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Need input on building a new HT/music system

Very difficuld to audition speaker in this town.
The only speakers I've heard so far are the Totem Forests which sounded very nice but altough they go low needs a sub which is fine by me considering that I just bought a JL f113 subwoofer yesterday I'm getting rid of my wonderful little Paradigm ref seismic110, I dont often change my components so I like to make an impact when I do, I'm looking to spend 2,500 or a little more for used floor standers I want to stay with a medium size speaker 34-40" high and does'nt weigh a ton.
A few days ago I posted on the speaker forum looking for speaker comparisons but today I found two more speaker brands that might work for me, I wanted to know what the HT forum had to say because that is what I'm putting together for now, I will also need center and surrounds.
In this size and price category I looked up these well reviewed speakers but I dont have a clue as to how they sound compared to the Totem Forest, hoping one of you has. Joseph audio RM22XL, Epos M22i, instead of Totem?
Next I'm ordering an Arcam avr600 I'm sure about that. The speakers are tough to nail down.
Thank you
Roger
tesseract86
meiwan
399 posts
 
You might want to re-think the Arcam. They have a very poor reliability history.

As for speakers, you really have to listen for yourself. While all your choices are competent products, they will differ in tonal balance etc., so you need to pick one you like. No point asking others, since the electronics they are hooked up to will also make a difference (as will cables, rooms etc). All you will get is response from current owners of individual products.

My experience with HT speakers is finding a centre channel that works in my room. That's the really hard part. Then it's fairly easy to find the matching L/R mains. Totem have a few decent centre channels, how about RM and Epos? No point finding a nice set of mains you can't match (visually and sonically) with a centre.
tesseract86 OP
133 posts
 
This is the first I hear about Arcam not being reliable, I've read that it had software issues and that most were resolved that being said there alot of isues with most electronics, does this mean we should forget about it?
Why should'nt I ask others about what they like? on the contrairy I do want to know what speakers they use, like and how they compare them to the speakers that I mentionned.
Thanks anyway

Roger
drummermitchell's avatar
drummermitchell
262 posts
 
I guess my Arcam Av-8 doesn't count,shes been operating for 6 yrs.(not one problem)same with my Arcam 139 dvd(almost 5yr).
As I have owned Arcam,I think I know if they are not reliable.

Speaker wise I still have my Revel 50a's so I can't help you there.I do like them but upgraditis sets in.

Jl subs I like so much I aquired 4XF-113's.
tesseract86 OP
133 posts
 
Drummermitchell,
Nice equipment, thanks its reassuring to know that the Arcam brand is reliable, I've heard nice things about the Revels. Can't wait for my jl f113 to get here next week.
Thank you for sharing
vicdamone
850 posts
 
OP, "This is the first I hear about Arcam not being reliable, I've read that it had software issues and that most were resolved that being said there alot of isues with most electronics, does this mean we should forget about it?"

At the very least you should do more research. Undoubtedly, Arcam produces some fine sounding gear but I also read of hardware overheating or a board failure issue with that model. Aside from that I'd recommend a more contemporary component with the latest usable features such a HDMI and room correction.
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