Just got a bonus and my budget increased $500; Total = $1500

[shockemags]

I had been set on the Onkyo 605, Fluance AV-SC, AV-F3, AV-BP2, and X-sub for about a month know but I just did my budget and I have put in some unexpected over time this summer and have an extra $500 making my budget $1500 . I am going to stick with the 605 and X-Sub (I am in an apartment ). But for speaker upgrade I immediately thought of the AV123 X-series.

I would get the x-mtm Towers for the fronts, x-cs Center, x-sls Towers as the rears.

This is my first home theater and have no experience besides extensive internet research and I know AV123 is highly recommended my members of this board (Hell I started recommending it to ppl ). Can any one suggest a better $1500 (EXTREMELY FIRM) 5.1 system?

Thanks.

P.S. Any one have pictures of the Towers?

 

[slydog64]

I cant really suggest anything else. I just ordered a pair of the x-mtm's last week and they should be arriving in 3 weeks. Many users over at the forum on the av123 websites have excellent pictures of all the different finishes.

 

[gotchaforce]

nothing really touches the x-mtm as a $450 floor stander, so no thats pretty much the best out there in that price range.

 

[Davemcc]

I've never heard the AV123 speakers, but they are highly recommended. I would heed the warnings I've read about the Fluance and give them as pass.

Just out of curiosity, since you say you were set on the Fluance until recently, have you seen any specs on them yet?

 

[shockemags]

Specs on Fluance? They have reviews on http://audioreviews.com and CNET plus other sites here and there. They have a full website with specs, etc. (http://fluance.com). I thought about upgrading to the ES-1s but I'll prob stick with the x-tm's since they are much more respected.

PS I never heard a negative review or warning about Fluance considering the price range. What had you heard?

 

[Davemcc]

Oh man, you're right. I just got done reading a whole bunch of stuff about Nuance and it was still in my mind when I read your post. Nuance/Fluance...it's an important little detail that I missed this morning.

 

[shockemags]

Ha. Good deal. Any one have any other comments on the x-series?

 

[jcPanny]

X-ls bookshelf speakers

By using the X-ls bookshelf speakers for the surround channels, you could do the "risk free" trial, but I don't think you will be dissapointed with the X-series. Check out the GC deal they are running this month which includes 10% off and the option of buying a couple of their (future) subs at a discount price.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd say go with your selections from AV123. It will be tough to beat for the money. I might skip the towers for surrounds and just go X-CSs or X-LSs and push the sub budget higher, but that is your call.

 

[rnatalli]

I just bought a Mordaunt Short system here:

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46aa304800294d002740ac100341057c/Product/View/2516

I figure for $249, even if I don't like it, it's still worth a listen. I'd put Mordaunt well above Fluance for the money. Right now I have a post going to figure out what to do about a sub.

I also wanted to give the av123 speakers a listen, but they're backordered till late August

 

[avaserfi]

Your link is dead. Just an FYI. Are you out the 250 if you don't like the speakers or can you return them?

 

[shockemags]

Awesome. Thanks. I browsed the "Pics" Thread on the AV123 Forum so I got my fix. I'm sold. I do have a couple questions if thats ok...

1. I am in an apartment and I made a diagram (sorry for the crappy Paint skills) of my 2 rear speaker options... Which would yield the best sound (Directly Left and Right OR Diagonal)? And is there any way to improve AQ with the Front sound going into that open space?

2. Since the mtm's are the same driver as the x-cs, would I be better served (in an apartment) saving some money and going with 5 x-cs's w/ stands for Center, R/L Front, and R/L Rears w/ the X-sub? Or would the combo of mtm/cs and sls/ls make for better 5.1?

3. I know the est. shipping to zip 77840 on the x-sub is $33. Any idea what shipping would be for 5.1 system?

Thanks.

 

[rnatalli]

Your link is dead. Just an FYI. Are you out the 250 if you don't like the speakers or can you return them?

My bad on the link. I updated the post so it should work now. They can be returned, but you have to pay a restocking fee. But for $250 I figure if I don't like them, I can give them to a family member or sell them as MS does make a great speaker.

 

[j_garcia]

I am a Mordaunt fan. Good speakers overall.