$500 budget for system - Advice?

[simpsonps121]

Hi Guys,
You are recommened by AVS, so here goes.
I have $500 that I can spend on a theatre system. I have the room prewired for 5.1 or 7.1 satellites - on wall mounted. I have a cheap Insignia receiver that I can use, but I would probably need to upgrade. Any suggestions?

Tweeter had the Polk Audio 6750 for $299 and the Sapphire SAT 1000 for $288. That is what is leading my ideas right now.

thanks,
matthew

 

[cruiseoveride]

Check out bestbuy, they have a deal for a Bose 5.1 and a Yamaha reciever, was pretty decently priced

 

[avaserfi]

I wouldn't look at bose in the least, one its out of your price range and two its a rip off.

What are you planning on using the system for and what are the amounts (movies, games, music)?

 

[simpsonps121]

Thanks for the advice.
I can get an Athena 6 system for about $300... So that is another option.

I will use it:
40% for movies
30% TV (Sports)
20% games
10% music

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[no. 5]

Something from KEF, perhaps?

 

[tomahawktim]

If you can grab the Micra6 by Athena, then do it! Most folks are pleased with the system and the price is fair. Have you at all tried to negotiate $30-$40 off the $300? If you don't ask, you don't get. (as a friend used to tell me.... he was right too!)

The left over couple hundred dollars can go to a decent entry level receiver.
While you are enjoying your new system for a couple or three years, you can research your next step up. Good luck and enjoy.

P.S. I followed the Audioholics recommendation for the Micra6 and will always be grateful for the advice.

 

[memonmz]

Stick with the receiver you have for now(something is better than nothing) and buy and spend your 500 budget on some speakers and get a new receiver when money permits. I btw am looking to sell my 2 month or so month old Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 60 speaker set(2 fronts, 2 rears, and a 8in sub) so I can get the towers that I want. They were purchased from Best Buy so I can give you a reciept for warranty purposes. They retail for 699.99 but i'll sell them for 425+shipping. If you search around here you'll see the good reviews this speaker set has gotten and you can't go wrong with the Def Tech name

 

[jinjuku]

Hi Guys,
You are recommened by AVS, so here goes.
I have $500 that I can spend on a theatre system. I have the room prewired for 5.1 or 7.1 satellites - on wall mounted. I have a cheap Insignia receiver that I can use, but I would probably need to upgrade. Any suggestions?

Tweeter had the Polk Audio 6750 for $299 and the Sapphire SAT 1000 for $288. That is what is leading my ideas right now.

thanks,
matthew

Hi Matthew,

There are a few ways that you could handle this:

First off is use the $500 for a 2.1 system. This will allow you to buy higher quality components.

It sounds like you went through the expense of a pre-wire, so you have at least a decent standard that you want to hold to.

I don't know what others are going to say, but you should really look at the BIC line. I just picked up two DV-62CLRS (MTM: Mid-Tweeter-Mid) ported speaker that for ~$100/per shipped simply floored me.

That would leave you $300 for a sub. Check out the BIC Acoustech H-100 Search the forums for both these pieces or Google it.

So that was option 1,

Option 2 is:

4 BIC DV62si for $110 per pair shipped from Amazon, plus a DV 62-CLRS for center channel duty and some ~$200 sub (I will have to let others make recommendations).

Your budget is a tad unrealistic for 7.1 of any quality. You really should try and punch your budget up to $700-800 if you can.

Keep the receiver until you can upgrade.

I hope this helps.

 

[jinjuku]

I know others are suggesting items like the Micra6 and other HTIB...

IMO, they won't stand toe 2 toe with the BIC setup that I am recommending. You have $500 to spend, so I would spend it. If you can get another $100, you could get option 2 with the H-100 sub and I think would end up being killer for the money spent.

 

[jcPanny]

2.1 setup

I would also recommend starting with a quality 2.1 setup.
You should also consider a pair of AV123 X-LS speakers and X-sub for about $400 and an entry level receiver for $1-200. These bookshelf speakers will play lower than most HTIB subs and the X-sub has quality output down to 30 Hz.

 

[Seth=L]

Check out bestbuy, they have a deal for a Bose 5.1 and a Yamaha reciever, was pretty decently priced

What the hell, how would a Bose/yamaha system be within the OP's budget or logical purchasing options if they had the money for Bose/Yamaha anyway (the Yamaha is fine, but Bose is crap, CRAPPY CRAP!)

 

[Ryan8886]

Not sure if towers are on option or you're only considering bookshelves and cubes. However, the Athena Micra system that was mentioned earlier got me to poking around. If you decided you wanted to go the 2-channel route, you could move into these towers from Athena and still be below budget.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASF2.2

Or....a little more cash buys you the center channel as well

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASC1.2

and you've got your matched front stage all set for your $500 budget. You can always use some leftover speakers for rear surrounds until there's more in the budget to upgrade. The Audition Series is the outgoing model line, however they're a well regarded budget tower speaker.
Due to your cash restrictions, I would recommend leaving the sub out of the equation for now, if you go that route. The F2.2's will go down to about 35Hz, surpassing most of the low-end subs. Any of the cheapo subs will just huff and puff next the them, making all kinds of god awful sounds. If you later want to get into the room-rattling business, save up and blow the wad down the road on something from SVS or Hsu . Just a thought. Enjoy!

