Speakers for a new system
July 6, 2004
I am planning on upgrading my audio system. As far as the
receiver goes, I think I will go with the Denon AVR-3805. But, I am not able to decide on
which speakers to buy. For aesthetic and space reasons I am limited to satellite/bookshelf
speakers. The other requirement would be that the surround system be able to handle DVD-A
and the seven-channel surround mode of the receiver well (i.e., the rear
surrounds be powerful, too). They should be able to handle the regular stuff like
deep bass and vocals in movie tracks, etc. My budget for the speakers is about $2000 to
$2500.
One of the speakers that does fit the above requirements
and that you have frequently recommended on your site is the Mirage Omnisats. But, I am
not a big fan of the Omnipolar stuff as I find them very overwhelming. By the time I
watch a two-hour movie on them, I feel exhausted and tired!
I have done a lot of research on the Internet on this
topic, but am very confused and can't decide. Since I sort of made a bad choice with my
first system (well, back then we didn't have Internet and had to depend mainly on the
salesman and the limited test facility at local stores), I need some professional help.
Can you please recommend a few speakers that meet my needs?
Sincerely,
Gary
Your requirement for satellite or bookshelf speakers
that "handle the regular stuff like deep bass and vocals in movie tracks"
is daunting because of the "deep bass" aspect. Small speakers just don't do deep
bass -- there's no getting around it. With your seven-channel
specification and with your listening requirements you almost have to use a subwoofer
to augment the other channels.
We do like the Mirage Omnisats, but if you've heard 'em
and don't care for 'em, there are other options. I'm assuming, since you mentioned space
limitations and were considering the Omnisats, you need to mount your speakers as opposed
to having speaker stands placed around the room. If that's the case, why not look at some
of the in-wall or on-wall speakers available? Paradigm's Monitor line now includes
several on-wall models that just might fit the bill. And as a bonus they have a
good selection of subwoofers that would mate well with them. Give 'em a listen and let me
know what you end up with.
A good system for $1000?
July 5, 2004
How much do you have to spend to get a system that is
reasonably high end? I want to set up a small stereo but don't know what the cut-off point
is as far as price. Will $1000 buy something decent? I know you have reviewed components
costing very little.
Ben
You can certainly set up a good system for
$1000, or even a bit less, that will provide satisfying performance. The key is to first
decide on a system configuration, and only then go shopping for components.
For a $1000 system I'd specify either an
integrated amplifier or receiver, a CD or DVD player, and a good set of bookshelf
speakers. Leave a little bit of money for cables and stands. Here's an example: I'd split
the biggest portion of your budget between the receiver/amp and speakers, perhaps
spending $328 on the Ascend Acoustics
CBM-170 loudspeakers and $250 for a Denon DRA-295 stereo receiver. Your source could
be something like the Pioneer
DV-563A universal audio/video player, which is priced at $250. Wrap it up with a
set of Parts Express speaker stands for
under a $100 and you'll have just enough left for some good-quality cables. You'll be
set for great sound for some time to come and meet your budget.
Does wood sound better?
July 2, 2004
A few years ago Polk Audio ran some ads in magazines that
insinuated that wood-veneered speakers sounded better than laminated speakers. Do you know
why this might or might not be the case?
Therry
As far as I know there is no evidence to suggest that
wood-veneered speakers sound better. They might look better than their laminated
counterparts, but the finish on a speaker matters little to the sound. The only possible
exception I can think of -- and I'm stretching here -- would be a wood veneer thick enough
to damp or alter the cabinet's resonance (versus, for example, a textured-paint finish on
the same cabinet). That's not to say that cosmetics aren't important to your buying
decision, but just not in regard to the actual performance of the loudspeaker.
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