Best 5 speaker setup $800 or less will buy?

[bacchus99]

Need a left, right, center, and 2 surrounds. I know my budget sucks but hey i'm a tight arse. I'll probably grab a SVS sub to match with this(800 dollar budget does NOT include the sub). My living room is open and modern looking. These speakers need to be wall mountable and sound great with movies. 75% movies/25% music. Was thinking about just getting the Klipsch Quintet SL. I haven't heard any other systems in this price range. I'll eventually have a flat screen and will want the living room to still look slick. These will be attached to a Yamaha 663. Thanks!

[forkbeard]

I haven't heard them, but they were well reviewed by a trust-worthy source. ;) If I were looking to mount all my speakers on the wall (my wife would love it!), I'd have to consider them. Sold by the AH store, the price looks almost too good to be true. EMP EW25, EW30, EW35 at $100 each. Now I'm not exactly sure how they would perform oriented horizontally, but it looks like they sport a M-T-M design. And maybe even symmetrical blowholes.

[Midcow2]

Need a left, right, center, and 2 surrounds. I know my budget sucks but hey i'm a tight arse. I'll probably grab a SVS sub to match with this(800 dollar budget does NOT include the sub). My living room is open and modern looking. These speakers need to be wall mountable and sound great with movies. 75% movies/25% music. Was thinking about just getting the Klipsch Quintet SL. I haven't heard any other systems in this price range. I'll eventually have a flat screen and will want the living room to still look slick. These will be attached to a Yamaha 663. Thanks!

A couple of thoughts:

(1) The fronts and center are most important. You could get better fronts and center by not getting surrounds now. For timbre it is better the fronts and centers match. Surrounds are for enhancement and don't really have to match.

(2) Since you are planning on getting a sub (and by the way SVS is one of the best subs) you could get some good bookshelf speakers and use crossover to direct bass and lower notes to sub.


Good Luck!

P.S.- 663 is a nice AVR ;)

[Davemcc]

You could probably do a Paradigm Cinema Series setup in that budget.

[jonnythan]

What about the SVS SBS-01 system?

[bacchus99]

So it seems there are better systems for the money than the klipsh system? I don't have the luxury of hearing some of these brands before i'd buy them so i'm not sure how good that would be. My left and rights are bose 301's now but once i get a flat screen there will be no room for the bookshelf speakers. The bose 301's have 8" woofers and the wall hangers have much smaller woofers...I'm wondering if i'll be disappointed with small front left and rights? I know bose sucks.

[Shicks18]

IMHO spending $800 on just the fronts and center will sound a lot better than spending $800 on 5 speakers. So budgeting $500 on the mains and $300 on the center would open up your options a lot more.

If you live near a Tweeter they have a pair of Polk RTi10's for $480 (buy 1 get the second one free). Then get a Polk CSi5 with the remaining $300. That would make for a great start.

[Soundman]

What about the SVS SBS-01 system?

I second that! If you are planning on getting an SVS sub anyway, getting a package like this would save you some more money. Plus, these speakers sound good for the money. :)

[j_garcia]

The SBS-01 system would seem to be one of the easiest choices to make if you are already planning on getting a sub from them. They have included mounting holes and are fairly easy to mount.

[abboudc]

Need a left, right, center, and 2 surrounds. I know my budget sucks but hey i'm a tight arse. I'll probably grab a SVS sub to match with this(800 dollar budget does NOT include the sub). My living room is open and modern looking. These speakers need to be wall mountable and sound great with movies. 75% movies/25% music. Was thinking about just getting the Klipsch Quintet SL. I haven't heard any other systems in this price range. I'll eventually have a flat screen and will want the living room to still look slick. These will be attached to a Yamaha 663. Thanks!

I'd get 5 Ascend CBM-170
$788 + $56 shipping (there's a discount if you order 5)
Ascend CBM-170 (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html)

IMO the Ascends are in a league above the SVS...(though to be fair, they cost a little more too).

