Dear All,

Any of you have auditioned the ELAC Starlet (4 starlet + Starlet CM) with Velodyne impact 10 sub? Is it worth to spend about RM3,600 for this speaker system? Which amp to pair with ELAC speaker?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

CSC

I think I was also quoted around that amount. The Elac sounded a bit bright to me but I did not do a full 5.1 test, just tested the center and surround. Cannot remember the AVR but think it was a NAD. When I auditioned, I was looking for Satellite Speakers set due to lifestyle factor and the Starlets are satellite size. Bear in mind, due to its size, I don't think it can play low and Velo Impact 10" mainly a HT Subwoofer.

I believe for HT the set would be quite ok but for music I would hold back my horses. If you are not hindered by lifestyle factor and can go floorstand or maybe bookshelf, then there would be lot of choice. Elac also have bigger size speakers.....

Thanks for your reply.

I have auditioned only the front left & right, compared to PSB LR1, ELAC starlet has more detail and more dynamic too. Me not an audiophile expert though (may be like you said 'too bright').

I'm looking for satellite speakers as well due to space constraint. Have a few in mind:-

Auditioned:
Aego T,
BA Soundware XS 5.1,
EPOS AVS 5.1,

Not audition:
MS Alumni (with MS 304 sub)
Paradigm Cinema 90

Mind to share your set-up?

Thanks.

CSC

Been following your case from lyn to WHF and back to lyn.

If I were you it would be Epos AVS 5.1, no question ask.

I am a amid conventional speaker user, but if I need style speaker definitely the Epos.

Anyway bottom line is audition first.

I am using KEF3005SE runnning from a Marantz SR6003. Getting a warm British sound.....

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, I have auditioned Epos AVS 5.1 before. Quite good actually.

This would be my first HT set-up, not really an audiophile expert though, still learning. My problem is I can't really decide and judge which is better than the other. my bad. I guess, I just want to listen to some second opinions and hope my hard-earned money is well spent! >> Question of 'Which one give a better value?'.

Cheers.

CSC

I would ask you to decide on the AVR as well that would match the speakers of choice. As sometime audition could be misleading as they will only pay attention to speakers of choice and just simply plug in to the available AVR that could be high-end unit that produced remarkable sound. I believe you looking at a budget of 5k-6k from your speaker + AVR choice.
Listen to the package as a whole instead of pin-pointing at speakers. I believe you need to see what packages are available (get some saving) than to buy saparates. Also, to reproduced back what you get from audition would also be a challenge as the audition room would be different from where you intend to set-up unless you can have them with all the accoustic treatment.
Go listen to some systems, brands and whatever. When you find something that leave an impression with you, then note down and see if your budget permits. Of course, the more expensive, should be the better.. but wallet thickness is an issue. Sometime its no point going to being so picky. Get one that sounded right to your ears. There is always better and more expensive stuff. Then there is the other things like Speaker Cable, interconnect, power conditioning and others that affect the system in the audition room.
When I make my selection, one of criteria was "look" To me the "Egg" look more lifestyle and its from KEF, a well-known brand. Soundwise, it cannot go wrong for the price-tag and I got a preference for Marantz. There are always better selections, Tannoy, B&W, M&K, Denon etc.. but its the wallet.... anyway, this is just starting point.. then onward to the rest of the poison....


This post has been edited by scsoo: Aug 24 2010, 04:00 PM

Thanks for your input.

I guess my dilemma is 'should i spend more?' I have these in mind:

Package A (RM3,500 - RM4,000):
BA Soundware XS 5.1 / PSB Alpha HT1 (5.1)

pair with

Denon 1611 / Marantz 1501


Package B (RM6,000 - RM6,500)
Epos AVS 5.1 / Elac Starlet + Velodyne 10 / Aego T / QA 2000 5.1

pair with

Denon 1911 / Marantz 1601


Does it worth to increase budget (almost double) from package A to B??

Cheers.

CSC

used to run the impact 10 in my previous setup...

its now used for movies with an onkyo 606 in my dad's bedroom...a lovely little sub that packs more punch that its size has you believe!

What is yr room size? Through my experience, Impact 10 doesn't give much, err... impact, esp if you use your system mainly for movies.

I would ask you to consider the AVR first. Is your room size big? Would a lower-end AVR sufficient? Are you going to look into upgrade later on and would the AVR choice be able to cater to it?
The Denon 1611 is at 75Watt while the 1911 at 90Watt while both the slim Marantz at 50Watt. If you are not particular on the slim look, can consider the rest of the Marantz range. There is other AVR around that get good review ie Onkyo 608.
Then only look at the speaker selection. Look to match the AVR chosen. Easier that way. As now you only looking at 5.1 speaker selection and the AVR in contention are all 7.1, can always get a good set of fronts later on to go 7.1.
As you going the satellite way, there is only so much you can have. I would ask you to consider floorstand/bookshelf as there is more choices. As they say, the bigger the better as the impact bigger. Look big and more exciting to look at.
As for why its expensive (double) small things not cheap one. Sometime bigger floorstand+bookshelf can be cheaper. Try to google up M&K or B&W satellite systems. Those set cost almost 10k.
Actually, once you decided on the AVR, then you see how much money you willing to spend to the speakers to match. Easier that way, as AVR choice are limited to the ranges based on features you want. Once you narrow down the AVR, then just see what speaker are recommended as matches to the model.

consider what sound signature you are after...if this is still unknown to you... best you go for some auditions....my advice is... do not let us tell you, "oh onkyo is better for movies or marantz is more for music, or klipsch is good for loud bling blang and monitor audios are best for music..." because that would've skewed your judgement in what to look for already...

Thanks all for your reply!

So far, I have auditioned those that I mentioned above. Personally, they are all good (with their pros & cons) at their price. I know that I have to trust my ears and also depending on my wallet. That's why i'm in this forum, hopefully to get some opinions especially real owners (like all your replies)

My requirement is balance performance between movie & music and of course value for money.

Cheers.

Its better to trust your own ears and instinct. What other like may not be your cup of tea as One man Meat is another poison. As most know, if you want the best (without cons and only all pros) your wallet will bleed. But its still back to what you like and what your ears prefers. Thinks other will says, for movies it easier, but for music its a different ballgames.

Sometime, its better to buy and forget about it. The upgrade itch will always be there, just how you manage it. Let your ears decide and later on just have fun admire others. When you have reach a time when the upgrade itch is unbearable, then poison will seep in. But you still need to start somewhere, so see how much you willing to spend. As I think everyone here know, there is always better things around the corner.. but how many corners you need to turn? Also then come the other poison.. cdp, dac, cable, power conditioning, interconnect and the list go on and on....

Did you try audition PSB Image speakers? If not give it a try...

Thanks for all your reply.

Will try out PSB Image soon. Thanks

Cheers.