Need Advice on a new system based on RR 2150

HI!

My wife and I are moving from a 450 sq foot condo to a real house and I am finally indulging a dream to get a real hi fi audio system. Based on reviews here and there, I've decided to center it around the RR 2150. For speakers and cds, here is where I am at right now:

Aperion 6t speakers - http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/NEW-Intimus-6T-Tower-Speaker,110,28,254.aspx

Cambridge Audio Azur 340 c cd player - http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/NEW-Intimus-6T-Tower-Speaker,110,28,254.aspx

This will put me a little over budget, but if the quality requires that, I guess it is okay - I really liked the Aperion 633s, but since we are going to be buying in August, they will probably be history by then.

This will be for an L shaped dining room and living room, with the system set up in the corner (unless that is a bad idea?). We listen to mostly jazz, classical, and world (African, Argentinian, and Brazilian music).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Marty

maweiss,
congrats on the home!
I like your approach.
Just to throw in another point of view....
For 2 channel - i would look into a book shelf-sub combo.
Specifically, find a book shelf that does well in the mids.... something like the B&W 685 (~$600). There would be money left over to pick up an outlaw sub and cables.

This sytem would cover everything, plus a nice starting point for surround sound w/ a sub.

Let us know where you end up....

Thank you for the advice and the good wishes!!! I had actually started looking at bookshelf speakers, but since this is going in our living room -- I think my wife would rather me spend more on tower speakers than get bookshelf speakers and metal stands!!

On speakers, any thoughts between the Aperion 5 and 6 series? Given the $400 difference between the two, I would like to go with the 5 series if I can.

I think you'll benefit more from a good bookshelf/sub combo which will give you a more complete prsentation over the towers, and you'll make use out of a great feature the RR2150 has: bass mgmt!.
stands are not that expensive.

Congrats on the new home, Maweiss, and welcome to the forum. Is there some way you could "hide" bookshelf speakers and a sub in your furniture scheme? I know your wife gets final approval (like mine and everybody else's does), but you might end up spending considerably less for a bang-up system that really does the music you listen to (genre-wise, we seem to have kinda similar tastes) proud.

Thanks Tru Blu - I'm excited. Do you also like the B & W 685? Anything else I should consider? Can bookshelf speakers deliver really quality sound over a floorstander if they are placed on a bookshelf and not on stands?

I don't know the Aperions at all, but if you can find a local Dali dealer, their floorstanding Ikons sound terrific with the RR2150, particularly on classical and jazz. I picked up a demo pair of Ikon 6's for about the same money that you're considering.

Good luck with the house. When we moved into our first house 20 years ago, I did the same thing and bought the nicest floorstanders I could afford - a pair of Thiel 1.2's - and they're still my main speakers.

Bill

I don't know the Aperions, either, Maweiss, but the bookshelves I ended up purchasing, NHT Classic Threes, compare favorably with the B&W 685s. Several other people on the forum have had good results pairing the NHTs with the RR2150, but unlike me, most use them in second systems. The combo is my primary. No harm in splashing on something a bit more lavish if you can afford it, but since it seems like you have a bit of time before you move in, auditioning prospective speakers might be a good way to make a decision.

maweiss,
The furniture 'hide' can work. Me, I'm a believer in letting the speaker have space to work - let them image. There are stands that look really nice. Stands under good sounding book shelf take up no more space than towers. But ultimately you and your better half have to live w/ the system.

I recommended the 685 because i have listened to them several months ago. I was listening to jazz – classical, etc. nice, nice – big - dynamic sound. I recommended them to my dad.
Personal - i did not care for Axioms M22's or small Aperions (4b or 5b). Really lack mid range and it shows on brass and drums/percussion.
Paradigm studio 20's or 40's could work – more neutral than B&W’s but very dynamic and image like crazy. Ascend Acoustics: Sierra-1 get good press, nice finish – but I have never listened to them. I hear them mentioned here in the saloon.

These are just some selection.... i know i missed several others that would fit your listening pallet and buget.

LFM-1 Plus is a killer sub.

Just my 2 cents…..

Bookshelf and sub combo is the only way to go with the r2150! Keep the big towers for the movie room or some other crap hole. Paradigm SAts and and sub my man!

Marty ,


If you like the Aperions, buy them . As long as they are capable of producing the kind of sound you are looking for , and full range of frequency you like ...... there is nothing like the sound two floor-standing speakers , in my opinion .

I see too many people get speakers that don't have the low end, only to later add a sub to bail them out . But you need two to make it sound right (to me) . Then you have the hassle of setting it up correctly . By that time, the cost adds up to a set of floorstanding speakers you chould have bought initially . Consider it carefully.

I'm not a fan of subs myself , give me two full spectrum floorstanders any day of the week !!


-cheers

Y'see, maweiss, no shortage of opinions in the Saloon. That's why it's such a great place to bounce ideas. I came here never expecting to get a sub, and though my speakers are fine without it, I'm now basking in the added depth and fullness that my sub offers. You'll no doubt figure out what's best for you, and this is definitely the place to get a bead on all of your options.

Thanks everybody. I know have a nice list of speakers to check out over the next couple of weekends!!!

Cheers - Marty

I'd also recommend Onix (av123) Ref-1s, and Rocket 250's with a sub.
the x-ls Encore from them could also be great; perhaps more bang for them buck.
you can check all of the out at:
www.av123.com

(I have the x-ls classics, and the encore(current version) is even better from what i hear.

oh and don't forget Usher X-series, and Bx-718 Be, too.