I'll use a B&W ASW675 for the sub, 604 S3s for front and rear L/Rs, then
LCR600s for front and rear center. I do think the sattelite + sub setup is
downright poor for anything really. Use larger floorstanders for anything.
A good, and accurate full-range floorstanding speaker, is just a good
speaker in general. Far better than any sattellite. Throw in a sub that
isn't out of place for those full-range floorstanders and you have a 2.1
setup that'll fry those cheezy sattelite n' sub combos.

and a killer HT to boot.
That is my understanding also. Build it for the music, then HT simply comes
along for the ride.

"Harry Lavo" wrote in message
news:20fvb.199437$9E1.1066357@attbi_s52...
"All Ears" wrote in message
news:ikevb.62352$Dw6.333043@attbi_s02...
"Shadow" wrote in message
...

snip

For All Ears:
They can handle 800w!?!?!?

I don't think they would appreciate this power on a continuous basis,
but
they like to be able to suck large amounts of peak current. I never push
speakers into audible distortion.


I'm going to go with 200w/604 with a Rotel 1080, and was thinking
about
the
380w/ch rotel amp too, but since I want to expand into 6.1 later on, I
thought that 380w/ch in a 6.1 setup would be a bit much. I'll just
buy
a
stereo rotel amp per speaker, so I may purchase an amp as I purchase
the
speakers, wiring, etc.(I only have one pair of 604s right now). The
LCR600
is my center of choice.

All Ears, would you recommend the 380w/ch amp, even in a 6.1 setup?
Or
do
you think the 200w/ch will yield good results once I complete that 6.1
setup? I'm sure the Rotel 1080 will sound way better than my current
Pioneer VSX-D812's Amplifier section even in stereo, but I think
200w/ch
will really shine in 6.1. I'll utilize 6 channel stereo alot due to
building this system for music first, movies later, etc. I'll bypass
the
VSX-D812 amplifier section and use the VSX-D812 as a processor until I
have
purchased all 3 amps, then get a rotel processor.

Well, it is difficult for me to say what will suit your need and
preferences, I just noted that especially these speakers like large
amounts
of current, although they look efficient from the specs.

I used a Belles 350A (2x250W) which gave a good result, however using a
pair
of 350A monoblocks (2x800W) did give a quite significant improvement.
Almost
blew me away...

Best advice to you is to see if you can take both amplifiers with you
home,
and do an evaluation over some days, then return the one you don't want.

Personally I don't mix multichannel for movies with my stereo system, I
have
a small Energy Encore system for surround, which is plenty good for
movies
(and keeps the woman happy)

For a 6.1 system, you might consider smaller speakers, and spend a
little
extra on a good sub. A large amount of full range speakers, may be
difficult
to set up optimally in your room, both physically and acoustically.

Regards,
Karsten

Let me through in dissenting voice here and say that I thought his plan a
good one....if he has the space and can end up with six full-range, high
quality speakers and amps he will have absolutely terrific multi-channel
musics (better than sub-sats) and a killer HT to boot. Then all he needs
a
sub for, which he can add at his leisure at the end is a sub for LFE. For
music he probably wouldn't even need it. Keep in mind he is primarily
interested in music!

I will admit to having a vested interest in this approach...since it is
the
same thing I have done. I would'nt trade my all full-range Thiel system
for
any HT setup that I have heard yet (not to say there aren't better, but
the
ones I have heard in homes and at HT and Stereo dealers haven't come
close).