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confused and don't know what to do

We would like to buy a nice audio system and also have this double as a surround sound but listening to music is the priority. We have listened to many speakers but have settled on the B&W 804's. Now the challenge is to select a receiver and all the other accompaniments we require. We have a little challenge in that our home is a condo and the outside wall is all glass. The space is combined kitchen, living room, and dining room all open with hardwood floors and hard tile on the walls of the kitchen and a lot of granite counter tops. It seems that every where we go, the recommendations are different depending on what the store is selling and of course, the sales people would like us to buy the most expensive. What would give great sound without going crazy. We are thinking about 2 tribe sub woofers and space is limited and an in wall center B&W speaker but we don't know what we are doing and don't want to throw our money away. Help! Too many choices and we don't have enough knowledge. Thank you so much.
raw33
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
220 posts
 
“here is my advice. Get a preamp with home theatre bypass. Plug all youR music sources into this preamp. Get a badass two channel amp for the front speakers. Get as good of a multi channel amp for the other speakers.”

This is what I, too, did.  I got one of Denon’s higher-end 5.1 AVRs, a Rythmik FG12 sub (here on Agon), a vintage B&K EX-442 Sonata 2-channel amp and a Parasound P5 preamp with home theater bypass (which is CRITICAL to a system with this configuration).  I had an Adcom  5-channel amp that I had previously used with older Paradigm speakers, but it wasn’t enough to drive the Magnepan MMG speakers I purchased for stereo listening, so I run my center MMG-C and Paradigm Phantom v3 rear channel speakers through it.  I don’t even USE the AVR for amplification (but again, I had the multi-channel amp laying around).  I bought a used Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray/SACD player for movie and some CD listening, and also scored a mint Denon DVD-2900 DVD player for other SACD/CD listening.  Oh, and because of the size of my CD collection, I practically stole a mint Pioneer DV-F727 300 disc changer just to have my favorites at my fingertips.  I took a few hours and created a spreadsheet of artists and titles for easy access to anything I might want to hear (even though it has a title/artist display window).

I have under $5,000 into my admittedly mid-fi system but to my trained ear.......it all sounds pretty damned good to me.  Yeah, I’ve got a stack of components but it’s orderly and aesthetically fitting for my living room.
vinylrestingplace's avatar
vinylrestingplace
37 posts
 
Forget about how a speaker sounds at Best Buy. You need to try (borrow from stores or friends) a speaker to hear in your own listening environment, which as you describe, sounds like a challenge. The room is the biggest variable. Figure out where the speakers are going to go. Do they need to go up against a wall? Certain speakers, like Larsen's, are ideal for wall placement. Most speakers benefit from being out in the room and the room you describe, btw, does not sound like a good candidate for home theater, so can definitely save money by sticking to 2-channel which is adequate for most video and ideal for music. Indeed you should start "backwards": buy a speaker that will drive your room, then an amp that will drive your speakers and with whatever money is left buy the best front end components you can. There are definitely differences between front end components but nothing like the differences between speakers in real life rooms. I've owned quite a few great speakers that just didn't work in my room. Don't make a mistake like that!
16f4's avatar
16f4
1,063 posts
 
Since you are in an open-space condo, space (footprint) might be a consideration. My wife and I are facing the same issue. I settled on a BlueSound PowerNode 2i, which includes a streamer and integrated amp.  Your selected speakers will certainly work with them (I have ELAC Debut 6.2s that are great).  Includes an HDMI port for the TV. And you can hook up a subwoofer and Bluetooth speakers.    With all that reflective material in your condo you might not even miss the extra three speakers.  
boneman73
36 posts
 
Some really good advice here, as well as some monster systems. Let me lend my experience; I’m sure some will not get past my first sentence or two - I hope the OP does! :) I’m envisioning your condo with a lot of "life" going on: kitchen, dining, living, etc. AND - you have a significant other IIRC. This system can’t be a mess of wires or remotes or components (did anyone ask what you play? Stream? Vinyl? Physical media? I’ll assume you stream...) I had the same issues. I wanted GREAT sound and intelligibility from movies and TV...and I wanted GREAT sound from music. What I did: I listened to as many top-line soundbars, then purchased a Martin Logan ’Vision’ bar; I’m sure there are even better ones now. I was going to add a sub, but have not yet. For music, a pair of wonderful North Creek standmount speakers designed for near wall placement (NC is no longer in business, but my point is some NICE stand mounts or towers, ultimately should be purchased with consideration for placement). If I were buying components today, I would purchase a fine integrated from Jeff Rowland, Rogue, Moon, Bel Canto, McIntosh, etc etc. Go tube if you want! Add a (matching?) streamer. DONE.
What I just described is a one or two box solution; speakers for music, and a sound bar which is completely dedicated to you video system. (I use a Roku 4K with mine, mounted behind TV. Very clean)
The advantages of a fine soundbar have blown me away after living with it for 3 years: absolute simplicity with very superb sound and legible dialogue. I simply do not miss rear channels (most have the ability to "project" the rear information - sometimes quite spooky), or the wiring. In a combined (condo!) living space I can’t recommend the complexity of an Atmos or 5.x system. With a fine soundbar - you get a 3.0 or 3.1 system for movies and TV. One button operation.
I hope this helps with another viewpoint; really envision "life" with the equipment and what you and your significant other want to live with.

joshfilm
70 posts
 
I was in a similar situation a few years back. I was coming from a surround system that was great for movies, but not enjoyable for music. I went deep down the rabbit hole of trying to get my stereo setup satisfying for music. By the time I did I had blown whatever budget for any additional surround setup up, but to my happy surprise the large enveloping soundstage, sharp spatial definition and Timbral richness added up to a movie experience that was significantly more satisfying than my surround system ever was. One day, when the coffers are replenished, I may take a stab at rebuilding a surround system, but in the meantime, I want for nothing and the music is out of this world endgame fantastic! I am simply recommending that you fully satisfy your music itch first, and then see where you’ve landed... and then plan next stage. Problem with starting surround first is that it rules out so much great gear that may blow your mind musically. YMMV
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