Best 7.1 speaker set for ~$1200

[Bogus83]

Hi all,

I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms here by asking this, but I'm hoping to get a few opinions. I've got a budget of about $1k (maybe a bit less, maybe a little bit more) for a set of speakers to complete my home theater. I was all but sold on the Infinity TSS-1200's until I read a few reviews saying that they aren't fantastic. I know DefTech's are the next recommendation, but I'm not too keen on them either.

I'll be living in a relatively small apartment (two bedroom, middle floor with neighbors on all sides), so I don't need an earth-shaking sub or extremely loud system. I'd much rather get something that errs on the side of quality rather than volume. I'd like to get a 7.1 system, but I'd be very happy with a really good 5.1 for the same price (I figure I can always expand the system later). I'll be (most likely) powering them through an Onkyo-sr875, so the speakers will need to able to work with a max output of ~120 watts.

Any ideas?

 

[mazersteven]

I'd like to get a 7.1 system, but I'd be very happy with a really good 5.1 for the same price (I figure I can always expand the system later). I'll be (most likely) powering them through an Onkyo-sr875, so the speakers will need to able to work with a max output of ~120 watts.

Any ideas?

Might as well put that receiver to use.

AV123 2--x-mtm Tower mains
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=105.1

1--x-cs Center
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1

4--x-ls Bookshelf Surrounds
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

And PM Mark L. Schifter and ask what a x-plosive sub would cost with the purchase of this package.

http://av123forum.com/member.php?find=lastposter&f=15

http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=25933

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

Bogus,
I second the AV123 X-series speaker option.

Another great system in your price range would be the 5.1 bookshelf system from SVS. It comes with a great 10" sub or you could upgrade to the 12" version.

Either of these system will perform much better than the satellite type speakers in the infinity system you listed. If asthetics are a major concern, then I would investigate in-wall or in-ceiling speakers.

Another note, I wouldn't recomend a $1500+ receiver to drive your $1k speaker system. The speakers are the most important audio component. You might consider a $500-1k receiver (705 or 805) and use the savings on better speakers, room treatments, an HD-DVD or BluRay player, etc.

 

[mazersteven]

Another note, I wouldn't recomend a $1500+ receiver to drive your $1k speaker system. The speakers are the most important audio component. You might consider a $500-1k receiver (705 or 805) and use the savings on better speakers.

I 100% agree. Other then the AV123 X-series speakers that like power. That receiver is overkill for the other $1000 systems. I would (if possible) return that receiver, and purchase the 805 or 705 if not going with the AV123 speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

For the money, those would be the first two I would recommend too.

 

[Bogus83]

I haven't purchased the receiver yet.

The reason I'm interested in that specific model is more for the upscaling ability with the reon processor. As far as I'm aware, the 805 doesn't upscale at all. But I'm no stranger to the advice about spending more on speakers than anything else. I think it might help to look at it from another angle:

I'm going to be living in a small apartment. I want to get an HDTV, and a PS3. If I'm going to get those things, I'd like to have a set of speakers that'll do it justice. Speakers need power, and it'd be silly to get an amp and no receiver. If I'm going to spend $800 on a receiver, I'd rather spend a bit more to get a more "future-proof" one, rather than selling it at a loss and buying a newer one later. I'm not trying to impress anyone with the sound, but I'd like it to be better than most really cheap (>$300) HTIB systems. That kind of leaves me in a tough spot- I'd love to spend more on a completely awesome set of speakers, but I currently don't have the budget, and just don't need them where I'll be living.

Any suggestions on a cheap system that'd be even somewhat passable for the time being? Or should I just get something like the Sony DA4300ES, which can be had for ~$800? The AV123 system, with sub, would be about $865 before shipping. That's about the same as the TSS-1200's with shipping (from many online sources). I get that the AV123 system is better, but is it worth it to invest $865 in an "ok" system? If a system at twice that price would be significantly better, I'd rather get a cheapo HTIB setup to hold me over while saving up for a system worth owning.

 

[mazersteven]

I'm not trying to impress anyone with the sound, but I'd like it to be better than most really cheap (>$300) HTIB systems. That kind of leaves me in a tough spot- I'd love to spend more on a completely awesome set of speakers, but I currently don't have the budget, and just don't need them where I'll be living.

Any suggestions on a cheap system that'd be even somewhat passable for the time being? Or should I just get something like the Sony DA4300ES, which can be had for ~$800? The AV123 system, with sub, would be about $865 before shipping. That's about the same as the TSS-1200's with shipping (from many online sources). I get that the AV123 system is better, but is it worth it to invest $865 in an "ok" system? If a system at twice that price would be significantly better, I'd rather get a cheapo HTIB setup to hold me over while saving up for a system worth owning.

