Building my HT again after 8 years - Need some advice

[bluezman32]

Hello All!

I am new to this forum, and after reading many threads, I am really impressed with the level of detail everyone offers.

Here is my situation:

Fourscore and 8 years ago I purchased an Onkyo TX-DS787 with the Bose Acoustimass 15 system. Since then, the Onkyo still kicks butt, however, the Bose bass unit has crapped out on me. I was never really pleased with the sound the bose satellites made anyway.

I now want to begin slowly building a new HT system. My thought process at the moment is to use the Onkyo TX-DS787 for now and focus my resources on speakers.

Space is an issue and I am looking for speakers that will handle HT and music just as well, but I need to keep this at $1K. The other caveat is I can save money on the surround speakers because I have no way to mount them, so I am looking for (2) mains and center channel.

I have been looking at going with floorstanding for the mains and skipping the sub for now, and getting a matching center channel for the mains.

I have been looking at the av123 ELT525s for the mains and center channel.

With all that said, am I thinking right with keeping my Onkyo AVR and starting with the speakers, and some suggestions for speakers that are good for HT and music.

Thanks again for any help!

 

[mazersteven]

If you want towers you might want to do some research between the

ELT525T Tower Pair
x-mtm encore Tower
x-statik Open Baffle

Maybe ask some guys that have owned or auditioned them. I myself have only auditioned the original x-mtm tower, and the x-ls encores. And if the new x-mtm encores sound anything like the x-ls encores, and better then the original mtm's. Then AV123 has a winner.

http://av123forum.com/

Also Emotiva is coming out with a new budget tower speaker. I heard a pre-production set and they sounded great. Majorloser would have more information on them.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=42810

 

[jcPanny]

ELT speakers

AV123 is running a promotion for a 5.0 ELT system with the ELT towers for about $1200 shipped. There is another deal that includes a new receiver with the package. I am using the ELT525s for my surround channels and they are great for a compact, entry level speaker.

Check out the specs on your receiver and make sure that it does Dolby digital processing, if not, start looking for an upgrade.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum, bluezman32!

Check out the specs on your receiver and make sure that it does Dolby digital processing, if not, start looking for an upgrade.

Yep, the TX-DS787 will do THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic decoding. That, and it has 7.1 analog inputs. So, it should work well for now. There's certainly more capable units out there, but I agree that you should focus on your speakers first.

 

[mazersteven]

Here are those Emotiva speakers I mentioned.

http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=speakers&thread=1856

 

[bluezman32]

Thank you to everyone for your input!

I am considering going with the ELT525 bookshelf speakers and the ELT525 center channel. My thought is I can use the ELT525Ms later as surround speakers once I get into a bigger place.

With that said, if I go that route, would you all mind in giving some recommendations for a quality subwoofer? I am more into tight, accurate type bass instead of the muddy rumble. I realize the rumble is what people want with HT, but this will be a mixed use system and when I listen to music, I want to hear tight sound.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Adam]

What is your budget for a sub? You originally mentioned $1K for the whole package, and I'm not sure how much those bookshelves and center are going to run you (although it looks like about $550 + shipping unless there's a sale).

 

[bluezman32]

Your right, the speakers are about $550 plus shipping. I was thinking a max of $500 to spend on the sub if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[Adam]

Thanks. I forgot to ask something else - how large is your room? Room size (volume, actually) will play a role in what we recommend.

 

[rnatalli]

I have a pair of ELT525 bookshelves in Rosewood that have seen little use which I'm probably going to sell up. If you're interested...

 

[fredk]

Hey Bluezman. Check out av123 to see if there is someone local that will let you audition their 525 towers? If you like what you hear, rnatallis offer may get you closer to picking up a sub.

If you can, try to listen to a few different speakers in your price range on that day so you have some comparison. Something like the PSB T45 should be easier to find in a local store.

 

[mazersteven]

It's also getting close to that time a year again for Santa Schifter Holiday Specials.

 

[fredk]

Does anyone buy an av123 system at full pop?

 

[Davidt1]

Thank you to everyone for your input!

I am considering going with the ELT525 bookshelf speakers and the ELT525 center channel. My thought is I can use the ELT525Ms later as surround speakers once I get into a bigger place.

With that said, if I go that route, would you all mind in giving some recommendations for a quality subwoofer? I am more into tight, accurate type bass instead of the muddy rumble. I realize the rumble is what people want with HT, but this will be a mixed use system and when I listen to music, I want to hear tight sound.

Thanks again everyone!

I am also considering the AV123 ELT525M as front speakers, but the low sensitivity has me concerned a bit. I am wondering if this is because that speaker was designed to be a surround speaker, as the towers and center have higher sensitivity ratings.

 

[bluezman32]

I have the same concern about the lower sensitivity. I am looking for somewhere local to audition these speakers.

I am also considering the AV123 ELT525M as front speakers, but the low sensitivity has me concerned a bit. I am wondering if this is because that speaker was designed to be a surround speaker, as the towers and center have higher sensitivity ratings.

 

[bluezman32]

I appreciate you letting me know! I am currently trying to find a place to audition these speakers... certainly if I decide to go with the ELT525Ms... I will hit you first.

Thanks!

I have a pair of ELT525 bookshelves in Rosewood that have seen little use which I'm probably going to sell up. If you're interested...

 

[bluezman32]

My room is approximately 11x20.

Thanks. I forgot to ask something else - how large is your room? Room size (volume, actually) will play a role in what we recommend.

 

[Davemcc]

I'm going to suggest this subwoofer. It may be a stretch target in that budget, but well worth the stretch. http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html

 

[jcPanny]

ELT525 speakers

My room is approximately 11x20.

The ELT525 speakers should be fine in your room with any reasonable receiver (entry level Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc.). If your receiver is the HTIB variety or you like to listen at ear bleading levels then you might have a problem.

I have these for my surrounds and my Emotiva amp can only supply 50-60 watts to these channels.

 

[Warpdrv]

Here are those Emotiva speakers I mentioned.

http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=speakers&thread=1856

Those look mighty impressive... I wonder how they will sound...
Thanks for the new info.... Emotiva is certainly scrambling along with all the products that they are trying to produce...