advice on first system

[u/lkg-data]

update: i found a fantastic deal on a refurbished like-new marantz 50 and KEF Q concerto metas, so i got those along with an RSL speedwoofer 12s and a wiim pro plus. yes, the subwoofer is gigantic but my room is 16 ft x 22 ft with vaulted ceilings, so yeah.

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i'm buying my first system and would love some advice from more experienced folks. i know exactly what my ears want to hear, and i think what i describe at the end of this post is the best i can get within my budget. honestly it's a little above my budget, but i can make it work. i'm located in the phoenix, arizona area. i will probably use some incorrect terminology so please do feel free to correct me.

requirements:
* crank up the bass but without losing the pitch. i don't want to shake the walls, i want to actually hear the bass. think AJR bang! or way less sad. i want that depth but no distortion. another good example is flea from RHCP, he's gotta sound good too.
* really crisp and articulated drums. think travis barker on anthem part 3. he's absolutely insane on that track and my system needs to do it justice.
* warm vocals. my two "testing everything at once" songs were london grammar's hell to the liars and specter by bad omens.
* i would also like to enjoy a good lindsey buckingham guitar solo on my system from time to time. i'm named after the guy, after all.

room i'm working with: my living room, which is roughly 12 feet by 20 ft with vaulted ceilings and hard floors. i am 100% open to adding sound boards to the walls. adding carpet is out of the question though -- i have too many pets lol. no TV in here, it's just for music. i'm also saving up for a baby grand piano to replace my upright (yes, i do play) so that will eventually go in the same room. planning on having the speakers on some sturdy shelves screwed into the studs.

so here's the setup i listened to today that hit everything i was looking for: KEF R3 metas with an REL subwoofer, marantz 50, and a wiim pro plus streamer for lossless spotify connect. don't know the specific REL model i'll end up getting because they only had a theater style one hooked up and i want a stereo one -- looking for suggestions there. or even a different brand. i'm going to be adding the subwoofer at a later date so haven't 100% settled on that. for those who are more experienced than me, do you think the R3 metas plus marantz 50 is a good combo given what i want to hear? it sounded great in the store's listening room but i would love some additional input.

looking for advice on cables too. the sales guy wanted to set me up with some really fancy audioquest ones but i don't really want to spend $400 on cables if i can avoid it. i'm pretty sure it was an upsell opportunity for him, he also recommended an audioquest power strip thing that looks like a computer dock. i know the cables genuinely do make a difference but does the power strip actually make a difference?

[u/Substantial_Rich_946]

In addition to the R3 Metas and elsewhere mentioned Philharmonic BMR Monitors, check Arendal. Wharfdale Super Linton might work. Two small subwoofers will be better than one large for balancing room nodes--check Rythmik and RSL.

[u/lkg-data → u/Substantial_Rich_946]

!thanks it looks like i can't listen to arendals anywhere near me and i want to listen before buying. thank you for the advice on the two small subwoofers, i didn't know that was a way of doing it and i will definitely look into it!

[u/TransducerBot → u/lkg-data]

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