Hello everyone!

I'm soon to become part this the GoldenEar family, but I need some advise on how to...

First off, lets start with some background information:

Room: I have a small, dedicated Theater room (also know as "Man Cave") which is 4.5 meter wide by 3 meters long. Ceiling about 2.4m high (Sorry guys, we dont use foot here I'm in New Zealand!). There are bass traps in every corner, 2 couches and some wall covering soon to come to tame some reflections.

Current set up: Panasonic ST60, Pioneer LX57, Pioneer DBP450, 5.1 Wharfedale Evolution (1st gen) 30's at the front + Centre + 8's at the back. I have filled the front port on the Wharfedale Evo30 with some acoustic foam to reduce the boominess (if that word exists) and fight some awefull room modes.

Speakers are located on the "wide" side about 2.5 meters apart (about a meter to the closest side wall) and about 2.5m from the listening position. Toed-in, crossing just behind it, and about 1 feet from the back wall resting on 2x Auralex Subdude (about an inch of the carpeted ground.... told you I was trying to fight bass boom )

Uses: 60% movies - 40% Music. I have several multi-channel SACD's and blurays but music is mostly listened in stereo.


Now.... I have several questions and I hope you guys can help me out with:

For the Fronts I'm planning to get the Triton 7's. I have auditioned them twice and I really like the sound. Last time I did, was in a fairly small room... but... I'm still a bit concerned. Do you think, with the amount of bass and the freq they reproduce, the 7's would be ok in my room?

For the centre, I am decided on the SuperCentre X. I'm having a new rack built... do you think that 5cm (about 2 inches) would be enough room at the top?

Now for the surround speakers, I have to options. (limited by budget, mostly)
Option 1) SuperSat 3.
Option 2) Aon's 2

The location of the back speakers is along the back wall, pointed at the each other with the listening position in the middle, slightly higher than ear level.

T = backwall
< > = speakers
--- = sound direction
I = couch limit
= me and the mrs

<--- [ __ __ ] --->
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT


If I think about performance per dollar, the Aon wins hands down and I already have the stands. My only concern with this option is that the radiators will be probably be only about 2 inches away from the wall.... would that make them sound boomy and jeopardize its performance? Playing against the overall system performance?

If I take the SuperSat 3, I also have to add the price for the stands. Specs and performance wise, they are nowhere near the Aon's but given its dimension and shape they may be more suited for near-wall placement...

What are your thoughts?

The salesman at the store is a GoldenEar owner so he has been of great help, but his system is slightly larger that mine... (Triton 1 + SS XL + Triton 2 for rears!)

Thank you for your input and suggestions.... and sorry about the long post!

Hey Mantrass,
Welcome to the GoldenEar Family!!!!
It is great to have a Kiwi here. You guys should have some great weather about now.
That was a very well written post and well stated questions. Cool diagram.
I too have a man cave, just a little larger than yours. But my system is set up on the short wall (which crowds the front, but makes it much easier to place the surrounds--I have a 7.1 so there are 4 speakers back there).
I am certainly not an expert, and cannot answer all your questions, but would really like to throw in a few comments for your consideration.
I have the Triton 7s and you asked about bass with them. They have lovely, wonderful bass, but they will not overpower your room at all. In fact, I was wondering, with your 60% movies, don't you need a subwoofer? Do you have one and I missed that?
You will love the T 7s, they are awesome. Especially that 40% music, you just can't beat em.
At the rear, I would go with the Aons. Yeah, location is not great, but the Aons are great!!!! They are just a special speaker and you can make them work. I always say, rooms change during your life time, so get the best speakers you can get, especially when you already have the stands, I am sure you won't regret it.
Others may have better suggestions for you, but I think you are really on track to make this an awesome system!
Have fun with it, all the best, good listening,
God Bless,
Wayne

Thank you for your comments Wayne!

New Zealand was never known for "great weather" but we certainly hope for it! hehehe

There is a sub-woofer there, a humble JBL e150.
For music, I'm a bit of a purist... and usually, I play on "Pure Direct" mode (with no eq or processing at all) and no sub. Just a good all speaker singing at its best.
For movies.... bing bang pow wow!! you know its there and you can feel it!

but to be completely honest, Its on only 50% of the (overall) time. It will be upgraded, but it is not a priority/consideration at this point in time. (unless it cant keep up with the T7's)


also, this would be my biggest purchase yet... so I'm kind of scared...

Thanks Mantrass,
I was in New Plymouth a while back (a year ago already?? I don't know) and although it got cold at night, during the day was awesome weather. You got some beautiful country there!!!!
Yes, this is a little bit scary purchase, but, I am 100% SURE you are looking at the right place, listening to the right speakers,
You will not be disappointed.
When you get the Triton 7s you may find yourself wanting to upgrade other things in your system. Perhaps a better source (the source is very important), better amplification, etc.
What I have found is that the GoldenEars are so revealing and so high quality that the better signal you give them, the better they will perform for you!!!! IN terms of audio quality/class these babies are WAY up there, even though the cost is modest.
Your system can grow with you for years and you will not have to change speakers.
Unless you want to get some Triton Ones (oh, sorry, that is me drooling.....)
Have fun with it, let us know what you decide and how it sounds/works out for you?
God Bless,
Wayne

New Plymouth is a lovely spot... I lived there for a while.

I'm not originally from here (I'm from Argentina)... but NZ convinced me to stay NZ... and a lady


You seem pretty convinced about GE.... how could I argue against so many happy customers??

I know my disc source is one of my weak links and its on my Upgrade list, shortly after I get some speakers that can truly reveal whats on the disc.

Again, thank you for your input Wayne! and look forward for anyone out there who could address the more "technical" aspect!

Farewell for now

Hi Mantrass,
I was in New Plymouth conducting some oilfield training. I really enjoyed it.
Argentina, you are a long way from home!!!!
I researched your equipment and it is indeed well respected and well reviewed.
One day you might want to look into an Oppo blu-ray player, as it plays all discs at quite a high level.
But I am sure you are looking in the right direction first, getting great speakers that will be fun to listen to for years to come.
Happy Listening,
God Bless,
Wayne