ultimate home theater 5.1 set-up, S3A'S?

DirkB · 29th May 2004, 11:28 AM

Hi All,

A fortunate friend of mine is willing to invest in a killer 5.1 setup for his home and asked me if I could come up with an idea. Budget is around $10.000,- for amps and speakers.

So, what about a studio setup like Adam S3A's with a sub? Or should he look for some audiofile hi-fi set? I'll be getting in contact with Adam Audio to see if they can arrange some sort of listening experience (which would be great fun

), but in the mean time, I'm open for any suggestion.

Greetings,
Dirk

alphajerk · 29th May 2004, 11:44 PM

try the ADAM pencils w/amps. passive full standing version of the S3-A's.... its what im going to be getting to mix on for surround.

Nathanael · 30th May 2004, 03:54 PM

10K is to cover everything or just speakers and amps?. If it is just for amps and speakers, I'd start with (5) B&W 805's, a sub, and the Pass 5 channel amp. Oh, and definitely a couple bucks for calibration CD's and an SPl meter from Radio Shack.

If the 10K needs to include TV, fancy processor, etc. this is tough to get high quality. I'd still get the 5 805's and power them off some integrated surround receiver thingy.

Bottom line - speakers first.

DirkB · 30th May 2004, 04:00 PM

10K is for speakers and amps.
Thanks for the B&W tip, I'll look into those.

Greetings,
Dirk

alphajerk · 30th May 2004, 05:51 PM

dont bother with the 805's... pretty much the only BnW speaker i like in that range is the 802's, which are going to be the closest to the ADAM pencils.... actually closer to the S4C's in drivers [tho i dont hear too many tonal similarities of which i think the 802's sound closer to the S3's, maybe a bit bigger sounding for the 802's... probably would do 4x 802's with BnW center channel] of course that will probably put it out of the price range by a good amount.

and for sub, consider the velodyne's at the top choice.

Nathanael · 30th May 2004, 08:54 PM

I would not dismiss the 805s out of hand like that - they are worth a listen. I listened to them side by side with the 802s, and they hold their own very well. I don't know what else would match them for the price.

They are lighter in the bass than the 802's (as one would expect), but that's what the sub is for.

I have heard good things re: Velodyne subs. No personal experience here.

alphajerk · 31st May 2004, 05:14 AM

well, i have heard teh whole line and many occasions. but its just my subjective opinion anyway. i prefer more low end content to avoid that low mid "hole" that forms with the sub/sat config [which the 805's could be considered]

Nathanael · 31st May 2004, 05:19 AM

Fair enough - I'm currently using Dunlavy SC-IV's - they are flat to just under 30hz, which conveniently, is about the lowest fundamental that the room will support.

A 5.1 setup with these? It would be cool, but you'd need a LARGE room!

natpub · 31st May 2004, 08:10 AM

My friend exactly just did his home theater with five 802's, Velo Sub, and Bryston amps--****er makes me sick!

Han · 31st May 2004, 11:05 PM

Dirk, IMF speakers are discontinued for a long time now, but can be bought in the Netherlands for very reasonable prices and they're the best and most detailed sounding (transmission line) speakers ever. (IMHO)

I'd suggest a pair of RSPM or SACM's as front L/R, a TLS80 as mid and a pair of ALS40II's as rear speakers.

You won't need any sub, for the RSPM and SACM go below 20hz.

Let him buy killer amps and he'll be in sound heaven.

http://www.imf-electronics.com/

(you can check the RSPM and ALS40 at my place)

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29th May 2004, 11:28 AM	#1
DirkB Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,468	ultimate home theater 5.1 set-up, S3A'S? Hi All, A fortunate friend of mine is willing to invest in a killer 5.1 setup for his home and asked me if I could come up with an idea. Budget is around $10.000,- for amps and speakers. So, what about a studio setup like Adam S3A's with a sub? Or should he look for some audiofile hi-fi set? I'll be getting in contact with Adam Audio to see if they can arrange some sort of listening experience (which would be great fun ), but in the mean time, I'm open for any suggestion. Greetings, Dirk __________________ -progress takes away what forever took to find- Dave Matthews

