Time for new speakers!

mca · « **on:** 12 Jun 2005, 04:50 pm »

After the addition of the Butler 5150 amp to my music/home theater room, I have come to the conclusion that my Paradigm speakers are now the weak link in my system and its time for an upgrade.

I have been running Studio 100 v2 for main, Ref 15 sub, Studio 450 center and ADP 450 for the rears. My system includes the Butler 5150, Anthem AV20, Denon 2900 and an Ah! Tjoeb 4000 cd player.

My room is 14' w x 18' deep with speakers setup against the short wall. The room is also fully treated with Eight Nerve products.

I would like to go with five identical speakers. I like a smooth but detailed sound with a large soundstage. Must be able to handle high volumes without hardness or distortion. Low bass is not an issue as I am happy with the sub and plan to keep it.

Any ideas on where to start my search? I would love to give my business to a manufacturer on Audiocircle. I figure that will also keep prices within reason

westcoast · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jun 2005, 07:32 pm »

Well, it looks like you're going to have YOUR fun

Five identical speakers, huh? Can you give us a feel for the budget?

warnerwh · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jun 2005, 07:59 pm »

Well five Vmps 626r's will sound pretty awesome. Just became a dealer for them but this would be my recommendation anyway. You have plenty of good choices here at audiocircle if your budget is less. Also the values from the manufacturers here are of the best.

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jun 2005, 08:33 pm »

Depending on budget I would contact Jim Salk (www.slaksound.com) about the HT1's

or

Klaus (http://www.odysseyaudio.com) about the Epiphany's.

George

audioslave · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jun 2005, 10:33 pm »

I just broke in a set of Focus FS-68SE's for PhilNYC and I think that they could fit your needs. They image extremely well and throw a deep soundstage. They will go loud given proper power even though they are diminutive in nature. Their website is www.focusaudio.ca.
I had the Studio 100v.2 in my 29x16x8 living room for two years and the Focus speakers fill the room in the same way but more crisp and resolving in its presentation of music. The paradigm's metal-dome tweeter eventually really began to bother me and in fact, they began to overload the room as well.
Of course, the Focus will not have the slam of the big towers given the fact that they are bookshelves but nonetheless more rewarding overall. You could always keep your sub for the bottom end and I think this system would be good for HT and music.

mca · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jun 2005, 03:12 am »

I forgot to mention my budget. I would like to stay around $750 per speaker. I just want to make sure that at that price I can make a definite move up in sound quality and not just move sideways.

dave_c · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jun 2005, 05:49 am »

Check out the DIYCable Exodus Kits. LCR and Kit 641.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=19525

MaxCast · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Jun 2005, 11:34 am »

$750 per speakers...is that in addition to what you sell the Paradigms for?
I would spend all $3750 (750x5) on front main speakers and keep the surrounds and maybe the center. If you have room you could put the 100's as full range surrounds for hi Rez.

A lot of this depends on how you listen to 2 channel. If you like the sound of your preamp with BM on 2.1 then look at monitors with a matching center. If you use a direct mode (2.0) then look for full range fronts. Keep in mind a matching center down the road.

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Jun 2005, 12:08 pm »

I would second the suggestion that more money (for better speaker with more range) is alocated to the front two, then center and least on the surrounds. You can stay with a "family" of drivers to match sonics. Same money on the surrounds or rear would be a "waste" of money unless we are talking megabuck full speakers all around - it's still an overkill but who's counting money in that situation. I would skimp a little on the surrounds and use the savings to get better fronts or get a second sub.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jun 2005, 11:48 pm »

If you can swing $3500.00 for the amp, you ought to take a look at the Magnepan 3.6. Nothing even comes close for the money. They'd be a steal at $5000.00.

mca · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Jun 2005, 01:00 am »

Thanks for the suggestions so far. These are some of the systems I've narrowed it down to:

Salk Sound HTS front and center, HTS-MT for rears.
The HT1 looks like a great speaker but is a tad over my budget and I'm afraid it may be too detailed for my taste.

