I could just be fooling myself, but I believe you can have your cake and eat it too… I use my T1’s as my 2 channel ‘audiophile” listening setup. For 2 channel I run my T1’s from the PS Audio DirectStream DAC passed through (no processing) an Anthem D2 statement - using all the best wiz-bang cables / interconnects / power conditioning / etc. that I can afford. I really enjoy my 2 channel setup - a lot! From my experience, you will have to spend a LOT more to out-shine this system. The fact that the T’1s have a great subwoofer built into it, allows this break-away divide for “audiophile” 2 channel and great home theater. (same with the T2’s)

Movie time - well, that goes through the OPPO then to the D2 with the D2 doing all the processing. In this setting - T1’s as fronts / XL Center / T7’s surrounds / two FF5 subs - not sure what to call it, but its pretty Bad @SS and a lot of fun to listen to.

In the end there are many ways to set your system up and keep it “audiophile” and have a kick-butt theater too. All the mentioned setups in this thread will sound great and depending on your front end equipment, 2 channel bliss can be had along with kick-butt theater. Wether you have the big boys (T1 2 3 or 7's) as your rears and surrounds or you use the Aon's / Sat's, use the T1's as your front-end driving force and your theater will be supreme; add a great DAC and your 2 channel just entered bliss territory. The great thing is - you don't have to buy it all now to enjoy; just the T1's by themselves will satisfy your home theater needs while you save for more equipment/speakers - take you time and do what is right for you and in the end you will be the happier for it.

This is my experience and sincerely humble opinion on this matter.

Mark

Good for you Mark, what a great sounding system!!!! Well done!!!
And I liked your comments about not having to do it all at once, we can save and build and haunt pawn shops and slowly find the pieces, heck, some even build things themselves. It is a quest, a most enjoyable hobby!!!!
What I like about it all is, this is not a hobby like collecting baseball cards (not that there is anything wrong with that); but we don't just look at what we have put together, we get to use it to PLAY MUSIC and MOVIES!!!!
And the enjoyment of that HIGH LEVEL ART (IMHO) is a blessing for our whole family!!!!!
Enjoy the tunes and movies,
God Bless,
Wayne

Wayne and Mark,

You both bring up very good points on this subject, and you are both very correct! My entire purpose for starting this thread was just to be sure that I was picking the very best surround speakers to match the front T1/SCXL combo. Based on the responses thus far, I decided to go with the T7's.

My plan has changed a bit now though as I now plan on moving my existing home theater set up to the upstairs room and putting in the GoldenEar set up downstairs. Here is what I ordered for the new set up:

Triton 1 (pair) - Front R/L
SuperCenter XL - Center
Triton 7 (pair) - Rears
Invisa 650 (pair) - Atmos ceiling

I will be pairing all this to a pair of existing Polk Audio WM3 that I am currently using for height channels on my current set up. Thinking of rededicating those to Atmos on the new set up. New set up will be powered by Marantz SR7009.

The system that will be moving upstairs is powered by a Marantz SR7008. The speakers are all Definitive Technology. Fronts are Mythos ST, center is Mythos 10, surrounds are Mythos Gem XL's on DefTech stands.

Yes, I know, just moving up the Sandy Gross food chain by upgrading all of this to the GoldenEar set up! I hope it's worth it! I will post some photos when all is said and done.

Hey A. J.
Yeah, it does look like you too drank the Sandy Kool Aid. For great reason though.
I believe you are going to have a wonderful system, good for you!!!!
Please let us know how it comes together and sounds. And please update us on the Atmos, wondering about that myself.
Have fun listening,
God Bless,
Wayne

Wayne...ya better stop " wondering" or you'll be "back at work" before ya know it...just sayin'

Well, good news is that I FINALLY got to pick up my speakers yesterday! It has been a long wait (2.5 months; a far cry from the 4 week lead time originally given by my dealer). It will take me a while to set everything up, but I hope to have it all done within the next couple of weeks. I will keep you all posted once everything is in and running!

I ended up with T1's, SCXL, T7's, and Invisa 650's, all powered by Marantz SR7009. Hopefully the install goes easy and I can start enjoying everything!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!