5.1 Home Theater for less than $2500

[Ann]

I’m totally new to audio systems. I don’t know all brands and options available. If possible I want to keep the budget under $2000. At the max maybe I will spend $2500. I’ll be using it for both music and movies. My room size is nearly $4000 cubic feet. I looked at various forums and threads and came up with following options.

Option 1

Pioneer SP-FS52 tower speaker - pair $260
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf - pair $130
Pioneer SP-C22 - $100
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $1800

For this setup do I need to spend $500 for a receiver? Is there any other better and cheaper option which has a 4K support?. Don’t have 4K TV but may buy after a couple of years.

For this setup do I need to spend $800 for a sub?

Compared to sub and receiver, does the speaker look cheap and doesn't fit in this setup?


Option 2

Prime Tower Surround System $1550
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $2850
This looks like a great setup, but I would like to keep the budget under $2000.

Please provide suggestions and thoughts.

 

[rojo]

Oh, boy, we love spending other people's money! Thank you for letting us know your room's volume without our having to ask. You've obviously been working on this for a while. $2000 is a healthy budget for 5.1 + receiver + cables.

For the receiver, the Denon X2100 would be a good bargain. If you don't mind refurb with a 1 year warranty, the Marantz SR5008 would also be worth considering, and would add pre-amp outs in case you'd like to add external amplification later. My SR6008 came from there, and I'm very pleased with it.

For the sub, add the Rythmik LV12R, the Hsu VTF-2 MK4, and the Outlaw Ultra-X12 to your list for consideration to save a little money. IMHO, the price :: performance ratio of SVS has declined since they started retailing in Best Buy. For that kind of money, I'd sooner go for the Reaction Audio Gamma 15 or the PSA XV15SE. On the other hand, I also remember paying 79¢ / gal. for gas as a teenager, and am therefore prone to resist inflation. I also randomly yell things like, "Get off my lawn!" So my view of SVS' new inflated prices might not be shared by others. *shrug*

Are you committed to towers up front, or would you consider bookshelf speakers?

 

[ATLAudio]

Oh, boy, we love spending other people's money! Thank you for letting us know your room's volume without our having to ask. You've obviously been working on this for a while. $2000 is a healthy budget for 5.1 + receiver + cables.

For the receiver, the Denon X2100 would be a good bargain.

For the sub, add the Rythmik LV12R and the Hsu VTF-2 MK4 to your list for consideration to save a little money. IMHO, the price :: performance ratio of SVS has declined since they started retailing in Best Buy. For that kind of money, I'd sooner go for the Reaction Audio Gamma 15 or the PSA XV15SE. On the other hand, I also remember paying $0.79 / gal. for gas as a teenager, and am therefore prone to resist inflation, and randomly yell things like, "Get off my lawn!" So my view of SVS' new inflated prices might not be shared by others. *shrug*

Are you committed to towers up front, or would you consider bookshelf speakers?

I totally second this motion. The Pioneer speaker set is a phenomenal value. I'd also suggest going with that Denon 2100 over the Sony. The Audyssey RC being the leading reason as to why.

Since 1800 has you under budget, I'd spend a little more on the sub, perhaps look at these subs mentioned. I echo the sentiments about SVS.

If you want to go up to $2500 I'd do this for speakers
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3052SE?psc=1
AVR: Denon 2100, $399 on Amazon
Sub: Any of the ID's mentioned for $800ish. I'm a PSA homer, so that XV15se would be a home run.

 

[rojo]

Mmmm, not a big fan of Klipsch. They need some help with their crossovers or something. The measurements I've seen have this big honking weirdness right smack dab in the vocal overtone range. Sound & Vision measured the RF-83's:

Audio.de measured the RF-62's, and there's some... unpleasantness there, albeit perhaps not as egregious as the RF-83's.

 

[afterlife2]

Agree with ROJO
Reaction Audio Gamma 15 I have a SVS PB1000 and it rocks my small place right, but your space is big and the Gamma 15 will fit in your place like a glove.
Denon X2100
Pioneer Speakers modded to a better sound: http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html
Cables/Wires: www.monoprice.com
alt receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa740bl/yamaha-rx-a740-7.2-aventage-av-receiver-w/wi-fi-airplay/1.html

 

[ATLAudio]

Mmmm, not a big fan of Klipsch. They need some help with their crossovers or something. The measurements I've seen have this big honking weirdness right smack dab in the vocal range. Sound & Vision measured the RF-83's:

Audio.de measured the RF-62's, and there's some... unpleasantness there, albeit perhaps not as egregious as the RF-83's.

