B&W speakers for surround sound

[jackchen]

I am planning to set up my home theater system, and am thinking of getting the 802 for the front, HTM-1 for the center, and SCM-1 for the rear surround. I am also planning to use the Krell Home Theater Standard 7.1 for the processor, and Krell Theater Amplier Standard for the power amp. Is this a good combination?
By the way, what is the typical discount for buying B&W speaker from the dealer, or do I expect to pay full retail price? Thanks.

[aarsoe]

I am sure that would make a really nice setup... :T

[Aussie Geoff]

Jackchen,

That will be a very nice set-up indeed – I’m in the very jealous club...

You mention the Krell Home Theatre Standard 7.1 Processor - remember the matching Home Theatre Standard Amplifier is only 5 channels (though they are very very good channels with 200W into 8 ohm and 400w into 4 ohm).

If you are looking to go 7.1 (highly recommended) then you will need an extra stereo amplifier such as the Krell KAC-3250 (3 channels of 250w into 8 ohms and 500w into 4 ohms)... Or for a little more $ the FBP300cx Class A 2 channel system with 300w into 8, 600 into 4, 1200 into 2 ohms. Now there is a set-up to make one (me at least) drool... :)

I know Krell have the Home Theater Showcase Amplifier which does come in 7 channel - but at 125w its current driving capability would not be up to the same class at the Home Theatre Standard for those B&W Nautilus's 802's on your fronts and would restrict the qulaity of the sound you would get. If you were short of $ you could get the 5 channel version of this with the Krell KAC 3250 for the other 5 channels…

Discounts - Hard to get on B&W speakers but you can generally get 10% with 15% being possible for a large order such as yours.

Subwoofer - you didn't mention it - but let me (having listenned and loved) recommend the B&W ASW850 as the perfect match for those speakers....

Geoff

[aphexist]

That is the exact setup that my dealer has in one of his rooms. Sounds great. He also has the processor and amps in a Salamander Synergy rack that looks quite fetching.

I think if you are ordering that entire system at the same time, I would try for a 10-15% discount off retail.

[sikoniko]

drool...drool...drool

[jackchen]

Thanks for all the responses. I am not sure if I need 7.1 yet and therefore I am limiting to 5 channel amplifiers for now since my room is not that big (~17' x 17') and my listening sofa is only about 3 feet away from the back wall. and I am not sure if I can benefit from the 2 additional effect speakers at the back.
I am looking for the new Velydyne 15" sub woofer with bass equaliser calibration, but have not try to audition the B&W main speaker with Velydyne sub and compare with B&W 850 Sub. Any idea?

--- Jack