NewBee-Got HK AVR 240 looking for inexpensive speakers..

[jickie]

Hi All,
I just got a HK 240 receiver! I now require appropriate speakers for 'em! I expect to first set this as a 2.1 and later expand to a 5.1 and to 7.1. I am tight on budget and would appreciate your valuable suggestions.
Thanks in advance! Cheers!

[STRONGBADF1]

Welcome jickie,

What is your budget? What kind of room will they be used in? (big room/small bedroom...) Have you heard any thing you liked?

SBF1

[jickie]

As mentioned, I am thinking on phased implementation ;-)
to begin with for the 2.1 solution, I am expecting around $200 - $250.
It would help a lot if it can be within that range..
I am looking for a medium to large size room about 16/14.
Haven't heard any.

Thanks for ur response.

[brendy]

Here is a starting point. Circuit City : Polk Monitor 30 & Infinity Primus 150 @ $200 pr. Best Buy : Klipsch Synergy III $236 & JBL Monitor $200 pr.

[STRONGBADF1]

As mentioned, I am thinking on phased implementation ;-)
to begin with for the 2.1 solution, I am expecting around $200 - $250.
It would help a lot if it can be within that range..
I am looking for a medium to large size room about 16/14.
Haven't heard any.

Thanks for ur response.

Look in to BIC
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/102-8059230-5106520?ie=UTF8&search-alias=electronics-aps&field-brandtextbin=BIC%20AMERICA

http://search.ubid.com/search/Search.aspx?s=1226&q=bic

and Athena.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/mfglisting.asp?MFGID=218&hdnMfg=Athena%20Technologies&All=1

They are both well represented on this forum. They both have a full range of speakers from bookshelf to floorstanding to centers and subs also.

You will probably get some more good suggestions to look in to from some of the other members.

Good luck,
SBF1

[jickie]

Thanx Brendy! Thanx SBF1!
Appreciate your responses and help!
These suggestions of yours will help me greatly to begin my research on this!
I will keep u informed here on this project progress!
Thanx

[jcPanny]

The onix X-LS speakers from av123.com are a great option in your budget @ $200 / pair. Save a little more and add their X-sub for another $200.
If you act fast, they have a few pairs on B-stock with a minor cosmetic issue for $174 / pair. Check out the great review by AH.

[jickie]

I am considering the following bookshelf speakers:

Athena Audition B1.2
BIC AMERICA DV62-si
Klipsch RB-15
INFINITY PRIMUS 150
Polk R15

Any suggestions..
I came across CAT SDAT LEB-404 tower.. how good are these?

Thanks!

[billy p]

If you're looking @ Athena b1.2's at your price range why not the b2.2's better all around speaker then "lil bro"!!:D

[jickie]

Do u know a place where I can get a good deal on the B2.2?

Thanks!

[Matt34]

The onix X-LS speakers from av123.com are a great option in your budget @ $200 / pair. Save a little more and add their X-sub for another $200.
If you act fast, they have a few pairs on B-stock with a minor cosmetic issue for $174 / pair. Check out the great review by AH.

I second jcPanny's recomendation of the X-LS. They seem to be a homerun in that price bracket.

[billy p]

Do u know a place where I can get a good deal on the B2.2?

Thanks! I saw the link you where given if the b1.2's are on sale then go with them.Some of the other suggestion should also be sought out but do try and listen to the speaker if you can.One last note the 3 most IMPORTANT SPEAKERS IN A 5.1 SET UP ARE FRONTS & CENTER MATCHING THE DRIVERS IS KEY, GOOD LUCK IN YOUR DECISION:)

[corysmith01]

I've got to give another shout for the Onix x-ls (http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=93.1). I have the Harman Kardon AVR235, which I just got, and I have it hooked to a pair of x-ls. I recently "downgraded" from Paradigm Studio 20 v3's to the x-ls, and I can honestly say I don't feel like I'm missing anything. Yes, I feel these $200 hold their own with the $800 Studios, imho. At $174 for the b-stock, I don't see how you could go wrong.

[jickie]

Cory....what center ones do u have...also how is the bass in these xls...as getting the sub would be in the next phase ;-)

Thanx

[corysmith01]

Jickie, as of right now I'm not running a center...but I plan to. I just haven't gotten around to ordering one. I just went through a system overhaul and that's the next thing on the list. AV123 is about to release the matching center for x-ls, called the x-cs. You can find pics and some info on it here (http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14567). I was waiting on this to come out to see its size to see if it would work for me. It's too big, so I'm going to order a single x-ls, and run 3 x-ls speakers across the front.

The bass is substantial in the x-ls. I run them without sub (for music) almost exclusively due to my apartment-life situation, but have used my sub from time to time. Again, for music that may be fine, but if you're looking to get good HT performance, you'll want to add a sub. With that said, these will work well for you until you get around to getting a sub. They use 6.5" drivers and are rated down to 55Hz. While that isn't all that low, they'll probably seem to go lower once you have them in room.

[jickie]

Thanks Cory..for ur response!

Any one has any idea about SVS SBS-01 speakers in comparison with onix xls?

Thanx!

[deftech]

Thanks Cory..for ur response!

Any one has any idea about SVS SBS-01 speakers in comparison with onix xls?

