another noob on a budget

[Bow7n]

Hi all, asking for suggestions for a budget build. The room is a 20x20x9 and I only have around $1500 to work with. Was thinking of a 3.1 and upgrading possibly later. Need suggestions for avr ,speakers and sub. It would be used for music and video both.Was thinking Hsu vtf-2 sub,but not sure of what after that, bookshelfs or towers?Viewing distance would be around 15'. Thanks for any assistance.

 

[lovinthehd]

Check out the Philharmonic Affordable Accuracy Plus speakers http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html. With a sub and a budget I'd stick to bookshelves for now. For avrs I'd check out Accessories4less.com.

 

[KEW]

I agree, you are not going to find better than the Affordable Accuracy for $300/pair!There is an ongoing argument about which is better bookshelf speakers or floorstanders (if it is a given you will use a sub to cover the bass).
However, there isn't (shouldn't be) much argument over which is better if you are on a budget. The typical difference between a bookshelf and tower can buy a lot better sound quality in the budget arena!
20 X 20 is a good sized room and 15' is a pretty good distance (assuming that is also roughly the distance to the speakers). You are going to need speakers that can play pretty loud. The AA's are the best value for overall Sound Quality, however, you might consider Klipsch RP series speakers. The new RP Klipsch do not have the legendary harshness of the older models and I think they are the best value for a budget speaker if max SPL is a concern.
You can get the RP-600m from Corey at 270-556-8427 (Paducah Home Theater) for $350/pr shipped. I think they are technically sold as open box, but the speakers I got from him were new as far as I could tell! He has a warehouse in Kentucky he ships from (he direct ships from Klipsch for the high dollar stuff, but the RP series ship from his own facility).
https://www.facebook.com/PaducahHomeTheater/

Don't get me wrong, the AA's will play loud, and will manage 15' at good room filling levels; however, if you are one of the guys who really likes to crank it from time to time, the Klipsch are comfortable playing loud and happy being powered by a modest AVR.

 

[lovinthehd]

I was just coming back to make some comments along the lines of what Kurt said about loudness and distance (and to an extent the sensitivity of the speakers and the amp that will be used).

 

[Bow7n]

thanks for the comments

 

[lovinthehd]

thanks for the comments

So any direction your own research has taken you to aside from the Hsu sub?

 

[Bow7n]

Im interested in the RSL 10s, I like the wireless option, also svs pb2000,but its pushing the budget. which I could up a few hundred if I needed .I would like to rattle the walls. If I were to go with one of the above bookshelves, I'd still need a center speaker?

 

[Drunkpenguin]

For movies and tv a center would be ideal. Best case would be a 3rd identical bookshelf as the left and right. 2nd best would be a traditional center from the same make and model as your left and rights.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep, for me a center is needed and best just to have another of the same as L/R, altho with tvs it prevents ideal placement (thus the "center" speaker). The RSL Speedwoofer 10s is a good value but not really comparable to the the PB2000 IMO in term of extension/spl capabilities (nor cost).

 

[lovinthehd]

OTOH as far as RSL goes, their whole speaker/sub packages are very interesting, is there one of those you've considered?

 

[Bow7n]

The cg23 5.1 looks like a good value.

 

[Bow7n]

Also with my weak budget, I've considered the pioneer A.J series and add a sub. Just trying to get the best performance/value in this budget. Haven't heard any of these, so relying on your knowledge.

 

[lovinthehd]

Don't forget the options with the Hsu speaker packages, they're well regarded as well, if not more so than RSL. It's subjective, too.....but with a great return policy like RSL or SVS for the undecided make the risk of trying minimal. Even with a small cost of returning (i.e. freight) the ID companies usually stand by their product in regards to a trial term, if not offer an all in one price/return package.

 

[ryanosaur]

Be smart. Go 3.1. Buy a receiver that will let you grow. Add better speakers or towers and a second subwoofer when you can. 5.2 would be nice. If the receiver allows, you can build up to 7.2. I agree with the recommendation to look at the philharmonic affordable accuracy +. He has a center channel version too. I’ve been thinking about the aa+’s for future Atmos build out.

 

[lovinthehd]

FYI keep in mind that in most avrs ".2" only refers to two sub pre-outs rather than any separation in function (i.e. they are internally split signal only). Some avrs can treat two subwoofer pre-outs separately for level/distance, which can be useful.

 

[shadyJ]

JBL is going to be running a sale on the Studio 590s starting on the 22nd. If they go down to $500 each, jump on that, and a $500 AVR.