[kingstonef]

Well, I'm new here.. from sask,cnd.

i'm Looking to pick up my first home theater system. I've tryed looking for information on these speakers but are having a hard time.

I have heard them and they sound good. My boss has a pair of mickeys and amp and some other stuff that was built for him>

Can anyone shed anylight on these items for me.

i'm paying under 5000$ for this complete set up. that is 3 years old

Here is a little additional information on the system.
The front speakers - Baby Grand Universe Special edition, they retailed at $12,000.00 new for the pair.
The dimensions on the front speakers are:
5' 3" Tall
1' 1" Wide
1' 10" Deep
The components per speaker are:
1 Tweeter
2 8" Drivers
1 10" Driver
3 10" Subs powered by a built in 1500 watt amp
These front speakers are by far the best sounding speakers that Nuance has ever produced.

Center Channel - Spatial 3
The dimensions of the center channel is:
2' Wide
9.5 " Deep
9.5 " tall
The components are:
1 Tweeter
2 8" Drivers

Rear Speakers - Spatial Grand 3CLS
The dimensions of the rear speakers are:
3' 4" Tall
10" Wide
11" Deep
The components are:
1 Tweeter
2 8" Drivers

The sound is very balanced as every speaker has the tweeter and 2 8" drivers as key components. Basically, if a Ferrari goes from your front speakers to rear speakers, it is still a Ferrari when it reaches the rear speakers. Most systems have less adequate rear speakers and that Ferrari turns into a Vespa by the time it reaches the rear speakers.

In Stereo just listening to music, the speakers image very well (hear sounds all around you when sitting in the middle of the two speakers). The bass if you want lots of base is very balanced and full. The speakers have a bass control and crossover control right on the amp so you can control the bass output. If you would like, I would even set the system up for you.

The receiver is a Pioneer Elite VSX - 35TX THX Surround Ex (7.1 Capable)


Power
Stereo: 100 Watts per Channel (20 - 20 kHz, @ 6 ohm, 0.09% THD)
Surround: 90W x 5 (20 Hz to 20k Hz, .09% THD)
Direct Energy MOSFET Amplifier Design
Direct Construction Design
Extruded Aluminum Heat Sink
Copper Direct Current Bus Bar
Isolated Chamber Construction
Diode & Transistor Covers
Digital Decoding and Processing

THX-Select Certified
Surround EX 6.1 Decoding
DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 Decoding
Dolby Digital 5.1 Decoding
DTS 5.1 Decoding
Dual 24-bit Digital Signal Processing Engine
24-bit Analog to Digital (A/D) Converters
96k/24-bit Digital to Analog (A/D) Converters - 8 Channels
6 Acoustic Environment Digital Sound-fields
Hall
Jazz
Dance
Theater 1
Theater 2
5/7 Channel Stereo
Advanced Theater Modes
Drama
Musical
Action
5/7-D Theater
Midnight Mode
Multi-Channel Tone Controls
Multi-Channel Digital NR
Connectivity

Surround Back Channel Output
DVD-A Ready 7.1 Channel Input w/Trim By-pass
Pre-Amp Output (ALL Channels)
5 Digital Inputs (3 Optical/2 Coaxial)/2 Digital Out (Optical)
Inputs - 5 Audio/5 Audio/Video
Phono
CD
CDR/Tape 1
TAPE 2
TUNER
DVD/LD
TV/SAT
VCR/DVR
VCR 2
Front
Outputs - 2 Audio/2 Audio Video/1 Video
CDR/TAPE Audio Output
Tape 2 Output
VCR/DVR Audio/Video Output
VCR 2 Output
Monitor Video Output
Component Video Switching (2 Inputs/1 Output)
TV/SAT Input
DVD/LD Input
Monitor Output
S-Video (5 Inputs/3 Outputs)
DVD/LD Input
TV/SAT Input
VCR/DVR Input
Video (Front Panel) Input
VCR/DVR Output
VCR 2 Output
Monitor Output
Front A/V Input w/S-Video In
Parallel A/B Speaker Switching
Banana Speaker Terminals (ALL)
Convenience Features

Dot Matrix Display
Video Signal Select
Illuminated Smart Remote
Multi-Room/Multi-Source Control
On-Screen Display
Loudness Curve
Direct Switch
3 step FL Dimmer
2 Rear Panel AC Accessory Outlets
AM/FM Tuner
Random Presets for 30 AM/FM Stations
3 Speed Tuning
Control Door Design
Warranty

2 Years Parts and Labor
Dimensions:

Height: 6-13/16 ins
Width: 16-9/16 ins
Depth: 18-1/4 ins

The TV is a Toshiba Theaterwide 65" HD
The model number is - 65H84C
It has HDMI/Colorstream/ s-video hook ups. The picture is very good, especially in High Definition.