Thanx!
I have not heard the sbs-01 system. I have an svs sub and think it is incredible for the $. I have a pair of x-ls for a music system and give them a big thumbs up. I did read a post that stated one guy was using a combo of x-ls speakers and an svs sub. He was very happy with the package.

[freeflap]

Thanks Cory..for ur response!

Any one has any idea about SVS SBS-01 speakers in comparison with onix xls?

Thanx!

no. but the 5.1 speaker package for the av123 xls system, sub and center should run ~730, which is signficantly less expensive than the svs and has a much nicer finish. the svs still wins in the sub category, but if i had to bet, i'd give the nod to the onix satellites. i have a pair of the x ls along with my other speakers and they are remarkable for the price.

av 123 has a couple new killer subs coming to market, but if you wanted the best of both worlds sooner, get the xls / xcs 5 speaker system and add the svs sub separately.

the hsu's and axiom are also excellent options for a sub.

my 2 cents....

[jickie]

My immediate requirement is a 2 speaker system to begin with. I buy a pair of front (book shelf) speakers now and later with an appropriate center speaker.
Subsequently, I will add an appropriate sub.

I would like to know which center speaker would be appropriate if I were to pick the xls?
I see the onix xls doesn't currently have a matching center speaker.

Thanx

[freeflap]

My immediate requirement is a 2 speaker system to begin with. I buy a pair of front (book shelf) speakers now and later with an appropriate center speaker.
Subsequently, I will add an appropriate sub.

I would like to know which center speaker would be appropriate if I were to pick the xls?
I see the onix xls doesn't currently have a matching center speaker.

Thanx

it's under their announcement section.

http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14567

you couldn't build one for this ridiculous price. look at the finish? it's amazing.

since your goals have a specific time / cost plan, i think this is the way to go:
1. buy the front pair.
2. add the center when available and you have the $
3. add the rears and the sub.


by then the onix mfw12 may be out or you can still shop svs axiom hsu.
however the x sub has received rave reviews for the price, and the finish is of course a match.

[jickie]

Here is the latest guys...
I was able to lay my hands on a pair of yamaha book shelves - Main Front speakers of DVX-C700 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200057&CTID=5001000) . I was out in Bestbuy to test out some speakers and found these pairs sitting in a corner without their matching surround, center & sub speakers and receiver. I was able to retrieve them at bargain price. Before which I tested these with some of the other speakers and was quite impressed. Change of plans now...I will be planning on buying my next pair probably the xls and the matching centers...and so on.

Thanks for your suggestions and assistance.

Finally I gave life to HK and got the speakers connected. I am still playing around...don't know how to get the best setting for these pair of speakers!

[jcPanny]

The Yamahas should hold you over for a while, but when you get the Onix X-LS, move the yamahas to the surround channels.

For 2 channel listing there is not a whole lot of setup. Use the auto setup mic that came with the receivers. It should set the mains to LARGE and all other speakers to OFF. You might check the speaker distance, but it should be accurate.

I run my yamaha in the Pure Direct mode for 2 channel listening.

[jickie]

What took me close to couple of hours in figuring out, you have covered here. Thanks JCP...!

With regards to the Yamaha speakers it has 6 1/2 and 3/4 drivers with bass reflex build. It sounds pretty decent and sweeter as I think of the price ;-)

Yes! I have planned to use it as rear surround (in 5.1) and rear channel (in 7.1) as I progress further.
Probably will end up with the xls in the front.
Keeping my ears and eyes open!

Will keep u all posted.

Thanx!

[WorldLeader]

While it seems that you've made a decision already, you could check out Ascend Acoustics. They don't have nice finishes like the Onix ones, but they have really nice sound to make up for it. Maybe worth a look...

[jickie]

Till I buy one...I am open and looking as I mentioned earlier! I will surely keep your suggestion in mind as well.
Thanx!

[jickie]

Update:

Current system...
HK240
Main Front speakers from Yamaha DVX-C700
Yamaha Center Channel NS-C444
Athena technology AS-F1 (pair)

I was able to get the AS-F1s a day back and awaiting for its arrival. They will now become my front speakers and the yamaha (dvx-c700) pair could become the surrounds (not the rear-surround).

Will the Yamaha Center work fine with the AS-F1s? If not then I may have to go for the Athena center (AS-C1 ??).

Any suggestion on these so far and which rear surrounds would be good...as I will be looking for that next.

PS: As a temporary measure...I was able to get my old Altec Lansing - ACS-495 (PC speakers & subwoofer) connected. It works out good for my apartment setup. Probably will think of traditional one after completing the remaining setup. This ACS-495 do a decent job for the time being.

Thanx!

[jcPanny]

I started with an Athena bookshelf system and they are pretty good for about $100/pair, but they cant compete with the performance and build quality of the Onix X-LS, Axiom, and Ascend.

It is import that all the speakers tonnaly match, especially the front L/R and center channels. So pick a manufactuer whether it is the Onix X-LS, Yamaha, or Athena and get the matching front and center channels. I bet that if you did an A/B test with the Athenas and the Onix speakers, the Athenas and Yamaha center would be going back.

[masak_aer]

I own Onix x-sub and I can't say nothing but thumbs up for it. I live in an apartment as well, so their sub is just about right. Don't forget to use the absorbent pad for the sub as you don't want neighbors banging on your door:eek: .