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Speakers for Home Theater/Audio for 8K

I have recently purchased a Denon AVR 5803 and am looking for a good speaker system. I intend to use the system for HT 80%, audio 20% (mostly straight ahead jazz). Although I have been impressed with the Martin-Logans and have previously owned Magnepans (which I loved, driven with an Adcom GFA 555), the room which the system will now reside limits an adequate spacing for these speakers (placing the front speakers 4 ft. from the wall would truncate the room). The room is 18x24 with 10 ft ceilings. The television is on the long wall with about 4 ft from open passageways on either side. Given some of these limitations, I would appreciate any suggestions. Current systems I have been reviewing include the B&W 802, Snell - Xa90/Xa55cr, Definitive Tech. BP-2000TL. I was ready to purchase the Def Techs but reviewing some of the discussions on this site as well as comments from my audiophile friends made me reconsider my options. I still have not ruled out the Martin-Logans and if any of you have a suggestion about placement, I would love to hear them.

My budget is about 8K and used speakers are certainly welcome. Please suggest any other system that you feel I may find interesting. I realize that ultimately it comes down to taste, but since I have shared some of my previous likes I hoped this would help in the discussion.

Thanks.
psdermpath1
sedona
144 posts
 
Hello
I would take a look at Von Schweikert speakers, the company offers HT package deals to their dealers or if there is no dealer you should be able to buy direct, also they have a new speaker called the VR4 Jr coming out in Jan that you might want to audition.
If I had the funds I would seriously look at Aerial Acoustics.
I have not heard the following, I've only read good reviews on: Tyler Acoustics, PMC, and Legacy.
For what it's worth my first two choices would be Von Schweikert or Aerial Acoustics.
Best of Luck.
ellery911
549 posts
 
I auditioned my lowly B&W cdm1nt's with a velodyne sub on a Denon 5803. At home, I use them with a bryston B-60 integrated amplifier and the sound quality is sooo much better than the Denon. I think that N802's, Martin Logans or any high $$$ speaker would need higher quality electronics to justify the expense. If I were in your shoes, I would check out the B&W 700 series (the cdm replacement line)...save yourself the $$$ and put it into a good 2 channel system if you desire.

Jst my 2c
psdermpath1 OP
8 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I did have a chance to listen to the Aerials and I am duly impressed. Thanks Sedona for the excellent recommendations.

Your answers touch upon a debate which appears to be prevalent on the boards, ie, should one purchase a separate amp/preamp processor or is a good receiver (like the Denon 5803) sufficient? Some alternatives that have been given to me include later upgrading the system with the Denon being used as a preamp and another amplifier added. It almost seems an anathema to use a Denon with an excellent speaker system like the Aerials as Ellery911 seems to suggest.

Thoughts?
sedona
144 posts
 
Well, this is just my personal opinion, but if you placed the Denon and any number of separate amp/preamp combos that equal the price of the Denon behind a curtain and asked twenty people to give their opinions, the majority wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them. I owned the B&K AVR 305 receiver and thought it was a fantastic piece of equipment. I also owned the Bel Canto 200.2 digital amp and thought that was great, but not so much that I could tell the difference between them. Again, just my opinion. I would stay with the Denon, at least for now, and focus on getting the right speakers.

Aerial Acoustic 7b or 8b, CC3b center, and SR3 surrounds would be an absolute killer home theater package. A couple pairs of used 7b's went for around $2500 this week on Audiogon and there is someone currently selling a pr of the 7b and CC3b - all in natural cherry - for $4500 obo - personally I would offer $3500 and then find a used/demo pr of the SR3's. Go to the Aerial website and check out their reviews for 2-channel and as a home theater package.

Unfortunately at this time I cannot afford the Aerial's, but I am also a fan of the Von Schweikert speakers. I've owned them in the past (2 channel) and will again in the very near future. I have to believe their home theater setup would also be outstanding.

Keep us informed as you go along.
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