5.1 Home Theater for less than $2500

[Ann]

Over at AVS Forum, even Andrew Jones recently chimed in (following his departure from Pioneer, of course) and agreed that the Dennis Murphy-modded tweeter give an improvement in sound that he could have gone with himself, had Pioneer not bound him to the target budget they chose.

So, which speaker you are talking about? Which speaker has Dennis Murphy-modded tweeter? Are you asking me to choose that one over option2 and option1?

 

[Ann]

I recommend the Pioneer Andrew Jones-designed speaker! I should I am using them in my theater now!

I also recommend SVS as a phenomenal subwoofer manufacturer. I think the concern that some of us have is with the size of your room. My theater is 1904 cubic ft. By way of contrast, your space is definitely on the large room size as home spaces go. If you're looking for that kick in your chest feel from your system, a single $800 sub may not be able to give it to, regardless of manufacturer.

Are you saying go with the original speakers I thought of buying and posted initially on this thread?
Pioneer SP-FS52 tower speaker - pair $260
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf - pair $130
Pioneer SP-C22 - $100
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800

 

[afterlife2]

Are you saying go with the original speakers I thought of buying and posted initially on this thread?
Pioneer SP-FS52 tower speaker - pair $260
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf - pair $130
Pioneer SP-C22 - $100
SVS PB-2000 sub -$800

There is a mod that Dennis Murphy sells that make the Pioneer sound way better, which I linked in post # 5. I still say get the Gamma 15($850 when in cart).

 

[Ann]

There is a mod that Dennis Murphy sells that make the Pioneer sound way better, which I linked in post # 5. I still say get the Gamma 15($850 when in cart).

Okay, got it. http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html
What do you think about Definitive Audio speakers? There are couple Definitive Audio store near my home one Bellevue, WA and one in Seattle, WA. Since there is a store I'm going to see the demo.
Also, I think most of other speaker recommendations in this thread I can't see a demo. BB doesn't sell most of the.

 

[afterlife2]

Never heard the DA speakers, but the Pioneer mod speakers are great. I have them in a stereo only setup and they are way better after I got the mod from Dennis. Email him he is great to work with and has a fast turnaround. No more SSSSSZZZZ(sibilance), which annoy most people like me.

 

[Ann]

Never heard the DA speakers, but the Pioneer mod speakers are great. I have them in a stereo only setup and they are way better after I got the mod from Dennis. Email him he is great to work with and has a fast turnaround. No more SSSSSZZZZ(sibilance), which annoy most people like me.

But being totally new to all these things, it just totally confuse me only. Now, I have 4 options to choose from. Only option 1 has tower which many suggested not needed because I'm going to get HSU VTF3 MK5. Option 1 cost $700 less than option 4. Since I'm not a professional or skilled in music, just by looking at the look of these options, the option 3 and option 4, looks good (I mean only the outside design). Can you few people in this thread post their opinions on these options and give me some suggestion?

Option 1: $1850
Affordable Accuracy (AA)
AA Towers - $275
AA Center - $100
Sur - AA monitor - $175
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $900
Receiver - Denon AVR-X2100W $400


Option 2: $2100
Hybrid 3 HP - 5.1 Package + Denon AVR-X2100W
1 VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer
4 HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelf Speakers
1 HC-1 MK2 Horn Center Channel speaker
Receiver - Denon AVR-X2100W $400


Option 3: $2375
R5Bi Bookshelf Speakers - pair - $225 - I changed from R55Ti Tower to make fair comparison with JBL and HSU
R56Ci Center - $400 ---- R5Ci cost $200 less. Not sure if can choose R5Ci here
R55Wi Surround - - $450
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $900
Receiver - Denon AVR-X2100W $400


Option 4: $2550
JBL Studio 530 pair - $600
JBL Studio 520CBK - $300
JBL Studio 210 pair- $350 - I changed from JBL Studio 230
HSU VTF3 MK5 - sub - $900
Receiver - Denon AVR-X2100W $400

 

[afterlife2]

You really can't go wrong with any of those from what some members here say about theirs. Option 1 or 2 sounds good to me. Don't just go by looks it's the sounds quality that counts in the end.

 

[KEW]

I endorse whatever Zieglj01 recommended (studio 530). He has a very good ear and has spent much time and (enjoyable) effort auditioning speakers in this price range.
That said, we have narrowed it down to the better options and there is not a bad choice among them.
At this point, I would not fault you for simply choosing the option you believe would look best in your room!

 

[KEW]

You really can't go wrong with any of those from what some members here say about theirs. Option 1 or 2 sounds good to me. Don't just go by looks it's the sounds quality that counts in the end.

I think we just said the opposite thing!
But we agree there are no losers on this list.lol.

 

[afterlife2]

I'm a fan of JBL as you know, so that's why I said any of those would be a good choice. I have the HSU which I've wanted for a long time, but they are in the box and I'm not ready to hook them up, yet. I have a feeling what Ann will choose. Which one would you all choose?

 

[Ann]

I'm a fan of JBL as you know, so that's why I said any of those would be a good choice. I have the HSU which I've wanted for a long time, but they are in the box and I'm not ready to hook them up, yet. I have a feeling what Ann will choose. Which one would you all choose?

I don't understand how come a $275 pair of towers can be as good as than a $600 pair of bookshelf speakers. Anyway, I see many can agree all these 4 options are great, but what would you choose from these options provided you have $2500? I would like to hear 3 people opinion at least.

