Audiophile Speakers.. Home Theatre Edition

[vsixtyfour]

Hey Guys,

 

Due to the great response form the Audiophile speaker thread I thought I would ask the question again with a HT flavour 

 

If you were to eliminate marketing hype, exclusivity, perceived rarity, actual rarity, leave your emotional attachments out of the equation and focus on the pure cinema reproduction which speakers (and sub if applicable) would you purchase tomorrow (either new or second hand) and why?

 

You do not have to include an option for each price point, however I think this could really open up some unknown options for those new to the audiophile world who are looking to over achieve without over spending, like myself.

 

Premise - You already own an AVR which can output between 100-150W/channel.

 

<$1k (humor me)

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

<$2k

 

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

<$3k

 

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

<$5k

 

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

<$10k

 

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

<$20k

 

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

Cheers

 

vsixtyfour

[b.d]

Are the price points for all 5 speakers and sub?

 

I didn't feel confident voting for anything in the other Audiophile speaker thread, but with HT it'd be an easy one for me. Even if won the lotto I'd go with 5 x on-wall Gallo Stradas and a pair of fridge sized diy subs.

[vsixtyfour]

Yeah, each price point would be the total for either a 5.0 or 5.1 setup depending on the need for a sub, I assume most recommendations will include one to ensure that feeling you get with the action scenes generally sought after with a HT system  

[b.d]

Actually, if I won the lotto I'd have a big enough theatre that I'd go for this in a 4.1 setup

 

B&G LA-800 Radia in-wall line array- $4K each.

Eminent Technology Rotary Sub - $13k  (1hz - 30hz)

[Hifiplus]

Jamo D7 LCR 

why - because it is actually designed for HT,

or B&O Beolab 5's if I had the space!

[Newman]

<$1k (humor me)

Fronts:

Centre:

Rears:

Sub:

& Why:

 

Pioneer FS51 pack. Two front 4-driver floorstanders, a 3-driver centre, two 2-driver bookshelf rears, and a powered sub.

 

I know full retail is $1299 but must be available somewhere for awfully close to $1k.

 

Why: Designed by Andrew Jones of TAD: proper crossovers, bonded curved cabinets, separate flush-mounted grill for each driver. Stereophile did a full review, including measurements, of the bookshelf rears as a front speaker and simply raved about what had been achieved at the price point.

 

I think Pioneer put a proper investment and superb value into this kit, but they market it like a company secret!

 

And I don't think I am humouring you.   

[bwhitesox]

Monitor Audio Apex A10; ( Not sure if the hotty on the couch is included )

 

http://www.trustedreviews.com/monitor-audio-apex_Surround-Sound-System_review

 

Edited January 11, 2013 by bwhitesox

[vsixtyfour]

Pioneer FS51 pack. Two front 4-driver floorstanders, a 3-driver centre, two 2-driver bookshelf rears, and a powered sub.

 

I know full retail is $1299 but must be available somewhere for awfully close to $1k.

 

Why: Designed by Andrew Jones of TAD: proper crossovers, bonded curved cabinets, separate flush-mounted grill for each driver. Stereophile did a full review, including measurements, of the bookshelf rears as a front speaker and simply raved about what had been achieved at the price point.

 

I think Pioneer put a proper investment and superb value into this kit, but they market it like a company secret!

 

And I don't think I am humouring you.   

 

 

I had heard about these, apparently there is a new version of these (only available in the USA) which does an even better job. problem I guess would be getting them over to .AU

[vsixtyfour]

Jamo D7 LCR 

why - because it is actually designed for HT,

or B&O Beolab 5's if I had the space!

 

Dedicated system could be a plus, what's the price point?

[Newman]

Monitor Audio Apex A10; ( Not sure if the hotty on the couch is included )

 

http://www.trustedreviews.com/monitor-audio-apex_Surround-Sound-System_review

 

When a site calls itself 'trustedreviews.com', my red flag hits top of mast   

[vsixtyfour]

Monitor Audio Apex A10; ( Not sure if the hotty on the couch is included )

 

http://www.trustedreviews.com/monitor-audio-apex_Surround-Sound-System_review

 

 

Just curious if you have heard these and if the metal tweeter causes fatigue? 

[davewantsmoore]

Maximum efficiency possible.  IMO.   Even more important for HT than music.

 

This will mean large woofers, and multiple subwoofers .... unfortunately for most meaning that regular domestic living spaces won't qualify.

[JeffK]

Monitor Audio Apex A10; ( Not sure if the hotty on the couch is included )

 

http://www.trustedreviews.com/monitor-audio-apex_Surround-Sound-System_review

 

 

Buy an high quality HT TV/audio system and then sit side on?

[bwhitesox]

Buy an high quality HT TV/audio system and then sit side on?

 

And not even connect the speakers LOL

 

I have heard these speakers and for a medium sized lounge they are great.

[pocoloco]

probably something like the HSU Research ultra15 7.1 package ($2009 USD)

[DoggieHowser]

I don't know how much they cost in Australia, but here are some of my options.

 

For me, a HT system that's designed for multichannel should ideally have identical speakers. Having timbre matching helps if you want to have a mix of speakers with good ones for L/R duties but for seamlessness, identical speakers work best.

 

So in increasing order of cost:

 

KEF 3005 based 5.1 system

http://www.whathifi.com/review/kef-kht3005se-k2

 

 

Have to say these sound amazing and it's not something you expect when you first see the size. The two-way coaxial speaker is also pretty decent with music, when the AVR does the bass management, and these speakers are relatively easy to drive so most AVRs can handle them easily.

 

Next up in cost would be the Anthony Gallo Reference Strada with wall mount. On the desk mounts, the bass is a bit anaemic but the wall mount gives the bass a bit more reinforcement (probably more rigid)

 

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gallo10/strada.html

 

 

Best of all, if you like to have a stereo system, just swap the front L/R for the Gallo Reference 3.5s

[Sub Sonic]

Wall mounting will give you maximum bass reinforcement, whether or not it sounds good depends on a number of factors.

SS