Selah RC3R front and center, SA-1 for rears.
I really like the Morel midrange and it sounds like it maybe a warmer speaker. Like the cabinets also.

VMPS 626 all around. I don't know much about these speakers and the costs involved with the different options. I'm also afraid of a speaker with too much adjustability, as I will always wonder if it is set correctly.

GR-Research A/V-2 all around or A/V-1 in rear. Lowest cost of the bunch and I could afford to do the 2's all around. Also like the cabinets and the high sensitivity. Don't know much about the drivers though.

Odyssey Nightingale front and center or Epiphony in rear and ? for center. These also sound like a great speaker, but sound like they may be too laid back according to the Epiphony TNT-Audio review. The center channel also seems a little small.

On top of all this, I just got word the Lorelei speakers on Audiogon are still available.

Lots of choices if anyone has any further comments. I think I will start calling the manufacturers listed and getting their take on the setup.

mca · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Jun 2005, 05:16 pm »

I'm going to make a trip to Portland to hear the VMPS 626 speakers thanks to Warner.

Also plan to head to Adire in Lynnwood to see if they have the Exodus LCR or 641 available to audition.

Also getting a chance to listen to the Zu Druid local on Thursday.

Anyone in the area have a GR Research or Selah setup?

doug s. · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Jun 2005, 06:33 pm »

shameless plug (if you like the 626's) - get only three, & buy my rm40 kit.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1123242880&item

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=16004&highlight=

doug s.

Quote from: mca

I'm going to make a trip to Portland to hear the VMPS 626 speakers thanks to Warner.

Also plan to head to Adire in Lynnwood to see if they have the Exodus LCR or 641 available to audition.

Also getting a chance to listen to the Zu Druid local on Thursday.

Anyone in the area have a GR Research or Selah setup?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Jun 2005, 07:13 pm »

Quote

Anyone in the area have a GR Research... setup?

I have lots of customers in that area. Check with Darren Thomas.

http://www.garagehobbies.com/thomaswoodcraft/

Also check with Al Wooley. He is not too far away either.

http://www.rawacoustics.ca/

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Jun 2005, 07:32 pm »

Quote from: mca

I'm going to make a trip to Portland to hear the VMPS 626 speakers thanks to Warner.

Also plan to head to Adire in Lynnwood to see if they have the Exodus LCR or 641 available to audition.

Also getting a chance to listen to the Zu Druid local on Thursday.

Anyone in the area have a GR Research or Selah setup?

mca · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Jun 2005, 11:37 pm »

After a long talk with Klause Bunge last night, I am now the owner of a full Odyssey speaker system. No, I did not get to hear anything, but from everything I have heard and my talk with him, they sound like just the speaker I am searching for. Klause also said the Lorelei mates up with the Butler very well.

I ended up with Lorelei fronts, Nightingale rears and a Nemesis for the center. The Loreleis are going to be upgraded with even better parts in the crossover and silver wire. Everything is going to be matched in the light cherry finish and the good news is it should all be here in about three weeks.

Thanks to everyone here that gave me suggestions and to the vendors that contacted me with info on their speakers. Makes me with I could buy something from everyone

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Jun 2005, 07:49 am »

mca :

Quote

Klause also said the Lorelei mates up with the Butler very well.

[/list:u] Nice match mca ! Thats what "former member" satfrat uses with his Butler's. Happy listening !!!

mca · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Jun 2005, 11:11 pm »

Intersting, I knew satfrat had the Butlers, but did not know about the speakers. What ever happened to him?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jun 2005, 04:41 am »

Quote from: mca

Intersting, I knew satfrat had the Butlers, but did not know about the speakers. What ever happened to him?

satfrat/Robin was banished...or as they say..."he got the boot". I enjoyed his posts....he was always tweaking his system.

WerTicus · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Jun 2005, 10:51 am »

Quote from: Parnelli777

If you can swing $3500.00 for the amp, you ought to take a look at the Magnepan 3.6. Nothing even comes close for the money. They'd be a steal at $5000.00.

how do they compare to the apogee?