 

[ATLAudio]

Jeez, what's with the SVS hate lately??

Like I stated, value. You can spend far less and get the same spec line. They are still very well made, and I'm sure do the job very well.

 

[Ann]

Never heard the DA speakers, but the Pioneer mod speakers are great. I have them in a stereo only setup and they are way better after I got the mod from Dennis. Email him he is great to work with and has a fast turnaround. No more SSSSSZZZZ(sibilance), which annoy most people like me.

I emailed to info@philharmonicaudio.com with the following question and got the following response.

Question to info@philharmonicaudio.com
I'm going to buy some best 5.1 setup for $2500 including the receiver. What speakers would you recommend? I'm planning to get Hsu VTF3 mk5 sub and Denon AVR-X2100W, will that go with Affordable Accuracy speakers?

Response from info@philharmonicaudio.com (Dennis Murphy) (a part of the response)
"If you are planning to use a sub, then there really isn't any need to buy the towers rather than the less expensive towers, unless you plan on running the system at extremely high volume."

So, though he says their towers are really great, he suggest don't buy towers if you're planning to use a great sub.

 

[afterlife2]

That's because the towers would have some bass, but not as pronounced(did you tell him how big your space is?). I still use a subwoofer on my towers to round out the bass. I'd still get the pair of towers, center and pair of bookshelves though. You do have the room for them.
You'll need a pair of these for the bookshelf: http://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Adjustable-Satellite-Speaker-MS07B/dp/B000VRREPG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1428787787&sr=8-7&keywords=speaker+stands

 

[shadyJ]

The Dennis Murphy modded Pioneer bookshelfs look to be very good, however if you intend to listen at louder volumes, I would not want them. A 4" woofer can only move so much air. I don't think it will have much dynamic range. With certain exceptions I would be looking at bookshelf speakers with 6.5" woofers or larger. One of those exceptions is the JBL Studio 530s. JBL makes terrific woofers so that 5.25" should be able to keep up with the compression tweeter at least to some extent. For the same reason I would go with the EMP Tek towers over the bookshelf speakers. The tower speakers promise a much more powerful and dynamic experience. The bookshelf speakers should suffice for surround speakers in a home theater, but I wouldn't want them as front left and right speakers.

 

[KEW]

Anyway, I see many can agree all these 4 options are great, but what would you choose from these options provided you have $2500? I would like to hear 3 people opinion at least.

I'll cast my vote for Option #4!

 

[markw]

I emailed to info@philharmonicaudio.com with the following question and got the following response.

Question to info@philharmonicaudio.com
I'm going to buy some best 5.1 setup for $2500 including the receiver. What speakers would you recommend? I'm planning to get Hsu VTF3 mk5 sub and Denon AVR-X2100W, will that go with Affordable Accuracy speakers?

Response from info@philharmonicaudio.com (Dennis Murphy) (a part of the response)
"If you are planning to use a sub, then there really isn't any need to buy the towers rather than the less expensive towers, unless you plan on running the system at extremely high volume."

So, though he says their towers are really great, he suggest don't buy towers if you're planning to use a great sub.

No, that's not what he said. He said there's NO NEED to buy towers unless you will be playing the system at high volume.

Now, your room size is quite large for a tiny little speaker to fill with sound and you WILL be playing them at a fairly high volume if you want to hear them.

You might want to consider what Shady J said in the post above. In any case, you're better off erring on the size of too large (which isn't possible from the options you offer) and too small. A subwoofer only ghoes up so high and then it all falls on your main speakers.

But, opinions vary. You've been offered quite a few considered one. Don't expect a 100% consensus here. sometimes, ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice.

But, if you want to take Dennis's opinion (which is quite good) over ours, feel free but you really should provide all the information he needs to accurately guide you. If you want to play he said/she said, you may well be on your own here.

 

[KEW]

I should also point out that you are asking for us to make a choice at a more refined level than you have provided information.

If you are very worried about making the absolute best choice (which is impossible to assure), you should provide us with more on your listening habits.

For example, if it were me, I would be totally looking at the best 2.1 system I could buy for the best sound quality for music. Then I would add a couple of inexpensive surround speakers for a 4.1 system. That is because music is far more important to me and I know that a great music system will not be a bad HT system. Note I am skipping a center speaker in this plan. I might put $900 in sub, $400 in receiver, $1100 in front L & R, and $100 in surrounds.

The options offered are more mainstream than my preferences. We assume you will use it for HT as much as music.

What type of music do you listen to?
What do you want out of your HT sound?
What is the ratio of importance of music to HT (mine would be 90/10)?
How loud do you like to listen?

 

[zieglj01]

I don't understand how come a $275 pair of towers can be as good as than a $600 pair of bookshelf speakers. Anyway, I see many can agree all these 4 options are great, but what would you choose from these options provided you have $2500? I would like to hear 3 people opinion at least.

I am all for option #4

I will easily take the Studio 530 over the Philharmonic line speakers.
The 530 woofers will kick a lot of 6 inch woofers off the table. The JBL
Studio 530 have also been chosen over other brand tower speakers,
when used with a subwoofer. > The Studio 5 series is also from their
Synthesis series. The 530 is not a wimp and it would take a lot for it to
start burping.

However, it is your call

 

[zieglj01]

I endorse whatever Zieglj01 recommended (studio 530). He has a very good ear and has spent much time and (enjoyable) effort auditioning speakers in this price range.

I do miss these speakers more than some others in the past
The Studio 530 rotating look.