help me start right, building up slowly

[LGM]

So I realize my previous budget for a sound system was way too low. The consensus seems to be build your front first. So I've decided to get the surrounds at a later date. How would you build a 3.1 system with 1000$?

What I already have
Projector; epson 2030
Avr; denon s700w
120" screen
Room.size; the whole basement is 900sq/ft but the theatre will be in the corner so sound would be engulfing and surrounding an area of 12'x20'

I'm really having trouble finding a brand that everyone can get behind. I'm trying to buy something that while it may not be everyone's favorite you can't deny it's a good product and worthy of an audioholics vouch.

Thank you for your help

 

[j_garcia]

Percentage of movies vs. music? A particular type of music? Is the entire basement completely open (total space, not just space used for the system), as that makes a difference for the sub.

$1K including sub? I was saying CMT-340SE, but that would nix the sub budget a bit, so CBM-170SEs + a CMT-340 center and a HSU or SVS sub might do the trick. The Ascends are slightly brighter than neutral and are very even handed with nearly all types of material to my ears.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

HSU VTF-2 is on sale: http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

Those put you just above budget.

SVS has the older SB12 -NSD in the outlet right now (jump on that) and that would bring the budget in close.

http://www.svsound.com/specials/outlet-specials/sb12-nsd-outlet-c

 

[LGM]

I also realize there are similar threads out there already. But technology is always evolving and hot products can develop flaws and bugs not seen before. I just want to see some systems that are worth the money I pay for them. I expected buying audio equipment to be like buying a car...I find this infinitely more complex

 

[LGM]

I also realize there are similar threads out there already. But technology is always evolving and hot products can develop flaws and bugs not seen before. I just want to see some systems that are worth the money I pay for them. I expected buying audio equipment to be like buying a car...I find this infinitely more complex

 

[LGM]

Sorry for the repeat posts. Im an idiot. The basement is open concept. Plus furniture.

70 percent movies
I'm not big on listening to music at home. Only at the gym

 

[zieglj01]

HSU VTF-2 subwoofer
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

3 each NHT SuperOne 2.1 for the front 3
Look at the third picture
http://www.nhthifi.com/

You can move the NHT to surrounds later if you desire

 

[LGM]

Ok two recommendations for the same sub. Gooooooood.

I'm also in canada. I don't know if that may change things.

Does the sub get priority in a 3.1? Aren't towers better for the front l and r?

Thanks for the quick results

 

[j_garcia]

On a $1k budget, your tower choices will not be so good; you'd have to skimp on sub or go 2.1 instead. You'll get more bang for your buck with bookshelf speakers at this price point. On that budget and given an open size room, you'll have that sort of balancing act of enough sub vs. the speakers, and I think both recommended systems are balanced budget wise.

HSU has Canadian distributors and I believe SVS might as well.

 

[LGM]

And let's say 90% movies/tv shows.

Ugh and I just realized if I'm going to move my book shelfs as surrounds in the future my current centre would need to be the same brand as the future l r tower speakers?!?! ?!?!

 

[j_garcia]

You can get away with mismatched surrounds, but the front stage should be matched. The recommendations both come under the premise that you would move them to the rear when you upgrade the mains. With the Ascends, you would move the 170s to surround duty and get a pair of 340 mains

 

[afterlife2]

Look at these. They ship to canada. I have these in a setup and they sound pretty darn good for the price:
Dayton 1200 sub or Dayton 1500(sold out): http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629
Tower speakers: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-t652-dual-6-1-2-2-way-tower-speaker-pair--300-653
Center: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-ccs-33b-3-way-center-channel-speaker-black--300-674
I promise you, you won't be disappointed with this setup for Music/HT.

 

[zieglj01]

Ok two recommendations for the same sub. Gooooooood.

I'm also in canada. I don't know if that may change things.

Shipping can be heavy to Canada - are you near the border where you
can cross-over to pick up?

