[MGLDyson]

Hey guys,

I am looking for advice on some new speakers for a friend who is building a new home.  The builder wants to use some ELAN speakers for his media room which will be used for everything from music to movies to gaming.  I don't know anything about the ELAN line or any other speaker lines, really.   I just know some names and reputations.  I am a www.head-fi.org guy with a burgeoning interest in a stereo setup. 

Anyway, I wanted to get some opinions about some speakers for my friend.  His price range I will say caps out about 400 USD/pr of speakers.  So, maybe about 1000-1500 USA for a 5.1 setup.  He will be using an Onkyo amp (from a pre-existing 7.1 setup), for now.  The only other line of speakers I have looked into is the Monitor Audio BR line.  I know the best thing is to audition speakers yourself but this will not be the easiest thing to do since the local area does not widely cater to a hi-fi crowd.

So, some questions bearing in mind price range (1000-1500 USD), amplification (Onkyo 7.1), and purpose (music, movies, gaming):

1)  What do you guys think about the ELAN line being sold by the builder to be installed and used for the purpose of media like music, movies, and gaming?

2)  What other lines should he be considering for that price range?

Thanks

[JLM]

I had a $1500 budget several years ago for speakers in a 90% audio and 10% HT system.  While speaker values have improved somewhat, even against inflation, I might suggest that he consider quality versus quantity.  In other words, look into getting a 2.1 or 3.1 setup and just wire for the rear channels to be added later.  That's what I did, and didn't regret it.

It'd help to know the room size/layout; his musical interests; and his audio, HT, gaming priorities before offering specific speaker suggestions.

[TomS]

Assuming they're not inwalls, $1000-1500 says AV123 X-Series to me.  Tremendous value, sonics, and fit/finish at those price levels.  The X-Statik open baffle is a breakthrough design at the price point of about $600/pair depending on finish.

www.av123.com

Tom

[Bob in St. Louis]

Open Baffle. Period. All channels. Done.

Bob

[doorman]

OB's are not everyone's cup of tea, a lot will depend on your room size, shape, etc. Happy hunting!
                                                                                                             Don

[NewBuyer]

Might look into Aperion Audio here.

[Bob in St. Louis]

OB's are not everyone's cup of tea, a lot will depend on your room size, shape, etc. Happy hunting!
                                                                                                             Don

True, Michael (IIRC) but I would recommend a listen. I wouldn't discount the alignment because of a preconceived notion or prejudice.  aa

Bob

[MGLDyson]

Thanks for the responses so far guys, keep em' coming.

[MGLDyson]

JLM

I agree that a killer 2.1 would be better since you would be putting that money into quality stuff.  My friend might like that better, as well, since I think he will be getting a lot of music time out of his setup.

I am going to put a rough estimate on the room size and say about 20' x 20' with the right wall open.  In other words a 20' x 20' box missing one wall because it extends into another room and I don't know if that would be the back wall which would make the room depth greater. 

As far as priorities go I would say that music and television/movies would be the biggest priority with gaming as a somewhat distant second.  Musical interestst would be mostly indy bands like Rilo Kiley, Band of Horses, and similar.

[griller]

A set of ACI Emerald XLs and a Force XL sub will come in under budget and give your friend a great 2.1 start. He could add three more to take it to 5.1 when funding allows. The Emeralds are an extremely musical speaker that are a great building block and the Force XL is the best sounding sub I've yet heard.

[JLM]

I'm trying to help a friend shop for HT in a similar sized space with comparable budget.  While I'd never trade quality for output, the considerable cubic footage of that space, coupled with the interest in HT pushes the need for higher output, especially for low frequencies.  The only real compliant I've heard of the AV123 x-ls is limited power handling capabilities, which would be a concern in a HT application in a larger room.

I've owned Ascend Acoustics CBM-170s for years (started out in a 2.1 audio/HT setup) with a Hsu VTF-2 sub.  My room is 14 ft x 18 ft with a small opening and my HT interest is marginal.  So I've added a HTM-200 center and ACI in-walls for the rear 5.1 channels.  I love those CBM-170s, very musical, very high content value, image like crazy, and they handle lots of power with ease.  For the low entry price you only get a crummy black vinyl finish, but upgrades are available.  And they have inserts for wall bracketing.  So I recommended CBM-170SE fronts, CMT-340C center, and HTM-200 rears to my friend (currently on sale for $778 plus shipping).

For a beefy, quality yet inexpensive subs I've always been fascinated with cylindericals.  SVS has a good selection, just pick between cut-off frequency, output, and size.  These worked particularly well for my friend due to less than ideal room layout and that it's already mostly finished off.  The flat/finished tops will allow him to use it as a pedestal for a plant/etc.  Prices start at $549.

[DR]

I agree with griller. Go to the ACI Circle on this site. Also, Mike will answer you personally with any questions you have. 20 by 20 with an open side might be a tad to big for the Emeralds. They are an amazing speaker and the Force XL is just as griller described. For a little more you can get the Sapphire XL and Force. World class.

DR

[ctviggen]

For a beefy, quality yet inexpensive subs I've always been fascinated with cylindericals.  SVS has a good selection, just pick between cut-off frequency, output, and size.  These worked particularly well for my friend due to less than ideal room layout and that it's already mostly finished off.  The flat/finished tops will allow him to use it as a pedestal for a plant/etc.  Prices start at $549.

And if you want a deal, I have an older model (but with upgraded driver) SVS 20-39+ that I could sell you for a good price, and I have the original box to send it in.

As for using it as a pedestal, that might be hard to do.  There's a tube (or what looks like multiple tubes in the new one) that can't be blocked.  If you could attach something to the top and lift it off the top to allow for airspace, it's possible.  I've seen others do this.  It's still a large, black tube though.   Some of the smaller boxes, with nice woodwork, might be better for a family style room.  Of course, the nicer looking the sub, the more it costs.

[Scott F.]

If it were my money I'd take a serious look at the Aperion site. Granted, a 2.1 system will likely sound better (depending on the way you want your music served up) it won't be that much better.

Here is their closeout page.
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/Closeout-Speaker-Deals,65.aspx
You can either build a 5.1 package or buy one of their assembled packages at $999. They also have a

Personally, I run their flagship 6 series 5.1 system in my HT. The sound quality is very very good especially when you consider the relatively inexpensive cost compared to building a system with the usual audiophile manufacturers. Aperion has 5 series package that falls right in line with your budget.
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/5-Series,36.aspx

The Aperion build quality is flawless. When used for two channel listening, it is very musical.

If you want to spend even less, 3 pairs of the Best Buy Insignia's and a reasonable sub shouldn't be discounted either. You could do far worse for far more money.



...just my $.02