| Quote, originally posted by audtatious » |
| I plan on replacing all speakers and components over the next year or so and expect that will run me $5-6k not including a MM PC. |
Any idea's on brands/models?
Do you like to do things yourself and have access to basic power tools? If so, you can save a TON (easily 1/5-1/10 the cost while still getting the same or better quality sound of a commercial option) by building the speakers yourself. There are a lot of proven designs out there and more come around as manufactures produce new speaker drivers.For example, I was going to build these.
The Statements and Mini Statements
But after speaking with John Janowitz (from aespeakers.com), he's going to be building the Lambda drivers (by hand) again. Knowing what kind of SPL levels I was wanting to hit at home, I realized the Statements would not fully cut it. His DIY kit will contain two of his 10" high efficency drivers and a Fountek 5i pro tweeter (over 300.00 just for the tweeter), paired up with two high excursion 15" subs.
With pro amps I will be running, I should be good for about 130db in room. (Assuming I can still get his kit at a discount, otherwise it will be too expensive) I obviously don't need that kind of capability and would damage my hearing within a few seconds of listening at that volume, but the key is "headroom". It gives you that effortless sound by having low distortion and a minimal amount of power comression, resulting in high dynamics, the key to any quality sounding system.
Think of it as horsepower. Just because you don't use 450hp all the time, doesn't mean it's not great to have, and that extra torque really helps make in town driving much easier!
Anyway, the array of speakers hanging from the ceiling use the Lambda 10" woofers and I forget what tweeters (close to the stage). They use a long aluminum phase plug to help the upper end response and disipate heat from the voice coil for prolonged high volume listening. He reports that the phase plug can get hot enough to burn people at club/concert levels. 
Anyhow, there are a lot of options out there if you're willing to make some wood dust. It's very easy to build a nice 5.1 speaker system for 700 bucks and an awesomely kickass one for 2000.00 
Mine will likely cost around 7100 for the speakers, amps, preamps, pre/pro's, crossovers, and enclosure materials. (already have the subs, sub amp, pre/pro, and surrounds). It's absolutely rediculous knowing I can watch a movie at dance club levels, but that's all part of getting the most quality available. It's also rediculous knowing I'll have to install 3, 20A circuits for my electronics (amps). Wow, after putting it in writting like this, and knowing I still need visuals (1080p projector), spending ~10k on home entertainment seems silly. I may have to tone it down a bit, we'll see.
Modified by Looneybomber at 10:53 AM 3/21/2008
