2. speakers
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confused and don't know what to do

We would like to buy a nice audio system and also have this double as a surround sound but listening to music is the priority. We have listened to many speakers but have settled on the B&W 804's. Now the challenge is to select a receiver and all the other accompaniments we require. We have a little challenge in that our home is a condo and the outside wall is all glass. The space is combined kitchen, living room, and dining room all open with hardwood floors and hard tile on the walls of the kitchen and a lot of granite counter tops. It seems that every where we go, the recommendations are different depending on what the store is selling and of course, the sales people would like us to buy the most expensive. What would give great sound without going crazy. We are thinking about 2 tribe sub woofers and space is limited and an in wall center B&W speaker but we don't know what we are doing and don't want to throw our money away. Help! Too many choices and we don't have enough knowledge. Thank you so much.
raw33

Showing 10 responses by raw33

raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Good to know! Thank you! Not spending $300K though! Ha!
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Thank you for checking in. We auditioned the Kef Ref 5's and decided to purchase the ones on sale. We really enjoyed their warm sound and felt it would be appropriate considering our constraints. I certainly have been gathering an education about the pros and cons of associated equipment via everyone so kindly sharing their knowledge and experience. We are planning on pursuing serious listening at the end of this month in an effort to make further decisions about our wants and desires within a budget.
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Hi,
Thank you for all your input. Although I am new to this game, I do plan on putting together a nice system, not a starter set and will upgrade as needed but certainly not in the near future.
Thanks.

raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Thank you everyone who has responded. We have as yet not purchased anything. We listened to the 702's at Best Buy and really liked them but then we heard the 804's and found that we could really hear a difference. I appreciate the comment about the brightness because this could be an issue and we may need to revisit our choice. 
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Ok. Lot of opinions.
Really appreciate this great information! Thank you.
Is there something ...for dummies that would help us with the concepts involved in setting up one's home music listening area for dummies!
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
 I continue to appreciate all the information. If you have more to say or someone else is willing to help, we are all ears!
Thank you so much.
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Thank you for all the fabulous advice. Today, after reading several recommendations, I went to listen to the KEF REF3's. I loved their warm sound. I am convinced from the comments that choosing the right speakers and putting the dollars into them will be the appropriate choice and it would be great to listen to them in my own space. I wanted to listen to the KEF REF 5's but they didn't have them in the store I visited. However, they did just get in a pair of KEF Blades. Wow, they are pricey. Let's say I could afford the 5's and it would be a real stretch to imagine the Blades, but just for laughs and giggles, I would love to hear comments on the KEF Ref 3's vs 5's and if anyone has any knowledge on the Blades, well let's hear it anyway even though it is probably out of my ballpark if I want to buy anything other components.
 I will heed advice and slowly build the system to ensure that I pay attention to every detail along the way. I don't know what to say about a budget. What is too little, what is too much, what gives me a great bang for the buck that will be something I can enjoy for years to come? I have no idea what number that should be.  I know I am not spending 100K on the entire system. Am I spending 30K or 50K, don't know if that is bang for the buck This is why I have asked you who have so much more expertise and knowledge than I to help guide me in these endeavors. I have checked the echoing in the room- non-existent so even though there are a lot of hard surfaces, I have area carpets and furniture that dampen the effects of those surfaces. I have no magic number in mind. I just retired but have savings and enjoy music which will be a very important part of my life.
Thank you all so much for helping me on this journey. I am learning so much!
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Yes, it is overwhelming but I feel that I have definitely benefited from much of the knowledge and helpful advice I gained from reading many of these posts. I really do appreciate everyones opinion.  The intricacies and the details that go in to a sound system are fascinating and I have just barely scraped the surface.  I am trying to gain understanding  but see that will take me awhile and much experimenting and experiencing. I look forward to an interesting journey. As you say, the system has to be right for me and I am sure I will make mistakes in my choices from which I will learn. I am just hoping those mistakes aren't too expensive. LOL!
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
I live in the mid -Atlantic area!
raw33 OP
16 posts
 
Thank you so much for your note. It was so kind of you to come back and inform me about something that obviously impressed you greatly. I have never heard of this brand, but of course, you know I am a newbie and am looking forward to checking it out.
Thank you again for thinking to relate your findings!
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