$20k for dream 2.0 or 2.1 rig

[mad]

After some time in this hobby I would like to build out a nice stereo system. Surround is nice for movies but I don't notice a big difference.

Ideally this would just be a pair of speakers, being fed by my Benchmark DAC 3 HGC. Actives seem like the way to go for the sake of power and dollar efficiency. I would be open to passives but my total budget includes amplification. At what point does the size of the speaker matter? Can you get away with smaller and more streamlined components or do you need a massive box for full 20-20khz range? My listening space isn't enormous at maybe 3 x 4m. Thank you

 

[voodooless]

Ideally this would just be a pair of speakers, being fed by my Benchmark DAC 3 HGC

Active speakers usually contain a DSP, and therefore also a number of DACs. Your Benchmark DAC will be superfluous.

As for speakers, Genelec will have some nice options with money to spare.

 

[SuicideSquid]

In a space like that you would likely be well served by a pair of bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer and you can get effectively "perfect" performance for well under $20k. The recently released Neumann KH120ii is basically ruler-flat from 60hz to 20kHz, and has built in DSP/room correction. Pair it with the Neumann sub and you're set. Or go with the KH150s, which will give you dead flat response down to 45Hz - low enough that you don't even need a sub for lots of music, but you can still add a sub to fill out the bottom octave.

If you want to forgo the sub and have true full-range speakers, look at the KH420, which are about $10k a pair. IMO they're overkill for that space but you can't do better.

[edit] These are all powered speakers, so you just need a preamp and you're good to go.

 

[mad]

Active speakers usually contain a DSP, and therefore also a number of DACs. Your Benchmark DAC will be superfluous.

As for speakers, Genelec will have some nice options with money to spare.

Which Genelecs? I see several that do not have DSP. I would prefer to do that outside of the speaker.

 

[DVDdoug]

At what point does the size of the speaker matter?

That's hard so say, but a kitten can't roar like a lion. There's a lot more to speaker design than size, but generally, it's going to take 12-woofers (or maybe a 15-inch sub) to get "realistic" bass you can feel in your body.

Sometimes it's worthwhile to go to an audio-video store even if it's just to listen and to hear what different speakers can sound like. (And they will sound different in a different acoustic environment.) Most audio/video speakers (except subwoofers) are passive so you might not fine exactly what you want in the store. Most studio monitors are active and many PA speakers are active (but you probably don't want a PA speaker where sound quality may be sacrificed for loudness.)

Surround is nice for movies but I don't notice a big difference.

With movies, the "point one" LFE channel isn't included in the stereo down-mix and without a subwoofer it's lost. (You still get the "regular bass" from the other channels.)

 

[voodooless]

Which Genelecs?

If your prepared to spend 20k on speakers, find out yourself, it’s not that hard

I see several that do not have DSP. I would prefer to do that outside of the speaker.

Then you’ll compromise on quality. All of the best Genelecs are DSP speakers. Whatever you think you gain by keeping the DAC, your wrong.

Then again, the non-DSP models are still excellent speakers. The largest is the 8050B, tested here:

Genelec 8050B Review (Studio Monitor)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Genelec 8050B powered studio monitor (speaker). It was kindly purchased by a member used and drop shipped to me. It costs US $1895 each when new. I was horrified when I noticed the speaker was simply put in a plastic bag, dumped into a much...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[mad]

If your prepared to spend 20k on speakers, find out yourself, it’s not that hard

Then you’ll compromise on quality. All of the best Genelecs are DSP speakers. Whatever you think you gain by keeping the DAC, your wrong.

Then again, the non-DSP models are still excellent speakers. The largest is the 8050B, tested here:

Genelec 8050B Review (Studio Monitor)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Genelec 8050B powered studio monitor (speaker). It was kindly purchased by a member used and drop shipped to me. It costs US $1895 each when new. I was horrified when I noticed the speaker was simply put in a plastic bag, dumped into a much...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The DAC is just one less piece to purchase. I am thinking of Trinnov down the line. That wouldn't be a net gain?

 

[voodooless]

The DAC is just one less piece to purchase. I am thinking of Trinnov down the line. That wouldn't be a net gain?

If the goal is home theater, yes. For stereo, it seems like a total waste. But at least you can still hook up the speakers digitally via the Trinnov. Stormaudio may have alternative options.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Genelec 8361+ a Genelec sub

 

[beeface]

Genelec 8361+ a Genelec sub

That gets the OP most of the way there, but how would they integrate the sub?

 

[lowkeyoperations]

These would be my dream for that budget.
No sub required. -3dB at 22Hz
DSP-free.
Amps built outside the enclosure.
Paired with Trinnov would be sweet.

One25A Active Studio Monitor | Amphion Loudspeakers

One25A is a 3-way active studio monitor true to the 25-year commitment Amphion has for advanced acoustic design, a pure refined signal path and meticulous craftsmanship.

amphion.fi

 

[JustJones]

That gets the OP most of the way there, but how would they integrate the sub?

 

[beeface]

View attachment 333779

Interesting, thanks.

 

[JustJones]

maybe 3 x 4m. Thank you

Dutch and Dutch 8c would get really close to 20hz in a room that size.

 

[mad]

These would be my dream for that budget.
No sub required. -3dB at 22Hz
DSP-free.
Amps built outside the enclosure.
Paired with Trinnov would be sweet.

One25A Active Studio Monitor | Amphion Loudspeakers

One25A is a 3-way active studio monitor true to the 25-year commitment Amphion has for advanced acoustic design, a pure refined signal path and meticulous craftsmanship.

amphion.fi

What do you mean amps built outside the enclosure? They look to be integrated with the cabinet.

 

[mad]

Dutch and Dutch 8c would get really close to 20hz in a room that size.

My friend bought a pair of these at the suggestion of a pro audio dealer and the cabinets cracked and creaked because they are wood and expand and contract.

 

[staticV3]

What do you mean amps built outside the enclosure? They look to be integrated with the cabinet.

from the user manual:

 

[voodooless]

What do you mean amps built outside the enclosure? They look to be integrated with the cabinet.

Placing the amplifier inside the monitor negatively interferes with moving elements. All the electronics of One25A are housed outside the cabinet in a rigid steel enclosure, which is also removable for soffit mounting.

And also:

Active speakers typically suffer from a lack of resolution due to their complex signal paths. The One25A is free of dynamics and detail-degrading DSP and AD/DA stages, which leads to maximum resolution and performance.

Typical audiophile nonsense

 

[JustJones]

For a room your size the Kef LS60 with the KC 62 or KF 92 subwoofer is another option .

 

[12Many]

First, if I were you I would spend some time listening to systems to see if you like a softer/wamer sound or a more detailed sound. This often depends on the type of music you like and your source material. IMO, there is no perfect system - you will either have systems which work best for a type of music or a jack of all trade - master of none system - for a 20k all in system. For an all arounder system, I would buy one of the benchmark amps $3500 to pair with your dac and the Revel F228be speakers ($8500) - maybe too big for your room. Spend about $1500 on room treatment. Then, depending on the room and your tastes a sub or two ($2500) - Rythmic F12. I won't recommend the streamer to buy so you are on your own there. This forum will tell you to buy a pi or something but you should just test out different ones to see what sounds good to you and has a user friendly interface. You have money left over for a tube amp so you have some variety and some cables from BJC. Keep us posted.