The AV123 x-series system is on sale right now, and not just an OK system. It is not an $800 system. It's really a $1350 system. And IMO to reproduce the sound quality you would have to spend $2K from another manufacturer. The TSS-1200 system isn't even close or in the same league as the AV123's.

If your thinking of the Onkyo 875 because of it's video features, awesome. It also would be excellent, IMO for the AV123's.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I get that the AV123 system is better, but is it worth it to invest $865 in an "ok" system? If a system at twice that price would be significantly better, I'd rather get a cheapo HTIB setup to hold me over while saving up for a system worth owning.

I love my Def Tech system & I can vouch for them. I think they are very high quality. High frequency, midrange, upper bass, and lower bass all sound outstanding to me.

If I were you (and you were me), this is what I would do:

1) Buy a pair of Def Tech BP10B 42" towers for $900 (free S/H) & use this 2.0 system until I save up more money.

2) I know someone who uses five of the BP10B speakers for Front L + R, Center, & Surrounds. They sound great for 5.1 or 7.1. Identical speakers for every channel.

3) Later you can add a subwoofer. A lot of people here would recommend SVS subwoofers or HSU.

If your brain is anything like mine eek, you will probably want to match the subwoofer's brand to the main speakers.

May I dare say plan on 7 BP10B towers + 1 Trinity Signature Subwoofer (7.1) = $4,100 total over a period of 2 or 3 years depending on how fast you can save up?

I think Mazer is calling me silly names about now.

He tries to dissuade me from even thinking "Def Tech" for subs.

However, I will probably buy that $2K Def Tech Trinity Signature Sub (16-150Hz +/-3dB @116dB, Two 14-inch Active Drivers, Four 14-inch Passive Radiators, 2,000 Watts RMS amp, 18"x18"x32", 175lbs). Okay, calm down, Mazer. calm down.

Anything but Def Techs, right, Mazer?

I know a lot of people don't like that idea of matching BRAND of Sub + Main Speakers. So I can also hear them (along with Mazer) calling me silly names about now.

Def Tech BP10B Specs: 42" tall, 65lbs, Freq Resp 20Hz-20kHz +/-6dB (25Hz-20kHz +/-3dB @ 90dB w/m).

As far as Frequency Response go, you cannot beat this with any other speakers costing $4,000 a pair! But this is only on paper, not the final answer. There are more important things than F.R.

Now your ears will be the final test. Only you can say if these Def Techs will sound as good to you as they do to me or other owners of these speakers.

I don't own these exact ones, but I have listened to them at one of my friends' house.

Lastly, Mazer's recommendation of AV123 system is also very nice, although I have never listened to them. I have only listened to A LOT of Def Techs, some NHTs, Klipsch, Mirage, Infiniti, & Paradigms.

Don't buy the HTIB.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep; like Steven, JC nad JG said...the AV123 system would be awesome. Get the AVR that has the features you need and be done with it. Dont even try to compare it with any HTIB; it will blow all them away as well as 70% of anything that any of us have.

 

[mazersteven]

I think Mazer is calling me silly names about now.

You're darn right I am. LOL

 

[desertdragon]

I haven't purchased the receiver yet.

The AV123 system, with sub, would be about $865 before shipping. That's about the same as the TSS-1200's with shipping (from many online sources). I get that the AV123 system is better, but is it worth it to invest $865 in an "ok" system? If a system at twice that price would be significantly better, I'd rather get a cheapo HTIB setup to hold me over while saving up for a system worth owning.

I am only commenting because I have the TSS1200, the rest of the guys are way more knowledgeable.
I bought the TSS1200 systems for $723 delivered from this site:
http://www.highdecibels.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TSS-1200

I mainly use this system to watch movies, and to my untrained ears, they are very good for the price, considering that my room is fairly big (living room, dinning room and kitchen with no separations. For your small apartment, I think it will be a lot better.
The factors that I considered before I made the decision:
1. Cost. (I am cheap and have too many hobbies, and did not want to spend a lot of money on a HT.)
2. I wanted speakes that do not take up a lot of spaces and have a good forms factor. (This system has very high WAF)
3. I just want them to watch movies, not very into musics.

Good luck with your research, I hope you enjoy your HT no matter what you end up buying.

 

[johnnymac36]

Recommendation

Hello,
I am in agreement with much of what has been said. I recently installed an SVS 5.1 system with a 10" sub connected to my Harmon Kardon receiver, and I could not be happier. I have a Sanyo PLV-Z5 projector and a 110" 2.5 gain screen in my basement, and it is an excellent setup. I have an HDMI cable from the projector to a splitter, and then two other HDMI cables going to my cable box and DVD player.

I looked at Denon/ DefTech from BestBuy, but it was a little pricey for what I needed. I have an upconverting DVD player and an HD cablebox, so I can get HD channels with audio. The as-yet undefeated Patriots look great on it.

I am very satisfied with my home theater setup.

 

[mazersteven]

Bogus83,

What did you end up doing?