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~$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
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

I had built some custom speakers which had a dip down to 4 ohms at 40Hz and the 100-400hz range. The Yamaha V663 receiver did not have a problem with this, as long as it was set to "6 ohm speaker" in the advanced setup menu.  That being said, 2.4 ohms is very low and the PSB speakers are definitely going to be hard to drive (big amp recommended!)

The new Monitor Audio series is better.  The Silver 300 is pretty respectable on impedance, and only has a drop down 3.6 ohms in the 100-200hz area.

soix
9,456 posts
 
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. 

fivebluestones OP
4 posts
 
Thanks again for these detailed comments and suggestions. I'm learning about issues I wasn't even aware of, which will reduce the risk of me doing something dumb.
bobnegi
25 posts
 
Your room is almost square, consider 2 smaller subs instead of one big one, and do the 'clap' test to see if you have any undesirable reflection points.

I got rid of my upgradedititus disease by going to a 4 sub system and a few sound absorbing wall treatments

Good Luck!
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,782 posts
 
Auxinput: here is your quote, "the PSB speakers are very warm and full in the midrange, but they are warm and soft sounding and will not have the clarity of the Snell (this is due to the polypropylene drivers used for midrange and bass). Don’t get me wrong, they are very pleasant speakers to listen to, but they may not have the clarity and resolution you are looking for.

Sorry very wrong, we sold Snells for years, the PSB are way better and their cones are made out of clay not polypropelene. 

The PSB are very good imagers, and are quite warm with good clarity, we are big fans of the Dali loudpeakers the Opticon 6 are amazing sounding and are a terrific buy they are less expensive then the PSB Imagine series and combine warmth with detail, at $2,500.00 a pair they are a fantastic buy. We have a client with an entire Dali home theater and he is delighted with them. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ 
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