Been reading and reading....

[ewemule]

Here's where I'm at... My wish list so far.
Onkyo TX-NR696 I did see the TX-RZ830 (a little cheaper) kind of the same ? Not brand specific if other ideas in the same price range will be a benefit for future ideas.
Likely Klipsch Reference R51 for L/R and perhaps for Center. Going to aim for 5.1 now and perhaps 7.1 added a little later.
Maybe Polk Signature S15 for L/R - C
For the Sub I'm leaning toward long term use. HSU - VTF2 MK5 and if I'm feeling rich the HSU VTF3 MK5.
Right now I'll be using this in a 14'x18' room. Renting with neighbor issues very minimal.
Does this sound like a good start for the next 3-5 years + ? Bumpin' music and better than average movie interests are my direction.
Thank you.

 

[Movie2099]

Here's where I'm at...
Onkyo TX-NR696 I did see the TX-RZ830 (a little cheaper) kind of the same ? Not brand specific if other ideas in the same price range will be a benefit for future ideas.
Likely Klipsch Reference R51 for L/R and perhaps for Center. Going to aim for 5.1 now and perhaps 7.1 added a little later.
Maybe Polk Signature S15 for L/R - C
For the Sub I'm leaning toward long term use. HSU - VTF2 MK5 and if I'm feeling rich the HSU VTF3 MK5.
Right now I'll be using this in a 14'x18' room. Renting with neighbor issues very minimal.
Does this sound like a good start for the next 3-5 years + ? Bumpin' music and better than average movie interests are my direction.
Thank you.

What would be your max budget? Personally, I would spend more on your LCR and get some better quality speakers. Your sub options are good. Snag a Denon X3600 for under $1000 and you're all set. Don't forget to get some solid cables as well, Monoprice, SVS, Blue Jeans.

 

[ewemule]

What would be your max budget? Personally, I would spend more on your LCR and get some better quality speakers. Your sub options are good. Snag a Denon X3600 for under $1000 and you're all set. Don't forget to get some solid cables as well, Monoprice, SVS, Blue Jeans.

$1500-$2000 Just not all at once. unless sweet bargains can't be passed up. I agree on bettering my receiver and L/R/C. Suggestions on speakers ? My idea is to start with 3.1 and add as I can comfortably do it. I recall talk of pre-outs on a receiver, but don't know as if it's a big deal for me. SVS PB 1000 was another thought. I'd like to be at least 300 watts RMS for a sub. I'm ready to spend on receiver and sub. At the very least scrounge some cheap or hand me down L/R-C until I can afford best.

 

[Pogre]

$1500-$2000 Just not all at once. unless sweet bargains can't be passed up. I agree on bettering my receiver and L/R/C. Suggestions on speakers ? My idea is to start with 3.1 and add as I can comfortably do it. I recall talk of pre-outs on a receiver, but don't know as if it's a big deal for me. SVS PB 1000 was another thought. I'd like to be at least 300 watts RMS for a sub. I'm ready to spend on receiver and sub. At the very least scrounge some cheap or hand me down L/R-C until I can afford best.

Stick with the VTF series over the PB1000. SVS make some fantastic subs, but the 1000 series is their entry level and you'll get a bit more performance out of Hsu. I want me some SVS subs but just don't have the money for a pair big enough for my room.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Stick with the VTF series over the PB1000. SVS make some fantastic subs, but the 1000 series is their entry level and you'll get a bit more performance out of Hsu. I want me some SVS subs but just don't have the money for a pair big enough for my room.

I agree. The HSU will be better overall.

Also, RMS means nothing really. Seemingly simple, subwoofers are actually a system and what matters is driver sensitive, and enclosure size/tuning and how it performs as a whole.

 

[Movie2099]

$1500-$2000 Just not all at once. unless sweet bargains can't be passed up. I agree on bettering my receiver and L/R/C. Suggestions on speakers ? My idea is to start with 3.1 and add as I can comfortably do it. I recall talk of pre-outs on a receiver, but don't know as if it's a big deal for me. SVS PB 1000 was another thought. I'd like to be at least 300 watts RMS for a sub. I'm ready to spend on receiver and sub. At the very least scrounge some cheap or hand me down L/R-C until I can afford best.

I would say check out the Denon X3600 or Marantz. Personally I have a Pioneer Elite. I've heard really good things about the Denon X3600. You can find it sometimes under $1000.

I agree with Pogre about the Sub. If you can bump up that budget a smidge you might be able to get into SVS new 2000 Pro series. They've had some very solid reviews on them recently.

For in-wall LCR selections the door is wide open to huge variety of options. All depends on your budget. You can spend thousands if you want. I settled on the Bowers and Wilkins 7.3's for my LCR and have been extremely happy with my decision.

 

[shadyJ]

Klipsch basic reference series was measured by soundstage and found to be OK. They would be bright on axis. I would face these speakers forward rather then toe then in toward the listener as these are too bright on-axis but should mellow out at 20 to 30 degrees. VTF-2 is a great sub but the VTF-3 only costs about 50% more yet nearly doubles the VTF2's performance. I think its worth a stretch if you like listening at louder levels.

Something I would consider: get a pair of KEF Q150s from accessories3less (white or black) with a matching single speaker (white or black). You can top the Q150 over on its side without causing a problem which is not something you can do with most bookshelf speakers, so if you need a horizontal center, it is a great choice. You will have a perfectly timbre-matched front stage set. Most center speakers from speaker product lines aren't ever a perfect match for the front left/right, contrary to popular belief.

 

[Pogre]

Klipsch basic reference series was measured by soundstage and found to be OK. They would be bright on axis. I would face these speakers forward rather then toe then in toward the listener as these are too bright on-axis but should mellow out at 20 to 30 degrees. VTF-2 is a great sub but the VTF-3 only costs about 50% more yet nearly doubles the VTF2's performance. I think its worth a stretch if you like listening at louder levels.

