Advice on Home Theatre components...


Hey guys, I'm a relative newbie to higher end audio, and I can't really afford a lot of the high end stuff that seems to be pretty standard on here, but I wanted some advice on my system if anyone is game. I just bought a new house, closing is sept 1st!) and the designated room is 23'x15'

I currently have:

Recently purchased:
Receiver: Denon AVR-3805
TV: Samsung HLN507W
CD/DVD player: Sony DVP-CX985V 400 disk (was a gift)
Monster MP HTS 3600
Cables: Monster Cable Interlink Datalink 100, and M series M500V x2.

Several years old:
powered Subwoofer: psb Century subsonic 2i
center: psb century 200Ci

~15 yrs old:
Front speakers: BIC America Venturi V830 (x2)
Rear speakers BIC America Venturi V52 (x2)

Other:
PS2, VCR, etc

On the right front speaker, one of the woofers moves freely when pushed in, but the other has a slight grinding feel to it (still sounds ok though). The tweeter on the front left speaker is gone. I probably have to replace the front speakers and possibly rear/center to match it since I can't even find SPECS on these things, much less replacement parts.

Anyway, I've gone on a few trips to some stereo shops to listen to some speakers, and I really liked the Martin Logan electrostatic lines, (Clarity, Aeon, Ascent front, cinema center) but I was concerned with the dispersion (~30 degrees?) I'd also like to keep it semi-reasonable pricewise. My main use for the system is for movies, football games, etc. I do listen to music on it, especially when friends are over, but I'll be honest, I do most of my music listening in the car. This system would be mainly for movies.

I wanted to know what you guys suggest. If I have to replace my speakers rather than repair, what kind should I get? What are the weakest points of my system? (Like I said, I'm new to this). Do I need to have the front/rear/center speakers from the same company? I was hoping to keep the speakers under 3k-ish (under 2k would be even better). Used would be fine so long as they're in good shape. What other things should I worry about? I've never set up a high end system before, so forgive me if the answers to some of these questions are glaringly obvious.

Thanks in advance!

-Mike
aesculapius
Although you directed your query at Charles I might say that I used the Aeons / Scripts / Theatre initially with a Denon AVR-5800 (nominally 170 W/Ch) and they sounded fine and I have no doubt that they will work well with your 3805.

The problem with multi channel amp specs is that they rarely (if ever) deliver the claimed power on all channels at once, but against that, in movies, it is very rare that all channels are firing up at the same time. An amp's characteristics depends, amongst other things, on its damping factor, ability to stop and start the speaker cones to deliver sharp transients and their decay, and ability to supply power in current rather than just volts. This is why standalone amps are often used and power ratings used way over that required - a big amp at low volumes usually sounds better than a little amp at high volumes and also reduces the speaker destroying risk of clipping.

There is also a tonal difference, between amps, and I think this is most marked between US/UK amps vs Japanese gear - IMHO Japanese amps sound smooth, refined and controlled but sometimes lack the ball grabbing excitement of Theta/ARcam/EAD/gear ....

In terms of bang for buck and listening pleasure your speaker purchase will provide a much greater difference than your digital source, cabling or amplifier choice so I'd say buy the speakers YOU like the sound of and save worrying about the finer print of amps, sources and interconnects for the day when you can afford embarking on a very expensive journey.

FWIW I use a Theta Intrepid with my MLs - but there's absolutely nothing wrong with your Denon - I just personally don't like the sound of Denon amps.

Thanks Seminola, appreciate the input. Do you have any recommendations as to where to buy ML speakers? Where did you get yours? If I were to buy them used, are there any places aside from here and ebay in which I might find used high end speakers for sale?

Anyone have any recommended dealers? (I'm in Philadelphia if that helps).
There are two Tweeter stores in Philly . They started selling ML this year and can demo them for you hooked to a 3805.

Thats actually where I heard the ML speakers (Aeon / Script), and they were hooked up to the 3805 at the time. Sounded fantastic.
Aesculapius , did you form an opinion at Tweeter about their selection of wide screens ? I am in the market and don't know whether to go with a close out (on sale) 65' Mitsubishi or a new (3rd) generation Samsung DLP.