3.1 Stereo + speaker suggestions?

[Zstream]

Hi Everyone,

Due to some restrictions and astetics, I'm looking at buying two bookshelf speakers, center, and a subwoofer.

I'm trying to decide between this set

https://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-Diamond-220-Black/dp/B00OHIZQ50

and

http://www.fluance.com/signature-series-hifi-two-way-bookshelf-surround-sound-speakers

However, I'm sure either set will be fine, but I'm curious if anyone has a 3.1 setup? I'm looking at two bookshelf, a center, and subwoofer unit.

Is that too much, or should I just be done with it and convince the wife two floor speakers will work just fine?

 

[mdram]

i run 3.1
2 infinity 363 towers
a pc351 center
klipsh sub12hg

started with 2.0, went to 2.1, then to 3.1

the sub and center made a big improvement

here is a thread comparing bookshelves
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-sp...harmonic-chane-musichall-elac-energy-kef.html

 

[Zstream]

i run 3.1
2 infinity 363 towers
a pc351 center
klipsh sub12hg

started with 2.0, went to 2.1, then to 3.1

the sub and center made a big improvement

here is a thread comparing bookshelves
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-sp...harmonic-chane-musichall-elac-energy-kef.html

Thanks! I really appreciate the response and the link. Is it best to stick with the same brand for a subwoofer or should that matter in the scheme of things? I'm thinking about getting the bookshelf and speakers first, and getting a sub later (if cash is available).

 

[mdram]

sub brand can vary

some say having left/right and center the same brand is better due to tonal matching

reason i went towers was in order to use bookshelves i would have needed speaker stands. so the cost was the same for me.
my tv stand had no place for them.

 

[Zstream]

I think I'll go with the diamond 220's. I was looking at floor speakers the Q3050's, but the bass is just too much for me. I mainly watch TV and an occasional movie, and can't stand overpowered bass setup.

 

[mdram]

floors dont really put out , much more bass than bookshelves
look at the measurements of them.
a 6.5" speaker just doesnt do it, ass in the limited wattage an avr will do, and its no where near a sub

a powered sub will allow you to adjust the amount of bass you get.
you can turn it down to your liking.

 

[Zstream]

Gotcha, but I thought there was hidden sub near the bottom on floor speakers? Is that not the case?

 

[mdram]

maybe on a few, but not on most of them
without a separate amp, its not really going to do much
must cheap sub amps are 300+ watts rms with 800watts or more peak
better ones will be 500 ore more rms

assuming a 12" woofer

a sub uses a low level input (rca cable called lfe) not a speaker level with wattage going through it

 

[razel]

Skip the center. Use that saved money for more budget on better left/right mains or better amp. I've been centerless since the early 2000's. Of course my mom would say since the early 90's.

 

[Zstream]

Skip the center. Use that saved money for more budget on better left/right mains or better amp. I've been centerless since the early 2000's. Of course my mom would say since the early 90's.

Well, if I save on the center, I'll get these and a sub DALI - ZENSOR 5 - Floorstander Speaker in White (pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z5SXG2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_By5DzbXPQQHHH

But I'm worried about the AMP I just purchased if I use those floor speakers. My amp Onkyo TX-NR575 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVFY3M8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6z5DzbYGDVNH1

 

[mdram]

for that kind of coin you can go internet direct
someone like svs

2 prime towers and a good sub

 

[Zstream]

for that kind of coin you can go internet direct
someone like svs

2 prime towers and a good sub

I heard the Dali 5 is better?

 

[mdram]

i would check at avs forums

im am not familiar enough with dali

should have been clearer with my last post.

that is alot of money for speakers. research it a bit. try to listen to them before buying if at all possible.

many internet direct companies offer free shipping both ways, and 30 day in home trial period.

i just used svs as 1 example there are other companies.