29th May 2004, 11:44 PM	#2
alphajerk There is only one Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,291	try the ADAM pencils w/amps. passive full standing version of the S3-A's.... its what im going to be getting to mix on for surround. __________________ "i must invent my own systems or else be enslaved by other men's'" william blake __________________________ send me a buzz @ barrett's mad laboratory 828.242.4366 email: barrett [at] alphajerk [dot] com

30th May 2004, 04:00 PM	#4
DirkB Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,468	10K is for speakers and amps. Thanks for the B&W tip, I'll look into those. Greetings, Dirk __________________ -progress takes away what forever took to find- Dave Matthews

30th May 2004, 05:51 PM	#5
alphajerk There is only one Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,291	dont bother with the 805's... pretty much the only BnW speaker i like in that range is the 802's, which are going to be the closest to the ADAM pencils.... actually closer to the S4C's in drivers [tho i dont hear too many tonal similarities of which i think the 802's sound closer to the S3's, maybe a bit bigger sounding for the 802's... probably would do 4x 802's with BnW center channel] of course that will probably put it out of the price range by a good amount. and for sub, consider the velodyne's at the top choice. __________________ "i must invent my own systems or else be enslaved by other men's'" william blake __________________________ send me a buzz @ barrett's mad laboratory 828.242.4366 email: barrett [at] alphajerk [dot] com

30th May 2004, 03:54 PM	#3
Nathanael Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 152	10K is to cover everything or just speakers and amps?. If it is just for amps and speakers, I'd start with (5) B&W 805's, a sub, and the Pass 5 channel amp. Oh, and definitely a couple bucks for calibration CD's and an SPl meter from Radio Shack. If the 10K needs to include TV, fancy processor, etc. this is tough to get high quality. I'd still get the 5 805's and power them off some integrated surround receiver thingy. Bottom line - speakers first.

30th May 2004, 08:54 PM	#6
Nathanael Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 152	I would not dismiss the 805s out of hand like that - they are worth a listen. I listened to them side by side with the 802s, and they hold their own very well. I don't know what else would match them for the price. They are lighter in the bass than the 802's (as one would expect), but that's what the sub is for. I have heard good things re: Velodyne subs. No personal experience here.

31st May 2004, 05:14 AM	#7
alphajerk There is only one Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,291	well, i have heard teh whole line and many occasions. but its just my subjective opinion anyway. i prefer more low end content to avoid that low mid "hole" that forms with the sub/sat config [which the 805's could be considered] __________________ "i must invent my own systems or else be enslaved by other men's'" william blake __________________________ send me a buzz @ barrett's mad laboratory 828.242.4366 email: barrett [at] alphajerk [dot] com

31st May 2004, 05:19 AM	#8
Nathanael Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 152	Fair enough - I'm currently using Dunlavy SC-IV's - they are flat to just under 30hz, which conveniently, is about the lowest fundamental that the room will support. A 5.1 setup with these? It would be cool, but you'd need a LARGE room!

31st May 2004, 08:10 AM	#9
natpub More cowbell! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,710	My friend exactly just did his home theater with five 802's, Velo Sub, and Bryston amps--****er makes me sick! __________________ Vibrational Arts, Inc. Blue Sky Way Sonic Sorcery Studios Austin, Texas/Columbus, Ohio

31st May 2004, 11:05 PM	#10
Han Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Netherlands Posts: 836	Dirk, IMF speakers are discontinued for a long time now, but can be bought in the Netherlands for very reasonable prices and they're the best and most detailed sounding (transmission line) speakers ever. (IMHO) I'd suggest a pair of RSPM or SACM's as front L/R, a TLS80 as mid and a pair of ALS40II's as rear speakers. You won't need any sub, for the RSPM and SACM go below 20hz. Let him buy killer amps and he'll be in sound heaven. http://www.imf-electronics.com/ (you can check the RSPM and ALS40 at my place)

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