I certainly don't hear any unpleasantness in my Klipsch speakers. They aren't perfect but when I consider what I paid for them, they've done very well. I'm also not sure what in those measurements is so eye opening. They are also measurements of the previous model, RF 83, which is a different year, make, model than the one I suggested. The one's suggested were the Reference II RF 62. That said I know of NO RF-83 owners who were unsatisfied with their purchase. YMMV. Neither review posted any issues in the vocal range other than positive. This also speaks towards how measurements are used IMO. I believe they are good for backing up marketing claims, and for post demo to evaluate praise and criticisms. But to flash up a measurement as reliable predictor of something like vocals, I'd shy away from that.

With words like 'big honking weirdness' I take it you just don't like horns, or maybe just Klipsch. No biggie. I'd still suggest demoing them if possible for the OP. If HE likes them, then they are a terrific bargain.

 

[shadyJ]

Klipsch aren't that bad, although they tend to be voiced a bit hot in the treble. The dispersion of Klipsch speakers is generally well controlled compared to other brands. As for the measurements of the RF-83s, those are two or three generations old by now, so I would not use that chart to say here is what modern Klipsch speakers sound like. The Klipsch are certainly very different than the Pioneer speakers which I find to be restrained in the highs.

My suggestion is to skip tower speakers and get bookshelf speakers fronts. The reason is, with a good sub, much of the reason to buy towers is negated. Towers are usually full range speakers, so a lot of what you pay for with them is the ability to playback bass that is well into the subwoofer's range. The problem is, you won't be using much of that ability because the subwoofer will be cutting off and taking over that range. Bookshelf speakers are a much more sensible expenditure on a modest budget.

For bookshelf speakers, I would be looking at Ascend CBM170s, HTD Level Threes, Hsu HB-1 mk2s, or JBL Studio 530s. The 530s would probably be my first choice from that bunch but they are the priciest. I think they would be overkill for the surround speakers, so for surrounds in that system I would go for the Studio 230s. For the sub, I would go for either the Hsu VTF3 mk5 or Reaction Gamma 15. Either of those will majorly outperform the SVS sub while only costing a bit more. If you wanted to keep it a bit simpler, you could also just get an Hsu speaker/sub package and get a small discount too. For a receiver, as was suggested above, I would skip the Sony and go for a Denon instead. I also like Pioneer, Marantz, and Yamaha too.

 

[ATLAudio]

The HSU combos aren't a bad call if the OP is down with bookshelves.

I'd also check out the Klipsch (Ref II) RB61II combos on Amazon. Klipsch has discounted these as they are now the previous models.

 

[KEW]

I agree bookshelf speakers are a better value.
It is okay if you simply like the look or idea of towers, but for performance per $, bookshelf's are better (and generally image better to boot).

 

[shadyJ]

If you are hung up on tower speakers, a some good looking and highly regarded ones are the EMP Tek R55Ti towers

 

[zieglj01]

The 530s would probably be my first choice from that bunch but they are the priciest. I think they would be overkill for the surround speakers, so for surrounds in that system I would go for the Studio 230s. For the sub, I would go for either the Hsu VTF3 mk5 or Reaction Gamma 15.

+1
That is what I would lean towards - the Studio 530 is really nice
for both home theater and music.

 

[Ann]

Klipsch aren't that bad, although they tend to be voiced a bit hot in the treble. The dispersion of Klipsch speakers is generally well controlled compared to other brands. As for the measurements of the RF-83s, those are two or three generations old by now, so I would not use that chart to say here is what modern Klipsch speakers sound like. The Klipsch are certainly very different than the Pioneer speakers which I find to be restrained in the highs.

My suggestion is to skip tower speakers and get bookshelf speakers fronts. The reason is, with a good sub, much of the reason to buy towers is negated. Towers are usually full range speakers, so a lot of what you pay for with them is the ability to playback bass that is well into the subwoofer's range. The problem is, you won't be using much of that ability because the subwoofer will be cutting off and taking over that range. Bookshelf speakers are a much more sensible expenditure on a modest budget.

....

I definitely want real great bass. So, I definitely want a $800 range great sub. I don't know that fact that towers aren't needed if i'm going to buy a good $800 range sub. If it's true tower aren't really good while using it with a good sub, then I okay to get a bookshelf speaker instead of tower.