Something I would consider: get a pair of KEF Q150s from accessories3less (white or black) with a matching single speaker (white or black). You can top the Q150 over on its side without causing a problem which is not something you can do with most bookshelf speakers, so if you need a horizontal center, it is a great choice. You will have a perfectly timbre-matched front stage set. Most center speakers from speaker product lines aren't ever a perfect match for the front left/right, contrary to popular belief.

Damn that's a pretty good price for the Q150s. I thought about throwing the TFE60s in the mix too, but matching the center might be a challenge.

 

[ewemule]

Klipsch basic reference series was measured by soundstage and found to be OK. They would be bright on axis. I would face these speakers forward rather then toe then in toward the listener as these are too bright on-axis but should mellow out at 20 to 30 degrees. VTF-2 is a great sub but the VTF-3 only costs about 50% more yet nearly doubles the VTF2's performance. I think its worth a stretch if you like listening at louder levels.

Something I would consider: get a pair of KEF Q150s from accessories3less (white or black) with a matching single speaker (white or black). You can top the Q150 over on its side without causing a problem which is not something you can do with most bookshelf speakers, so if you need a horizontal center, it is a great choice. You will have a perfectly timbre-matched front stage set. Most center speakers from speaker product lines aren't ever a perfect match for the front left/right, contrary to popular belief.

I'll look into the KEF Q150s. I am leaning towards the VTF-3 for only another $250. Thanks for the L/R-C tip. I'm still bouncing around for Fronts.

 

[lovinthehd]

What avr do you have now? The 696? Or? If it provides 5.1/7.1 audio to your needs now I'd concentrate on speakers first.

 

[shadyJ]

I'll look into the KEF Q150s. I am leaning towards the VTF-3 for only another $250. Thanks for the L/R-C tip. I'm still bouncing around for Fronts.

The KEF speakers would be much higher fidelity speakers than the Klipsch.

 

[afterlife2]

You probably won't bother, but these are great small speakers for the price. I think they are amazing for small speakers. I'd get 3 and use one as a center speaker:

Amazon.com: Two-Way Bookshelf Speaker with 4 Inch Woofer: Home Audio & Theater

Amazon.com: Two-Way Bookshelf Speaker with 4 Inch Woofer: Home Audio & Theater

www.amazon.com

Another great pair is the DCM MTX Audio TP160 on ebay. They seem to have sold out in brown, but a two pair in black for 200 is a great deal as well:

6.5" Bookshelf Home Theater Speakers 100W RMS DCM MTX Audio TP160S-B 4 Pack | eBay

Perfect for music aficionados, special effect junkies, and devoted cinemaphiles. • RMS Power: 100 Watts. Car Audio Speakers. Car Audio Subwoofers. Car Audio Power Wire. Car Audio Dash Kits. Car Audio Tweeters.

www.ebay.com

 

[ewemule]

What avr do you have now? The 696? Or? If it provides 5.1/7.1 audio to your needs now I'd concentrate on speakers first.

I guess should have been more specific. I have none of what I listed originally. Right now I've a 43" Insignia Fire 4k Ultra with a Polk Audio 2.1. Beats the TV by itself but that's about it. The Polk would be nice for my brothers tiny Trillium camper though.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep specifics are good! Make and model always helps. So like a Polk computer speaker setup?

 

[ewemule]

You probably won't bother, but these are great small speakers for the price. I think they are amazing for small speakers. I'd get 3 and use one as a center speaker:

Amazon.com: Two-Way Bookshelf Speaker with 4 Inch Woofer: Home Audio & Theater

Amazon.com: Two-Way Bookshelf Speaker with 4 Inch Woofer: Home Audio & Theater

www.amazon.com

Another great pair is the DCM MTX Audio TP160 on ebay. They seem to have sold out in brown, but a two pair in black for 200 is a great deal as well:

6.5" Bookshelf Home Theater Speakers 100W RMS DCM MTX Audio TP160S-B 4 Pack | eBay

Perfect for music aficionados, special effect junkies, and devoted cinemaphiles. • RMS Power: 100 Watts. Car Audio Speakers. Car Audio Subwoofers. Car Audio Power Wire. Car Audio Dash Kits. Car Audio Tweeters.

www.ebay.com

I'll look ! Thank you. My firsts will be A/V receiver and sub. Then some L/R and C just to get by unless I come by some disposable $$

 

[afterlife2]

I'll look ! Thank you. My firsts will be A/V receiver and sub. Then some L/R and C just to get by unless I come by some disposable $$

Cool. I'd choose the Saga over the Polks. They are some great speakers. Don't forget to look in your local thrift shops I've found some great stuff there as of recent.

 

[ewemule]

I'll look ! Thank you. My firsts will be A/V receiver and sub. Then some L/R and C just to get by unless I come by some disposable $$

Those look pretty nice and would make for a good 5.1 at about $375-400 I may just grab some beaters, get A/V receiver and sub then save for higher quality L/R- C and surrounds a little bit later.

 

[ewemule]

Cool. I'd choose the Saga over the Polks. They are some great speakers. Don't forget to look in your local thrift shops I've found some great stuff there as of recent.

I'll be scouring the thrifty stores as we have quite a few. Cheers !

 

[ewemule]

Yep specifics are good! Make and model always helps. So like a Polk computer speaker setup?

Polk sound bar and it came with the little wireless sub.

 

[afterlife2]

I'll be scouring the thrifty stores as we have quite a few. Cheers !

Yep be sure to check them out I've been very lucky. I haven't gone 4K yet so I'll be sticking with 1080p for a while.