Video Asylum

Posted by monk (A) on October 14, 2004 at 04:36:43

In Reply to: Please recommend HT speaker package. posted by Merle on October 12, 2004 at 05:40:33:

Making room for a sub (many are very small and tidy) should leave you with more room, rather than less. You can't go with the mini sized speakers without a sub, they just don't go low enough to get the job done. Most of the subs in this context are really mid/low bass augmentors, rather than true *sub* bass producers.

On the low, but good and enjoyable, end ...I'd say look to Ebay for the Acoustic Energy Aego package - they come with processor, amp, speakers and wire - you'd just need a source. The satalites are very well built for the money (circa $400 for the whole set, a good value).

M&K S-85's or S-125's, 750 thx or K-series, are all great for movies. These really come alive with a bit of power and control - perhaps too demanding of electronics for a single little Panasonic ditital machine (?). You could look at a similarly priced older/used Denon, say a 3300 or 3801, probably in the region of $400, maybe less.

KEF package is good,...also the mirage omin speakers are worth a look.

Best performance for $2K would be 2 pairs of B&W Matrix 805's and a Matrix HTM center - This is seriously good, way better than the others and well beyond what you'd buy new for this money. An advantage is that these can easily survive without a sub. You'd have to spend a large sum to get better - and the *better* might not be such a good idea in the context of the mixed quality of movie sound (all sound). For example, the Nautilus series are *better*, but can be too explicit for many movie soundtracks,...and they are even more demanding of electronics (the Matrix will be fine with the $400 used Denon, will really start to kick with an upgrade, but plenty good Vs. the Nautilus could not live with the receiver, would over-expose the weaknesses.

Magnepan MMG-W are $300 a pair direct and are very good (as other poster said).

Not comprehensive or in order..., just thoughts off the top, M.