Why no one in this thread is suggesting to buy SVS or Pioneer? Why they are not good? Gamma 15, I don't see any video reviews anywhere. I don't see in cnet.com. I'm not sure if gamma 15 is better than SVS PB 2000. Why gamma 15 is better than SVS PB 2000?

I heard didn't great opinion about Klipsch in many forums. So, maybe I don't want Klipsch.

What's wrong with Sony STR-DN1050? cnet.com rates it as best receiver for 2015. Why everyone is suggesting to buy Denon? cnet.com says Sony was not good in the past but now it's great.

So, I removed towers in my option two and added another option(3). What do you guys think?

Option 1

Pioneer SP-FS52 tower speaker - pair $260
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf - pair $130
Pioneer SP-C22 - $100
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $1800


Option 2
PRIME BOOKSHELF SURROUND SYSTEM $1050
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $2350


Option 3

PRIME ULTRA BOOKSHELF SURROUND SYSTEM $2700
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $4000
This options looks great, but I can’t afford $4000. But I would like to hear from you what do you think about this.

option 4
Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73 (2+2) : $1500
Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 $400
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $3200

 

[rojo]

Where are you, Ann?

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend v1.3.1.

 

[Ann]

Where are you, Ann?

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend v1.3.1.

I'm in Redmond,WA. WHy?

 

[ATLAudio]

I definitely want real great bass. So, I definitely want a $800 range great sub. I don't know that fact that towers aren't needed if i'm going to buy a good $800 range sub. If it's true tower aren't really good while using it with a good sub, then I okay to get a bookshelf speaker instead of tower.

Why no one in this thread is suggesting to buy SVS or Pioneer? Why they are not good? Gamma 15, I don't see any video reviews anywhere. I don't see in cnet.com. I'm not sure if gamma 15 is better than SVS PB 2000. Why gamma 15 is better than SVS PB 2000?

I heard didn't great opinion about Klipsch in many forums. So, maybe I don't want Klipsch.

What's wrong with Sony STR-DN1050? cnet.com rates it as best receiver for 2015. Why everyone is suggesting to buy Denon? cnet.com says Sony was not good in the past but now it's great.

So, I removed towers in my option two and added another option(3). What do you guys think?

Option 1

Pioneer SP-FS52 tower speaker - pair $260
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf - pair $130
Pioneer SP-C22 - $100
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $1800


Option 2
PRIME BOOKSHELF SURROUND SYSTEM $1050
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $2350


Option 3

PRIME ULTRA BOOKSHELF SURROUND SYSTEM $2700
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $4000
This options looks great, but I can’t afford $4000. But I would like to hear from you what do you think about this.

option 4
Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73 (2+2) : $1500
Pioneer Elite SP-EC73 $400
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800
Sony STR-DN1050 Receiver $500
Total: $3200

“I definitely want real great bass. So, I definitely want a $800 range great sub. I don't know that fact that towers aren't needed if i'm going to buy a good $800 range sub. If it's true tower aren't really good while using it with a good sub, then I okay to get a bookshelf speaker instead of tower.”


This is a good idea since you’ll be crossing over your towers at 80hz, and a good sized book shelf will provide sound that low just as well as a full size tower. I went with a tower because I have kids who would knock over the speaker stands. No since in inviting Murphy over every day.


“Why no one in this thread is suggesting to buy SVS or Pioneer? Why they are not good? Gamma 15, I don't see any video reviews anywhere. I don't see in cnet.com. I'm not sure if gamma 15 is better than SVS PB 2000. Why gamma 15 is better than SVS PB 2000?”


SVS Reservations: Mainly value. SVS really kicked off the ID concept 10-15 years ago, but since then they’ve gone retail in some areas, and their prices have become just about full retail. The Gamma 15 is better in all respects than the PB2000, hec, you’d need the SVS Ultra to compete with the Gamma 15 and you’d spend hundreds more. I think their speakers are a complete rip.


Pioneer Reservations: Those speakers are a TERRIFIC value for someone on a budget less than yours, or if you just would like to spend less money. If you said 1500, or 2000 tops I’d say go for it! They are designed by Andrew Jones, a famed speaker designer. However, for your budget I think you have better options.


“I heard didn't great opinion about Klipsch in many forums. So, maybe I don't want Klipsch.”


