*lebowski* Posted October 18, 2008 Posted October 18, 2008 (edited) Hi guys. I am looking at upgrading my crappy speakers & Subbie. What speakers & SW do you guys recommend for a 5.1 setup? My budget is modest (around $2000-$3000), and I know you can't get brilliant stuff for that money but it's still going to be far better than what I've got (HTIB leftovers). Ideally, I would like floor standing fronts, but not the huge bulky ones, something a bit more slimline. They will be used for everything - movies, TV, gaming & music. This is what I'm current running: Games/Blu-ray: PS3 DVD player: Pioneer DV-686A (soon to be replaced) AVR: Sony STR-DA 1200 ES TV (not that it really matters): Samsung 40" HD LCD Room size is 5m x 4m. Normal ceiling height. I used the search function but the results were too daunting. Be gentle. It's a work in progress. Thanks in advance. Edited October 18, 2008 by *lebowski*
Juicester Posted October 18, 2008 Posted October 18, 2008 you can get some great gear for 3k. Plenty of options. For speakers, check out the Montitor Audio RS range and also the Paradigm Monitor Range as a start.
*lebowski* Posted October 19, 2008 Author Posted October 19, 2008 Thanks for your replys. I'll check them out.
tb1231503560936 Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 In that price range there are a huge number of manufacturers available to you. Dont forget to check out some of the local loudspeaker companies that provide their products as kits as well (such as VAF, although auditioning them may be difficult depending on where you are). This may reduce the cost to you and give you more bang for your buck. They are excellent speakers. I just ordered a 5.1 system from Adelaide Speakers for $2600. I'm local but they will deliver anywhere in Australia. There is a thread here on them. There are quite a few threads floating around on the internet about them and by all accounts, offer excellent value for money. lots and lots of options in that price range for you and like everyone told me, go out and listen to as many as you can and find what YOU like the sound of best.
christos13 Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 give MORDAUNT SHORT avanti series a go, i thought they sounded good for the price
lufc001 Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) I got the following for $3k about 4 or 5 months back. Might be able to get it cheaper now?? Focal 716v Fronts Focal CC700v Centre Focal 700SW Sub Focal 705v Rears They sounded awesome in the shop with my Denon 3808, although cant hook the ones i bought up yet as I am waiting for handover on my house to be completed. 3 weeks now! Edited October 20, 2008 by rkid001
*lebowski* Posted October 21, 2008 Author Posted October 21, 2008 Thanks again guys. i checked out the Adelaide Speaker website and he had great ones for the price. Many people seem to like them. I could get a decent set of bookshelf speakers + sub for $2000.
50mxe20 Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Thanks again guys. i checked out the Adelaide Speaker website and he had great ones for the price. Many people seem to like them. I could get a decent set of bookshelf speakers + sub for $2000.Focal Sib/Cubs can be had for $1500.Just out of interest, what city are you in?
darent74 Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 I am about to embark on another upgrade. I have Monitor Audio Silver Series speakers for sale. Fronts : Monitor Audio Silver Series S8 Centre : Monitor Audio Silver Series S-LCR Rears : Monitor Audio Silver Series FXi Sub : Velodyne 10 inch CHT Anyone who has listed to these speakers should be able to verify the quality. If you interested we might be able to work something out. message me for pictures have a projector for sale as well ....
*lebowski* Posted October 21, 2008 Author Posted October 21, 2008 Focal Sib/Cubs can be had for $1500.Just out of interest, what city are you in? I'm in Newcastle, NSW.
*lebowski* Posted October 21, 2008 Author Posted October 21, 2008 I am about to embark on another upgrade.I have Monitor Audio Silver Series speakers for sale. Fronts : Monitor Audio Silver Series S8 Centre : Monitor Audio Silver Series S-LCR Rears : Monitor Audio Silver Series FXi Sub : Velodyne 10 inch CHT Anyone who has listed to these speakers should be able to verify the quality. If you interested we might be able to work something out. message me for pictures have a projector for sale as well .... i tried to send you a message but it says that you have it disabled. i'd love to see the pics if thats ok. you can message me if you want.
