A Big Hello To Everyone,
New member here,

Need advice from you guys picking up right gear! I’d be using the gear for listing to Music most of the time than watching movies, so sound quality / detail / clarity matters.
I’ve Yamaha HTR-6190 receiver.

First I bought from FS: Energy Take Classic 5.1 Home Theatre Speaker System, unfortunately my ears didn’t like the sound of it, so exchange with Klipsch Cinema 6 Home Theatre Speaker System with Klipsch 10" Subwoofer (RPW-10)

It sounds better to my ears than Energy, but on high volume (over 45) speakers start to rattle/distorted on music, however while watching movie they sound good.

After doing a week of research, on forms & in stored, it appears that i’ll have to get floor standing speakers, with bigger center & shelf speakers for rear. I listen to quite a few brands, Like... Kef,

Klipsch, PSP, Polk Audio, Energy, Bose, Paradigm, Mirage, B&W (some are out of my range :)
i know very well, that everyone ears react differently among different speakers, but i’m at the point where i’ve only 1 week left for exchange & with so many options i’m very confused, perhaps you guys can help narrow down the options :)

My Budget is around $2000 ~ $2500.. including (Front / Center / Rear / Sub)

Thank you for Chip-in!

http://www.magnepan.com/

You dont say where your located, but the site will show you the nearest dealer. They also have a Web only system that looks interesting. I have had my "Maggies" since 1983. They put out a natural sound. You will have to get a subwoofer and with your budget I would go with the POLK self powered.

My Budget is around $2000 ~ $2500.. including (Front / Center / Rear / Sub)You might want to consider something from Axiom Audio (http://axiomaudio.com/epicmaster_main.html). Well-rated, free shipping and no PST!

i’ve only 1 week left for exchange & with so many options i’m very confusedMake sure you return what you have to the store ASAP and for full refund if necessary. Start fresh, don't let anything pressure you, the speakers has to meet your expectations, they'll be there for a long time! At this point you can trade to try some Polks as recommended and if that doesn't please you, full refund and go elswhere for auditionning.

Good luck!
René

Well-rated, free shipping and no PST!Buying on line is not the best option, how about auditionning and returning if he deosn't like these one??? Unless I can audition locally I'd never buy speakers on line.

Buying on line is not the best option ... It may not be the best option, but it is an option.

For what it's worth, Axiom offers a 30-day return policy - all you pay is the shipping back to the company.

For what it's worth, Axiom offers a 30-day return policy - all you pay is the shipping back to the company.I guess in 30 days one can surely make his mind if he likes or not. I guess nothing local is appealing to the OP, this could be an alternative. Does Axiom only sell on line? Could the OP audition locally, any recommended store which would carry them? They sure look nice!

Cheers!
René

I'm not sure, but I believe they only sell on-line and don't use retailers. A quick call or e-mail to Axiom (http://www.axiomaudio.com/contact.html) could clarify that...and address any other questions.

Axiom is strictly an online retailer. They used to sell through retailers but that was years ago.

I second the Axiom suggestion.

I bought a pair of M3s three years ago, for stereo listening. I took the chance, having never heard them. I was very impressed, by both the quality of the sound and the customer service. So much so that I recently purchased a pair of M22s to use as surrounds in my slowly evolving HT setup.

While I am a huge paradigm supporter, my next choice would be B&W; either the 683s or 684s. A pair of these with a good sub would bring you to up to your budget, but since you mentioned it would mostly for music 2.0 or 2.1 is the way to go.

Positioned correctly these will give you a phantom center effect and will provide a great base for upgrading to a 5.1 or 7.1 down the road. IMO these are about as sexy as it goes on a budget.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2281

i don't know what went wrong with pic & link, probably in queue for Admin approval.
anyways, here are the dimensions of the room:

Carpeted room
it has openings on kitchen & stair side. typical living room.

Living Room Area:

L - 27.5 ft
W - 10.5 ft
H - 8 ft

Kitchen Area:

17.5 ft
9.8 ft

(providing the kistchen area, it's kinda attach to living room, that might have impact on calculating the total area).

ok, i've return the speakers / subs to FS, so that pressure is off my head. :)

there are quit a few brands, OP suggested, also i've audition for couple of more brands, one of them is: focusaudio, any words/personal exp on FS8 series? anyone?

for the Axiom, i'm really hesitated to buy online, i'm going to give them call & see.

so for now i'm going with 2.1, i might bump up budget to get something decent.

PS: Yamaha 6190 is going to be fine, or should i replace with something else? i bought it $700. IMO it's a good bargain. chip-in plz.

6190 is just fine and will provide plenty of jam on a 2.1 setup or 3.1 setup.
The 6190 has pre-outs on it so you can run separates down the road should you bulk up to a 5.1.

@ porknuts : thank you for the clarification, so i'm keeping 6190 :)
@ 80'sMan : I'm in Markham, that would be great if someone can let me audition their Axioms speakers..... BTW what models /series of speakers you got?

Hi Lax, thought I'd chime in. Being as how you have now returned 2 speaker systems after demoing them, an unheard system purchased on the internet might be risky for you. I think you need the support a local brick and mortar can give you, plus it's cheaper and easier to return.

Observation #2 is that it appears you prefer pretty loud levels. Klipsch tend to have pretty efficient speakers and to be overdriving them would indicate this. I would stay with Klipsch and simply get $2500 worth of Klipsch gear, negotiating of course.

Remember, your system will only go so loud, after that you are damaging either you speakers, your receiver, or both.

If you are going to be in Ottawa this weekend, Stereo Plus in Orleans is having a sale on speakers.

They have great prices on DefTech ProMonitor (a system with PM1000 front, PC2000 centre and PC800 rear would be great and about 40% off this weekend).

The price they quoted for a Paradigm DSP-3100 wasn't great, but I suspect he misquoted and gave 3200 or 3400 price.

guys thank you for chip-in:

@runnin':
i) sure i'm hesitated to buy online for the same reason, that i might not like the way speakers sounds... i'd prefer to buy locally if it's posible.
ii) No... that is not the case that i like very loud. it's more about quality.. yes i do like loud but to moderate level, the reason i return the Klipsch because they were too bright for me, infect somewhat harsh for my ears.
however a question here... if receiver & speakers have equal power, why one or both will damage, a good system shouldn't lose quality nor damage the device on high volume. my research is all about good system in my budget.

@rick240: unfortunately thats not possible, specially in this winter & on such short notice :)

@80'sMan: Thank you for sharing, nice system. :)

now can we get back to topic plz :) more advices / options please...

You could always audition somewhere in Toronto and if you like them have a friend in Ottawa pick them up and put them on a bus.

Hi guys, back after long time, been doing alot of auditions & visiting stores, i was debating between B&W CM9 & Paradigm 100v4,
endup getting Paradigm 100v4, (got it around 1700, slightly used)

i hope i made a right choice. (slightly used). though i'd like to hear your opinions about the 100v4, what you think? please chip-in

As previously mentioned, your 6190 isn't the problem and more than enough power to drive speakers in your area. I would consider auditionning some Polk, known brand, available just about anywhere in the world, top notch warranty & CS and pricing isn't gouging. Polk's speakers are a good match with yamaha receivers, I went back to your original post and with your 2K - 2.5 K you can get an amasing Polk set-up for that kind of money! Maximize your money!!! Those smal on line speaker company cost you big time and will not necessary provide you the CS you want or deserve!

Cheers!
René