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HT speakers, sub, receiver/separates for $3500?

I initiated a thread several monts ago relating to recommendations for a modest HT system for a friend. His budget was intitially $2k, but I think I have him up to the $3k-3.5K range. My thoughts are to get speakers, a sub, and either a receiver or a pre/pro & amp for now, and let him worry about the CD and/or DVD player later as finances allow (what he has now is adequate, though not great).

Your collective prior recommendations were very much appreciated, but for some reason, I cannot recall that thread. Still, I think I retained most of the info in my noggin. ;^] Given that my friend would prefer to buy new gear from a local dealer, here are some of the brands that we have available to audition and buy.

For speakers, my friend is a big Maggie fan of old, so the MMG's are on our short list (as are the MMG C and MMG W's), but he has concerns about his toddler damaging them. I do too, but IMHO, if a kid wants to damage a speaker, he will, and if he learns to stay away (or is supervised), it shouldn't be a great threat. But, the WAF may be the trump card, and she likes smaller speakers. He wants floorstanders for up front. Other brands we have are NHT (dealer has a pair of demo ST-4's), Paradigm, Klipsch, Totem (Arro's should make the wife happy!), and Meadowlark. There are a few others, but I would call these the front runners.

For electronics, I may be able to talk him into Outlaw separates, and we may be able to find a deal on a used Rotel RSP-1066 and an adequate 5-channel amp to pair it with. But if we go the receiver route, the brands that I am most hopeful will fit the bill include Denon, Rotel, Sherwood Newcastle and NAD.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions, would be appreciated. We are going to go on our audition spree next Wednesday.

Thanks in advance, Tom.
tombowlus

Showing 2 responses by slappy

slappy
903 posts
 
The MMG W's shouldnt be a problem once he has them installed. make sure he goes with a color that matches his walls. when not in use the swing to the wall and might not be as much temptation as a box speaker. MMG's might be a problem cause the kid could easily get at them. Mount the MMGw's about 2 feet up, and keep em folded in, the kid may not even notice them. The WAF on these is pretty decent too. They dont take alot of space, come in a variety of colors, and lay flat on the wall unless he is using them.

If yer lookin at recievers, i would go Denon 3805. Problem is if he wants to use the maggies he needs something that can hit a 4 ohm load, so he WILL have to get an seperate amplifier. Depending if he wants 5.1 or 7.1 he could always use the extra amps in the denon to power another zone.

Outlaw seperates would probably fit the bill better.

The good thing about the MMW/MMC combo is a 5 speaker set runs you less than 1k. That leaves roughly 2.5k for the subwoofer and front end.
If he is happy with 5.1 he can score a killer deal on used 5.1 pre/pro's.

This is actually VERY similar to where im heading with my livingroom system. I already have a denon 3805 and cannot say enough about it, the only gripe i have is the remote is kinda flaky sometimes and it cannot handle a 4 ohm load. Im looking for a good cheap 5 channel amp myself. Then im gonna start working on getting the MMGw/MMGc speakers.

One of the reasons im going this route myself is i plan to have a totally seperate 2 channel setup in the same room. Once i start working on accoustic treatments the MMGw's will look like another accoustical treatment instead of a seperate system. Stealthy with great sound.

I dont have a wife or even a girlfriend for that matter, but i dont want my place looking like an electronic superstore.
slappy
903 posts
 
Heh. Engaged yes, bought a house yes, then the girly left.

Did'nt sell the system for the house tho, had to sell the rig cause i had a roomate who never came up with his rent a while back and at the end of the lease i had already paid my part of the rent, rent at a house i was gonna rent, and sec deposit. So i couldnt pay his last month of rent, and they evicted us and really took us to the cleaners. he diddnt have a job so they only went after me. Ended up selling everything but my sources, about 7k of gear for 2,500. It was a poorly planned system anyways. Next one will be much better. ;)

So i bought a house, aint gotno girl (nothing steady, just occaasional fun with the occasional cutie ;) got a new roomate, and working on building the system back up! :)

Couldnt be happier! =)
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