2.1 Budget System Build Advice Needed

[Benbon86]

Hi everyone! I'm a new member to this forum and new to the home audio scene as well. I'll cut right to the chase. I'm looking to build a 2.1 home theater system that I may add on to down the road. This will be 50/50 for music and movies. My budget is 1,000 - 1,200 but if I need to, it can be stretched to 1500 if the juice is worth the squeeze. What's important to me is deep, low bass that will fill the room as well as a rich full sound for the mid's / high's. Any help or suggestions that can be provided is greatly appreciated. I'm all ears on any input provided

For receivers, what I've found the following that would seem to fit this build:

Yamaha RXV577
Onkyo TX-NR727 - I'm starting to see more and more negative reviews for Onkyo regarding faulty hardware so this brand makes me nervous.
Denoon AVRX1100W

For Speakers, I can't seem to find any more that would work with my budget besides the below:

Cerwin Vega XLS6

Subs:

BIC PL200
SVS PB1000

Like i said earlier, I can always stretch the budget to 1500 if need be and we by no means have to stick to these options listed. This is just what I've found so far in the last few weeks of doing research so pls, any build advise is well appreciated. For example, If anyone thinks I could spend more on two floor standing speakers with larger woofers built in and do away with the stand alone powered sub while still obtaining decent bass levels, I'd be open to that.

Anywho, any help is well appreciated!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

How big is the room exactly and how loud do expect it to play?

 

[Benbon86]

How big is the room exactly and how loud do expect it to play?

My living room is roughly 15 x 12 so it's fairly small. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how to answer the second question without sounding to generic since I'm new to this. I can't really provide tangible metrics as to how loud I expect it to be so I guess the best answer I can provide is as loud as I can get for the money. I apologize if that sounds silly.

I'm hoping that with having a smaller room, this will be achieved much easier with the budget that I have.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

My recommendation is: wave crest hvl1 or philharmonic audio AA bookshelves.
Sub: hsu vtf2 - it will provide you with insane amounts of bass in your smaller room. I mean call the cops loud.
Amazon has x1100w warehouse deal. Though it labeled as used, its not. Its b-stock. Some damage to packaging. Same 3 years denon warranty.

 

[Benbon86]

My recommendation is: wave crest hvl1 or philharmonic audio AA bookshelves.
Sub: hsu vtf2 - it will provide you with insane amounts of bass in your smaller room. I mean call the cops loud.
Amazon has x1100w warehouse deal. Though it labeled as used, its not. Its b-stock. Some damage to packaging. Same 3 years denon warranty.

I've heard a lot of great things regarding HSU and Denon products. After looking at the VTF-2 MK4, it seems like a great fit! I'm not as up to speed on philharmonic but I have heard a lot of people mention the wave crest brand and they seem to have very reliable products. I guess I have two questions regarding the HLV-1.

In the specs, it says the sensitivity is 86db. So far in my research, I've seen a trend where people suggest to only get speakers that can achieve 90db or above. So with that being said, would these speakers being able to keep up with the sub? I know the sub can be tuned down to blend or better match the speaker output, but I guess I wouldn't want to have to tone down the sub to much and take away one of its greatest benefits.

My second question is with the speaker frequency response. The sites specs show 63hz - 20khz. I'm still very new to this, but from what I saw, I thought I lower frequency range would be better?

 

[TheWarrior]

Human hearing extends from 20hz- 20,000hz. It is not common to find a single speaker capable of playing that broad of a spectrum. But this is why we incorporate subwoofers. To put it in perspective, 20 hz is felt more than it is heard. Which means lots of energy is needed, and bookshelf speakers (even most towers) don't even have enough speaker cone surface area to move that much air.

You might benefit greatly from using a credit card and ordering a sub and speakers from one place such as SVS or other Internet Direct companies that offer generous 30 day trials etc. Poking your head around here will also yield some other great speakers that can be had for a couple hundred. But don't slouch on your sub!

 

[Benbon86]

Human hearing extends from 20hz- 20,000hz. It is not common to find a single speaker capable of playing that broad of a spectrum. But this is why we incorporate subwoofers. To put it in perspective, 20 hz is felt more than it is heard. Which means lots of energy is needed, and bookshelf speakers (even most towers) don't even have enough speaker cone surface area to move that much air.

You might benefit greatly from using a credit card and ordering a sub and speakers from one place such as SVS or other Internet Direct companies that offer generous 30 day trials etc. Poking your head around here will also yield some other great speakers that can be had for a couple hundred. But don't slouch on your sub!

That's a great idea regarding ordering through a direct company to audition the products.For my price range, it looks like the VTF2MK4 will most likely be one of the better subs for 500ish. The SVS PB1000 was nother option but after looking, I think the HSU is a better option for me since it's a 12 inch sub compared to the 10. The specs of the HSU look like they'll fit my needs so hopefully picking up that sub would not be considered slouching. With my living room being fairly small at 15 x 12, I'm hoping the MK4 is strong enough to get the job done.

