super budget speaker delema

[peterS]

av123 x-series or paradigm monitor series

both come out to around $900

at av im looking at
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=91.1
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=94.1
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=12.1


paradigm:

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/subwoofer-pdr-pdr8-model-5-9-4-1.paradigm

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/centers-monitor-cc190-model-3-4-1-6.paradigm

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-titanmonitor-model-2-4-1-2.paradigm

my receiver will be the onkyo 605
and no I cannot spend more for the B&W 600 series even though I want to BADLY ops:

[wildfire99]

High-quality budget systems are hard. I never liked Paradigm that much, and I would have to question what their markups are since they are heavily into the whole advertising thing. I'd buy the SVS mini system before a Paradigm one.

I would really go X-CS for the AV123 stuff though, I mean why torture that little 6.5" driver in a huge tower when you can split the load across two of them. Besides, you're getting a sub to handle the low end. You didn't list it but the X-LS for the rears would be fine.

I would be personally tempted, if I had no tools, to get 3 X-CS across the front, 2 X-LS in the back, and get a 300W bash amp, 15" DVC, and their 15" box from Parts Express for under $350 shipped free, and it's a small sealed box (so maybe extension issues). Of course, that's $80 more than $900.

The sub price always kills you. You could get the HSU VTF-2 MK2 on sale for $399. I just hate the idea of that little overextended 8" driver in the X-Sub. Gimme a 15"!

AV123 badly needs an affordable 10" sub, but they seem to be tied up with creating whatever 18" refrigerator sub they keep talking about lately. Marketing oops? You gotta watch those shipping costs too... it can make an inexpensive system get real expensive with $150+ shipping fees.

Maybe someone knows of a good sub that would pair with it. Maybe one of those BIC things that people talk about?

BTW: this should have been posted in the original 'help me' thread.

Edit: If you can find or con someone into building you a box... then pass go, collect $200, and do this:

http://www.zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html

[peterS]

im hesitant to buy the x series based of recommendation then be out $350 on total shipping charges if and when I dont like them

looks like I may just have to be patient and buy the new 600 series B&W when I can

thanks

[wildfire99]

The AV123 stuff isn't that bad, in fact I would buy it in a heartbeat over any of the boutique brands (e.g. Paradigm, B&W). They just have a very good profit model set up that means you're not getting an absolute steal every time, and there's nothing wrong with that at all unless you're as cheap as I am.

But you sound like you have your mind set against internet brands... ok. Granted, the X-Series is a compromise design. But I don't think I've ever seen anyone complain about the Ascend CMT-340's or their less expensive MT version. I would buy those without even thinking about it over a B&W 600 bookshelf.

You know, I got into DIY after being demoing a bunch of boutique speakers (including some Paradigms in my home, and some from AV123) and not feeling satisfied with any of them. They are all good compromises, but at some point you just want something that excels (and literally, I love those Seas Excels). I'm not trying to talk you into building anything, but just realize that you're not getting as much value on the dollar with Paradigm/B&W.

If nothing else, you can always order up a pair of whatever you want (or pairs from a few companies) and demo them before buying into the whole 5.1 set. Shipping back to them is usually not as bad as shipping FROM them, if they are padding the S&H costs (e.g. the "sample fee"). When I did my own AV123 'test' I figured the fee was worth it just for peace of mind and knowing exactly what I wanted to get into.

If you really need to buy something from a store, try Polk (I hate them, but everyone else with ears seems to like them) since they get on sale often, or see about buying some DefTechs or something like that used.

[peterS]

building myself (with prefab cabinets) approaches the cost of the B&W 600 series but offers 0 resale value. in addition the 1 cuft parts express boxes wont fit in my stand for a center and id need to buy stands for the fronts...

how about magnepan
# MMG: Floor standing speaker
# MMG W: Wall standing speaker
# MMG C: Center channel speaker
that about $1200 and i could pick them up in person

[wildfire99]

The point of building at the same cost as the B&W's (or any retail speaker) is that while you're spending say, $600 in parts for mains on DIY, the retail boxes are spending $60 on parts and $200 on marketing, and the rest is markup. So while the end price is the same, one of those pairs is going to sound way better. But you are right about resale... though good DIY speakers don't get resold, just repurposed.

The maggie MMC's are their low end line, but they still seem to be well-liked. 60-day guarantee to boot. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone complain about those. In fact, people sell off more expensive box speakers for those planars sometimes... They're not full range though, better budget up a sub too.

Ultimately though you get what sounds best to you. The nice thing about retail is that you can demo things. If the yellow cones actually sound better to you, then grab 'em. I'm heavily biased against retail anything and poly and kevlar cones. I wouldn't mind some Studio 100's though... for $250 ea.

Isn't low end theater speaker buying annoying? :P

[peterS]

Yes 8O

for what its worth it would be matched with a 15" sub most likely

[Race Car Driver]

Just buy some stuff with your discount at BBY and call it a day