The greatest impact by far will be to go with 2 speakers and stereo. If you really care about sound quality $5k will buy a lot with 2ch, or as many channels as you want, but nowhere near as good quality. Your best 5.1 option is 2.0. I spent more than a year trying all the options. This is the best I've been able to come up with. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 |
I think looking at SVS is an excellent idea. They offer very good performance and value along with outstanding customer service, and their center speaker (crucial for good HT) is superior at the price point IMHO. If this is strictly for home theater, you could get the SVS Prime Tower surround package with SB2000 Pro sub for $2315 and add an Anthem MRX540 AVR for $1600 and have a damn good complete HT system for $3915. Just make sure to add some decent cables (Cullen Cable, etc.) that won’t compromise the performance and you’re done. Best of luck.
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In my opinion, the SVS are okay but they are not the greatest resolution speaker. The best speakers I know of in this budget level are the Elac Debut Reference (DFR52, DCR52, DBR62). The SVS will sound a little dull in comparison to the Elac Reference.
The SVS subwoofers are really good for the money, but I think they have a characteristic sound. This type of sound is very popular among the consumer electroncs crowd. In my opinion, Rythmik Audio makes a better subwoofer that is more neutral and realistic in the bass tones. You will most likely be happy with either. That being said, I always recommend getting a ported sub for home theater purposes (as opposed to a sealed sub).
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SVS is decent, but there are better... I don't agree with a ported sub, you want something that is great for everything. DC servo, push-pull is my first choice. Sealed or subs with one passive drivers are good too. |
It is a taste thing. Sealed subs generally sound more clean, but they do have somewhat of an artificial sound to them (a very slight slant) where it almost sounds like a sine wave.
Ported subs, on the other hand, sound thicker and meatier. In my opinion, ported subs just sound better. There is an argument that ported subs create distortion (which could be true).
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In my opinion, the SVS are okay but they are not the greatest resolution speaker. The best speakers I know of in this budget level are the Elac Debut Reference (DFR52, DCR52, DBR62). The SVS will sound a little dull in comparison to the Elac Reference. Uh, @auxinput — what’s your basis for saying this? Just looking at the center channel speaker, the Elac is a 2-way speaker with a tweeter flanked by two midwoofs reproducing the same frequencies and thus, along with limitations of being a 2-way design, is open to horizontal nodes affecting people sitting off center. By contrast, the SVS center is a true 3-way design with a dedicated midrange driver located directly below the tweeter. In my experience a center speaker with a dedicated midrange driver situated directly below the tweeter results in not only better midrange clarity but also more uniform sound from left to right. Also, of all the reviews I’ve read of SVS speakers, none have mentioned them sounding “dull” and in fact have found them to be very revealing and neutral. I’d be interested to hear where you’re getting your impressions from because they don’t jibe with anything I’ve read about SVS speakers. Failing that, I’d reiterate my recommendation for SVS speakers and encourage the OP to read the reviews of all speakers involved. |
Sealed subs generally sound more clean, but they do have somewhat of an artificial sound to them (a very slight slant) where it almost sounds like a sine wave. Uh, what? What the hell does that even mean? Have you been drinking tonight? Jeez. |
I've listened to a lot of subs and I've also listened to both SVS speakers and ELAC speakers on the same system. That is my basis for my opinions.
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Boy, those 2ch guys dont give up Lol, their gonna go down with the 2ch ship :0)
i believe you need to concider your goal for stereo listening, if you listen occationally then a HT rig will do you fine, if you sit and listen to music and really want to recreate the atmosphere the recording and the instruments then we will need to reevaluate your system.
HT is fun, watching movies is a wonderful experience, the right system will translate the director’s intentions. Do you want to feel the bombs going off or watch them. Are you a quiet movie family or fo you wanna feel like BumbleBee is really shooting off crazy alien guns. Good thought ls ahead of time about your expectations will make this fun, hold off on the equipment list till you first figure out what you are looking for.
BMW 5 series stock will handle corners better than a stock Honda civic, i added “stock” because someone would argue that too hahaha |
Build what you want. I am a 2ch guy for music and have 5.1 in our living room for family entertainment and lo level listening during parties.
SVS makes nice stuff as do Klipsch for a 5.1.
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It will primarily be a surround sound setup but I don't want to neglect a great 2ch experience either as we will have a Pro-Ject turntable connected among others
I guess in a perfect world I'd be looking for a nice compromise of the two with a slight lean towards Home theater
I was thinking about checking out the Focal Chora 826 towers in addition to the previously mentioned SVS. I've heard good things about the Klipsch RP-8000f as well and they're certainly within budget
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Personally, if you are strictly 5.1 I would seek out the best front 3 you can find, the one that sounds best for music. Same with sub. Most everything translates well for movies. I no longer think surrounds have to be from same family, although if you can pull it off it can’t hurt. For example I used a B&W surround because it afforded easier mounting and fit my room better than anything else. What gear is in front of said speakers? That's a factor especially on the music side. |
I was thinking something like the Denon x3700 or 4700 but I have not decided on that yet. At this time I am heavily leaning towards spending most of the budget in the front speakers and adding surrounds at some point in the future |