 

[jinjuku]

Not sure if towers are on option or you're only considering bookshelves and cubes. However, the Athena Micra system that was mentioned earlier got me to poking around. If you decided you wanted to go the 2-channel route, you could move into these towers from Athena and still be below budget.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASF2.2

Or....a little more cash buys you the center channel as well

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASC1.2

and you've got your matched front stage all set for your $500 budget. You can always use some leftover speakers for rear surrounds until there's more in the budget to upgrade. The Audition Series is the outgoing model line, however they're a well regarded budget tower speaker.
Due to your cash restrictions, I would recommend leaving the sub out of the equation for now,

The price is $399 per speaker, not for the pair. Based on spec alone, the center channel you linked won't keep up with the BIC DV 62-CLRS's and the price is the same.

I disagree with leaving out the sub. He would be better off with 2 MTM and decent sub. I would say that a str8 up 2.0 system would be good if your primary desire was music listening but given his preferences....

Bottom line is for $500, beggars can't be choosers. It is do-able but compromises will have to be made. The trick is making the best compromise.

I think for $600-650 will give him a livable setup that will meet all his criteria of making it to a 5.1 system. If it is strictly a $500 budget, then a solid 2.1 is what I would do for myself personally.

I couldn't come to spend my cash on a HTIB or Micro system. The urge to upgrade would hit too soon.

Another is to see if Fry's is blowing out any Polks, but again I have seen posters preferring the BIC to the Polks.

 

[Matt34]

I would also recommend starting with a quality 2.1 setup.
You should also consider a pair of AV123 X-LS speakers and X-sub for about $400 and an entry level receiver for $1-200. These bookshelf speakers will play lower than most HTIB subs and the X-sub has quality output down to 30 Hz.

I second this recommendation. When more funds become available add a matching X-CS center and another pair of X-LS to complete the 5.1.

 

[jinjuku]

I second this recommendation. When more funds become available add a matching X-CS center and another pair of X-LS to complete the 5.1.

The X-LS is $219/pair plus shipping. Specs are:

* Two way, two driver direct-radiating system, vented enclosure with rear-firing flared port
* Drivers: 1" treated fabric dome and custom 6.5" curvilinear shaped treated paper cone woofer with polymer chassis
* Crossover: 1750Hz, 2nd order
* Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 20 KHz (± 3 dB)
* Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal
* Efficiency: 87 dB (@ 1 watt / 1 meter)
* Dimensions: 13.5" H x 8.5" W x 12.125" D
* Weight: 17 lbs each; ship weight = 42 lbs (shipped in pairs)

The BIC DV-62 CLRS / pair is $204 shipped from Amazon. Specs are:
# Design: Video Shielded, two-way, three-driver center channel speaker
# Frequency Response: 38Hz - 20kHz (+/- 3dB)
# Sensitivity: 90 db @ 1 watt, 1 meter
# Drivers: Two 6 1/2" poly/graphite woofers, 3/4" poly soft dome tweeter
# Magnetic Shielding: YES
# Gold-Plated Terminals:
# Recommended Power: 10-175 watts per channel
# Impedance: 8 Ohms
# Dimensions: 7 11/16" H x 20" W x 10" D
# Weight: 25 lbs each

They have a lower bottom end, more cone area. I really don't see the X-LS outperforming. The BIC is more sensitive and because of that needs less power to drive them.

You can get 2 DV 62 CLR-S's and the H-100 sub including shipping for under $500.

I would pit that up against a pair of X-LS's and the low end AV123 sub any day.

 

[Matt34]

The X-LS is $219/pair plus shipping. Specs are:

* Two way, two driver direct-radiating system, vented enclosure with rear-firing flared port
* Drivers: 1" treated fabric dome and custom 6.5" curvilinear shaped treated paper cone woofer with polymer chassis
* Crossover: 1750Hz, 2nd order
* Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 20 KHz (± 3 dB)
* Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal
* Efficiency: 87 dB (@ 1 watt / 1 meter)
* Dimensions: 13.5" H x 8.5" W x 12.125" D
* Weight: 17 lbs each; ship weight = 42 lbs (shipped in pairs)

The BIC DV-62 CLRS / pair is $204 shipped from Amazon. Specs are:
# Design: Video Shielded, two-way, three-driver center channel speaker
# Frequency Response: 38Hz - 20kHz (+/- 3dB)
# Sensitivity: 90 db @ 1 watt, 1 meter
# Drivers: Two 6 1/2" poly/graphite woofers, 3/4" poly soft dome tweeter
# Magnetic Shielding: YES
# Gold-Plated Terminals:
# Recommended Power: 10-175 watts per channel
# Impedance: 8 Ohms
# Dimensions: 7 11/16" H x 20" W x 10" D
# Weight: 25 lbs each

They have a lower bottom end, more cone area. I really don't see the X-LS outperforming. The BIC is more sensitive and because of that needs less power to drive them.

