Is it just me, or is this the kind of guy you would love to hang out with, and be proud to call him your friend? Second time watching the video, because I'm making my final decision on building a home theater using Emotiva. Problem is, their always out of everything!
@Sterling Zane Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
Great channel. Testimony to the fact that you don't have to spend Boutique stereo prices for great sound. Jumped on the Kef Q150's last year for a Father Day special @ $300. Are these the most articulate, fast, boxes on the planet? No. However I must say they are transparent, warm side of neutral, fantastic soundstage, and can handle just about all genres of music that you throw at them. Can they perform well? Why yes they can. These serve my bedroom system with: Creek Evolution Integrated, matching Creek CD Player, and vintage Scott Turntable loaded with Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge (Schiit Mani Phono pre-amp). Overkill yes. Sound? Incredible! Kef all the way. Thanks for the honest review. Always looking forward to your reviews. Cheers!
I know this video is older, but the information is still quite helpful. I live in Tokyo, so when I was putting my system together I watched many videos, like this one. The problem is, most of the videos are from the US or Europe and there's a problem with availability, price, and room sizes. I ended up with a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze 2, an Elac C5.2 and a Sony STR DN1040 receiver (will get a TV someday). 1. OMG (after tuning the amp) does it sound amazing! 2. Wtf did I buy this for? The sound is way too huge for even my "large for Tokyo" apartment! The speakers are too big, the receiver is too big, and the amount of sound I can achieve are all beyond too much. I wish I had watched more of your videos. You explain so many issues that I overlooked as a stupid American in Japan. Thanks for your channel, I will def tell me friends about it
"I don’t even have notes, I just have... some things written down on a piece of paper." That made my day. Have no idea whether or not that was intentional, and somehow that makes it even better. I'm a little late to this video, but as of me typing this, you've gone from the 1k subscribers talked about in the video to 10.5k subscribers less than a month and a half later, so congratulations. Also, thanks for the helpful review. I am now strongly considering getting the KEFs.
I got the Emo B1+ and did an A/B side by side with my old BIC tower units and the contrast is incredible, the old towers sound muddy, no detail and not much bass either. I now have to re-listen to all my CD's just to hear the real sounds and details I've been missing all these years.
Recently bought a pair of Q Acoustics 3020i after catching a really good deal for them (230eur/pair) and so far I'm very satisfied with the sound, they definitely hit lower than 64Hz and sound really clear. Currently running them with a cheap tpa3116 chip amp, but looking to upgrade in the future to most likely a Loxjie A30 or something from that category. Really nice shootout by the way, enjoyed it all!
Only better than waking up early on a Sunday morning in hopes to be up before the rest of the family for some early morning peace and coffee, is to also be able to watch a new speakers shoot out at the same time from cheapaudioman!! Digging the new coffee mug
First time in this channel. Playing this at 1.25X and loving it. I like how it's RAW unlike the costly produced very post-processed aspiring to be hollywood-like pretentious reviews. I mean you even didn't take out part where you forget to remove Buddha. Respect & keep up the good work sir.
Cheaped out and bought Klipsch R51m speakers,but wished I had spent more and got Emotiva B1+ speakers. Excellent choice of speakers for comparison, all great speakers.
I enjoy listening and watching your channel, which I randomly discovered beginning of November, is so relaxed and fresh. It's not slickly produced or professionally rendered. Instead it's a throwback to early You Tube neighbor to neighbor talk. You're interesting and relevant. You also have a naturally approachable and amusing personality. Congrats on your level of subscriptions, I'm glad to be a part of it!
I miss that RU-vid. All these fast talkers now with nothing to say, just cranking the content mill for peanuts. Used to get real info on RU-vid. Back when the "regular"/npc people were still watching TV.
You had over 1k subs a month ago? How can that be? You have 12k+ now! If that’s accurate, then I’d say you have one HECK of a successful equation going on here. Thanks for creating!
I agree with Randy's view on the Elac. I put together a 5.2.2 Atmos setup using Debut 2.0's (DB62 Fronts, DC62 Centre, DOW42's for Surround + Ceiling and 2 x SUB1010's). All powered with a Sony STR-DN1080 (itself, long a bang-for-buck receiver)... and it wows me every time. For under $2K (CDN... with sales), it proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get an impressive sounding Home Theatre. Xbox SX, movies, music, PS5 and AppleTV sources all sound clear, crisp, directional and full.
