New to sound systems please help.

[hypeman]

I would like to set up a system in my room for mostly movie, and gaming purposes. I would like to start of with a 2.1 system, but being upgradible. My budget is around 400-500 dollars. I've seen speakers from Energy being the c 300 for about 135 and Klipsch r-10 for about the same price would these be good speakers or would I best with another brand. Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rnatalli]

I'm assuming $400-$500 for 2 speakers and a subwoofer? Do you already have a receiver?

Speaker selection is completely subjective. You have to get out and audition as many as possible. My usual list is PSB, Monitor Audio, Aperion, Axiom, Av123, and Ascend. The latter four can only be auditioned in your home, but some like Aperion will pay shipping both ways if you don't like their speakers.

 

[hypeman]

Yes I would like 2 speakers and a subwoofer. No reciever yet though the budget is not for the reciever for its the speakers alone for I already have money set aside to get an Insignia for 178 at best buy.

 

[Midcow2]

Cambridge Audio S30s and Dayton SUB-120HT

I would like to set up a system in my room for mostly movie, and gaming purposes. I would like to start of with a 2.1 system, but being upgradible. My budget is around 400-500 dollars. I've seen speakers from Energy being the c 300 for about 135 and Klipsch r-10 for about the same price would these be good speakers or would I best with another brand. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is my recommendation:

Cambridge Audio S30s $219 /pairhttp://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Natural-Oak/M/B00196SJOI.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle
If you upgrade later , these make good surround speakers.


Dayton SUB-120 HT $155
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-SUB-120-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000C9NV78



You also might want to look at a recent 2009 budget speaker shoot-out Audioholics recently completed: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52090


Good luck!

MidCow2

 

[rnatalli]

Is the receiver part of your $400-$500 budget?

 

[hypeman]

Is the receiver part of your $400-$500 budget?

No it's not. One problem though is that there is no place where I can really audition speakers for I have a Wal-mart, Best Buy, and Sears they only sell and audition the HTIB systems and Bose which both didn't sound too good for the prices they have on them.

 

[lsiberian]

At least audition the TSC's.

If you are handy or can become handy. There is a great subwoofer build which will smoke any subwoofer under 1000 and many above that. Usually it can be put together for a decent price.

You could also get a subwoofer kit from Dayton. I suggest looking at this route because you will end up with a better sub.

For speakers. I think the best bang for buck deal going is on the Infinity Beta series via ebay. You can get two Beta 20's direct from infinity for around 70 each including shipping. The bang for buck can't be beat. The build quality is excellent and these speaker have metal grills(something I prefer.)
that leaves you with at least 260 to 360 for a subwoofer.

I think in that range you can do a decent DIY

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-760
If you are very lazy and want easy. That DIY will be very good for the price.

We have a couple of geniuses on this forum when it comes to DIY sub options. They can recommend something in your price range, and your work level.

 

[hypeman]

At least audition the TSC's.

If you are handy or can become handy. There is a great subwoofer build which will smoke any subwoofer under 1000 and many above that. Usually it can be put together for a decent price.

You could also get a subwoofer kit from Dayton. I suggest looking at this route because you will end up with a better sub.

For speakers. I think the best bang for buck deal going is on the Infinity Beta series via ebay. You can get two Beta 20's direct from infinity for around 70 each including shipping. The bang for buck can't be beat. The build quality is excellent and these speaker have metal grills(something I prefer.)
that leaves you with at least 260 to 360 for a subwoofer.

I think in that range you can do a decent DIY

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-760
If you are very lazy and want easy. That DIY will be very good for the price.

We have a couple of geniuses on this forum when it comes to DIY sub options. They can recommend something in your price range, and your work level.

When you say tsc you mean that company that makes the tst speakers

 

[zeuiax]

KEF IQ7 400 shipped at vanns.com
Energy sub ofr $88 or something similar at audioadviser.com

 

[zeuiax]

When you say tsc you mean that company that makes the tst speakers

its called The Speaker Company.

 

[rnatalli]

I'd probably go with either a Dayton sub or a used X-sub and a nice pair of bookshelf speakers in the $299/pair range. I like the Axiom M2v2, AV123 ELT, PSB B25, Monitor Audio BR2, Mordaunt-Short 902, and Ascend HTM-200SE. I'd also check out Av123's B-stock list:

http://av123.com/component/page,shop.browse/category_id,16/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,130/

They have some of their classic X-MTM speakers for like $199/pair which is a pretty darn good deal if you can live with some visual imperfections.

 

[hypeman]

Thanks for the recommendations guys I think I will go with the Infinity betas, but before I do the C-300 from Energy and the TST-1 from TSC has some good reviews does anyone have experience with them.

 

[phlakvest]

For speakers I have heard great things about the svs scs1
You can get a set of those for $350. Then get a 12" dayton for around $150.

Most direct order online speaker manufacture have a 30-45 day in home trial.
Some they cover shipping both way's some you have to pay to ship them back.

 

[bandphan]

another budget setup...

2 http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php/p/acculine-a1/products_id/65

1 http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php/p/acculine-asub/products_id/68

$400