may end up just wanting a good bang for buck system that will give him lots of boom in movies.

As for amps I guess at the end of the day brand is somewhat irrelevant.. and really just comes down to features and the sound they provide versus the price point you can get one at.

Same with music on CDs. The only time I use bass boost is in the car.

Otherwise most of what I listen to, I listen to flat. As it is on the CD.

I thought I could tell the difference, even at my age. But in the end maybe I got swayed by the 'Japanese' components.

(And the smooth talking salesman )

[geoff888]

Remember my advice is only an 'opinion/personal preference'.

Very good point.

There are many people here who love Krix. I tried too but fell 'out of love'.

Try the Ikon 6s and 7s also if you prefer a clean sound over bass (not they don't have bass but their tone is towards the leaner side and very transparent)

[IndyJnr]

You should also consider the b & w 683 package, its around the price point of the focals.