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Am I going insane?

I am not what most of you would call an audiophile, although I do appreciate a nice soundstage. I figured this was a good place to ask my questions. First I want to give you my situation though...

Last year I bought the Sony 40"XBR. I love it. Now it's time to purchase a very modest sound system for HT and 2channel. I don't have ANY equipment yet. I do know that the speakers are the first, most important piece to aquire.

So, I was at a dealer last week. I was listening to the B&W CDM NT1 series in both 5.1 and 2 channel. The sound was clear and I was pretty impressed. This is the B&W series (at least retail) that is in my price range.
Then, the fella helping me switched to the Boston Acoustics VR-M60s, with the matching center and surrounds. I thought that the BAs sounded better...much better...more free, less boxy. Both sets were being played from a Yamaha reciever (not hifi to be sure, but I can't afford good components yet). AM I NUTS? Would seperates make this setup sound better? The room was setup nicely, at least as far as my limited experience can tell.

Since then I have listened to a PSB setup, but wasn't as impressed. I also teased myself with a BEAUFIFUL Sonus Faber setup that I might be albe to afford in about 1000 years. I am looking for other options, but am limited by around a $2000 budget for speakers. If I can get something used that is higher quality (but able to be pushed from a reciever for a while), I certainly will go that way. I read similar posts as this regarding Thiel 1.5s. I am searching for a place to hear these.

I have decided to go with the Velodyne SPL800 or SPL1000 sub, as I really liked how it dissapeared in the B&W and BA setups.

Please help a really green newbie who is trying to get some bang for bucks.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes

Showing 4 responses by bbtuna

bbtuna
96 posts
 
make sure your listening test are through and fair

Get music you know well
Get a variety of music: some good recordings, some bad as well as variety of music styles.

make sure the volume is the same loudness when moving from one to another because louder volume allways seems better (even to trained ears).

Make sure you listen ABA in other words the first speaker, the second the first one again. Do this AT LEAST once and more if possible on every piece of music.

Try and get in a longer session on both so you can tell if either of them give you fatige.

make sure you aren’t changing any components except the one your testing so the test is fair (preferably something near your system if you can’t do it in your house.

it helps if you are not rushed and can do the listening without pressure (in other words, send you wife out on a shopping spree. This will cost a couple of bucks, but it will be well worth the effort. You will listen comfortably and your wife will like you, and your hobby, better.

After you feel you have done your homework, buy what you like best regardless of name or price (within your budget of course).

happy listening,
cd
bbtuna
96 posts
 
amen, preach on brother Gumb

brother Tuna
bbtuna
96 posts
 
you said, "If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap!" if that is so, your VW is crap, right?...just a thought

by the way, I owned one of those VW Rabbit's referred to above and had exactly those problems...but no others. When it came time to trade the car in (about 80k) because it was "time" for my wife and I to buy our first car as a married couple - plus we were frustrated with the hundreds of dollars worth of maint - we gave the car to my brother-in-law who was handy and needed wheels. He drove the car well past 250k...even with the down time it was a great car and overall was inexpensive (compared to my current Olds and my last Plymouth)
I’ve got other VW Bug stories but that will have to wait for another day, lets just say VW, normally, makes a car for the long haul and their engines are nearly indistructable.

A name CAN mean quality but a name does not ensure quality - usually (exceptions: Rolls Royce - do you think it could be bad? Bose - do you think it could be good :) just kidding - Bose must be good at or for something...let me think? hmmm? Oh yea, most of them are small!

cd
bbtuna
96 posts
 
The Theils will do just fine in your home. Ask the dealer if you can bring them home and it will settle it for you. They will probably lend you the electronics needed too.

I have had the 1.5s in my 11 x 19.5 x 8 which opens into my dinning room. No loft ceiling but this shouldn't hurt anything. I really loved the Thiels, they are a truely great speaker and if the the new 1.6s follow suit, and I have heard they do, then you are buying a truely elegant speaker.

Lots of choices in the 2k range new and even more used. However with the Theils, as with a number of others, you will be proud and happy. Plus these have a very high wife factor. You will of course need a sub for home theater but that will always be true.

If you want music first and video second then I recommend you look to a sub that is better known for music then movies. Rel is my favorite, kinda expensive but no better build quality and they are made specifically for music.

happy listening,
cd

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