New Audio Package Purchase

[Baboy]

Hi All,

Need some advice on a system for the house that I am looking at installing. First some background on the areas concerned and the requirements.

The house has been built but due to matters beyond our control no cabling has been run for a sound system or speaker installation. The ground floor has an area of approx 120 sqm. This is an open area that takes in lounge , living & kitchen area. The floors are marble & there is a very large portion of the walls that are windows / sliding glass doors. The Tv will be located on an end wall seating can be up to 4 mtrs from screen. Ceilings are 3.5 mtrs high. Think like a very large open loft area.

The running of the cables although annoying will be easy enough as there are a large number of recessed lights & options for entering the circling area to run cables where required. Would have loved them in to start off with but that matter is done.

I have looked at a few systems in Bangkok & at the moment am leaning towards the following.

Klipsch Speakers. RF 82 or RF 7. Huge price difference here so anyone used or heard them please comment.

RB 81 & RCA 64 centre speakers again Klipsch

Yamaha 3020. Like the multi features & have only heard good things

Paradigin Ultracube 12 Sub. This was recommended by store.

The outdoor area is a large open patio opening onto a pool. I have looked at the Bose 251 environment speakers for here. A friend has these outside & they give a good sound by more importantly hold up to the weather really well.

The system will me used for both TV & music .

Any suggestions, comments or ideas please feel free to post. I really hoped to have had this sorted but plans go astray in Thailand as we all know.

The system is not cheap especially the price difference in the first to speakers & I am looking for a good system but if a saving of 50,000 baht on a set up Is there to be had while still getting a similar sound I am all for it.

If anyone has thoughts on a comparable system or suggestion please let me know.

Thanks in advance

[Pdaz]

Why bother with cables at all ? Google "Sonos" and see their range of wireless components. Up to 36 zones can all play from the same source or have omething different playing in each room. Easy to strem from your home PC, a media server, your ipad or android device plus thousands of free internet radio streams. All controlled by Ipad/android app. I have three "play 5" components, a "bridge" a "connect amp" and a sub. The sound is tremendous, easy to set up (5 mins from unpacking to music) and each component only requires a power cord. One unit needs an internet connection. No batteries like Bose so once set up nothing to maintain.

I replaced all my old hat CD player, surround sound, amp and speakers around 4 Months ago. Really excellent kit.

[Baboy]

Pdaz,

thanks for the reply. I had looked at the Sonus set up & was leaning towards it but would still need to run some more power cables in the ceiling to have the power source for the speakers where I want them.

i checked out the SONUS distributors in one of the provincial cites but wasn't to impressed with the service or the details that where available especially any after sales service that I may need . That is nothing to do with speaker quality but aimed at the bloke running the shop.

I listened to their new sound bar while in Australia recently & that was impressive . Great sound but unfortunately the show room was not a similar area to what I am looking at servicing. i will be in bangkok then back in Australia next month so will source out a distributor in both locals & have another look.

The 5 is a great looking speaker & yes agreed have a good sound and as I mentioned the sound bar is 1 of the better ones out there. Of course another big plus is being able to run thru a bridge & stream from smart components. The Yamaha 3020 has similar capabilities but of course calls for the hardwiring.

Did you buy yours in Thailand ?

Many thanks for the suggestion it is now something I will further look into.

Why bother with cables at all ? Google "Sonos" and see their range of wireless components. Up to 36 zones can all play from the same source or have omething different playing in each room. Easy to strem from your home PC, a media server, your ipad or android device plus thousands of free internet radio streams. All controlled by Ipad/android app. I have three "play 5" components, a "bridge" a "connect amp" and a sub. The sound is tremendous, easy to set up (5 mins from unpacking to music) and each component only requires a power cord. One unit needs an internet connection. No batteries like Bose so once set up nothing to maintain.

I replaced all my old hat CD player, surround sound, amp and speakers around 4 Months ago. Really excellent kit.

