2. home-theater
  3. 187830-187105

Assistance in selecting new speakers…

Welcome advice on selecting a new set of speakers for our “great room” home theater set-up.  We have KEF Reference Model Two (FL, FR) Monitor audio silver (C), and KEF 103.2’s (SL,SR), and Emotiva s12 powered  subwoofer.  Emotiva Xmc2 processor, Rotel RB-985 multi-channel amp.  The room dimensions are 17’ x 25’ with vaulted ceilings (~12’ at the peak).   I will likely need to upgrade my amp and possibly my Sub. Priority is  listening to music (except heavy metal and rap) and I have a family who likes to watch movies, so I have to consider this as a close second.  I’ve purchased KEF for the last 25+ years, so that is a factor.  I’m looking at two options for the types of speakers, architectural and free standing, with the trade off being the architectural set-up is a cleaner look, which for a multi-purpose room is desirable, but not at a considerable loss of fidelity. Since I lean toward KEF, I am looking at Ci3160RLM (FL,C,FR), Ci200Rs-THX (SL, SR) for the architectural option, and R7 or R5 (FL, FR), R2 (C), R3 (SL, SR).   I’m not sure about what subwoofer to choose.  My budget is ~ $15K-$20K (including a new Sub and power amp). 

Would appreciate if you could provide advice on what I’m not  considering, what assumptions I’m making which may not be accurate etc.  For example,  in the proposed new set-up could there be a noticeable difference in the fidelity between the architectural speakers and the free standing speakers?   What are alternatives to KEF, whether new/used, e.g., Focal,  which you would recommend I consider?   Any thoughts on a multi-channel amp and subwoofer upgrade?
 

Thanks for your time and consideration. 

 

 

johnmcnaughton

Showing 2 responses by deep_333

deep_333
1,671 posts
 

I would like to see the list. I’ll admit, I’ve been a “KEF” guy, and I need to explore other options. In this context, architectural is Built in wall and/or ceiling speakers.

@johnmcnaughton . "Architectural" speakers get compromised because the drivers, crossover, etc need to be compromised to fit inside a shallow in-wall box (lack of sheer physical space for good components).

If you want to also put some "architectural" speakers in your room to boost WAF and not compromise on sonics, you should go with a combination of Perlisten floorstanding and architectural speakers or go full architectural. They have very innovative/advanced speaker designs, makes KEF look less enginerdy.

If you can overcome some of the negatives of "architectural" speakers, as is the case with Perlisten, such speakers can also offer some advantages over conventional boxes.

Scroll down to the in-walls on this page. These are all THX dominus rated as well and obliterate the KEFs with explosive dynamics, etc.

https://www.audioadvice.com/shop-by-brand?brand=7236

 

deep_333
1,671 posts
 

As far as multichannel amps go, some good speakers are going to eat up most of your 15k to 20k budget and you may be hitting the budget limit.

Hence, you could go with the meaty monolith amps (manufacturer direct), especially since this series was designed by ATI and sound quite good for the affordable price tag.

5 channel

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15593

9 channel

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=33306

As you go higher up the price tag, this fat Rotel sounds quite good.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_440B15852S/Rotel-RMB-1585-MKII-Silver.html

and so on....

If the budget is expanded, there are some kickass multichannel amps out there.

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