I'm open to any other ideas but so far at this point, I'm very comfortable with the denon x1100w and the HSU MK4. The only thing I'm still up in the air about is the speakers! With that sub / receiver combo, I'd have maximum of 500 dollars left to either go book shelf or tower speakers. The first speaker suggested so far has been a west crest hvl1.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would not be concerned too much over 86db sensitivity. It tells you how loud the speakers will play given same output. I prefer to have accurate speakers rather than very sensitive. Only few good case uses for high sensitivity speakers : very weak amp, requiring to play extremely loud and very large room. You should have no issues integrating hlv1 with ether hsu or svs subs as both have extended upper region around 200hz ,more than enough for seamless integration at about 90hz crossover

 

[Benbon86]

I would not be concerned too much over 86db sensitivity. It tells you how loud the speakers will play given same output. I prefer to have accurate speakers rather than very sensitive. Only few good case uses for high sensitivity speakers : very weak amp, requiring to play extremely loud and very large room. You should have no issues integrating hlv1 with ether hsu or svs subs as both have extended upper region around 200hz ,more than enough for seamless integration at about 90hz crossover

Thank you so much BoredSysAdmin, you truly are a warlord. With that being said, do you think bookshelf speaker stands are worth it? Also, I'll be connecting this system to a 55" LG as well as an Xbox One. I'm guessing speakers don't typically come with wire so for this, What wiring would I need? I would imagine speaker wire, 2 HDMI cables for the console/TV and an additional cable to connect the sub is all I need right?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

yes, Hdmi cables for xbone and tv. one more if you have cable box or htpc
Speakers need to be wired with 12awg cable. Optionally dress them yourself with banana plugs (not required)
Monoprice should have you covered for cheap and reliable cables.
Or if you really feel vain buy some pretty looking BlueJeansCables - not terrible expensive, yet guaranteed performance.

I would say for short runs (under 25ft) almost any Cat2 hdmi cable would do just fine. For speakers cable any 12awg zip braided cord is fine.

For sub - Short runs (under 50ft) RG59 grade (sometimes called digital or subwoofer) cable from monorpice is a OK. for over 50ft or more - get a bit nicer RG6 rated cable. The key spec for sub cable is shielded coax with 75ohm impedance.

 

[TheWarrior]

For an extra $250, the Audioholics 2014 Champ the EMPTek R55Ti Towers can currently be had for $347 each! http://emptek.com/r55ti.php

I myself have not heard them, but I do own RBH speakers like quite a few others, and EMP is simply the 'lower' end Internet Direct brand they carry. And ask anyone who owns RBH, you can't go wrong!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have heard EMP R55Ti. They have nice laid back sound, but at OP budget and desire for better bass, fixed budget is better spent on better sub. I think we one of AH regulars is selling his EMP towers. Check out for sale forum here on AH forums.

 

[slipperybidness]

For an extra $250, the Audioholics 2014 Champ the EMPTek R55Ti Towers can currently be had for $347 each! http://emptek.com/r55ti.php

I myself have not heard them, but I do own RBH speakers like quite a few others, and EMP is simply the 'lower' end Internet Direct brand they carry. And ask anyone who owns RBH, you can't go wrong!

$282 each if you don't mind B-stock!!!
http://emptek.com/bstockclearance.php

 

[Benbon86]

Is this company comparable to wave crest? Or I guess the better question is, would this be a better option? I know in general floor standing speakers are usually able to produce more than book shelf due to the size and amount of drivers but I've also heard that there are quality book shelf speakers that can keep up or even out perform towers. I guess I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Towers can play lower than bookshelves, but it's irrelevant with sub. Towers can also play louder. Not sure if you would need it or not. I honestly don't see the point

 

[zieglj01]

I know in general floor standing speakers are usually able to produce more than book shelf due to the size and amount of drivers but I've also heard that there are quality book shelf speakers that can keep up or even out perform towers. I guess I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck!

No stands needed with these - and the price is a real good one.
Plus they are new in the box - they are sold each.
Boston M250
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosm250ba/boston-acoustics-m250-2.5-way-floorstanding-speaker-each-black/1.html

 

[jcparks]

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hybrid2pkg.html
The 2.1 system can be had for $925 shipped
Denon refurb from a4l at 250
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1000/denon-avr-x1000-5.1-channel-networking-receiver-w/airplay/1.html
That should bring you in at right under your 1200 dollar budge and the output will be substantial.
Later on down the road if you want the full surround experience adding a few more of the Hsu speakers really wont be that painful.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/speakerpkg.html

 

[Benbon86]

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hybrid2pkg.html
The 2.1 system can be had for $925 shipped
Denon refurb from a4l at 250
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1000/denon-avr-x1000-5.1-channel-networking-receiver-w/airplay/1.html
That should bring you in at right under your 1200 dollar budge and the output will be substantial.
Later on down the road if you want the full surround experience adding a few more of the Hsu speakers really wont be that painful.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/speakerpkg.html

I can't believe I didn't spot this on their site before. This is a very intriguing offer although it would be nice if they included free shipping lol I might have to pull the trigger on this deal. I've only heard that HSU has great subs but it sounds like they are a great company across the board and I would imagine their speakers aren't any different.

The receiver looks like a great value but I did notice that it only comes with a one year warranty and shipping is also not included. To extend the warranty to a three year, it's 40 bucks and the minimum shipping is 30 bucks. That brings the price in around 325....crutchfield has the AVRx1100W for 425 under the scratch and dent which comes with a 3 year warranty and free shipping. I wonder if that would be a better value at 100 more?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Refub could just mean b-stock, but also could mean product was returned since something was wrong with it.
I bought heavy discounted refub Dyson vac 4 years and it's still going strong as new, but YMMV.

As for HSU HB-1 bookshelves - I briefly heard them on AH 2012 GTG - I believe they are especially good for movies , but might not suit your liking for music, but great deal none-the less.

HSU offers same 30 days trial so - best guide is your own ears.

Just buy several and return the everything but the one pair you like the most. No risk, just your time and maybe cost of return shipping (not every vendor pays for it)

 

[Benbon86]

I'm definitely set on the VTF2 sub and Denon receiver. At this point, I'm just weighing out the different speaker options:

Cerwin Vega XLS6
Wave Crest HVL1
HSU HB-1

I'm sure I'll make a decision soon. Book shelf is the way to go for me now due to limited space.