Hi everyone!
I came across this forum looking for information for my new audio system and it has been a gold mine. I used to have a SMSL ad18 + a pair of monitor audio bronze (not corrected) that I liked because of the slam and good extended bass for bookshelf speakers. I gave them to someone else and now I'm trying to build a new affordable system for both music listening and movies watching.
The issue ?
This forum helped so much that now I have a very good understanding of formal speakers measurements, acoustics and audio treatment generally speaking. Initially I wanted to build a 5.1 system where I would disable surround and center channel when listening to stereo music. But I soon realised that AVR amplifying section where not that good in affordable home theater AVR. One would need a AVR with preamp out for L/R channels (Marantz NR1711/Denon X3700H were the cheapest option depending on amplifying needs), but then the need for a good amplifier for L/R channel arise. This doesn't take in account either the streaming part of the system, nor the subwoofer needed to cover the home theater needs.
I was sold on wharfedale denton 85th for L/R + jamo 803 for surround + polk S12 for subwoofer and Marantz NR1711 + 2 x SMSL DA9 (or sabaj a20a) to power the whole system. This was a 3.5kEUR system, not the cheapest but an affordable one. I started ordering the parts...
My new path ?
Then I "re-discovered" active monitors through several youtube video and ASR reviews and this changed everything.
The main problem with studio monitors is their ugly look. This was a strong bummer as the speakers are intended for the living room. After some researches (and approval from my wife), I was torn between Tannoy Gold, Presonus Eris XT and Adam Audio T line-ups. To have a decent room filling I decided to go with 8 inch woofers and picked a pair of presonus eris 8 XT mainly because of excellent directivity and relatively good look (tested here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...is-e8-xt-spinorama-and-eq-design-inside.16689).
Well, these speakers sound gorgeous and their center image are exceptional. I paired the speakers with an Audient iD14 mkii and a headless mini pc with Equalizer APO (+correction file from REW). You can pinpoint where the sound come from and adding dolby atmos for headphone was shockingly great. Also the sound is balanced and extremely refined especially when considering the price. Though I do notice the low frequencies distortions and roll off below 50hz, therefore subwoofer is almost mandatory for good low frequencies outputs.
I plan to add 2 subwoofers to the presonus (probably the jbl lsr310s or the svs sb-1000) to have a full range system. REW measurements show strong distortions below 100-110hz at high SPL so crossover will likely be set at 120hz.
Price wise I went from 3.5kEUR to 2kEUR all-in and I don't think i'm missing anything at least for stereo music listening (up to 85-90db). I'll likely change the speakers in a few years when warranty ends (before they blows ).
Bonus track ?
Having a PC as the central device provide a lot of flexibility :
- I installed AirServer and now I have a chromecast+airplay receiver function
- I installed Equalizer APO and therefore I have active correction for the speakers
- I installed Jellyfin as a DLNA and local streaming server (headless server for kodi)
- Dolby Atmos for headphone provide a virtual surround that works well with presonus E8 XT thanks to the excellent sound imaging (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/dolby-atmos-with-stereo-speakers.3231/)
Is it enough for home theater ?
As there are more experienced people here, I would like to know how much I'm missing from my ongoing configuration vs classic 5.1 (or atmos-enabled) in a 30sqm living room for home theater ? I mainly watch movies from netflix/disney/amazon and few classics on my local streaming server (4k blu-ray).
PS: Any advice regarding subwoofers choice is welcomed!
I came across this forum looking for information for my new audio system and it has been a gold mine. I used to have a SMSL ad18 + a pair of monitor audio bronze (not corrected) that I liked because of the slam and good extended bass for bookshelf speakers. I gave them to someone else and now I'm trying to build a new affordable system for both music listening and movies watching.
The issue ?
This forum helped so much that now I have a very good understanding of formal speakers measurements, acoustics and audio treatment generally speaking. Initially I wanted to build a 5.1 system where I would disable surround and center channel when listening to stereo music. But I soon realised that AVR amplifying section where not that good in affordable home theater AVR. One would need a AVR with preamp out for L/R channels (Marantz NR1711/Denon X3700H were the cheapest option depending on amplifying needs), but then the need for a good amplifier for L/R channel arise. This doesn't take in account either the streaming part of the system, nor the subwoofer needed to cover the home theater needs.
I was sold on wharfedale denton 85th for L/R + jamo 803 for surround + polk S12 for subwoofer and Marantz NR1711 + 2 x SMSL DA9 (or sabaj a20a) to power the whole system. This was a 3.5kEUR system, not the cheapest but an affordable one. I started ordering the parts...
My new path ?
Then I "re-discovered" active monitors through several youtube video and ASR reviews and this changed everything.
The main problem with studio monitors is their ugly look. This was a strong bummer as the speakers are intended for the living room. After some researches (and approval from my wife), I was torn between Tannoy Gold, Presonus Eris XT and Adam Audio T line-ups. To have a decent room filling I decided to go with 8 inch woofers and picked a pair of presonus eris 8 XT mainly because of excellent directivity and relatively good look (tested here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...is-e8-xt-spinorama-and-eq-design-inside.16689).
Well, these speakers sound gorgeous and their center image are exceptional. I paired the speakers with an Audient iD14 mkii and a headless mini pc with Equalizer APO (+correction file from REW). You can pinpoint where the sound come from and adding dolby atmos for headphone was shockingly great. Also the sound is balanced and extremely refined especially when considering the price. Though I do notice the low frequencies distortions and roll off below 50hz, therefore subwoofer is almost mandatory for good low frequencies outputs.
I plan to add 2 subwoofers to the presonus (probably the jbl lsr310s or the svs sb-1000) to have a full range system. REW measurements show strong distortions below 100-110hz at high SPL so crossover will likely be set at 120hz.
Price wise I went from 3.5kEUR to 2kEUR all-in and I don't think i'm missing anything at least for stereo music listening (up to 85-90db). I'll likely change the speakers in a few years when warranty ends (before they blows ).
Bonus track ?
Having a PC as the central device provide a lot of flexibility :
- I installed AirServer and now I have a chromecast+airplay receiver function
- I installed Equalizer APO and therefore I have active correction for the speakers
- I installed Jellyfin as a DLNA and local streaming server (headless server for kodi)
- Dolby Atmos for headphone provide a virtual surround that works well with presonus E8 XT thanks to the excellent sound imaging (https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/dolby-atmos-with-stereo-speakers.3231/)
Is it enough for home theater ?
As there are more experienced people here, I would like to know how much I'm missing from my ongoing configuration vs classic 5.1 (or atmos-enabled) in a 30sqm living room for home theater ? I mainly watch movies from netflix/disney/amazon and few classics on my local streaming server (4k blu-ray).
PS: Any advice regarding subwoofers choice is welcomed!