There you go, that should be some good reading material. If it will be a deal breaker, I will also include my LG DVD-RW DVD player/recorder model #LRA537


Thanks In advance for the help!

 

[cambo]

If this is your first home theater setup, $5000 is far, far too much.

THX is nice, however unless you specifically built a THX-certified room, you're wasting your money. It's like spending $2000 on a car stereo when the car itself is only worth $200.

I don't know anyone that owns and appreciates THX due to the cost of the gear, and the modifications you need to make to the room (acoustically). You don't need to spend that kind of money to have a system that sounds good to you, especially if it's your first. The only expensive part of my system is the receiver, and it sounds absolutely great to me.

 

[TECHNOKID]

You can get a fair amount of new gear for 5K, stay away from Nuance anyway...

 

[eljay]

Don't bother with the Toshiba 65H84C - it appears to be an older RPTV. Nuance speakers that "retailed at $12,000.00 new for the pair" are a joke.

For $5K, you can do something like this:
- a Denon AVR-3310 audio-video receiver (AVR);
- OPPO BDP-80 Blu-ray player (from onlybestrated.com);
- a nice set* of used Paradigm Monitor-series speakers from canuckaudiomart.com
(*example: Monitor 7 v3 or v4 mains, CC-350 or -370 center, Mini Monitor surrounds);
- a used SVS PB12-NSD subwoofer (from canuckaudiomart.com);
AND
- still have ~$1,500 for a decent, brand-new 50" LCD or plasma TV (from Future Shop).

Rather than do it all at once, another option is to start with a good display (TV, projector), a good pair of main speakers and a good AVR...and build from there as budget permits.

 

[pharsyde]

i'm paying under 5000$ for this complete set up. that is 3 years old

oh .. i thought the seller was paying you the money to take it.


not to be negative here, but i would pass on this setup you describe. just a quick scan re: the AVR. maybe the seller had it for 3 years as a second (third) owner ?

this is a dated AVR, nothing fundamentally wrong with that, per say, but this isn't a good choice to start off with, particularly grouped together @ this price. the original MSRP was $1,100 (US) ... 10 years ago (or so). a buddy of mine had an older pioneer, quite a beastly AVR (and a higher level machine within the line) .. his (relatively) new Denon AVR 2309 blows it away (his words, not mine. this guy has been in the stereo-HT racquet for years .. i trust (and respect) his opinion)

i agree with technokid (and the other contributors to this tread) .. specifically, passing on the nuance speakers. for $ 5,000 you can have an awesome new setup.

lots of know how to tap in these forums to guide you.

 

[eXcessive]

I would agree with a 5K budget you should start fresh, technology has changed alot. As well for 5K you can build a pretty solid HT system. I'd also say don't listen to Cambo saying its your first HT your spending too much that couldn't be further from the truth.

As with everything in life you get what you pay for and for an entire HT I'd say your looking at a top end entry level system for 5K.


Display - Flatscreen LCD or Plasma depending on your room size and sitting position your looking at between 42" - 60" Recommended brands (Sony, Samsung for LCD / Panasonic for Plasma)

Blu Ray player - Great suggestion ejay on the oppo but you can probably look at the Panasonic Blu Ray players and save a couple hundred and still get an outstanding picture. The Oppo is the Cadillac but since your starting fresh you can use that money elsewhere and Blu Ray players are easily upgraded.

Speakers: There are lots of Great brands available for speakers but I'll echo some others here and suggest Paradigm as its a Canadian company that produces some great speakers and your dollar goes further since your not buying an import. Find a local dealer and go have a listen, You have to decide if your going for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Once that decision is made weight your budget more to the speakers than anything else since a good speaker will last you 20 years all the electronics on this list will last 5-7.


Reciever: I'd look for a solid piece in the $600 range like the Yamaha HTR5063 it will future proof you a bit, Yamaha has a good name and great sounding pieces it has all the modern features you would need to stay current for some time. Its also not out of this world priced so you could upgrade this part of your system over time and not feel like your losing much money. The surround processor part of HT is the money eater as this is the item that goes out of date the fastest and outside of the speakers makes the biggest difference in sound.