Juicester Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 these are the old silver series right? the models before the new RS6 line?
darent74 Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 (edited) These are the S8 , the previous version to the RS series. I have heard both, still like the S series . Apart from the cosmetic upgrade and the port being in the alternate spot ( front as opposed to back) they are the same. Edited October 21, 2008 by darent74
50mxe20 Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Lebowski, i dont know whats going on but i dont seem to be able to message you , my email is darent74@bigpond.com, email me, i will send you the photos as requested You need 5 posts to earn the right to be able to PM. Use the pinned red text thread to get your post count up Suggest you remove your email address from your post so you don't get spammed.
johnnydelva Posted October 24, 2008 Posted October 24, 2008 i got a few questions too. was going to start a new thread now that my count is but a quick one... where can i get quality banana plugs from? what sort of price range am i looking out? thanks.
Shonky* Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 Selby Acoustics are fairly good - look for a banner at the top of the page use DTV08 for a discount. http://www.selbyacoustics.com.au These guys are fairly cheap and recommended by a few here. http://www.psraudio.com.au About $2-$3 I think is about the max you should ever pay.
johnnydelva Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 thanks Shonky, are you referring to these ones? Gold Plated Stackable Banana Plugs...Buy 10 Get 2 FREE BP0505A http://www.selbyacoustics.com.au/storefron...&i=25393876 OR Gold Plated Locking Banana Plugs...Buy 10 Get 2 FREE BP0575 http://www.selbyacoustics.com.au/storefron...&i=25395466 thanks... i'll pick them up from hallam hopefully this weekend. John
Shonky* Posted October 25, 2008 Posted October 25, 2008 Hmm.. my pricing was a little off. I bought these: http://www.selbyacoustics.com.au/storefron...&i=25396996 12 for the price of 10 works out to about $4 each. The PSR audio ones might be a good deal.
Mitcon1503562253 Posted October 26, 2008 Posted October 26, 2008 Another +1 for the idea of looking at Adelaide Speakers here also. After speaking to Edward several times and hearing how positive people who have listened/owned his speakers are I think they are excelent value for money and very good quality that together may be hard to beat. I'm often suggest Adelaide Speakers to folks and I'm so impressed I plan on getting him to custom up a system for me very shortly, either way it would be hardy to go wrong and you should at least do yourself a fav and give Edward a phone call and then make your own choices. Australian speakers are really quite excellent, I don;t know why they get so little mention these days.
ford Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 Another +1 for the idea of looking at Adelaide Speakers here also. After speaking to Edward several times and hearing how positive people who have listened/owned his speakers are I think they are excelent value for money and very good quality that together may be hard to beat. I'm often suggest Adelaide Speakers to folks and I'm so impressed I plan on getting him to custom up a system for me very shortly, either way it would be hardy to go wrong and you should at least do yourself a fav and give Edward a phone call and then make your own choices. Australian speakers are really quite excellent, I don;t know why they get so little mention these days. The main problem is a lot of people talking about how good they are,but there are no reviews/comparisons about them. I like the look of them,but before I fork out a couple thousand would like to have some sort of an idea as to there sound. Maybe some people who own them could jump in and give everyone some idea what they are actually like. Maybe the builder could lend a set to a mag for a review. HDrocks: On 4 three way Kenwoods.
