About a year ago I decided I wanted to buy a TV. I casually picked up a copy of What Hifi down my local newsagents, then became hooked. Initially this was with TVs, progressing to AV and now seemingly hifi. I blame this magazine and many of the incredibly helpful posters on these forums for my imminent bankrupcy - I'm nevertheless a happy man!
I've enjoyed demoing some fantastic kit, playing about with settings a plenty and have had a great time. I've now got myself a Pioneer 4280, an Onkyo 875 on the cheap and now want to set out with a set of musical speakers. This will initially form a dual purpose 5.1 set-up but within the next six months I plan to add a CD player and then a dedicated stereo amp with a view to ultimately separating stereo from AV.
The listening room will start as a converted loft, done to building regs with new joists, sound insulation, and a carpeted floor. Dimensions 17ft x 15ft although with the pitched roof this equates to 1000 cubic feet.
My system needs to be able to grow. I had thought to go with a musical 5.1 set up so I could move the front pairing downstairs when I have the CD player, amp and enough money to change the loft to pure AV.
I started off looking at a sub/sat package given my use would be predominantly AV. The Kef eggs I heard were so underwhelming with music I had to move on, their IQ5SE floorstanders were better but you could tell physics can't be defeated. The next step up was the 685 theatre package, much improved but lacking in the scale I needed. Although I enjoy a lot of acoustic music with detailed vocals that the B&Ws were doing well, the indie/rock music that often also comes out lacked the necessary grandiose sound I wanted.
At the same time in Sevenoaks I had a listen to the 684 package which impressed me more - the scale was there although the detailing was lost slightly compared to their smaller cousins. The footprint was also a big jump. Although not unsuited to my larger room, if I was to move them down to the living room (14 x 14 ft and a thoroughfare to the kitchen/diner) I feel they would start to dominate if placed appropriately.
I was coming to realise, the more I listen and read, the more I knew what I wanted, and how much it's going to have to cost me. I'm really asking for your advice and experience. This is my first system so despite my reading I am an inexperienced owner. Should I abandon this pursuit of a dual purpose system, stick with a dedicated 5.1 package from a recognised AV brand (MK?) and get a talented stereo speaker pair, or try with a musical 5.1 package (I'm now being drawn to a system based on PMC GB1i and have a demo at the weekend) and add parts in stages?
I know this is a long and rambling post, I appreciate your patience and would be grateful of any advice you can offer.
I've enjoyed demoing some fantastic kit, playing about with settings a plenty and have had a great time. I've now got myself a Pioneer 4280, an Onkyo 875 on the cheap and now want to set out with a set of musical speakers. This will initially form a dual purpose 5.1 set-up but within the next six months I plan to add a CD player and then a dedicated stereo amp with a view to ultimately separating stereo from AV.
The listening room will start as a converted loft, done to building regs with new joists, sound insulation, and a carpeted floor. Dimensions 17ft x 15ft although with the pitched roof this equates to 1000 cubic feet.
My system needs to be able to grow. I had thought to go with a musical 5.1 set up so I could move the front pairing downstairs when I have the CD player, amp and enough money to change the loft to pure AV.
I started off looking at a sub/sat package given my use would be predominantly AV. The Kef eggs I heard were so underwhelming with music I had to move on, their IQ5SE floorstanders were better but you could tell physics can't be defeated. The next step up was the 685 theatre package, much improved but lacking in the scale I needed. Although I enjoy a lot of acoustic music with detailed vocals that the B&Ws were doing well, the indie/rock music that often also comes out lacked the necessary grandiose sound I wanted.
At the same time in Sevenoaks I had a listen to the 684 package which impressed me more - the scale was there although the detailing was lost slightly compared to their smaller cousins. The footprint was also a big jump. Although not unsuited to my larger room, if I was to move them down to the living room (14 x 14 ft and a thoroughfare to the kitchen/diner) I feel they would start to dominate if placed appropriately.
I was coming to realise, the more I listen and read, the more I knew what I wanted, and how much it's going to have to cost me. I'm really asking for your advice and experience. This is my first system so despite my reading I am an inexperienced owner. Should I abandon this pursuit of a dual purpose system, stick with a dedicated 5.1 package from a recognised AV brand (MK?) and get a talented stereo speaker pair, or try with a musical 5.1 package (I'm now being drawn to a system based on PMC GB1i and have a demo at the weekend) and add parts in stages?
I know this is a long and rambling post, I appreciate your patience and would be grateful of any advice you can offer.
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