[calnbs]

SVS will be a great choice. Also close out such as Athena at audioadvisor.com for the 5.0 under $600. If you are patience, you can buy Infinity and Polks on sale as well at frys and other retailers. I just finished with my second system, 4 Infinity 362 & PC350 for under $600. Harmon Audio is auctioning their refurbished JBL 890 on ebay with full warrenty. Most of them were going around $180 each.

[mazersteven]

What about the SVS SBS-01 system?

Excellent recommendation :D

[ChunkyDark]

I haven't heard the EMPs but I do have the RBH version and they sound great. The RBHs are sleek and modern looking and mount easily to the wall. They don't go real low, but you'll have a nice sub to take care of that.

[WmAx]

The Behringer B2030P is in a league above the Ascend CBM-170, if you want to be fair. :)

In all seriousness, though, if you want the best for the dollars spent, the Behringer B2030 is unbeatable; it's measurements(the ones primarily responsible for perceived sound qaulity as is understood by the current perceptual research) are simply superior to anything else suggested here so far. It's not the prettiest speaker(it has no grill), and it does not have a fancy name, but if raw performance for the $ is what counts - show me a unit that even matches it - much less exceeds it - for even $600 per pair. But wait -- the B2030P costs $130/pair. From the cost alone, I expect not many will take it seriously - I understand that feeling. I did not believe it was possible to engineer a speaker of this quality and sell it for that kind of cost either - until I measured a set....

One could buy a set of these and get a nice entry-level hi-fi subwoofer approximately in the budget listed by the OP.

-Chris

[jcPanny]

The AV123 X-series and ELT series are other good options in your price range. They also offer a risk free trial on all of their speakers.

[avliner]

My personal pick would be the SVS system either!

I've recently got 03 SCS-01 for the L/C/R front array duties and I'm really impressed with their performance so far.

They've replaced 03 JBL Studio S38II, though :)

Good luck and keep us posted!

Regards, Chuck

[abboudc]

The Behringer B2030P is in a league above the Ascend CBM-170, if you want to be fair. :)

In all seriousness, though, if you want the best for the dollars spent, the Behringer B2030 is unbeatable; it's measurements(the ones primarily responsible for perceived sound qaulity as is understood by the current perceptual research) are simply superior to anything else suggested here so far. It's not the prettiest speaker(it has no grill), and it does not have a fancy name, but if raw performance for the $ is what counts - show me a unit that even matches it - much less exceeds it - for even $600 per pair. But wait -- the B2030P costs $130/pair. From the cost alone, I expect not many will take it seriously - I understand that feeling. I did not believe it was possible to engineer a speaker of this quality and sell it for that kind of cost either - until I measured a set....

One could buy a set of these and get a nice entry-level hi-fi subwoofer approximately in the budget listed by the OP.

-Chris

Chris, mind posting a review with your measurements?

[3db]

A review of the Energy System by Audiholics

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/energy-take-classic-review

[jonnythan]

The Behringer B2030P is a studio monitor.

[Joe Schmoe]

You could get 3 pairs of Alesis Monitor Ones for $600. That would leave you with an extra speaker, but no doubt you could no doubt find a use for it. The Monitor One is a lot of speaker for the money, and that would be a truly fantastic-sounding system!

[Aporetic]

I haven't heard the EMPs but I do have the RBH version and they sound great. The RBHs are sleek and modern looking and mount easily to the wall. They don't go real low, but you'll have a nice sub to take care of that.

I also got some RBH WM-30's (on "clearance" from the EMP online store) and I'm very pleased with them. I couldn't resist their offer of $119 each so I got 7 of them for my home theater setup. They aren't "surrounds" as such, but I don't have to worry about timbre matching, and to me they sound great with a good sub. They also look good; nice quality and very unobtrusive.

[bacchus99]

Ya'll have me looking at the SVS system. It looks like it'd be a good buy. For those who own it: How do you like it soundwise and appearance in your house? I'll mainly use them for movies but how do they sound with music? I mainly listen to modern rock and country music.

[mazersteven]

The SVS's are not bad for music. There are better sounding budget speakers on the market. But IMO unless your going to sit in front of them for critical listening the SVS's will do just fine.