I am glad to hear you love your Elac's. I am looking for a similar set-up. Where have you mounted the DOW42's? The only place I can mount them are on the back wall to the sides of the sofa. Would this work well?
@@SukumarPatel FYI - every room has unique acoustic properties, so results will vary. Even my own setup has changed since I posted this (always tweaking, it's an addiction.. lol.) However, having just 2 DOW42's at the back won't give you an Atmos experience. You do still get 5.1 (or 7.1) surround, but not 3D positional sound. For that you need to add 4 more speakers on the ceiling above you (and get a 9 channel receiver too). This is what I've moved to. Love it.
@@RoguePC4U Yes I intend to.go for 5.1.2. my viewing distance is 9 feet at best and the couch is against the back.wall. Thus the plan for no 5.1.4 and just 5.1.2. It's good to know that the DOW42 on the back wall will work well. I was thinking of bipoles before I checked out these Elacs. Would you classify them as bright/neutral/warm?
@@SukumarPatel Not warm. I'd say neutral to bright. Being that they're only surrounds though (and also already having good subs), I find that less important overall. The biggest difference is going from 2 to 4 speakers on the ceiling. That = real Atmos. But it is way more expensive too.
I picked the Elac 5.2 because the speakers needed to be against the wall. Seriously thought of the KEF Q150. Happy with the Elac. Thanks for the video. Informative and fun!
Just discovered your channel yesterday. I really like the way you talk about audio products, cause it's really straightforward and easy to listen to. Congratulations on your 1000 subscribers
Admitting you're prone to be stupid sometimes makes you seem very honest. I like when people don't pretend they're someone else and don't try too hard. Generally great to watch these videos are.
nice shootout. I just went on a binge of your channel... I enjoyed it... almost like hanging out with you talking about audio. I wish more people would push manufactuers to make speakers in affordable price range.
The emotiva b1's are hard to beat. They're awesome, I purchased a pair as a gift for someone and they're great. I own the T1 towers , also great speakers. At one time I had the elacs as well, awesome too but a bit less musical , lots of bass for its size.
I love the Emotiva's. I've heard a couple other people say a speakers is less "musical" Could you explain that. I don't quite understand what that means.
@@cheapaudioman that it does a good job but doesn't excel at one thing. It's like a Honda civic does what its supposed to do, but an acura makes you feel better when you're riding it.
@@cheapaudioman Thomas & Stereo explains extremely well what a musical speaker is, as opposed an analytic speaker. I highly recommend you check out his youtube where he discusses the general classification of speaker types. Of course someone else talking about a "musical speaker" might mean something else, but I think you will agree that Thomas nails it. BYW I find your approach excellent. Just looking around your channel for the first time so I apologize if you have already done them: what do you think of the JBL Stage speakers? What do you think of ELAC Debut Reference? What are your candidates for best under $500 a pair?
Thanks for your honest relatable reviews! Interesting what a year can do in pricing. Only the Emotiva remains in the sub $300 category. Just. The Kef is almost $600!
All these companies are scammers, they sell it cheap so the reviewers recommend them and then raise the price. so these reviewers are worthless sometimes since the guy speaks based on the price in mind.
22:05 Bro! I bought the Q 3020 and I tried everything to smooth out the highs. I have very sensitive ears and I was getting listening fatigue rather quickly as I primarily listen to jazz. Even experienced a little pain when Miles would lay on the trumpet. I tried 3 different amps and even with tubes they were killing me. I was about to ship them back when you said to use tissue paper to tone them down. I carefully folded 5 sheets of Charmin into neat squares, thanks to the perforated lines. It was a little muffled, so I reduced to 3 layers per speaker tweeter. WOW!!! You're a lifesaver man! They sound great!
I've had all 4 of these speakers at one point. Still have the Emotiva, my favorite with Elac second. I hated the Q Acoustics, too fatiguing for me. The KEF'S gave me fatigue as well but not as bad as the Q's. All powered by Emotiva TA-100. Everyone's ears are different but just my experiences.
