Help me decide on first surround system

[stifler]

Noted, any info re speakers / termination of cable

[Eric D]

stifler wrote:

I ended up getting the NR906 A/V receiver. can someone suggest some killer speakers to do this bad boy some justice? - I was thinking the M cubes sound nice

I was unable to get the official specs easily, but one review has the bottom end (-3dB point) of the m-cubes at 280 Hz, very similar to the Bose Lifestyle satellites. Even if you want to go small, please, please! try to get something where the satellites get into the low 100s. Even then, you'll need to cross your subwoofer at 150 Hz. It looks like their subwoofer has more authority than the Bose Bass Module, but you won't be able to pair any of the "real" subs because of the need to get it up to 250 to 300 Hz to keep from having a freq response gap.

The lower your subwoofer crossover is, the less you're likely to hear where the subwoofer is. Every step below 150 Hz (120 or 100) is better. The THX spec, which most people hew to, is a crossover at 80 Hz. For this, your speakers should get down to below 70 Hz (and this is still a compromise).

If this isn't making sense, I'd recommend you do some more reading before jumping in. I didn't look at the receiver you mentioned, but it may not even support a crossover as high as the Mission system needs.

take care,

[salvasol]

stifler wrote:

I want to order some quality cable from monster

Congratulations in your purchase ...

I agree with Tony, save some $$$$ ...another good place to buy cables and wires is www.monoprice.com

[stifler]

I totally see your point Eric D, I have decided to wait a month before buying the speakers and read up a bit. Can someone suggest some good brands / reading material?

[Eric D]

Sorry, I don't know the brands available to you. But I did look up that receiver you got, and I;ve got to say, "nice choice." It bodes well for your later decisions.

enjoy,

[tonyvdb]

Here is a list of places to get very good speakers and subs for really good prices.
SVSound
Yambeka audio
EMP Tec

All three of these only sell online and you will save a bundle ordering from them.

[Eric D]

Re your reading, there's lots of good FAQs out there - don't see one right here, but a little looking will do a lot. Here's one from about.com dealing specifically with speaker shopping:

http://hometheater.about.com/gi/dyna...rmistakes.html

Then try to find an audio shop near you, as well as maybe some internet direct companies that can ship to you, and start looking. If you find an internet direct company, maybe you can inquire around and try to find someone with those speakers or similar who will let you come over to listen - just remember to bring refreshements for your host! The socializing can be as much fun as the actual listening.

enjoy!

[stifler]

The thing that worries me is that the room I currently have available for HT is my bedroom - student hehe, hence I am looking for some speakers that can compensate for certain obstructions ( the sound sweet spot has direct line of site of all "documented" ideal speaker positions. Based on this info should I go for specific on wall speakers or normal bookshelf speakers. I want good sound without having to build a new room, tho this is planed there is a 3 year difference hehe. Please avice, sorry for my ignorance on the matter but your advice has been a great help.

[tonyvdb]

Any bookshelf speaker as long as the port is on the front can be wall mounted.

[Eric D]

Only additional thought I have is that you might want to put a buttkicker or two under the mattress. That should pay dividends....

[salvasol]

stifler wrote:

I am looking for some speakers that can compensate for certain obstructions ( the sound sweet spot has direct line of site of all "documented" ideal speaker positions. Based on this info should I go for specific on wall speakers or normal bookshelf speakers. ...

I don't think there's nothing else you can do if you have obstructions...just move the speakers to the front of the obstruction

I suggest going with bookshelf speakers, I'm sure you can use stands if they can't go in the wall....take a look at ebay or craigtlist, you can find good deals on used speakers

[nathometheatre]

Can you buy Mirage speakers where you live? I had the exact same issue your having now, as I was looking for a decent speaker system for my somewhat large Master Bedroom, yet limited access to large speakers. I tried several different brands before finally deciding on the Mirage Omnisat Micro's
Also if your open to shopping on ebay, I see them all the time for around $90 per speaker, and this is half price since their discontinued. Don't confuse them with the "Nanosats" that are the new model. The Mirage Omnisat Micro's go deeper as their mid/bass driver is a little larger. I couldnt believe my ears when I first heard these little guys, and since they use omnidirectional sound technology, not only does the sound stage sound excellent, but to see that it's coming from these little speakers will blow you away! They are very non directional, hence its very hard to locate where the sound is coming from (much like a subwoofer's phylosophy with low frequencies).
I found a great deal on a Velodyne 1200 watt sealed enclosure sub with an 8" driver that will reach up high enough to meet where the Omnisats start to roll off. And the Velodyne will reach all the way down to around 28Hz with power to boot! So with all this being said, I'd look around for a Velodyne Sub (you can find them for around $300 american dollars) with an 8" driver that can mate with decent sattelite speakers such as the Mirage Omnisat Micros which can be found for $500 for all 5 speakers. And, if you ever decide to go to 6 or 7.1, you can buy an additional Omnisat Micro by the speaker (doesn't have to be purchased in pairs).
If you can get these in Europe, I'd highly suggest buying them while their still around! If you were considering Bose, or Sony at the beginning of your search, this system will blow away both. Not even in the same class of speakers period.
For another suggestion, I agree with Tony (i think thats who recommended these) and consider the SVS SBS-01 speaker system. I've ordered and installed two of these systems for friends of mine, and they too are nothing short of fantastic! A little pricier than the Mirage/Velodyne system I recommended, but worth the $$!
Let me know if you have any questions about either of these systems and I'll provide more specific links.
For the SVS - SBS-01 System you're looking at $1000 american dollars
For the Mirage/Velodyne system you're looking at around $800 american dollars (sorry dont have a money conversion chart handy)
Both of these systems will sound great with your new Onkyo!

[stifler]

Are the MISSION MV 4 any good? I was going to use them as my centers / rears
Still deciding on mains / sub / center thow

[Eric D]

They certainly have sufficient specs to operate in a sub/sat situation and make you very happy. I certainly hope you can listen to them first, especially to know how you feel about warmth, detail, shrillness - that sort of thing. If that's not possible, then have you listened to other speakers and know what you like and don't like? That sort of input will usually help people here give you opinions on specific speakers.

good hunting,

[stifler]

The issue is I must buy online since locally anything A/V related is HIGHLY overpriced. I was planing to use HTFR since I have heard only good reviews about the quality of the products they sell. I will use the system for gaming / movies / TECHNO yes i love electronic music / classical music (I guess opposites do attract).

The mission speakers seam reasonably priced for center / rear satellites. What o you guys think

[tonyvdb]

I think for your needs the Missions will work just fine if you can get them at a good price they have as mentioned above good specifications.