[bacchus99]

I like the looks of the entry level Axiom home theater speakers too. There probably alittle out of reach pricewise however. I found a store in town that carries Paradigm speakers. Might try and swing by there and demo some and see what those would cost. I hate that I have a finer taste for things sometimes!

[Shicks18]

I'm telling you man.. go 2 channel with your $800 and add-on later!!! Your gonna get the upgrade bug no matter what you do, so do it right the first time!!!

No one is ever 100% satisfied and content with there first setup, and always go back for more. $800 spent on a 2 channel will sound better than that money sprinkled out on 5 speakers.

[Joe Schmoe]

I'm telling you man.. go 2 channel with your $800 and add-on later!!! Your gonna get the upgrade bug no matter what you do, so do it right the first time!!!

No one is ever 100% satisfied and content with there first setup, and always go back for more. $800 spent on a 2 channel will sound better than that money sprinkled out on 5 speakers.

I totally agree with this in theory. In practice, however, I have never heard a pair of speakers for $800 or less that sounded better than the Alesis Monitor Ones (and I have heard a lot of speakers!)

[jcPanny]

The AV123 X-ls encore speakers are on sale for $200/pair in black or $220/pair for real wood veneer making them well within the budget. Looks like they are curently out of stock, but they might be worth the wait.

[mazersteven]

The AV123 X-ls encore speakers are on sale for $200/pair in black Looks like they are curently out of stock, but they might be worth the wait.

I heard these this weekend. I would say yes they are worth the wait.

[Tex-amp]

The new Ascend 200SEs are the best thing I've heard in that price range so far.

[gus6464]

I totally agree with this in theory. In practice, however, I have never heard a pair of speakers for $800 or less that sounded better than the Alesis Monitor Ones (and I have heard a lot of speakers!)

Mackie HR824MKII

[Joe Schmoe]

Mackie HR824MKII

The built-in amplification could be an advantage in certain situations. Coupled with a good amp, however, the Alesis sound just as good.
(In fact, since all studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion, they all have the same sound. Really, this must necessarily be the case, because if monitors sounded different from each other there could be no standard within the recording industry.)

[3db]

The built-in amplification could be an advantage in certain situations. Coupled with a good amp, however, the Alesis sound just as good.
(In fact, since all studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion, they all have the same sound. Really, this must necessarily be the case, because if monitors sounded different from each other there could be no standard within the recording industry.)

So if ALL studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response (which they don't) have wide dispersion, and all have vanishingly low distortion, then why do they NOT all sound the same.

[Joe Schmoe]

So if ALL studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response (which they don't) have wide dispersion, and all have vanishingly low distortion, then why do they NOT all sound the same.

Simple. They do. (Or at least the dozen or two that I have heard all do.)
Again, they have to, or there would be no standard to use wwhen making recordings!

[3db]

Simple. They do. (Or at least the dozen or two that I have heard all do.)
Again, they have to, or there would be no standard to use wwhen making recordings!

Which dozen would those be?

[Spkr_Bldr]

The built-in amplification could be an advantage in certain situations. Coupled with a good amp, however, the Alesis sound just as good.
(In fact, since all studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion, they all have the same sound. Really, this must necessarily be the case, because if monitors sounded different from each other there could be no standard within the recording industry.)

This quote is nowhere near an accurate representation of truth. If you're going to make broad strokes generalizations like this, then be prepared to back it up with some data.

The only generalization you can say about "all studio monitors" is that they're designed for near-field listening. Other than that it would be the same as saying "All high-end stereo speakers have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion, because people who spend that kind of money demand it".

[WmAx]

The built-in amplification could be an advantage in certain situations. Coupled with a good amp, however, the Alesis sound just as good.
(In fact, since all studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion, they all have the same sound. Really, this must necessarily be the case, because if monitors sounded different from each other there could be no standard within the recording industry.)

Studio monitors may tend to be on average, flatter, than home audio speakers, if you were to do a large cross sample analysis. But even if all or even most studio monitors had a ruler flat frequency response(which they don't), there is a lot more to what you hear besides an on-axis response curve.

And there is no standard, btw.

