chep 5.1 speaker pack/set up - advice?

[admin_exported]

Hi - I tried a few speaker packs a week ago - but am having second thoughts.

I likes the MS alums - but they are too pricey for me at present.

I tries the Mission MV 5.1s, Tannoy SFX 5.1, Q Accoustic 1010is, and Denon SYS-57HTs

My favourite overall were the Denons - though all had plus and minus points. They sounded remarkably similar to the Alums (there designed by MS I believe), and didnt seem any better than the 1010is for £150 less (£280 for the Denons).

The only thing that concerned me was I felt the centre speaker was the week point. It seemed a bit mid heavey which let to speack - and vocals with music to overwhelm the rest of the track (this music "mid" wasnt present when I played the same track in 2.1).

Should I:

a. save for the Alums, an extra £200 or so despite the rest of the system being so close it was un-nerving.

b. Get a different centre speaker (if I can - comes as a pack as far as I know) - say the Alum one - or 1010i

c. Keep the Denon pack as its more ballenced tonally to each other.

I was all set for the Denons, but the midy thing is bugging me. Can I tame this with some EQ (dont know what I can do here on teh amp), or channell ballencing? How different will it be in my living room with soft furnishings next to the "open" shop setting with hard walls?

Im getting the Denon 1909 with the system, and although Ive paid £400 depoit for the pack (awaiting the 1909 in Black), this is the price of the Amp, so If I change my mind on the speakers I wont loose anything - although I would like to get it from the same shop as they hass invested time in me and choosing my set-up.

Am I worrying un-necessarily?

I know when I get it home, and set-up, I will become used to the sound anyway - and wont have the others to A/B them against.

 

[Anonymous]

If you like the 'ms alumni' then I reckon if you search around on ebay you will be able to come up with a better package second hand with the 'Avant' range like I have and I have seen ppl selling whole packages sometimes for under £300 or you can buy the speakers seperate and still get a good deal, it is bigger but superior.

 

[Anonymous]

I have it on VERY good authority that the Denons are basically the MS Avants with a small tweek (improvement) to the sub, done in black and with Denon on the front.

There are Identical sized boxs, Speaker sizes, look (appart from colour) etc.

The Denons are £280, and I can get the Avants new for £250. I did try them, but as the shop said, the Denons were actually better (I suspect cos the sub was improved).

Even teh mid range "promonance" I wasnt that keen on with the Denons was present in the Avants too!

 

[Anonymous]

Never heard of these Denons you refer to but if they are as good as the avants then at those prices you said, you cant go wrong I would go for them. Just make sure you get decent cables to get the best out of them and partner them with kit that does not sound bright easily as they do not need much encouragement.

 

[Anonymous]

My mistake - its not the Avants, its the Premiers.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, well that is a big mistake there, as the 'Avants' are far superior so hunt them out on ebay if you can.