Starting to set up my first home system, sub or center channel first?

[Craft23]

So I've just recently started setting up my first home theater I have two standing towers and am wondering what you would suggest is better to get next a sub or a center channel, thanks.

 

[pewternhrata]

I would go for a sub first, what speakers and receiver do you have? I went without a sub for a few months and don't know how I survived, I got a recommendation for a dayton 1200 and I'm quite impressed by it.

 

[Craft23]

I would go for a sub first, what speakers and receiver do you have? I went without a sub for a few months and don't know how I survived, I got a recommendation for a dayton 1200 and I'm quite impressed by it.

Denon AVR-X1100W
Polk Audio Monitor 70s

 

[cel4145]

What is your budget right now?

Also, what is the size of your room including any open adjacent spaces? Sub see the whole space, so if the room is very large, you might need more sub than you need.

 

[Pogre]

sub for sure. you can live without a center channel. I can't live without my subs.

 

[Craft23]

What is your budget right now?

Also, what is the size of your room including any open adjacent spaces? Sub see the whole space, so if the room is very large, you might need more sub than you need.

Its a 1200 sq ft apartment, should be moving into a house soon so though so I don't really know how big the room will be but nothing massive, was looking to be spend around $250-$350 each on the sub and the center

 

[cel4145]

If you are happy right now with the sound quality from your speakers at the primary listening position, then go for the sub. The BIC PL-200 is a good value: https://www.amazon.com/Bic-Acoustech-PL-200-Subwoofer-Black/dp/B00OFXV5IO/.

However, there is a good advantage in saving up $500 to get a sub that has good low 20hz extension for movie usage. The BIC drops off a lot in output by 30hz. You have to move up to a higher class of sub to get that deep extension. If you are interested in that, watch for sales on the SVS PB-1000 or the RBH I-12 subwoofer over the next week. Might be some discounts, but otherwise, they run $500.

 

[Craft23]

If you are happy right now with the sound quality from your speakers at the primary listening position, then go for the sub. The BIC PL-200 is a good value: https://www.amazon.com/Bic-Acoustech-PL-200-Subwoofer-Black/dp/B00OFXV5IO/.

However, there is a good advantage in saving up $500 to get a sub that has good low 20hz extension for movie usage. The BIC drops off a lot in output by 30hz. You have to move up to a higher class of sub to get that deep extension. If you are interested in that, watch for sales on the SVS PB-1000 or the RBH I-12 subwoofer over the next week. Might be some discounts, but otherwise, they run $500.

Awesome thanks so much for the help, any sites you suggest I keep on eye on for black friday sales?

Sorry complete noob at this I just got my speakers last week. But one last question, the spot where is says to connect the sub on my AVR is similar to like what you would plug an RCA cable into not red/black terminals for speaker wire. Is there a difference/benefit to one output vs the other, I hope that makes sense haha

 

[lovinthehd]

Most subs are active subs, using their own amp, thus just an rca pre-out connection. Speakers are using the amps in your receiver as they are passive speakers, not active like the sub.

 

[cel4145]

SVS: https://www.svsound.com/pages/subwoofers
RBH sub: http://emptek.com/

You will want to use the subwoofer out RCA plug on the receiver and use one of these to connect it to the sub's RCA input: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2683

 

[Craft23]

Most subs are active subs, using their own amp, thus just an rca pre-out connection. Speakers are using the amps in your receiver as they are passive speakers, not active like the sub.

Gotcha ok that makes sense, so then are the terminals just if you need to hook the sub up to a more powerful amp?

 

[Craft23]

SVS: https://www.svsound.com/pages/subwoofers
RBH sub: http://emptek.com/

You will want to use the subwoofer out RCA plug on the receiver and use one of these to connect it to the sub's RCA input: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2683

Thanks again really appreciate the help

 

[lovinthehd]

Gotcha ok that makes sense, so then are the terminals just if you need to hook the sub up to a more powerful amp?

Your avr doesn't have an amp for the sub at all, just a signal output (the pre-amplifier output, or pre-out), you need an external amp (either rack mount or plate style amp) to operate the sub.