You can get 2 DV 62 CLR-S's and the H-100 sub including shipping for under $500.

I would pit that up against a pair of X-LS's and the low end AV123 sub any day.

I have no experience with the DV62s but when directly comparing my X-LS to my Bic Acoustech HT-65 towers the X-LS bass output is cleaner and deeper.

BIC acoustech HT-75 published FR - 35 Hz - 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB)

I don't put much faith in manufacture's claims regarding FR.

 

[Leprkon]

your budget is a little limited, but let me put something on the table...

start with these speakers

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/KEFKHT1005BLK

it's a moderate 5.1 small-speaker system

then go with a moderate reciever, either

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR504B

or, even better (but of course more expensive)

http://www.ubid.com/Denon_AVR-1907_595_Watts__7.1_Ch._AV_Home_Theater/a11039824.html

the magic to this set-up is you can buy a pair of towers or bookshelves in a year or so, and move the smaller speakers backwards in the system without losing any of your investment.

Edit: I see now that these speaker have been mentioned from a previous source, as well..

 

[jinjuku]

I have no experience with the DV62s but when directly comparing my X-LS to my Bic Acoustech HT-65 towers the X-LS bass output is cleaner and deeper.

BIC acoustech HT-75 published FR - 35 Hz - 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB)

I don't put much faith in manufacture's claims regarding FR.

Are you talking about the Acoustech HT-65 (center) or the HT-75 towers?
From what I have heard about the Acoustech line (being bass shy), I would agree, they aren't meant to be musical speakers... BIC went for a certain target, hence the well regarded (by fellow audioholics) H-100 sub woofer.

I don't have experience w/ the HT-75's either. I think the DV 62 CLR-S will be a different beast, which is why there is a Venturi line and Acoustech line. BIC is catering to different markets with these items. BTW, the DV 62 CLR-S does almost as well in the bass department as my PSB Century 500i (1" tweeter/8" woofer ported) they definitely have better mids to highs,more detail and image better.

I wouldn't mind swapping for evaluation one of my DV62's for a X-LS to compare

Be nice to post our opinions, that would help some of the people here. If any one is game, I don't mind spending a couple of bucks on shipping for the good of the many.

My goals are to help the OP spend $500 the best way possible. Given my experience with the BIC's that I have compared to the well regarded PSB Century's, I can't help but be impressed with this $100 speaker.

I bet the OP is getting a brain strain @ this point.

 

[Ryan8886]

The price is $399 per speaker, not for the pair. Based on spec alone, the center channel you linked won't keep up with the BIC DV 62-CLRS's and the price is the same.

I disagree with leaving out the sub. He would be better off with 2 MTM and decent sub. I would say that a str8 up 2.0 system would be good if your primary desire was music listening but given his preferences....

Bottom line is for $500, beggars can't be choosers. It is do-able but compromises will have to be made. The trick is making the best compromise.

I think for $600-650 will give him a livable setup that will meet all his criteria of making it to a 5.1 system. If it is strictly a $500 budget, then a solid 2.1 is what I would do for myself personally.

I couldn't come to spend my cash on a HTIB or Micro system. The urge to upgrade would hit too soon.

Another is to see if Fry's is blowing out any Polks, but again I have seen posters preferring the BIC to the Polks.

jinjuku,

You need to be more observant. The price is $399 per pair on the Athenas. Double check your numbers. Also, while the C-1.2 center is probably the weak link in the AS line, it's still solid and matches the fronts well. The suggestion to hold off on a sub at this time was only if he were to go the tower route and strictly budgetary in nature. Clearly if he were to go with bookshelves, a sub would be warranted. Additionally, it was offered as an alternative suggestion to make the OP aware of all options; consider it one of the "compromises" you speak of.
Really the best advice to be given is to audition several types of speakers prior to any purchase and see what pleases the ear. Both BIC and Athena are solid names, however music to one person's ears is madness to another's.

 

[jinjuku]

jinjuku,

You need to be more observant. The price is $399 per pair on the Athenas. Double check your numbers. Also, while the C-1.2 center is probably the weak link in the AS line, it's still solid and matches the fronts well. The suggestion to hold off on a sub at this time was only if he were to go the tower route and strictly budgetary in nature. Clearly if he were to go with bookshelves, a sub would be warranted. Additionally, it was offered as an alternative suggestion to make the OP aware of all options; consider it one of the "compromises" you speak of.
Really the best advice to be given is to audition several types of speakers prior to any purchase and see what pleases the ear. Both BIC and Athena are solid names, however music to one person's ears is madness to another's.

Your right, the page said 399 each. They meant each pair. Honest mistake and I see how it could be made.

I gave kudos on a nice 2.0 setup, but from the OP's wish list, I am thinking the minimum would be a 2.1 setup.