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Am I going insane?

I am not what most of you would call an audiophile, although I do appreciate a nice soundstage. I figured this was a good place to ask my questions. First I want to give you my situation though...

Last year I bought the Sony 40"XBR. I love it. Now it's time to purchase a very modest sound system for HT and 2channel. I don't have ANY equipment yet. I do know that the speakers are the first, most important piece to aquire.

So, I was at a dealer last week. I was listening to the B&W CDM NT1 series in both 5.1 and 2 channel. The sound was clear and I was pretty impressed. This is the B&W series (at least retail) that is in my price range.
Then, the fella helping me switched to the Boston Acoustics VR-M60s, with the matching center and surrounds. I thought that the BAs sounded better...much better...more free, less boxy. Both sets were being played from a Yamaha reciever (not hifi to be sure, but I can't afford good components yet). AM I NUTS? Would seperates make this setup sound better? The room was setup nicely, at least as far as my limited experience can tell.

Since then I have listened to a PSB setup, but wasn't as impressed. I also teased myself with a BEAUFIFUL Sonus Faber setup that I might be albe to afford in about 1000 years. I am looking for other options, but am limited by around a $2000 budget for speakers. If I can get something used that is higher quality (but able to be pushed from a reciever for a while), I certainly will go that way. I read similar posts as this regarding Thiel 1.5s. I am searching for a place to hear these.

I have decided to go with the Velodyne SPL800 or SPL1000 sub, as I really liked how it dissapeared in the B&W and BA setups.

Please help a really green newbie who is trying to get some bang for bucks.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes
zstokes OP
124 posts
 
Thanks Chris. The center channel certainly is for video only, and I may purchase it at a later date. My main concern is for main monitors and the sub for starters.

I don't suppose you happen to know where in the Los Angeles area I could give the Jean Marie's a test drive?
jameswei
883 posts
 
The terrible part of it is that you can already tell the difference in sound quality. A lot of beginners can't tell and can thus fool themselves for years that it doesn't matter. Since you CAN tell, just think about how you can get better sound for more money, if not immediately, then in three months when you've saved up a little more. You'll want to upgrade, again and again. You've got the whole world of high end in front of you to audition and eventually buy. This is the slippery slope. If you're not careful, you'll be in the loony bin with the rest of us.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
No you are not insane...The answer is probably "Yamaha Receiver" or some other component in your system.

System matching always matters. The B&W's are fine. They most likely do a very good job of accurately reproducing the sound produced by the receiver and your other components. In other words, they just might be too good for your sources. The Boston Accoustics while very nice speakers could be masking some of the system's shortcomings, which is fine when taking the system as a whole.

I do find it interesting that a lot of people will praise or place blame on whatever specific component they are trying out; and never consider the other components in the signal chain.

There is a consumer review of the CDM-1 at AudioReview.com, where the writer claims the bass on the CDM-1 is terrible. He was using home-made speaker stands made of wood and marble. Both of these materials resonate their own sound when they vibrate. But he blamed the bad sounds he heard on the speakers.

bomarc
501 posts
 
The important thing--the only really important thing--is to buy what you like. If you like the Bostons, then they are right for you. If you want to be sure, listen to them again with a different amp. But I doubt the amp is a major factor here, unless it was seriously underpowered and clipped into the less sensitive speakers (always a possibility).

Sounds to me like you're going about this the right way. Don't let anybody dissuade you.
whknopp0713
179 posts
 
You have a real advantage in that you are buying a receiver and speakers together. You should audition them that way as much as possible. Receivers from NAD and Rotel are in the same price range as Yamaha/Marantz/Denon's of the world, and are noticeably better (please ignore all power ratings, as they are truly irrelevant). The B&W's are probably revealing more of the Yamaha's limitations, and that's why, in part, you prefer the BA sound. With the Rotel, you might think the CDM's are better than the BA's. For the Yamaha, the BA's may be better, but don't eliminate the CDM's until you've swapped receivers.
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