Cables: You don't need to blow a fortune on Monster cables etc.. you can find great deals at Monoprice or Blue jeans cables but this is just a heads up that you need to include this in your budget. Speaker wire, HDMI, Cat5 (Depends what your doing) this all adds up and is usually forgotten then all of a sudden your over budget a couple hundred bucks.

Install: Pay the price and have a guy do a system setup and calibration don't spend the bucks and not have someone professional tune it for you.



Roughly I broke down your budget like this:

$1350 - TV (Checked future shop you have options up to 54")
$200 - Blue ray player
$600 - Receiver specifically the Yamaha I listed above comes in at $599.00
$200 - Cables & Wire
$200 - Install
$2000 - Speakers & Sub (Paradigm)

This budget would bring you at $4550 with tax Roughly 5K with no Suprises or gotcha's

It also would be a more modern system than what your looking at, ejay also showed that if your willing to hunt on the used market you can find some deals but I'd personally just use the used market for Speakers since there pretty bullet proof.

 

[eXcessive]

I would agree with a 5K budget you should start fresh, technology has changed alot. As well for 5K you can build a pretty solid HT system. I'd also say don't listen to Cambo saying its your first HT your spending too much that couldn't be further from the truth.

As with everything in life you get what you pay for and for an entire HT I'd say your looking at a top end entry level system for 5K.


Display - Flatscreen LCD or Plasma depending on your room size and sitting position your looking at between 42" - 60" Recommended brands (Sony, Samsung for LCD / Panasonic for Plasma)

Blu Ray player - Great suggestion ejay on the oppo but you can probably look at the Panasonic Blu Ray players and save a couple hundred and still get an outstanding picture. The Oppo is the Cadillac but since your starting fresh you can use that money elsewhere and Blu Ray players are easily upgraded.

Speakers: There are lots of Great brands available for speakers but I'll echo some others here and suggest Paradigm as its a Canadian company that produces some great speakers and your dollar goes further since your not buying an import. Find a local dealer and go have a listen, You have to decide if your going for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Once that decision is made weight your budget more to the speakers than anything else since a good speaker will last you 20 years all the electronics on this list will last 5-7.


Reciever: I'd look for a solid piece in the $600 range like the Yamaha HTR5063 it will future proof you a bit, Yamaha has a good name and great sounding pieces it has all the modern features you would need to stay current for some time. Its also not out of this world priced so you could upgrade this part of your system over time and not feel like your losing much money. The surround processor part of HT is the money eater as this is the item that goes out of date the fastest and outside of the speakers makes the biggest difference in sound.

Cables: You don't need to blow a fortune on Monster cables etc.. you can find great deals at Monoprice or Blue jeans cables but this is just a heads up that you need to include this in your budget. Speaker wire, HDMI, Cat5 (Depends what your doing) this all adds up and is usually forgotten then all of a sudden your over budget a couple hundred bucks.

Install: Pay the price and have a guy do a system setup and calibration don't spend the bucks and not have someone professional tune it for you.



Roughly I broke down your budget like this:

$1350 - TV (Checked future shop you have options up to 54")
$200 - Blue ray player
$600 - Receiver specifically the Yamaha I listed above comes in at $599.00
$200 - Cables & Wire
$200 - Install
$2000 - Speakers & Sub (Paradigm)

This budget would bring you at $4550 with tax Roughly 5K with no Suprises or gotcha's

It also would be a more modern system than what your looking at, ejay also showed that if your willing to hunt on the used market you can find some deals but I'd personally just use the used market for Speakers since there pretty bullet proof.

 

[cambo]

Thanks eX, for misinterpreting what I'm saying.

What I am suggesting, is that while spending $2000 on a set of speakers is reasonable for some, you don't usually learn to drive on a Mercedes Benz.

The point was, you need to audition them- don't simply buy because it's expensive or has a great name. Sit in the room for a while, and audition other makes/price ranges.

Personally, I can't justify spending a lot of money on a component simply because of the name. I need to hear and decide based on what my ears tell me. If a 100$ pair sounds better to me than a 5000$ pair, I'll buy the $100 (extreme example for the point).

$5000 on an aged system- and being the first, IS a lot of money. There's no warranty on the TV, no warranty on the receiver, and if it's baffed you're SOL as you can't return it. Electronics, like many other things, don't hold value after they've been used.

 

[cambo]

I think to best help the OP, we should ask, what is your budget- how much do you have to spend?

And 2, do you have any existing gear that you think you could leverage?