31 minutes.. without the waffling and extended silences, and sped up 50% (still 100% discernible): 7 minutes tops. Great input but good lord the man makes it obvious he's padding the runtime
Incredibly droll! I enjoyed your realism and struggle find the words to differentiate same or similar. And the assistance in my search for the balance between sound and retaining some financial reserves.
You’re definitely getting better with each review & each speaker shootout! Where do you go from here? You’re gobbling up the standout bang “for-your-buck” speakers quite quickly! Thank you for your good work bro!
Thanks good shootout! I enjoy my Airmotiv B1+ speakers daily, on the desk in my home office, driven by the Emotiva BasX A-100 ... awesome amp, great pairing. Just subscribed, look forward to more of your videos.
p.s. You had roughly 2500 subs when i found you. Honestly, I could not tell if you was crazy or genius. Trust me, It is genius! You quickly became not only my favorite, but my most trusted reviewer on RU-vid! The best thing you do here is when you use audiophile trigger words (butter, forward, etc) you give an example and then it's like...oh that is what they mean. FANTASTIC BROTHER! Keep it up and I will keep watching.
Loving your channel , really useful information for someone who knows very little . I was going to go for LSX 50 for tv and audio but decided to go for the MX3 and speakers instead and don’t regret it at all
Thanks for the reviews. You know the thing that gets me is the way most bookshelf speakers seem to be rear ported, so have to be used a long way from the wall, which kind of defeats the whole point of small speakers, which is to save space. I'm in London, UK and most of us live in tiny houses with tiny rooms. Glorified rabbit hutches. So there's no way I can move a speaker out two feet into the room. I'd probably be better off with small tower speakers that don't mind being closer to the wall. I suppose the Elacs are a smaller option though.
I rarely pull them out from the wall during actual usage. with a small speaker proper use of room acoustics can really add to the bass response without messing around with the sound all that much.
@@cheapaudioman I think I might wait and save up for something like the Larsen 4.2, or even the Linn Majik 109, which are both designed to be used right up against a wall.
Hey man, great job with this channel so far. I am also a cheapskate (poor-ass) audio enthusiast. So far you are reviewing all kinds of stuff in my budget that I don't have the opportunity to try out. Thanks!
Randy you crack me up every time. And the subject, speakers, I love them. Hearing good music through quality gear at prices normal people who enjoy quality audio can afford. Audio; good audio, should cost less than having a experienced vet surgeon to rebuild your rescue dogs knee. The Vet then let’s you know that the opposite leg is now 80% likely to break and need the same surgery and recoup process , typically within a year.
Just "upgraded" from the 3020 to LS50 for nearfield PC use and as yet iam not blown away,and it seems iam not the only one so i will have to do an A/B test.Thanks for the review enjoying your channel.
If you can return, I would. There is a reason that there are so many on the used market. The Emotiva B1+ give you similar clarity and actual bass response.
I had the opportunity to listen to these KEF, and if there's one word that fits for these is "fun" They are fun, especially listening to songs you've listened to thousands of times, only to notice on the KEF, the song sounds different but cool!
Kef deliveres a serious sound. Klipsch and Jamo have a fun sound. But Jamo means a fun Danish Sound. Like a lively sound of Elac. Not better but lively. Emotiva means refinement. Just my opinions. Probably for all around I will go for Elacs. For best buy Emotiva. Best of the rest Kef.
Another great video. Keep up the good work! Happy anniversary as well. Owning the original ELAC B-6s, BSU5s, Klipsch RB-61s R-51Ms, Micca MB42X, NHT Super Ones and the Emotiva Airmotiv B1+s can say this review is spot on. Because of Emotiva's Emobucks program and outstanding US based customer service, I was able to pick up my set for under $200. It was a nice step up from the Miccas in by bedroom system.
Appreciate that, Jeff. After my review of the Triangle Bro3's I was starting to doubt my ears from some of the feedback. It's nice to know I'm not going insane.