You can check Ascend and NHT - however may be costly

SonicBoom Audio is SVS for Canada - check and see when some
stock is coming back.
http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/box-subwoofers-c-1/nsd-series-c-1_9/?zenid=g1r1vfh96ltu82n8e0brjdhr15

For a tight starter budget, you can look at Pioneer from Amazon Ca.
http://www.amazon.ca/Pioneer-SP-FS52-LR-Designed-standing-Loudspeakers/dp/B00AX7E2XG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426543515&sr=1-2&keywords=pioneer+speakers

http://www.amazon.ca/Pioneer-SP-C22-Designed-Channel-Speaker/dp/B00AX7ENBM/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426543780&sr=1-6&keywords=pioneer+speakers

 

[j_garcia]

Pioneers are a good choice as well and they were my first thought, but I felt you could squeeze in the Ascends with that budget and I'll say the Ascends and NHTs are a step up from the Pioneers though. My 3.0 second setup are what Zieglj01 is recommending

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I am here just to approve all suggestions so far. Only wanted to highlight few things:
Open layout basement, small budget and 90% movies - screams for very efficient speakers.
Ascend CMT340SE fit the bill, but a bit expensive (with shipping)
HSU subs value is really great. SVS also makes good subs, but I have warm spot for HSU

As an option I think you should consider HSU HB-1 Bookshelves and matching center.
I won't normally recommend them for music, but they are great for movies and especially in your larger basement space (speakers don't just play to what you think is "room" - they play to entire open space)

 

[LGM]

I really appreciate your help guys!

(speakers don't just play to what you think is "room" - they play to entire open space)

I was wondering about this. Which is why i don't think I can get away with a small sub?

 

[afterlife2]

I really appreciate your help guys!



I was wondering about this. Which is why i don't think I can get away with a small sub?

You can get 2 Dayton 1200 subs and you should be good in that space. Too bad the 1500 are sold out. You'd just need one 1500. If you're not in a hurry maybe in a week or 2 they should be available.

 

[zieglj01]

The HSU bookshelf speakers are a nice option for a tight budget.

However their sensitivity will be on the average side - like a lot
of nice speakers. Measurements here >>
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/review-hsu-research-hb-1-mk2

However thumbs up to HSU, for confirming that they did do their
sensitivity ratings in half space - where some other manufacturers
would just play up to marketing.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

They will still be able to take some power.

Continue to enjoy the search adventure.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I really appreciate your help guys!



I was wondering about this. Which is why i don't think I can get away with a small sub?

Yes. As for hsu bookshelves, even 3rd party review confirm what I said before : good speakers for movies with lots of dynamics (read get loud easy and quickly)
Measured sensitivity 300-10k is not whole picture, horn tweeter are very efficient.

 

[zieglj01]

I'm also in canada. I don't know if that may change things.

Do not know what NHT shipping to Canada is

However, the SuperOne 2.1 is sold on Amazon Canada
Out of stock at the moment - more should be coming
Free shipping
http://www.amazon.ca/NHT-Audio-SuperOne-2-1-Bookshelf/dp/B00LJX4HCY/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426568387&sr=1-4&keywords=bookshelf+speakers

Also Boston A25 - you can do 3 across the front. Then save up
to buy new front speakers, and then move them to surrounds.
Free shipping
http://www.crutchfield.ca/Boston_Acoustics_A25_Bookshelf_speaker_p/065a25b.htm

 

[psbfan9]

Hi LGM,

Have you auditioned any speakers? Are you near a Future Shop or other retailer that carries speakers? I would say go audition some speakers and get a feel for what you like.
I know you're looking for agreement from everyone on one brand, but that may be a bit difficult.
To prove that, , I recently heard these;

http://www.polkaudio.com/tsx220b/d/1051

and thought they were very, very good.

A review,

http://hometheaterreview.com/polk-tsx220b-bookshelf-speakers-reviewed/

You can also try Newegg Canada; http://www.newegg.ca/.

I purchased my last 3 sets of speakers blind and had very good results.
Good luck!