Advice on satellite 5.1 speaker system.

[Nick Webb]

Hi all,

i'm looking to invest in a small 5.1 surround system.

This will mainly be for tv and dvd and the occasional cd.

My source is a Pioneer 989avi dvd player and i'm probably going to hook that up with a Pioneer vsx-2016av receiver or a Pioneer vsx-ax2avi.

What speakers would you chaps recommend?

How about AE Aego T-system? These come supplied with wall brackets but do they have stands available? Are they any good?

How about the Kefs?

My local Audio T recommended M/K and said they were the best you could get for a grand. To me though they looked pants. I appreciate it's all about the sound but they have to look half decent aswell.

Any other recommendations?

This will be my first forray into the whole 5.1 set up and as a result i haven't got a clue. Budget of 1k maximum and they have to be of the sattelite variety due to space.

The AE's look the part and retail at £800 but i've seen them online for £600 so they seem to fit the bill so as anyone heard them?

Any advice /recommendations gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance,

Nick.

 

[HiFiRuss71]

Listen to the M&Ks (Xenons I assume?) they're very good, but they're rather expensive considering they're not made anymore. I would say that's not a problem per se, but I'd be looking for a great deal all the same.

I'd also take some time to take a look at the Cantons in the Powerbuy thread. I heard the little ones at the Bristol show and was amazed at the quantity and quality, of their output. I'd go so far as to say it actually sounded better than the Xenons in the M&K room (that'll be unpopular - dons flame cloak!) but that may have been down to the demo rather than the gear. The extruded aluminium cabinets are very nicely finished too - reassuringly dense.

Because of the common drivers/construction across the range, you could uprade at a later date with bigger fronts and move two of the CD10s to the rear for a 7.1 setup.

One CD50 center plus four CD10s would stand you in at £402. Throw in the the SVS SB-12 from the Subwoofer powerbuy (in Piano Black) and you'd have a killer, discrete system and only £1 over budget.

There's a review here (back when it was called the CD1 system) and you'll note the only weakness was the sub, but the suggestion above is an order of magnitude better.

Russell

 

[Nick Webb]

Thanks Russ,

I'll look into the Cantons.

The M/K's recommended to me were the K5's with KX10 sub. What are your thoughts?

I didn't hear them but thought they looked crap for a grand.

What about the Kef 3005 range? I've read on this forum that they've been reduced fron £999 to £600 that sounds good to me but how would they compare to the M'K's?

Thanks,

Nick.

 

[bairdyboy1980]

Thanks Russ,

I'll look into the Cantons.

The M/K's recommended to me were the K5's with KX10 sub. What are your thoughts?

I didn't hear them but thought they looked crap for a grand.

What about the Kef 3005 range? I've read on this forum that they've been reduced fron £999 to £600 that sounds good to me but how would they compare to the M'K's?

Thanks,

Nick.

Where are they for £600 mate? The only thing with the KEF's are that retailers are not allowed to ship them and for pickup only...

 

[tahoe joe]

I would recommend Monitor Audio's radius series, it's a little bit pricier but you'll know where the money went.

For less money, I think the KEF's are pretty amazing, and the best bang-for-buck in that range. I personally just don't like the looks of the eggs, but you might.

 

[Nick Webb]

Hi,

Hi Spek apparently. I haven't looked to confirm it's just what i've read on here.

Anybody have any experience of the Radius against the AE's ?

Nick.

Where are they for £600 mate? The only thing with the KEF's are that retailers are not allowed to ship them and for pickup only...