Mitcon1503562253 Posted October 27, 2008 Posted October 27, 2008 The main problem is a lot of people talking about how good they are,but there are no reviews/comparisons about them.I like the look of them,but before I fork out a couple thousand would like to have some sort of an idea as to there sound. Maybe some people who own them could jump in and give everyone some idea what they are actually like. Maybe the builder could lend a set to a mag for a review. HDrocks: On 4 three way Kenwoods. Well I think the reason that the builder keeps the prices so low as such is because he doesn't advertise and bother with mag write ups. If you want mainstream known brand names them you have to pay the costs that come with them. As to what people who own them think just do a google or even search here. There are people about who have had their say about the speakers and dealings they have had with Adelaide Speakers. IMHO Mag reviews and online reviews are only a very rough guide at best as sound taste is such a subjective and personal thing, and in the real world two speakers of even specs made by different companies will sound very different. hearing a speaker before you buy is the best option but this only works in your fav if you can have it set-up in your home on your gear and then listen. Hearing something in a store or shop will show you want sound the speaker (plus it's source and all other components) can give if you can reproduce all the same gear/settings and room acoustics, which in real life doesn't happen so often is totally different. I am in the process of getting some of his speakers myself, I'm quite sure he will be able to make the speakers I'm after and save me quite a bit of money. I also needed mine to be custom to my own needs, hard to get that from most other places as you really just get to buy whats on the self and just have to live with it or find someone like Edward to change/tweak them for you. So for me, I see any speaker purchase I make as a risk as I can't get the speakers home set-up in my room running off my system. Also if you look at say a $2,000 speaker from a shop or store thats mass made, how much of that 2 grand do you think also went into R&D, advertising, staffing and all the other over heads plus the brand name and then how much went into the actual compaonents and labour of the speaker ? I guess it's like all things, you just have to search, read and ask what you can and think about if they will suit your needs and budget and what risk there is to you. Then weigh them up against other options to you and make up your own choices. Maybe others who know better or actually own some can chime in or do a search here or google also, it's good to ask advice and such but it's always best if it's your money to do your own homework and then make your own choice. I certainly understand your concern and point though, I also would have loved a listen and look.
*lebowski* Posted October 28, 2008 Author Posted October 28, 2008 (edited) Well I think the reason that the builder keeps the prices so low as such is because he doesn't advertise and bother with mag write ups. If you want mainstream known brand names them you have to pay the costs that come with them. As to what people who own them think just do a google or even search here. There are people about who have had their say about the speakers and dealings they have had with Adelaide Speakers. IMHO Mag reviews and online reviews are only a very rough guide at best as sound taste is such a subjective and personal thing, and in the real world two speakers of even specs made by different companies will sound very different. hearing a speaker before you buy is the best option but this only works in your fav if you can have it set-up in your home on your gear and then listen. Hearing something in a store or shop will show you want sound the speaker (plus it's source and all other components) can give if you can reproduce all the same gear/settings and room acoustics, which in real life doesn't happen so often is totally different.I am in the process of getting some of his speakers myself, I'm quite sure he will be able to make the speakers I'm after and save me quite a bit of money. I also needed mine to be custom to my own needs, hard to get that from most other places as you really just get to buy whats on the self and just have to live with it or find someone like Edward to change/tweak them for you. So for me, I see any speaker purchase I make as a risk as I can't get the speakers home set-up in my room running off my system. Also if you look at say a $2,000 speaker from a shop or store thats mass made, how much of that 2 grand do you think also went into R&D, advertising, staffing and all the other over heads plus the brand name and then how much went into the actual components and labour of the speaker ? I guess it's like all things, you just have to search, read and ask what you can and think about if they will suit your needs and budget and what risk there is to you. Then weigh them up against other options to you and make up your own choices. Maybe others who know better or actually own some can chime in or do a search here or google also, it's good to ask advice and such but it's always best if it's your money to do your own homework and then make your own choice. I certainly understand your concern and point though, I also would have loved a listen and look. I agree 100%. I've read heaps about Adelaide Speakers, not just here but other home theatre sites as well, and they are unanimous that for the price they cannot be beaten & that they sound as good or better than speakers that cost 3 times as much. Bear in mind that quite a few of these people did demo more expensive brand name speakers before going with Edward. Sure there are better speakers, but how many of us have $10K to drop on sound in their living room? Once I move house and start my new job, one of the first things on my agenda is to call Edward. Edited October 28, 2008 by *lebowski*
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