Home Theater 2.0 Build - Getting Started

Hi there.

So long story short, I used to live in on the east coast in Delaware. While there I spent quite a while putting together my own theater room/setup. Finally finished it and got to enjoy it for some months, but then I moved out to California for work related reasons.....etc. It used to be like this

I mainly had DCM speakers for my fronts and surrounds, some old KEFs as my surround backs, and some piece of garbage as my center....haha. I had a dual sub setup with a DCM 12" and a Polk 10" Anyways, I've obviously decided to leave all the speakers behind as I am looking for a little bit higher quality sound in this new system I am putting together, and the fact that shipping speakers of that size vaporizes one's wallet. Don't get me wrong, DCMs are great speakers, good for rock n roll or loud music, but im chasing after a sound a little bit more refined now.

My receiver is a Onkyo TX-SR805 and that is the one piece that is currently in shipment to my location. The shipping on that is without a doubt far less than it would have been to buy a new receiver.

Since then, I obviously didnt bring out the 50" Sony Grand Wega either, so I presently have a Sony KDL-46EX500 display.

SO, ultimately what I am getting at here is, I'm trying to get a whole system going. I would like to get to 5.1 first...then decide if I want to go 7.2 again or not.Looking to put this together one set at a time, and gradually move them around the room as I get more sets. I would like to keep everything one brand this time instead of having a mixed mutt stereo like before if possible. My total budget for fronts / surrounds / center / sub is going to be $1400. If I could get a system I'm happy with for less than that, superb! I am open to buying some used well treated speakers, since you can often get some really good deals that way on some really good speakers.

Since I'm building a set at a time, I was hoping to buy a pair of surrounds first, use them for a stereo setup, followed by center, then the fronts followed by the sub. Space is not an issue, so I definitely want my fronts to be floorstanding. Surround bookshelfs are preferred as well since I'm still a renter for the forseeable future, so I'd like to avoid wallmounting anything or running any in-wall wiring.

Hope that all makes sense, Thanks for any help & recommendations!

I would take a look at Paradigm/Paradigm Reference if your on a budget.

Or if you want some serious quality check out Tyler Acoustics, they should have some used speakers in your price range. Though for a full system it might go over your budget, in the long run you will have a real treasure. They'll most defiantly have that refined sound you're looking for.

It really depends on how far you want to take this. Another "budget brand" alternative is Emotiva, they make some speakers, though not as well known as their amps, they're said to be pretty good.

If you want your speakers to match, and I agree it's a good idea to timbre-match, then you'd be better off buying your set all at once. I know you want to piece it together, but the only real reason to do that would be due to budgetary concerns, and it sounds like that is not an issue.

All that said, you are the ideal candidate for a matched Aperion Audio system, in my opinion. The company is great and will let you audition in your living space (free shipping both ways). To be honest, you have a ton of options if you are just looking for speakers in that price range, but unless you want to build that's what I'd try first, personally. You'll be able to get a nice set of towers for music, a great sub, and surrounds to support movie watching.

Alternatively, I've always liked Infinity's mid-range speakers. Their CMMD cones are proprietary, and I've thought they were a great value. I used to be a huge Definitive fan, but they abandoned their old model to expand to larger markets (not that I blame them). I have not listened to the Energy speakers or KEF speakers that have become popular in the past five years or so, but the reviews are positive, and I know you can get Energy towers with a set of speakers in your range. You can try and find some DCM speakers in that range, as well, but it might be tough to find a matched set from a higher-end name at that price.

My advice is to visit a local high-end store, have a listen, go to Best Buy (I mean, why not, right?), and shop around a bit to find what's best for you. See if you can find a B&W, Paradigm, or Tannoy (I love Tannoys) dealer nearby. Take your time and make sure you've found what you want before buying.

Good luck,

Boz

the main reason I want to do it set at a time instead of all at once is because my receiver is arriving next week, and I have no speakers for it.

When I quoted my price total for the system, that would be either one-time cost or the overall price of the sets together over time.

I know I could just wait till I have the $ saved up to get it all at once, but I'm slightly impatient :P Not that I NEED IT NOW, but I'm just poking around considering options :)

Infinity & Aperion look very promising and right up my alley. I have heard Infinity's before but not Aperion but that is great that they have that audition arrangement that you can do. Tyler Acoustics & Emotiva are kinda pushing my limit just a tad. Once I own a home I'd certainly make that sort of investment though. I have always liked Paradigms but struggled there with pricing as well....I could probably put together something solid from the used area though. Thanks for the recommendations.

The nice part about the Aperions is that you can order a set of towers, see how you like them, and if you love it just order the rest of the set. You can mix and match; get a beefy sub or just a punchy mid-sized one. The same with Infinity, I suppose, but the customer service makes it a snap at Aperion without a middle-man.

Don't pigeonhole yourself; the more you look around and take your time, the better your likelihood of finding both a store, deal, and brand you like.

Good luck!

Boz

Also just to take note, I know its not for all, but a DIY speaker/subwoofer kit might be worth a look too. Something like the Dayton Titanic MKIII 10inch subwoofer is a kit for $399 and requires minimal assembly (screws and glue, NO soldering). This sub will produce a very tight bass, which will bring your setup closer to that refined sound.