Need help! First step into high end audio


Greetings! I have a LG55OLEDC1, first time having a semi fancy TV and am looking to get a fancy audio set up to match.

 I am in New York, and looking to have the primary use be movies and gaming, followed closely by music.  I’m fine with starting small and adding on bit by bit until it’s all set.

There are so many options and am a bit overwhelmed.  Looking to go as close to 2k, mayyybe 3k at the high end.

Any suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  A home theater company suggested bowers 600 series and starting with Left/Right/Center to start.

monkeykibble

This reviewer on youtube (zeos) loves the 5 series and bought every speaker in the series, here is his review of the 580’s:

 

I recently bought a 75" smart Sony TV. eARC from the TV goes to a pair of KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers via HDMI, providing uncompressed audio. Roon goes to the speakers via Ethernet, providing up to 192/24 audio. An Oppo 205 goes to the speakers via coax, also providing up to 192/24 audio. I think the KEFs list for around $2.8K, but can be had for less. I paid $2.2 for a used pair with stands. I use a pair of KEF KC62 subs that list for $1.5K each, but I paid $2.4K for a used pair. The KEF app provides DSP and integrates the speakers and subs. The sound of the setup is amazingly good at a fraction of the cost of a single Ayre component in my main setup.

@monkeykibble

I would suggest putting together a home theatre system with 5.1 or more - something fairly reasonably priced like paradigm; and powered monitors for your 2 channel music system. For gaming, you can easily configure a receiver to switch to 2 channel/ extra sound effects etc.

You can also add a bluetooth transmitter to the input of powered monitors and play music from your smartphone.

in my opinion, this is an optimal set up if you simply want to enjoy movies/gaming/music.

 

My suggestion is to get the words "high end audio" out of your mind. Those terms mean so many things to audiophiles that is just confusing and often too expensive in dollars. Go with "what sounds really good to you". Yamaha, Pioneer, Sony all make great gear. So does Klipsch, JBL, Paradigm, Monitor Audio and other reputable speaker companies. Try to go and listen to assembled systems. Good luck..

@2psyop 

Now this is wisdom! 

My suggestion is to get the words "high end audio" out of your mind. Those terms mean so many things to audiophiles that is just confusing and often too expensive in dollars. Go with "what sounds really good to you". 

Awesome advice!