I can only speak for myself but I like your channel because you are upfront, real and not just a salesman like most reviewers are. Oh yeah, and you like coffee 👍
Subscribing simply because I appreciated the 2 videos I've watched. I'm researching 1 or 2 speakers and may not watch reviews for many years, but props to you, Sir. Love your comedy second only to your expertise. Thank you!
Another Great Review! Love Love Love the Shootouts!!! I could be happy with any of these, but I'll be getting the Elac's. Oh and the room looks Fabulous! Thank You for what you do!
I have kef q150 with thd kef sub woofer run by a blue aura v40 valve amp, absolutely brilliant setup, i have people come round to listen to my setup, and they are blown away by yhe sound, i have had all diffrent setups over 40 years just look for great reviews on products! And if you put your speakers on a different make amp they will always sound diffrent! And always look at people doing these reviews on the same speakers, some love them, some like, some think there great, so when buying get loads yes loads of reviews, and then chose!! ,
I’m turning into an Emotiva fanboy after listening to a near field system of the B1+, SE8, with TA-100 driving. I was blown away. The HP filter in the SE8 is a game changer. There is something special about this system.
I was wondering if KEF's has a tweeter and if they have where is it. Finally understood it is in the middle of the bass driver. Thanks for mentioning this.
The uni-q array is the main reason I bought kef speakers! They really open up and sound amazing becausenof the arrangement of the tweeter. I run a pair of kef R-3's hooked up to a McIntosh MA5200 and a KF92 sub. Sounds absolutely incredible! I am a KEF buyer for life now!
Man I have so much fun with your reviews, all of them. As many other have said, hope I can get a buddy like you to share my audio passion! so much fun! Love your stile and review!
Love your style. Your production quality is just great. Interesting topics, honest setting and honest review thoughts are so much more valuable then perfect lighting, fancy books, and stick decorations ;). I have 3 little boys that run around my nice audio set up all day, but that’s real life and they help me flip the LPs. Real every day life is plenty interesting :) I’d guess for the “audiophile” world 75%+ of the crowd is in this price point and type of products. Perfect.
I have those model too! Which AMP or Receiver do you run those speakers with? I have Pioneer old 2004 receiver 5.1 now, but im curious if i could improve speaker sound quality and power with newer or better amp receiver?
I love jazz.. Thelonious Monk, Hank Mobley, Art Blakey. I love classic rock.. Hendrix, Zeppelin, Beatles. Would one of these four standout as the best for a wide range of music styles?
Putting speakers on a 13” wide mantle. Leaning towards Elac because of the front port. Intrigued be the Emo though. It won’t be far of the wall though. Thoughts? Power: Emo A-100 (50 watts) seating position 10-11’ away. Mostly TV and movies but will play music. There will be a sub in the mix.
I'd probably lean towards the Elac. The 5.2's are really good too. However, the Emotivas are quite a bit smaller so you can probably get it far enough away from the wall to be fine. emotiva.com?aff=9
I'm shopping for rear channel speakers to use with a pair of B&W LCR600-S3 as mains. I'm also considered just using one of the B&Ws as a center channel and buying both mains and rears. I have another use for the other B&W if I go that route. The Elac 5.2s are on my short list, as are the Qs (the 3020i though).
Just wanted to thank you for your review of the Klipsch R51M's. I took your review into consideration when purchasing them and they are probably the best speakers I have ever heard. They have made me enjoy music that I never thought I would enjoy.
I really felt like I needed to take the production value to the next level. I appreciate that it wasn't lost on you... I'm thinking about doing another goof for my next video intro when I have the time. This editing garbage takes a long time though.
So far I am enjoying your reviews ( pause as I take a gulp of my coffee) so keep em coming , that said I think you need to review some Wharfedale. Cheers.
Thank you for an amazing review. I have seen most of them regarding bookshelf speakers and enjoyed them immensely. What is your opinion about older models of reference bookshelf speakers vs modern one. To use an example, how would Paradigm 20 V1 or V2 or any other model which years back you had to pay &1000 - $1200 and now you can get for under $300 compare to the 4 you reviewed?
I just found your channel, and it’s awesome. My small system is the QA 3020 with the SA300 and its a super fun little setup. I like what you’re doing a whole lot, please keep doing it. It’s great.