-Chris

[Soundman]

The built-in amplification could be an advantage in certain situations. Coupled with a good amp, however, the Alesis sound just as good.
(In fact, since all studio monitors have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion, they all have the same sound. Really, this must necessarily be the case, because if monitors sounded different from each other there could be no standard within the recording industry.)

No 2 speakers sound exactly the same. This is what makes things interesting. Every system sounds different. :)

[Joe Schmoe]

Which dozen would those be?

While it is obviously impossible to remember them all, I know that I have listened to various models from Mackie, Behringer, Yamaha, KRK, and Dynaudio, among others. As I said, none sounded better than my Alesis (or even different.)

[Joe Schmoe]

And there is no standard, btw.


Ridiculous. Of course there is a standard. If there were not, no producer could ever mix successfully, because it would be impossible to guess how the mix would translate to other systems.
Without a standard, why have studio monitors at all? Might as well mix/master on Bose!

[WmAx]

Ridiculous. Of course there is a standard. If there were not, no producer could ever mix successfully, because it would be impossible to guess how the mix would translate to other systems.
Without a standard, why have studio monitors at all? Might as well mix/master on Bose!

Ever notice that almost no two albums sound alike?

As for Bose.. actually... some of the top mastering engineers use Bose units to do a check of 'consumer grade' equipment; that is, how the final version will sound on common consumer equipment. It is common for mastering engineers to check the final version on car stereos and other consumer gear during the final stage.

-Chris

[3db]

While it is obviously impossible to remember them all, I know that I have listened to various models from Mackie, Behringer, Yamaha, KRK, and Dynaudio, among others. As I said, none sounded better than my Alesis (or even different.)

hard to remember unless doing a side by side comparison.

[Spkr_Bldr]

Well, this thread has now been completely derails by somebody who sounds curiously like that tool PULLIAM from avsforum ...

They all sound the same? Absolutely ridiculous ... if they do it's only to you, and only because your hearing and analytical skills are unable to tell differences. Or your mind won't allow you too.

So, what is this 'standard' sound that everybody in the recording industry follows? Doesn't exist.

[bandphan]

Well, this thread has now been completely derails by somebody who sounds curiously like that tool PULLIAM from avsforum ...

They all sound the same? Absolutely ridiculous

wow they have the same gear, same state, ect..wonder if their love life is the same:D

[mazersteven]

Well, this thread has now been completely derails by somebody who sounds curiously like that tool PULLIAM from avsforum ...



Hmmmmmmmmm They do have the same speakers. :eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=7512465

[Spkr_Bldr]

Well, it's either PULLIAM or somebody who wants to be just like him - and I can't imagine such a thing exists. He's used that exact same "ruler flat freq response ... vanishing low distortion ... blah, blah, blah" quote on avsforum a couple times. Exact same, word for word.

[Tex-amp]

Good call on it being Pulliam. The nice thing is we know within a few months he have another speaker that beats all other speakers regardless of price. The studio monitors are about his 8th or 9th incarnation of unbeatable speakers.

[Spkr_Bldr]

Good call on it being Pulliam. The nice thing is we know within a few months he have another speaker that beats all other speakers regardless of price. The studio monitors are about his 8th or 9th incarnation of unbeatable speakers.

Hey, I think I deserve some thank you votes for that heads up :D

[gus6464]

Even a person with no so great hearing can walk into a guitar center, hear all the studio monitors they have, and right away realize that not all studio monitors sound the same. There is no such thing as a "standard" when it comes to studio recording. Hell I bet that if you were to take the same CD to Abbey Road and BBC it will not sound the same at both places.

[gus6464]

Hmmmmmmmmm They do have the same speakers. :eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?find=lastposter&t=1049040

Who's ekb?

[bandphan]

Who's ekb?

maybe mazer meant http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=7512465

[gus6464]

maybe mazer meant http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=7512465

Ohh you guys didn't know that Joe Schmoe was Pulliam? I thought this was commonly known around here. It was discussed in a thread a couple of months back. He does try to tone it down around here compared to his crazy posts at AVS, but I figured that wouldn't last for long.