Klipsch have a split reputation mainly because they use horn tweeters. However, AH did a blind test on the RF-62 (previous gen from the speaker I suggested, but still very similar) and it won. When they did a sighted test it came in 4th. So, I believe with Klipsch, and horn haters there is some bias to control for. Also, most of your movie theaters use horns because they sound more realistic due to better efficiency and directivity. Ex. A car door slam sounds like a real car door slam, etc. My suggestion is to find a store which sells them and demo them yourself and form your own opinion. I can assure you for every Klipsch hater, and they are out there, there’s more than one who loves their Klipsch speakers- I’m one of them.


http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/2010-1k-faceoff


“What's wrong with Sony STR-DN1050? cnet.com rates it as best receiver for 2015. Why everyone is suggesting to buy Denon? cnet.com says Sony was not good in the past but now it's great.”


I would love to know what Sony changed that has made their AVR components better now. In short Denon has been great for a long time. Bottom-line, what Denon (and Marantz) do that others don’t is use Audyssey for room correction (RC). All AVRs have some kind of RC, but other brands don’t apply any RC to the subwoofer which is far and beyond the most vital part of RC- Audyssey does! I’ve also had my mits on many receivers and Denon, and Marantz seem to be the most user friendly IMO YMMV.


Your options aren’t bad, but based off what I know I really can’t recommend any of them, and I don't feel comfortable picking the best of list of bad options! I’d look at those HSU packages mentioned earlier, with a Denon 2100

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hybrid3hppkg.html

Go with the 5.1 HSU package, and the Denon 2100. $2000
Piece together the RB61II, RC62II, RS42II with an 800-900$ ID sub (not SVS) of your choice, and the Denon 2100. <$2500 est.

 

[shadyJ]

The SVS speakers don't look bad, but they don't look exceptional for the price. How many bookshelf speakers out there already have a 6.5" woofer and a 1" aluminum dome tweeter? Not to say that is bad, but its awfully unimaginative. The biggest draw about them is the gloss black finish. I don't think they will outperform the Ascend, Hsu, or HTD speakers, and all of those are quite a bit less expensive. I would much rather have the JBL Studios for the same price, and I think I would be more interested in the Klipsch RB-61s or RB-81s as well.

Cnet is not a great source of information for making a really good choice. This forum is a much better source of information than what you can read on Cnet. I would bet some of us are even more technically knowledgeable than many of the editors at Cnet. Cnet has its uses, its downloads section is a great source for a lot of good applications, but their audio reviews are pretty rudimentary, and they only review stuff that manufacturers send them, not the stuff that is actually innovative.

For example, the Sony receiver lacks some key features compared to their competition, enough so I would rule it out right away. Same with the SVS subwoofer, simply not as good as some other subs for nearly the same price- not to say it is a bad sub. The Pioneer speakers are good for the money, but on your budget you can do better. There is information which demonstrates all of that which isn't found on Cnet.

To be sure, I don't think any of your list of options are bad choices, and I think you would be happy with any of them. They just wouldn't be what I would be looking at if I were looking for a system within your budget.

 

[shadyJ]

Where are you, Ann?

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend v1.3.1.

Lol, I realize you only want to know whether she is in the US so you know what is available to her, but that is still a bit creepy of a post!

 

[ATLAudio]

Ann could still be a dude, and might be a name to through folks off. Like Alice Cooper for instance.

LOL

 

[rojo]

I'm in Redmond,WA. WHy?

I was just wondering whether you were in the U.S. Your command of the English language seemed to devolve quite a bit between your first post and last night's. It made me wonder whether maybe English was not your first language, and you were going to surprise us all by casually announcing that shipping on a PSA sub to Bolivia would be prohibitively expensive or something. Just thought I ought to check.

 

[zieglj01]

Why they are not good?

What's wrong with Sony STR-DN1050? cnet.com rates it as best receiver for 2015. Why everyone is suggesting to buy Denon?

So, I removed towers in my option two and added another option(3). What do you guys think?

Why not good - well none are bad. A lot of it comes down to preference and nit-picking.

No wrong with the Sony - if one is not interested in some other different features, then
the Sony is a real good choice - I would use it for home theater and music.

For your budget, I still favor the JBL Studio 5 series. If going off your list, then the SVS
Ultra would be one to look at.

As far as Pioneer, then I would go with the Philharmonic Audio (Pioneer modded) speakers
over both the phases 2 and Elite series.
Philharmonic Audio
http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

As far as subs, most people would be happy with SVS, HSU, and Reaction Audio. A lot of
it just comes down to preference and general nit-picking among the die hard people.

I do not look for special videos or Youtube selfie hype videos, to tell me if something is
good or not. I depend more on respected ears on the forums. And it takes the visit and
the time to know who day are.