L/R/C help, $500-600 budget

[PeteyNice]

Hi!

So I currently have a 2.0 setup with a pair of Polk Monitor 30's fed from an Onkyo SR606. I want to banish those speakers to surround status and setup a 5.0 (eventually getting a sub later). My budget for this endeavor is $500-$600 all in.

Initially I was all about the SVSound SBS-01 x2, SCS-01 x 1 idea but I am somewhat impatient and don't want to wait until the end of October.

I am also considering an PSB Alpha B1 x2, C1 x 1 idea.

Otherwise I am really at a loss. I see av123 thrown around a lot but they seem to be out of my range unless I went with three center speakers.

So what do ya'll think of those three options? Other brands I should be looking at? This will be a 100% TV/DVD environment. I am partial to the look of bookshelf speakers on stands for L/R but would consider towers.

I appreciate any help. This is all pretty daunting.

 

[Adam]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

There are a lot of threads here that address this same issue, so I'd suggest doing a little bit of looking through the forum if you haven't already (although, it looks like you have). You might find some good bits of info.

One typical recommendation is to go out and listen to speakers, or order from places that will let you send them back if you don't like them (preferably without having to pay shipping fees). You can listen in chain stores and specialty audio/video stores. You can also order from places like Crutchfield (free shipping both ways if order is over $249, with no restocking fee) for major brand names, or order some internet-direct speakers like Aperion Audio (free shipping both ways, no restocking fee).

BTW, do you like your Polks?

Adam

 

[GlocksRock]

I was going to suggest the SVS speakers, but that was already your plan... I guess you could just keep waiting, since good things come to those who wait.

 

[PeteyNice]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

There are a lot of threads here that address this same issue, so I'd suggest doing a little bit of looking through the forum if you haven't already (although, it looks like you have). You might find some good bits of info.

One typical recommendation is to go out and listen to speakers, or order from places that will let you send them back if you don't like them (preferably without having to pay shipping fees). You can listen in chain stores and specialty audio/video stores. You can also order from places like Crutchfield (free shipping both ways if order is over $249, with no restocking fee) for major brand names, or order some internet-direct speakers like Aperion Audio (free shipping both ways, no restocking fee).

BTW, do you like your Polks?

Adam

I have read a lot of threads but once you start going back more than a couple of months there is a lot of talk about deals that have expired and systems that have been discontinued.

I like the Polks well enough for what they are. I got them cheap and think will be fine for surrounds. I wouldn't want to make them my mains by any means.

I have tried to get together with a PSB dealer here (Atlanta) but we keep missing each other.

 

[Seth=L]

Good things do come to those who wait.

 

[mazersteven]

If you don't want to wait for the SVS speakers then my suggestion would be to order 3 of these.

Ascend Acoustic CBM-170 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

 

[mazersteven]

I see av123 thrown around a lot but they seem to be out of my range unless I went with three center speakers.

AV 123 x-ls encore $329
http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,172/category_id,21/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

AV123 x-cs encore $219
http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,174/category_id,21/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

Still under budget (wait closer to x-mas for the Santa Schifter sale)

Or they have the ELT525 series

http://av123.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,51/Itemid,37/

 

[jostenmeat]

Hi!

My budget for this endeavor is $500-$600 all in.

I am also considering an PSB Alpha B1 x2, C1 x 1 idea.

Otherwise I am really at a loss. I see av123 thrown around a lot but they seem to be out of my range unless I went with three center speakers.

First of all, I am completely unfamiliar with AV123 and SVS speakers. Secondly, I wouldn't be too overwhelmed or intimidated if I were you. Learning about speakers by reading IS helpful . . . but . . . in the same way that reading about cars is helpful. Once you take a test drive, things become so much more clear and easy.

IMO, the Image line is a very worthy and large step up from the Alpha line, for just little more. I do own Images, but I've heard them more recently side-by-side in the same room. The fact is that the Image front three will fit into budget. Look at Saturday Audio and DMC electronics.

