This is going to be long so please bear with me .

I've been doing months and months of research into HT and am finally getting to the stage of purchasing. GE's product line is extremely attractive; being able to mix-match speakers and keep the same timbre, size variations, aesthetics, price, and from what I've read, sound. I've been out of the country [U.S.,] for a while and return in a couple weeks. I'll be building my HT then and GE is on the top of the list for my speakers. I would like to keep my budget around $2000 but will go up to $2500 if I absolutely have to - if price/performance ratio is there.

Here's my intended use: 40/30/30 music, movies, gaming in 5.1. I listen to all kinds of music and have heard how great GE is for jazz, classical etc. But I also throw parties and listen to electronic dance, dubstep, rock, rap...and I like to go loud too. My last system was a pair of Tannoy studio monitors with an SVS sub and it was great for sound quality and volume. However, now I want that full HT experience for movies AND multi-channel music, as well as a fun gaming experience for shooters and horror games off my computer.

BTW, I have the sub covered with an SVS PC12-Plus beast!

I'm a little restricted to a small room [14' X 10' w/ 8' ceilings,] and placement of a center channel. My PC will be my media center and the TV/monitor will be placed on a desk. The SS50 or SS3 would be ideal because of how thin they are. However, there is only a $100 difference between the SS50C and the SCX...but I feel there might be a significant boost on sound from the SCX. IF I go with a SCX, I'll have to make a custom shelf from Home Depot to place on my desk so the TV with the SCX underneath...not hard to do.

For the front main L/R I'm debating between Triton 7s, Aon 3s, or Aon 2s. All have amazing reviews; specifically the T7 in regards to music. However, with my sub, will I get the same performance with the Aons? If I get Aons I'll have to buy speaker stands so the price is a little closer to the T7s.

For surrounds I'm wondering if the SS3s will have enough low-end when playing multichannel music like concerts and blu-ray. Maybe Aon2s would be better?

So...

A) T7 mains, SCX, SS3 surrounds = $2500
B ) T7 mains, SS50c, SS3 surrounds = $2400
C) Aon3 mains, SCX, SS3 surrounds = $2100
D) Aon3 mains, SS50c, SS3 surrounds = $2000
E) Aon3 mains, SCX, Aon2 surrounds = $2400
F) Aon2 mains, SCX, SS3 surrounds = $1900
G) Aon2 mains, SS50c, SS3 surrounds = $1800
H) Aon2 mains, SCX, Aon2 surrounds = $2200
I) Aon2 mains, SS50c, Aon2 surrounds = $2100

*can also swap out Aon3s for SS50s for mains if they are better.

I wasn't lying when I said GE had a great mix-and-match system lol. I'm sure that when I get back home I can test them out at my local dealer in Austin or Dallas. But I'm wondering what the best performance to price I can expect from the above systems. Are the T7 really that much better? So much so that I'm willing to shave off some low-end in the surrounds? Will the SS3s be just fine if I cross them over @100hz? Btw, I know I said I'll be listening to multichannel music but that will only be like, 5% of the time. Mostly it will be 2.1-channel but it would be nice to not have the surrounds suffer when I do.

If anyone has similar systems or can relate to what I'm trying to do it'd be great to get some feedback. Thank you .

Hi and welcome. I will answer a few questions on this (sort of) for you, but i want to let forum members respond to the rest.

1) If the sub is considerably off front-center of the room, the SuperCenter will be preferred (lower crossover point), otherwise, go with what fits;

2) No real difference between an Aon 2 and an Aon 3 in a system including a capable subwoofer, save the $200;

3) SuperSats work great as surrounds with a 100-120Hz crossover - the majority of GE home theaters use them, and we have done most of our trade show demos with SuperSat 3's for surrounds. If Aons "fit", they are more full range, which some prefer - especially for multi-channel music use.

Hope this helps, thanks for joining the forum.

Freeman:
After reading your post I felt like a school boy who couldn't make up his mind about which girl to ask to the prom...decisions, decisions, decisions, the combinations are endless (so they seem).

Given your budget and your desire to use the system for multi-channel music plus play loud, I would go with:
Aon 3--SCX--Aon 2 or Aon 2--SCX--Aon 2
One other option... T7--SCX--Aon 2 ($2800.00)

Your last paragraph says most of your listening will be 2.1 channel music, for that I'd recommend:
T7--SCX--SS3 or Aon 3--SCX--SS3 or Aon 2--SCX--SS3

I have Aon 3's for mains and a similar size 12" sub in a room not much bigger than yours. For movies/games you couldn't ask for more! I'm using a Paradigm Studio 20 for center channel which performs very closely to the Aon's. For 2.1 music{My main purpose} all I can say is they rock out plenty loud 90db+ no strain!

But I do wonder how much better the T 7's would have been for not that much more money? But I figured I have all the low end I need with the sub.

Wow, thanks for the great replies! Glad to get some fast responses,

@Moderator - sub will be corner placement most likely...look like SCX then.
What would you put the crossover on the sub if the surrounds are set to 100hz? 100hz for the sub too or maybe 120hz?

@Anthem - I know, lots of decisions but the kind of problem I don't mind having . Seems from your recommendations that either the T7 or Aons will work fine for mains and the surrounds are the more limiting factor. I definitely could do T7 mains and Aons as surrounds but would have to wait a bit longer if I went this route...been waiting so long already lol.

@wweiss - appreciate the confirmation on SPL. I'm in the same boat where I don't want to wonder if I'm missing out by not having the T7s though.

I guess the main question considering the Aons vs the T7s is is there really any difference if the low-end is taken care of? I know the tweeter is the same, but what about the mids - T7s have two smaller drivers as apposed to the Aon's larger, single driver. Also, what about the soundstage; is it similar between the two, or will the T7 take the lead here?

A lot of questions I know but this investment will last me a while I think so want to make sure I make the right choice.

Dear Freeman,
You are REALLY on the right track here man!!!!
It sounds like you will put together an incredible and VERY enjoyable system. Yes, you are doing it on a budget, but I have always had financial restraints and that just makes the system you end up with that much more satisfying. You can say, SURE this would sound so sweet IF I had that many more thousands to spend on it, BUT listen to what I did put together with limited funds, just because I did my research, my homework and asked questions and shopped around and I DID it!!!!
Congratulations. It will be great.
Can I just throw in my 2 cents worth?
I would advise what a lot of people advise when buying a house. Stretch your budget just as far as you can, get the most that you can. (NO, I don't work for GoldenEar Tech. nor anybody who sells speakers, wish I did!!!)
It is just this, you will in all likelihood have these speakers for years and years, enjoying them for a LONG time. And the extra coupla hundred you spend today to get the Triton 7s up front, an SCX in the center, and maybe some Aons in the rear are gonna pay off in terms of thrilling music for a LONG time, well after you forgot about scraping to spend a little more.
AND your room may be small now, but rooms change, houses change. Great speakers don't change very often. I would get as big a speakers as I can, as full range as I can, as big a system as I can, you will never regret it.
IMHO.
But in all cases, ENJOY the ride!!!!!
God Bless,
Wayne