If you want to know what kind of crazy posts I am talking about, ask him how good is his hearing. :eek:

[3db]

Ohh you guys didn't know that Joe Schmoe was Pulliam? I thought this was commonly known around here. It was discussed in a thread a couple of months back. He does try to tone it down around here compared to his crazy posts at AVS, but I figured that wouldn't last for long.

If you want to know what kind of crazy posts I am talking about, ask him how good is his hearing. :eek:

That explains his know-it-all closed minded thread stealing attitude. His hearing? Probablly hears as well as bat!! :rolleyes: Wait maybe I should by a pair of these Alesis speakers since all monitors sound identical, have have ruler-flat frequency response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion . :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Joe Schmoe]

Ohh you guys didn't know that Joe Schmoe was Pulliam? I thought this was commonly known around here.

If you are going to claim it, prove it.

[Joe Schmoe]

Even a person with no so great hearing can walk into a guitar center, hear all the studio monitors they have, and right away realize that not all studio monitors sound the same.

That is exactly what I did, and is the reason I know they do all sound the same. There was zero difference in sound quality between their least expensive model (KRK) and their most expensive (Dynaudio) except for a bit more bass extension. I chose the Alesis because they are both among the most affordable and among the most bass-capable (down to an impressive 45Hz.)

[3db]

That is exactly what I did, and is the reason I know they do all sound the same. There was zero difference in sound quality between their least expensive model (KRK) and their most expensive (Dynaudio) except for a bit more bass extension. I chose the Alesis because they are both among the most affordable and among the most bass-capable (down to an impressive 45Hz.)

1.) If they all sound the same to you but other's hear the differences, then I question your hearing ability. Either that or your blinded totally by your purchases.
2.) You didn't answer/respond to fmw's response about recordings sounding different when it comes to monitors all sounding the same. Again I question your hearing ability.
3.) Did you measure the response? How do you know it was 45Hz and not some harmonic that you are hearing?

[bandphan]

That is exactly among the most bass-capable (down to an impressive 45Hz.)

Hey to each there own, but preachings another;)

the only thing that sticks out to me was the quote about "I dont care about bass below 50hz", (never a need for subs was a good one also)which in theroy would eliminate a good portion music from his catalog.

[bandphan]

Need a left, right, center, and 2 surrounds. I know my budget sucks but hey i'm a tight arse. I'll probably grab a SVS sub to match with this(800 dollar budget does NOT include the sub). My living room is open and modern looking. These speakers need to be wall mountable and sound great with movies. 75% movies/25% music. Was thinking about just getting the Klipsch Quintet SL. I haven't heard any other systems in this price range. I'll eventually have a flat screen and will want the living room to still look slick. These will be attached to a Yamaha 663. Thanks!

sorry for the highjack:p

[Joe Schmoe]

1.) If they all sound the same to you but other's hear the differences, then I question your hearing ability. Either that or your blinded totally by your purchases.
2.) You didn't answer/respond to fmw's response about recordings sounding different when it comes to monitors all sounding the same. Again I question your hearing ability.
3.) Did you measure the response? How do you know it was 45Hz and not some harmonic that you are hearing?

1.) I hear well enough to trust my hearing 100% and the opinions of others 0%. Since the alleged differences do not exist, I can only conclude that those who think they hear them are blinded by their own biases (based on price or brand.)
2.) Recordings sound different because they were made by different people. Everyone involved in the process, from the band to the mixing engineer, effects the final sound, and they all have their own tastes.
3.) The published specs are 45Hz-20KHz +/-3dB. (Based on my experience with them, I think that that is rather conservative, and that they actually go quite a bit lower.)

[Joe Schmoe]

the only thing that sticks out to me was the quote about "I dont care about bass below 50hz", (never a need for subs was a good one also)which in theroy would eliminate a good portion music from his catalog.

One of my favorite listening experiences is hearing massive bass from speakers that appear too small to produce it (this is one of the reasons I still enjoy my Cambridge S30s now and then. Tiny speakers with almost inconceivable bass!) Having a sub in the room totally destroys this effect.
If the speakers in my HT were less bass-capable than my awesome Def Tech BP10Bs, I probably would use a sub in there.