 

[Zstream]

i would check at avs forums

im am not familiar enough with dali

should have been clearer with my last post.

that is alot of money for speakers. research it a bit. try to listen to them before buying if at all possible.

many internet direct companies offer free shipping both ways, and 30 day in home trial period.

i just used svs as 1 example there are other companies.

Great idea! I just went to Best Buy and each speaker sounded totally different to me... crazy

 

[mdram]

best buy is not the best place to listen.

any good shops around you that may carry a few other brands?

 

[razel]

At the prices you are looking into the 'best' speaker is like trying to determine the 'best' food. Everyone likes different things. I'm partial toward NHTs and have had my SuperOnes since early 2000s. They were one of the cheapest speakers on Stereophiles recommended list of multi-$k speakers. I can't believe that the current revisions are $175 each. Would I buy them again if my Supers blow out? ABSOLUTELY. I'd actually go for the SuperZero if you have a sub.

 

[Zstream]

best buy is not the best place to listen.

any good shops around you that may carry a few other brands?

Not really, I'll do some more research here, but the only place that has high-end gear sells four brands, and most of those I want to stay away from.

 

[Zstream]

At the prices you are looking into the 'best' speaker is like trying to determine the 'best' food. Everyone likes different things. I'm partial toward NHTs and have had my SuperOnes since early 2000s. They were one of the cheapest speakers on Stereophiles recommended list of multi-$k speakers. I can't believe that the current revisions are $175 each. Would I buy them again if my Supers blow out? ABSOLUTELY. I'd actually go for the SuperZero if you have a sub.

I get it, and that's why I'm having trouble deciding. I went to Best Buy and all the speakers sounded completely different, some low $$ ones sounded much better than the higher priced brands. I know this comes down to receiver, size of room, and what I like the most, in terms of high/med/lows.

I'd like to find a floor speaker that has three speakers high/med/low. Often times I see that they use two of the same speakers for a mid and a low.

I'm just thinking about ordering from places that give a free trial and call it a day.

 

[mdram]

lows are usually handed off to a sub
it takes much more power to make those lows than the highs

 

[Malfeas]

Elac B5 or B6 for the price are hard to beat, and can be found in some Best Buy's or Fry's, etc. There is a huge selection of manufacturers, check out avsforum, r/audiophile, r/budgeaudiophile, r/noaudiophile. And you can get refurbished gear off of Accessories4less for a significant discount.

 

[Zstream]

Elac B5 or B6 for the price are hard to beat, and can be found in some Best Buy's or Fry's, etc. There is a huge selection of manufacturers, check out avsforum, r/audiophile, r/budgeaudiophile, r/noaudiophile. And you can get refurbished gear off of Accessories4less for a significant discount.

QAcoustics 3020's or 3050's (need to measure)
QAcoustics center speaker 3090c
Some good sub (haven't decided), but I'll get a SVS or some outlaw sub

Dali Zensor 3's or 5's (need to measure)
Dali Zensor center speasker
Some good sub (haven't decided), but I'll get a SVS or some outlaw sub

Now, with my new house, I have the option to do 5.1, but I think the location of my TV will make that odd.

Room layout : http://imgur.com/qFxPP8x

 

[Zstream]

Had a chance to listen to the elacs debut B6 bookshelf, and they sound really good. I found a set for $279/pair. It looks like I can get pair of bookshelf, center speaker, and the elac debut s10eq for under $1k. If I go the QAcoustics/Dali route, I'm looking at $1350 - $1600 and I'd go without listening to them.

I'm just afraid my new room will make everything sound differently with vinyl plank flooring, and it's a bit open. Argh! This is driving me nuts

 

[mdram]

i think there are some reviews off the elac sub on avs

 

[Zstream]

I said screw it and purchased two Monitor Audio Bronze 5, Monitor Center, and an Infinity PS312 sub. *fingers crossed*

 

[sdifox]

I said screw it and purchased two Monitor Audio Bronze 5, Monitor Center, and an Infinity PS312 sub. *fingers crossed*

What are you driving them with?