[astral]

Check out this topic as well

[CarlBkk]

Hi, your space is big and highly reflective so you've really got to plan carefully or your system will hurt your ears straight away, regardless of how great/costly each component is. Acoustic panels and bass traps are so important, but if that's not possibly a rug and some more soft furnishings maybe...although I know this isn't so common in the heat of Thai living rooms.

The last thing you want are bright sounding speakers, so go for warm musical brands such as B&W or PMC speakers. Klipsch aren't highly regarded for Sound For The Money, but it's whatever you like. Avoid Focal. Definitely consider the Sonus system, it really is great value for money and you can set it up yourself easily enough. Streamers like that rarely go wrong with lack of moving parts, and can always be reset with a button. If you don't like the dealer can someone bring it over from Aus or wherever? It would be cheaper and not heavy (minus speakers). Dynaudio do some very good cableless speakers, but you should also consider checking out active speakers (with amps built in, fewer boxes and cables) by JBL, ATC and best of all Event Opals. The Events are standmounts but WILL fill your room with big sound...downside is that I doubt you'll find them in Thailand. For your budget and level Piyanas (the dealer) should be a definite stop.

[Baboy]

Hi, your space is big and highly reflective so you've really got to plan carefully or your system will hurt your ears straight away, regardless of how great/costly each component is. Acoustic panels and bass traps are so important, but if that's not possibly a rug and some more soft furnishings maybe...although I know this isn't so common in the heat of Thai living rooms.

The last thing you want are bright sounding speakers, so go for warm musical brands such as B&W or PMC speakers. Klipsch aren't highly regarded for Sound For The Money, but it's whatever you like. Avoid Focal. Definitely consider the Sonus system, it really is great value for money and you can set it up yourself easily enough. Streamers like that rarely go wrong with lack of moving parts, and can always be reset with a button. If you don't like the dealer can someone bring it over from Aus or wherever? It would be cheaper and not heavy (minus speakers). Dynaudio do some very good cableless speakers, but you should also consider checking out active speakers (with amps built in, fewer boxes and cables) by JBL, ATC and best of all Event Opals. The Events are standmounts but WILL fill your room with big sound...downside is that I doubt you'll find them in Thailand. For your budget and level Piyanas (the dealer) should be a definite stop.

Thanks for the thoughts. I will continue to check into the SONUS systems as Pdaz mentioned in an earlier post. The room area will have furnishing in it as well as throw rugs but with the amount of glass included is still minimal that can be done. I will be in Australia next couple of weeks . A friend has just got himself a SONUS sound bar & is very happy with it. His area not as large but will check that out. I starting to think more that this is the way to go. I would certainly be able to bring the some of the SONUS equipment back in with me.

I had looked at the JBL system . I have visited Piyanas in Bangkok & dealt with Mr Chiwat. They will be opening a store in Pattaya in early June & on my return there I have requested him that we have someone from the store come out & take a look. I was impressed with his service.

I will see what I can source re the Events speakers.

Thanks for the help.

[IMHO]

120m2 is an awfully large area to fill with sound using domestic speakers and subwoofers...

What is it you're trying to achieve? Audiophile quality 2 channel sound? or perhaps a 5.x/7.x/10.x surround system? Or maybe something that can double/triple up and perform party duties as well?

The Paradigm 12" you're looking at is a fine subwoofer, but it's not going to do much in that kind of air space I'm afraid. How much bass are you looking for? just the occasional heard-but-not-felt distant rumble? something that will shake your beanbag, or something that do all of that while also thumping you in the guts?

Also, what's attracting you to the Klipsch speakers? - that's not meant to sound one bit condescending BTW - I'm just trying to get a 'feel' for what kind of sound attributes you like.

[Baboy]

120m2 is an awfully large area to fill with sound using domestic speakers and subwoofers...

What is it you're trying to achieve? Audiophile quality 2 channel sound? or perhaps a 5.x/7.x/10.x surround system? Or maybe something that can double/triple up and perform party duties as well?

