~$4,000 home theater + music system?


I’m trying to put together a home theater and music system that’s within my budget and fits in my 16’ x 17’ living room. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

Two PSB Imagine T2 tower speakers for the right and left front:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IGNT2BA/PSB-Imagine-T2-Tower-Black-Ash.html


One PSB Imagine XC center channel:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMNXC/PSB-Imagine-XC.html?cc=07


Two PSB Imagine XB bookshelf speakers for the right and left back / surround:/
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMNXB/PSB-Imagine-XB.html?cc=07
Total cost at Crutchfield (buying everything "scratch and dent"): ~$4,000

I’ve already bought the TV and receiver:
TV: LG Electronics OLED65C7P 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV (2017 Model)
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V679BL 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver with Bluetooth (90 watts / channel)

This is (I hope) an upgrade from my current system of two 33-year-old Snell J speakers (yes, the original J’s). I originally loved the Snells for their ability to clarify the midrange in songs so I could finally understand Elvis Costello’s lyrics. In terms of music, the vast majority of what I’ll listen to is songs -- rock, blues, pop, show tunes, underground, rap, country -- where the vocals / lyrics are the most important thing to me.

I'm looking for sound that’s especially good in the midrange, and is overall smooth and flat (not bass-heavy). I never crank my music or home theater -- I listen at quite sedate volumes. I’d appreciate any comments about the above system, especially focused on bang for the buck in terms of home theater and the kind of music I like.

And this is probably a dumb and unanswerable question, but I’d love to hear guesses as to whether songs are going to sound at least as good on this system as the Snell Js.

Thanks for helping out a guy with a limited budget. I can only drool over the systems usually discussed here.
fivebluestones

Showing 1 response by soix

A couple years ago my brother asked me a similar question. Given his limited budget and inability to hear many systems in his area, I recommended he try some speakers from Aperion since they get very good reviews and offer a 60-day return policy. The main reason I recommended them was that they offered my preferred 3-way center speaker with the silk tweeter mounted above a dedicated midrange driver. BTW, he too is using a mid-level Yamaha AVR although I can’t remember the model offhand, but that these speakers were around 89dB efficient and don't drop much below 4.5 Ohms was another reason I thought they'd work in his situation.  To be honest, I knew they’d be more than fine for him, but I was skeptical if I’d really like them (not a fan of Kevlar drivers in general). I have to say these speakers are very impressive indeed. He has the previous Verus models, and for both 2-channel and movies I have to say they sound superb. What most surprised me was their clarity without harshness along with a surprisingly deep and holographic soundstage -- not what I was expecting at all. And the center channel is superb. None of the muddiness or off-axis anamolies I hear from most centers, and the dynamics keep right up with the towers.

But, if it’s me I’d make a couple changes. I think the cheaper Intimus 5Bs (or probably even the 4Bs) would be fine for surround duties, so I’d save $ there. Also, I’d go with a sub from SVS, Hsu, etc. instead of an Aperion sub because, dollar for dollar, I think you get more performance. IMO, you just can’t do home theater without a decent sub. Past that, hey you have 60 days to see how they compare to your Snells. You might find they surprise you as much as they did me.  Hope this helps and best of luck in your search.