Fun video! Subbed. Would love to hear a pair of Qs sometime. I've heard the ELACs, Emotivas, and KEFs. Like 'em all. Ended up with a pair of the Emotivas though. Liked the character of their ribbon tweeter. I think maybe their projection of detail helps them give a satisfying listening experience (to me) at the lower volumes I tend to listen at (old apartment building). Love the way the KEFs look. The faux walnut and the concentric driver are thoroughly spiffy looking.
People say the JBL 530's (5 series) is a bit too sharp with the sounds, My ears are sensitive to treble, it gets piercing at the high notes for me. Do you think I should try the Emotiva's do you think they have a more layed back and not high pitched sound to them?
@@joeslacker1020 I haven't heard the JBL 530s, so I can't give you a valid opinion on how they compare. When I firs picked up my Emotivas, I'd also auditioned the Elac Debut 2.0 and original Uni-Fi series as well as the Klipsch R and RP series. Out of all 5 of those series, I'd say, from first being darkest and last being brightest, the order is this: Uni-Fi (original), Debut 2.0, Emotiva Airmotiv, Klipsch RP, Klipsch R. That was my impression at least. Not every speaker was in the same room though, so I'm trying to mentally compensate for acoustic differences with is tricky and unreliable. Don't know if this helps, but maybe that provides at least a bit of context?
@@buffal0bilious Loved it. I'll check out the debut 2.0. Seems like everyone thinks the jbl studio and the Emotiva's are too bright for certain instruments/notes in songs. Hmm decisions decisions . Thanks agian famalam
Been watching the Elac's for a while. Would love to see you do a Elac vs Elac Vs Elac in different price points. Is it worth the extra for this or is that close enough type of thing.
@@billman6364 Yup, like four days after I asked. He messaged me saying it was in the works. Honestly, I thought it was a reply to this message. Not sure where it went.
Good morning, do you prefer the ELAC, B 52, or the 6.2? I watch this video about three times so that I make sure I understand everything that you are educating me about us about! Thank you so much Randy
This episode was like someone was forcing you to do it and you just said “fu*k it, i will do it, but i’m gonna take my time and do it really, really slowly”. 😂🤙
Thanks for the review. I'm planing to get Adam-Audio-T5V or kef Q150 just for casual music listening. Im looking for big and less fatiguing sound. Which one do you think is better?
Just found your review online today. ELAC went to 287 bucks on Amazon after your review so 30 days later. Cost more than some of the others now. ☹ Thanks for the review as I'm in the market for a inexpensive audiophile setup. Need to find a well priced receiver now.
What I don't understand is Elac 5.2's pair you got by mistake are different from speaker in Under $300 - 5" Version review. Elac 5.2 in 5" review has silver bezel around speakers, where as the Elac 5.2 received by mistake have a looks like plastic bezel. You mentioned that you were going to use Elac 5.2 you received by mistake in Under $300 review. Please clarify what Elac speaker you are talking about in both reviews.
Congratulations on your reviews! They are very good! I have the possibility to buy one of the following speakers and I can't decide, which ones are the best in quality / price? I want them for a / v receiver. Q Acoustics Q 3010i: € 278 Sony SS-CS5: € 199 Elac Debut B5.2: € 266 Emotiva Airmotiv B1: € 329
If I were to choose one of these four speakers for LCR duties in my home theater, which speaker would you recommend, CheapAudioMan? They will be assisted by two RSL Speedwoofers (crossed over between 80 Hz and 100 Hz) and two surround speakers. I have a midline Onkyo receiver. They'll need to be capable of filling my 14' x 20' living room space with reference level volume (occasionally). It's important for the center speaker to disperse sound very well horizontally, as not everyone is able to sit in the "sweet zone". I realize that none of these can be purchased separately, and I'll end up with an extra speaker. I'm just REALLY into having the same speaker across my front stage and don't like the design compromises made for center channel speakers. I'm also considering the HSU CCB-8 (backordered until March). Of course, if you have any other suggestions for matching LCRs, I'd love to hear them. Thanks and really enjoy your videos!
Haha, this reminds what I've done a few years ago to my local Kef representative. But in the end it was worth it for them, I bought the IQ5s, IQ1s, iQ2 center and a Denon receiver