The Paradigm 12" you're looking at is a fine subwoofer, but it's not going to do much in that kind of air space I'm afraid. How much bass are you looking for? just the occasional heard-but-not-felt distant rumble? something that will shake your beanbag, or something that do all of that while also thumping you in the guts?

Also, what's attracting you to the Klipsch speakers? - that's not meant to sound one bit condescending BTW - I'm just trying to get a 'feel' for what kind of sound attributes you like.

Hi IMHO,

thanks for the post . I thought maybe this thread had died a slow death.

Yes the area is large. Audiophile quality is not what i am after. Unfortunately when reading reviews of speakers & systems the reviewers forget that it is usual " ordinary" folk who need advice reading them & don't need sound perfection. From my limited knowledge I think a 5 x surround system would be fine, 7 maybe but that would be the max. Yes I would want it to double with party duties as well as with all this space i am sure there will be a few.

I don't want the bass to be making my jeans flap around my legs or go thru the house & expose any fragile walls. Heard, feel a small rumble but not knocked outta the chair would be nice.

The Klipsch where mentioned to me thats why I mentioned them in the OP. I had them priced in the package & wondered if anyone had experience with them. the make up of the system is no way set yet am still exploring any & all suggestions. I have a am looking at spending around 200k to 250k ( baht).

End result i would like a system that is good to listen to with both TV & music. I use mainly internet streaming & downloaded music so quality of some of that could be questionable.

Look forward to your thoughts

Please feel free to add to the thread with any of your suggestions. I welcome advice look forward to it.

[IMHO]

For double duty as both surround and party music in that size room, the Klipsch mains/surrounds are a very good choice - so long as you like their sound (*super* dynamic, very forward on top end) - have a good listen to them first. Given the challenges of the room, I see absolutely no reason to step up to their reference (the single digit ones) though - late room reflections are going to negate any real advantages they have in SQ. Something like the RF-82-ii + RC-52-ii + RS-52-ii + RB-51-ii would be a great solution in the room you have, paired with a decent (100+watts RMS/channel) AVR.

As for subwoofer - I would definitely suggest getting 2.. I notice you're shopping at Piyanas, based on their range my suggestion here would be 2x Paradigm DSP-3400 V2 14" subs. These dig deep, and will create the kinds of SPL your room needs, without hitting rave levels of mind-numbing droning bass Having 2 subs also means you can also counteract (with careful placement) the cancellations/deadspots/hotspots which are inevitable given the airspace they need to fill - and you could place them side-by-side to create proper dancefloor bass levels when having parties

Another option you might be lucky enough to still find is the Jamo D7 series 5.2 THX system - this is a very impressive system. It won't play quite as loud as the horn-loaded Klipsch speakers, but it's a very balanced and dynamic setup. The dual 15" subs will surely do the job in your room. Only problem is, these have now been discontinued for over a year. magnet.co.th are the official distributor - maybe try contacting them to see if there's still a set laying around? These ought to fit well within your budget.

Finally, you're budget actually puts you in range of proper pro-audio speakers like the JBL PRX series. If your focus was less about surround, and more around dynamics, SQ, and "live performace" sound levels, these are also worth considering. 4x PRX612 and 2x PRX618S-XLF would give you genuine dancefloor levels of output, easier setup due to their narrower dispersion (less reflections heard, more speaker heard) and almost perfectly flat response (due to built-in DSP), and they sound absolutely fantastic even at lower/normal levels (though normal takes on a new meaning when you have 1000W RMS per cabinet ). The only problem with these will be getting them approved by the interior decorations police

[IMHO]

One correction: I just looked up current prices for the JBL Pro range in TH (white market) and in your budget you'd be limited to 2xPRX612 and 2xPRX618S-XLF. That actually makes it all a little easier though, as no need for a surround processor in a 2.2 system

That all said, this option was said a bit tongue-in-cheek - you said you didn't want huge SPL, and well, huge SPL (with amazing SQ) is what these JBL's do..