Building new hometheater system starting with B&W 703

[lazime]

Hi,

I've been looking to get a pair of B&W703 for music. Eventually, I want to build a HT 5.1 system with my old Marantz SR 18 receiver. For music, the 703 is great. However, when I audition for HT 5.1 setup (703 Front, DS7 Surr, HTM7 Center, 700SW) at a dealer, I dont like it that much. They were showing 'saving private ryan' movie and the sound and bass are a bit bright for my taste of movie. Even when the tank was running by and the bass just didn't make it somehow.

I am thinking to start with 703 first for music and later on mix match with a lower end surround, could be the new B&W683 or some other brand. I want to have a more floor shaking subwoofer around $600. Not sure about the center speaker yet. Something to compensate the brightness. These would keep me in budget and may be giving me something a bit more warm tone for movie. Probably I got used to the sound of these movie theater outside. Any suggestion on how to get the best of everything? )

Thanks in advance.

[crowland]

I think that at your budget for a sub with what you need in mind, you really couldn't go wrong with DIY. Check out Parts Express for some cool designs or input. Trust me when I say if you can build a box you can build a sub. $500 to $600 seem's be the apex of the curve at which you start running in to deminisihing returns very quick.

Example: At 400-500 build cost you easily get a 1K retail sub. Whereas 700 to 1000 you might as well get an SVS. I have spent way too much time on this; trust me.