[3db]

Sorry to hijack this thread. I've opened up a new thread on the monitors all sounding the same.

[mazersteven]

If you are going to claim it, prove it.

If it's true, it's pretty "Chicken Sh!t" not to use the same name around the forums. Are you ashamed of yourself? Are you hiding something?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/mazersteven/chicken.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l249/jesi04/chicken1.jpg

[flippo]

A mirage nanoset system can be had on sale for 599$ at crutchfield.com and they have a good return policy if they don't float ur boat.

[billy p]

Hmmmmmmmmm They do have the same speakers. :eek:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?find=lastposter&t=1049040

I noticed awhile back;). The Cambridge Audio s30's being compared to speakers 5 and 10x's their cost is when I clued in. They also reside in Oklahoma City and for me that was the exclamation mark. Nobody can hide their idenity that long without a slip.
.

[Joe Schmoe]

If it's true, it's pretty "Chicken Sh!t" not to use the same name around the forums. Are you ashamed of yourself? Are you hiding something?


I would bet that upwards of 90% of the people who post in both forums use different names.
Besides, the guy you are referring to over there sounds like someone not well liked. I, in stark contrast, have accumulated 141 "thanks" and 3 green chicklets.

[Joe Schmoe]

I noticed awhile back;). The Cambridge Audio s30's being compared to speakers 5 and 10x's their cost is when I clued in.

Obviously a guy who really knows his stuff and has excellent taste.

[billy p]

Obviously a guy who really knows his stuff and has excellent taste.

You kill me and your right, not the same forum:D.

[bandphan]

I would bet that upwards of 90% of the people who post in both forums use different names.
Also your chicklet comment is great, and btw you have only given 30 thanks, so i guess you do know all >:->

WooHooo im in the 10%.... Back to the matter at hand, the svs package, imo, is a good bet too boot. Chris's idea of the of the 2030s is also great, but requires some trade off on esthicts and additional equpment(which i dont mind but some do). I dont think you will be dissapointed with either, but the SVS would be an easier choice.

[mazersteven]

I, in stark contrast, have accumulated 141 "thanks" and 3 green chicklets.

2 Green Chicklets and going Down.

http://www.headington.org.uk/oxon/broad/pics/east/indian_institute/staircase_looking_down.jpg

[3db]

I would bet that upwards of 90% of the people who post in both forums use different names.
Besides, the guy you are referring to over there sounds like someone not well liked. I, in stark contrast, have accumulated 141 "thanks" and 3 green chicklets.

So this entitles you to act like a complete idiot and ignore those who know considerably more than you and your fisher-price hifi system?

[Joe Schmoe]

So this entitles you to act like a complete idiot and ignore those who know considerably more than you and your fisher-price hifi system?

Not at all. I have never acted like an idiot. Quite the contrary, I know enough about audio to not be fooled by the things that others such as yourself are obviously taken by, such as price and "name brands". Also, my stereo is among the best ever made.

[3db]

Not at all. I have never acted like an idiot. Quite the contrary, I know enough about audio to not be fooled by the things that others such as yourself are obviously taken by, such as price and "name brands". Also, my stereo is among the best ever made.

Of course it is :rolleyes:

Its becomming quite apparent that you lack knowledge when it comes to audio, electrical and acoustic principles and it shows when you issue broad generalizations founded on haphazard uncontrolled and biased listening tests.

[fmw]

Sorry, I haven't read the whole thread. A lot of it is not worth reading. For the OP, however, I will provide a couple of opinions. The first is that a subwoofer is a critical element for home theater. If you have a decent sub, you can spend less on the other speakers and still get pretty good results. Take a look at the systems from Hsu research. They are subs with small horn driven speakers. If they have something in your price range, that would do fine. Speakers at these price points may not be ideal for music listening but I think the are fine for movie listening if they have a subwoofer.

The other thought I'll leave you with is the one I would choose if you do a lot of music listening. I would take the entire budget and spend it on a better pair of main speakers and forget the rest of them for now. Surround is nice but isn't a big factor for music listening and you can still enjoy a movie without surround. You could add other speakers as your budget allows.