3 channel Home Theater

[Chanur]

If you wanted to set up a 3.X channel home theater on a relative budget, would you go active or passive?

Looking at Ascilabs , PSA , open to other suggestions vs Kali or other powered speakers.

I'd probably like to keep the budget well under 2k for the three speakers and less than 1k if possible.

I'm thinking the Kali might be the best deal here. How ever I have no experience with them. Not sure passives can compete.

How ever not sure how the actives would work with an AVRs room correction?

Only powered speakers I have owned are the Kanto YU6, which seem fine but don't wow me.

This will only be used for tv/movies. No music.

 

[voodooless]

The room correction doesn’t care about active or passive. As long as you have an AVR with pre-outs either option will work.

I would focus more on the objective performance and looks than active or passive. Either way you can buy an excellent speaker. If you add second hand options in the mix, Genelec or Neumann might be within reach as well when it comes to actives. Note that actives always need multiple cables, at least power and line level audio. Some people might find that messy.

Kali is obviously the active budget king with excellent value for money. But AsciLab passive speakers have arguably better performance. Maybe also have a look at KEF?

Have a look at this list:

A collection of loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

Don’t get confused by the exact order, but for sure the top ones will generally be excellent speakers.

 

[Chanur]

I'm definitely open to passive as I have always slightly preferred them, but admit I am a bit of a curmudgeon.

Is there some way to sort this by suggestions? Is tonality what I should be looking at?

I'm open to KEF but I didn't see any of the new Q models measured. Can I assume the Q3 Meta which is the replacement for the Q350 to be just as quality?

 

[Chrispy]

Kef Q3 Meta https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_q3_meta/
Kef Q150 https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_q150/

Same standards for preference in a speaker apply to passive or active. One thing you might consider is inherent noise in the actives. Might scan this thread https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/hiss-in-active-speakers.7358/

ps One reason I haven't considered actives in some systems is location and quantity of available power outlets (older house in my case) for each speaker.

 

[Oddball]

You already got some great advice and can't contribute more than already said. I would just say that 5.x is what really makes the difference. With 3.x you are not further away from 2.x and phantom center, with exception that it will cover the wider MLP.

I also think that people easily dismiss Atmos. It is the next great thing and while it might not be so "hearable", once you turn if off it becomes clear that something is missing.

I would also give some more thought into room correction. Not to be marginalized.

 

[Chanur]

I will eventually add the surrounds. Just immediately we will not. Seems like the KEF Q4 meta measures well and is fairly inexpensive. Same for JBL 308 Mk2.

 

[Chanur]

Do you think the KEF Q1 meta would be enough for a 215 sqft room? Will be using a subwoofer of course.

 

[voodooless]

I think that as LRC for movies, the Q1 will be a bit limiting. From KEF, I would at least consider the 3-way Q Concerto Meta. They should still fit within your budget.

 

[Chanur]

I think that as LRC for movies, the Q1 will be a bit limiting. From KEF, I would at least consider the 3-way Q Concerto Meta. They should still fit within your budget.

I'm also looking at the Elac DBR62 and the new Debut 3.0 .

For the Kef I thought I had read it has more clear vocals than the 3 . I'll have to go back and check because that's crucial .

 

[90sNintendoKid]

I have used Kef Q350s for my front speakers and Kef Q150s for my surround speakers in my 4.4 home cinema in a 3m by 2.1m room.

In my opinion they were more than enough for my small room.

If I had a larger room, I agree with @voodooless, I would go for at least for the Q Concerto Metas with a Kef R2 Meta or R6 Meta for the centre channel.

If you want a budget curve ball but not as good vertical dispersion and you are going to use EQ, I recommend checking out the Polk XT20 on spinorama.org. They have smooth directivity and take well to EQ. I have 4 pairs of them..::…and I’m going to use them for my bedroom surround system.

 

[Chanur]

I have used Kef Q350s for my front speakers and Kef Q150s for my surround speakers in my 4.4 home cinema in a 3m by 2.1m room.

In my opinion they were more than enough for my small room.

If I had a larger room, I agree with @voodooless, I would go for at least for the Q Concerto Metas with a Kef R2 Meta or R6 Meta for the centre channel.

If you want a budget curve ball but not as good vertical dispersion and you are going to use EQ, I recommend checking out the Polk XT20 on spinorama.org. They have smooth directivity and take well to EQ. I have 4 pairs of them..::…and I’m going to use them for my bedroom surround system.

How does the Xt20 compare to the ES20?

My room is 215 sq ft. So on the small side of a medium I guess?

 

[voodooless]

How does the Xt20 compare to the ES20?

Easily compare loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

 

[Everett T]

If you wanted to set up a 3.X channel home theater on a relative budget, would you go active or passive?

Looking at Ascilabs , PSA , open to other suggestions vs Kali or other powered speakers.

I'd probably like to keep the budget well under 2k for the three speakers and less than 1k if possible.

I'm thinking the Kali might be the best deal here. How ever I have no experience with them. Not sure passives can compete.

How ever not sure how the actives would work with an AVRs room correction?

Only powered speakers I have owned are the Kanto YU6, which seem fine but don't wow me.

This will only be used for tv/movies. No music.

What size sub are you looking at from PSA? I'd consider the RSL
Speedwoofer 12, it's a really high value subwoofer.



With an AVR, speakers, sub, stands if you go bookshelf, you will be getting close to your budget. If you go with active speakers, an AVR with preouts will eat up the majority of your budget if new, you can go used and even then you're looking between $1000 and $1500 for a current model, something like the Denon 3800. Check US Audio Mart for an AVR that is a couple of years old to save even more money.



Some speaker manufacturers are about to or just rolled out their new speaker lines so the discontinued models will be nicely discounted. Look at KEF, Revel, JBL.Arendal besides what you've mentioned .The KEF speakers will offer very good center speakers, coaxial speakers will have very legible dialog with their center speakers

Passive seems like your best bet, so choose your speakers first, then AVR, then the sub, followed by accessories.

Good luck, your at the "there are so many choices" stage, so get your speakers lined up first, they play the biggest role in your system besides your room.

 

[Chanur]

I'm going to be using my BIC sub for now to be replaced later. I have an old Sony ES AVR for now too. It will likely be replaced with a JBL MA series to make the wifey happy.