FPM vs Mini Theatre B&W's

[Rob72]

I am looking for a small speaker setup for my new Pioneer Plasma. I need something small as my wife would like it to be non obtrusive.

What would you guys choose if you had to with either

5 Mt-1's and a PV-1 sub (essentially B&W's mini theatre package)

or

2 FPM 5's with a PV-1 sub.

Would the smaller MT-1's be better than the 2 FPM 5's for movie watching.

I do not need anything earth shattering as I have neighbors upstairs....just something clean and simple.

What do you think? These would be strictly for movie watching.

[Nolan B]

I am looking for a small speaker setup for my new Pioneer Plasma. I need something small as my wife would like it to be non obtrusive.

What would you guys choose if you had to with either

5 Mt-1's and a PV-1 sub (essentially B&W's mini theatre package)

or

2 FPM 5's with a PV-1 sub.

Would the smaller MT-1's be better than the 2 FPM 5's for movie watching.

I do not need anything earth shattering as I have neighbors upstairs....just something clean and simple.

What do you think? These would be strictly for movie watching.

FPMs, no question. I have a/b compared the FPMs to many of B&W speakers and they (in my opinion) would crush the MT - 1s in terms of quality.

they will both look and sound better. What do you plan on driving them with? A rotel 1057 would be perfect in my opinion.

* on a side note they come in paino black which will match your pioneer perfect :T

[Rob72]

Vancouver,

I also believe the FPM head to head is better than the MT-1's but do you think 2 FPM's no center would do a better job than say 5 MT-1's in a movie setting?

I used to have the Rotel 1095/68 combo but sold it. I simplified and got a Pioneer VSX-84 for movie purposes. This system is purely for movies and not audio listening. The Pioneer has the HDMI inputs I wanted and I thought it was pretty good value for money.

[Nolan B]

Vancouver,

I also believe the FPM head to head is better than the MT-1's but do you think 2 FPM's no center would do a better job than say 5 MT-1's in a movie setting?

I used to have the Rotel 1095/68 combo but sold it. I simplified and got a Pioneer VSX-84 for movie purposes. This system is purely for movies and not audio listening. The Pioneer has the HDMI inputs I wanted and I thought it was pretty good value for money.

oops, i didnt read that it would be 2 FPM 2s vs 5 MT-1s.

What about going with 5 FPMs and an AS2? The money you save with the sub will help you get 5 FPMs. I have heard FPMs with the AS2 and though they worked very well together.

[Rob72]

no you were right I was thinking about

2 FPM 5's and a sub PV-1

or

5 MT-1's and PV-1

[Nolan B]

no you were right I was thinking about

2 FPM 5's and a sub PV-1

or

5 MT-1's and PV-1

OK, no i got you. I was off a third time thinking you meant FPM 2s!

The FPM 5s and FPM 4s (4s cost less) sound the same. I would get 3 FPM 4s for the front, 2 FPM 2s for the rear and a AS2 sub. Not a 100% sure if thats out of your budgt or not.

Downgrading from the PV1 to the AS2 should free up some cas for the extra speakers and you will end up with an over all much better sounding sysem.

[Rob72]

Thanks Vancouver,

I like your idea but am not sure I can implement it in my setup. I have a modern piece of furniture that the Pioneer Plasma sits on so putting a center in front of it would probably block some of the lower part of the screen. I thought about hanging the screen but it does not work because of my layout. This is why I mentioned the MT-1's. As for my budget it is fairly flexible. The entire FPM setup would probably cost me more than the MT/PV-1 setup? Not sure but I will ask my dealer.

I am trying to figure out how to implement a 5 speaker setup other than the MT series. The MT series would allow me to use a center because they are fairly small. I would rather go the FPM route though.

I will see what the price breakdown is on the FPM route you suggested.

Nice setup you have....I think it looks like you live in a loft. I live in one as well.

[Nolan B]

Thanks Vancouver,

I like your idea but am not sure I can implement it in my setup. I have a modern piece of furniture that the Pioneer Plasma sits on so putting a center in front of it would probably block some of the lower part of the screen. I thought about hanging the screen but it does not work because of my layout. This is why I mentioned the MT-1's. As for my budget it is fairly flexible. The entire FPM setup would probably cost me more than the MT/PV-1 setup? Not sure but I will ask my dealer.

I am trying to figure out how to implement a 5 speaker setup other than the MT series. The MT series would allow me to use a center because they are fairly small. I would rather go the FPM route though.

I will see what the price breakdown is on the FPM route you suggested.

Nice setup you have....I think it looks like you live in a loft. I live in one as well.

yup i do. I know your issue of the centre channel. Notice I made a custome piece for my FPM to sit on. The FPMs do have stands as an option and the one for the centre speaker is very low and can sit perfectly infront of a plasma. Post a picture of what you are working with if you can.

[Audiophiliac]

I would recommend the FPM/PV1 setup. That sub is really nice, and the FPMs are a better speaker than the M1. If you can only afford 2 FPMs at this time, get them, and add the others down the road.

OR, get 4 M1s and the PV1, run a phantom center for now, get the FPMs for fronts later and move the M1s to your computer desk.....(I only say this because I use a pair of M1s with a Martin Logan Dynamo for my computer and it sounds excellent. )

[Rob72]

Very nice.

I think I may be heading in this direction with the FPM. By the way are the FPM's bi-wireable? I believe they except banana plugs? I have a pair of bi-wireable MIT AVT1's which I am not using at the moment and would be very happy if I could use them with the FPM's

[Nolan B]

Very nice.

I think I may be heading in this direction with the FPM. By the way are the FPM's bi-wireable? I believe they except banana plugs? I have a pair of bi-wireable MIT AVT1's which I am not using at the moment and would be very happy if I could use them with the FPM's

FPMs are not bi-wireable, and are very difficult to use with banana plugs.

[Rob72]

oops I guess most flat panel speakers are like this. What kind of cables do you use?

[Nolan B]

oops I guess most flat panel speakers are like this. What kind of cables do you use?

check Cat Cables (sponser of this site)