IMO, they make very good HT speakers, as they can crank. Overall, they are indeed decent speakers, and I couldn't believe their value when first purchasing them. However, the Ascends that mazer is recommending are something else as far as imaging and wide soundstage for the money, when listening to classical on them. IMO, they beat the Images in these regards. OTOH, I don't know if the Ascends can crank for HT purposes the way PSB can, and I also noticed some inarticulate bass response. However, this could have easily be due to setup and room.

 

[surferaudio]

Boy oh boy, the $500 all in dilemma. You have no idea how many times my friends ask me with that question, "Dude.. $500 max.. what are your recommends".

The above posters are correct in their recommendations:

1) The Ascends is a value leader and have been rated well in budget speaker shootouts.

2) The affordable AV123 lines are really powerful bang for buck performers thanks to MLS or M. Seaton's ingenuity.

3) I want to recommend Acculine. The person who setup the get-together mmet for the speaker shootout actually retained the Acculines for further personal testing and still loves them. (Look at avsforum by the name of Craigsub).

My recommendation is to check out the LCR offering by acculine, the floorstanders called A3 for $319 and the center channel for $119. This falls below your $500 mark. The tweeter of those LCRs is the kicker: it uses Maggie technology.

The website is: http://www.theaudioinsider.com/ - click on the acculine page. John Lane, the owner will be of extreme help to you if you call him to audition this.

4) I want to also recommend tweakcityaudio.com on a set of speakers called WAF-1 and its corresponding sub - SCAMP 10, designed by Mark Seaton. You will be hardpressed to find a better bang/buck performer than tweakcityaudio.com.

 

[Gov]

If you don't want to wait for the SVS speakers then my suggestion would be to order 3 of these.

Ascend Acoustic CBM-170 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

Ditto to this!

 

[PeteyNice]

I want to thank everyone for their replies. Most helpful!

After further reading, I have narrowed it down to the ascend 170s or waiting for SVS. I do have two followup questions.

- Is getting an Ascend 340 for the center worth the $100 premium?

- Stands for the 170s? The stands offered by Ascend seem pretty steep at $110 + s/h.

Thanks!

 

[mazersteven]

If a 3rd 170 will not work as a center because of placement, then yes the 340 is worth the extra $100. IMO


Stands

www.standsandmounts.com
www.racksandstands.com

 

[PeteyNice]

I want to thank everyone for their advice. It was very valuable. I decided to go with two Ascend 170's and a 340 for a center channel. A little over my budget but I think it will be worth it.

I seriously considered the acculine's but at the end of the day I was not comfortable trying to make my receiver drive 4 ohm speakers. People say that it can be done but it makes the SR606 run very hot and that seems like it cannot be good for the overall longevity of electronics.

Thanks again!

 

[mazersteven]

I want to thank everyone for their advice. It was very valuable. I decided to go with two Ascend 170's and a 340 for a center channel. A little over my budget but I think it will be worth it.

Congratulations on your purchase. I think you will be extremely happy with your decision. Keep us posted on your thoughts in the "Write Your Own Review" section. And start a thread in the "Member Systems Gallery" section after you get your system set up.

 

[Gov]

Good Choice

 

[jostenmeat]

I think you will be extremely happy with your decision.

I am joining mazersteven in his prediction.

 

[PeteyNice]

I hope so! And I got the e-mail saying they shipped today and will be here Friday. A lot sooner than October!

Oh, and mazersteven, I am originally from Jersey, how bout those Giants!

 

[mazersteven]

Oh, and mazersteven, I am originally from Jersey, how bout those Giants!

Off to a good start. They looked good in the first half. Hope they continue to have outstanding road performances from last year. If they do we could have another outstanding year.

Where in Jersey?

 

[PeteyNice]

Off to a good start. They looked good in the first half. Hope they continue to have outstanding road performances from last year. If they do we could have another outstanding year.

Where in Jersey?

They could go 1-15 and I will be happy after winning last year. Seeing Strahan come out of the Lombardi Trophy was something else.

I grew up near Red Bank by the shore.

 

[mazersteven]

They could go 1-15 and I will be happy after winning last year. Seeing Strahan come out of the Lombardi Trophy was something else.
I grew up near Red Bank by the shore.

That was great with Strahan.

I used to vacation in Red Bank.