Hi guys/gals. I posted this over on AC and figured a parallel post here would be a good thing.
I'd like some input on sub/sats for a new home my wife and I are building.
This home will have a finished basement theater/audio room (YEAH!!!!) :D :D :D. With my main system happily residing downstairs, I'm looking to set up an unobtrusive (read: sub/sat) system on the main floor - or unobtrusive monitors that can be shelf-mounted.
I plan to drive the speakers with a spare Yamaha integrated amp and will probably use an iPod/iMod as a source. I'm looking for something that can play all kinds of music without getting annoying or harsh, so ultimate transparency is not a requirement. This system will be for day-to-day ambience and must have the ability to pump out the jams for parties.
I have heard some very good things about the Gallo A'Diva / TR-2 combo, and am frankly not aware of other systems out there. Advice?
Thanks in advance!
Michael
How big is the room and how small/unobtrusive do the speakers need to be? I have a pair of small monitors called Era Design 5's... They also make a Design 4 that are really small. They were pretty easy to blend with a Focal sub I bought used...
A pair of Blueroom Minipods would be high on my list of possibilities also. They have a matching sub. SQ-wise I'd prefer these to the Gallo's I've heard... but it's preference, not quality. They're both good setups. Check 'em out here: http://www.podspeakers.com/Products/Minipod.aspx You can probably find them used too... and possibly cheap.
The ACI's that Bryan recommended at AC are likely great choices too.
Congrats on the new build. I hope it's everything you're hoping it will be. Finishing a basement or even just the soundroom by your own standards can be fun but costly and time consuming to get it done right. One thing I wish I'd done when building our house is making them upgrade the HVAC systems to the Lennox high-end stuff. They have variable speed motors that are much quieter and save energy. They also keep your house at a more consistent temp. It would've been a 'custom request' for us... but I'd have paid a few grand for it... Live an learn. Feel free to PM if you want basement advice. ;)
TTYL,
Carl
Thanks, Carl!
The basement room will be 13'6 by 16' with an 8' ceiling, and I plan to fully treat it (corner bass traps, panels on all walls/ceiling, etc) Pretty exciting to finally have an adequate space.
I've seen those pods before but never knew how they sound. Very cool design!
Thanks for the link!
Michael
Michael,
Congratulations on your decision to build a house - and the accompanying music space. That's a nice size.
Hi Rich,
Yes, this is very exciting for us.
The neighborhood is one of these "new urban" developments, which is essentially a master-planned community that promotes higher density housing with open space, and walkable ammenities.
For us, this is an investment, as we will make our off-grid move in perhaps 4-5 years (a bit longer than once anticipated, hence the decision to stick around and build).
I've been stirring the pot over on AC and it seems we have a small but enthusiastic group forming in the Salt Lake/Wasatch Front area. That, plus the presence of some incredible audio companies (Wilson, Zu, Audiokinesis, Emerald Audio Physics, Red Dragon, more) makes for a very promising audio scene.
Sorry Michael, somehow I missed your post until tonight.
The crib sounds great. Sounds like you will meet a lot of new friends there and enjoy a special comfort and community. I hope it turns out to be everything you are anticipating and more. It's a great time to build, builders want sales, banks want loans, rates are down, timing couldn't be better.