12 replies to this topic

[benny123]

Hi all

Looking for suggestions for decent system for around $1500. I live in small apartment with open plan and want some decent sound to add to my plasma. Will be used for music and movies and foxtel.

I want small speakers that are similar size to bose etc. I have been looking at Yamaha YHT-496AU and also looking at KEF T105 & Klipsch Gallery G-12. Last 2 i realise i need to add AVR. Not set on any brand and open to suggestions for system with small minimalist speakers. Budget can stretch a little if need be. Please suggest AVR to match speakers if not package. Thanks for the input.

I can also get speakers from USA to save money as i have family member moving back from US to Oz who can bring them with him. AVR best purchased in Oz i imagine due to power etc.

[:)]

If want something of quality for a small space consider focal sib & cub or dome setup. B&w have the mt series. Whatmough have the synergy system. All top stuff from a sub sat very decent setup. At lower rung I'd say keff's egg system. Paradigm also have a quality sub sat system.

Forget Bose, over priced for what get. Above systems will get you decent drivers good performance for your money. I'd rather get a 2.1 system of above rather than cheaper 5.1 setup that performs worse !

[DigitalObserver]

benny123, on 20 January 2012 - 03:37 AM, said:

Hi all

Looking for suggestions for decent system for around $1500. I live in small apartment with open plan and want some decent sound to add to my plasma. Will be used for music and movies and foxtel.

I want small speakers that are similar size to bose etc. I have been looking at Yamaha YHT-496AU and also looking at KEF T105 & Klipsch Gallery G-12. Last 2 i realise i need to add AVR. Not set on any brand and open to suggestions for system with small minimalist speakers. Budget can stretch a little if need be. Please suggest AVR to match speakers if not package. Thanks for the input.

I can also get speakers from USA to save money as i have family member moving back from US to Oz who can bring them with him. AVR best purchased in Oz i imagine due to power etc.

http://www.orbaudio....ndshipping.aspx These US speakers get very good reviews and seem to meet your requirements for form factor and improving the sound quality for TV
viewing and small enough for the relative to bring back (although freight is very little on these items. Do a search and reviews to see if they are in your bucket of choices.
$999 Mod1 PLUS Home Theater Speaker SystemOrb Direct Price: $999.00

or
Mod1 Home Theater Speaker SystemOrb Direct Price: $798.00

Could be coupled with a good mid level AVR e.g. Onkyo TX-SR608 A/V Receiver, Retail $1299 now $799 from Eastwood HiFI for around $1600 - $1800. Many choices for you, just one line of thought to add. Good luck

[Vieira4]

Just stumbled upon the fact that Amber Tech has become Aus distributor for NHT.   While a bit bigger than bose size, the SuperZero 2.0 at $115 a piece is a downright bargain.  Five of those would leave you with just over $900 to spend on a decent sub too.

https://www.nhtaustr...roducts/NH-SZBB

[MarkTecher]

If you Bose style speakers that actually perform, then see if you can find THX certified PC speakers.

Back in 2007, when I was living in a unit, a guy a few units up was facing the same delema - a very small buget and wanting a decent system.  He'd been looking at mini system at HN.  So I took him back to the same HN to show him a possible alternative being a THX certifed PC 5.1 pack which he paid just $700 for (run out model, replacement was a lttile over a grand).  Seriously this thing produced a solid +75dB output during calibration and just did everythig it was supposed to do with easy connectivity to his DVD player and TV.  Worth a look.  

With wanting a small portable system myself, I found a 2.1 THX certifed Logitec system at my local JB for less than $200.  This thing blows any of of their "mini system" away.  Simple plug and play with line level RCAs as input as well as the standard 3.5mm phone jack.  I think it even has a optical digital in.  Point is, small, loud and clean.  I am actually thinking of adding one like it to my HT for powered "height" speakers because I can't build anything that performs as good for the price.

[Robbks]

unsure what the others think, but i'm a Denon fan

For a 5.1 HTIAB setup.  DHT1312 (unsure about the quality of the speakers)
you then have a reasonable receiver to upgrade the speakers on at a later date, or if you move to a bigger place throw some sensitive bookshelves or floor-standers on it


the DF107 Mini component (CD/ iPod) systems for a nice 2.0 setup (just add a powered sub)
one of my faimly members has an earlier model of these. while not earth shattering, it has some great punch for a small unit.

the DX1000 which is a 2.0 blu-ray/ receiver combo, again add a sub if you want more bass.

just my thoughts.

[benny123]

Definitely dont want PC gear. There is plenty out there without going down that track. From some quick research i should be able to get speakers close to half the price we pay in Oz from the US and i will get freight from family member free. So my $1500 budget is probably closer to $2500ish Oz. $2000ish for speakers that i can pick up for approx $1000 from US and $500ish for AVR but will stretch that a little if need be. I definitely dont want Bose i was just saying i want small satellites vs larger bookshelf and floor standing speakers. Thanks for comments so far people.

[brabs]

Mirage have quite a few nice offerings. Although bigger than Bose the omd-5 is by all accounts an amazing speaker. They do have a few micro speakers as well. They are omnipolar so they will sound good wherever you are on the room.

[blybo]

Aussie brands offer excellent bang for buck so your imports might not save you as much as you think compared to locally made product. The Synergy Whatmough system is a seriously nice sounding system although a little above your budget. The mains can be had as floorstanders or bookshelf models.

[:)]

blybo, on 25 January 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:

Aussie brands offer excellent bang for buck so your imports might not save you as much as you think compared to locally made product. The Synergy Whatmough system is a seriously nice sounding system although a little above your budget. The mains can be had as floorstanders or bookshelf models.

yes suggested above as well. the whatmough are extremely well made. the sub is a beauty and a lot of cost expended there. the sats are proper little bookshelf units with quality drivers and over very well put together system with excelletn fit and finish. and importantly they are capable of really good sound. that will suprise many given the price of the system and size of the speakers. I'd say in similar league to the focal sib cub and B&W mt series. but the sub is in an upper echelon

[smackus]

ummm, OP is asking for a system around a certain budget eg $1500 ($1000 speakers, $500 receiver)
The whatmough synergys are way more than "a little above" his budget.
From what I can see the synergy speakers retail around $3000, and you could possibly get them for $2000, that's still 2 times his speaker budget.
If someone can point me to where I can buy them for around $1000-$1500, I'll be very interested.

In the meantime, OP, I've read some good reviews of the Paradigm MilleniumOne.

[blybo]

Well then the av8 can be had for around $1000 or they do a whole system including bd player for around $1600-1800. For the $$$ a good walk in, walk out, solution

[mmu16]

I would recommend you try out the Cambridge Audio Minx series. I checked out the Minx 325 system and was amazed by the sound quality and actual punch it had, albeit in a smallish room. They have a more powerful version (525) but they were very reasonably priced too (within your budget). Here's the link http://www.cambridge...ries.php?SID=94

Hope this helps.

mmu16