$1000 Best bang for your buck setup

[WmAx]

For some reason I cannot edit the above post...

I just wanted to add that if I were to do the Behringers, I would really prefer a center speaker + 2 pairs of the 2030p. The packaging of the center channel on a cabinet or something like that really requires a low and wide speaker, not a tall one like the 2030p. So for around the cost of a pair of Behringers (130-150) what kind of center channel should I get?

You can set the 2030P so it lies on it's side. It will function just fine. No worse than the traditional MTM style center channel. You can even use two of them laying side by side if you want. It's also easy to avoid the two tweeters from canceling each other. Place a block of acoustic foam between them and it will block the lateral dispersion from L to R and vice versa, thus removing most of the cross-interference.

BTW, if you are serous about getting the 2030Ps, I'll draw up how to make the non-interference grills for you. But I'm not going to spend the time to do that unless you are sure you will be getting them.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

I have two sets of Klipsch speakers one for a computer (promedia 5.1 which will be recycled with my new computer) and a home theater setup which I like but I am not thoroughly impressed with. At the price point, given their total package, I still like the Jamos the most. I am going to try and get to two different retailers tomorrow and see if I can hear the Jamos or the Behringers and get a better idea of what I like.

I am narrowing the receiver down to these three, I would like to hear opinions:

Harmon Kardon 254 ~$240 shipped
Pioneer VSX-918V $240 shipped
Denon AVR-1610 $300+?

The HK and pioneer are both refurbished and the HK is a far better deal. The Pioneer is recommended by Home Theater magazine as a great entry receiver.

I am still unsure if the eVGA motherboard with both 8.1 audio and S/PDIF out will be able to dual transmit audio to two different sources (they would never be run at the same time however.) Anyone?

On a truly tight budget I'm still and advocate of a Beta 20-Beta 360-Beta 20

front set with a KEF eggs for surrounds. The 360 is no ordinary center. And is a very very good deal for under 200. This is a sligtly better version of the Revel C12 which retails for around 500 dollars.

The Beta 20s are the same as the revel M12 which retails for 650 bucks.

That is 1000 dollars of speaker for around 300 dollars.

I just don't see how anything else in that price range even comes close in Value. These speakers where tested Double blind against competitors and beat the competition. They are very good speakers. Don't underestimate them.

 

[WmAx]

On a truly tight budget I'm still and advocate of a Beta 20-Beta 360-Beta 20

front set with a KEF eggs for surrounds. The 360 is no ordinary center. And is a very very good deal for under 200. This is a sligtly better version of the Revel C12 which retails for around 500 dollars.

The Beta 20s are the same as the revel M12 which retails for 650 bucks.

That is 1000 dollars of speaker for around 300 dollars.

I just don't see how anything else in that price range even comes close in Value. These speakers where tested Double blind against competitors and beat the competition. They are very good speakers. Don't underestimate them.

The 2030P exceeds the Primus in so far as Dr. Toole's (formerly of Harman's top perceptual research for loudspeakers) recommendations for measured characteristics vs. human perception. It exceeds the Primus in cabinet resonance, off axis performance and overall averaged flat response.

-Chris

 

[Patrick_Wolf]

I am narrowing the receiver down to these three, I would like to hear opinions:

Harmon Kardon 254 ~$240 shipped
Pioneer VSX-918V $240 shipped
Denon AVR-1610 $300+?

The HK and pioneer are both refurbished and the HK is a far better deal. The Pioneer is recommended by Home Theater magazine as a great entry receiver.

I am still unsure if the eVGA motherboard with both 8.1 audio and S/PDIF out will be able to dual transmit audio to two different sources (they would never be run at the same time however.) Anyone?

Haha, I too have the Promedia 5.1, which I will sell off once my upgrade is done.

I really have no idea, but I'm not sure if the 819V would be the best choice for running towers in a HT, as it's amp is on the weaker side. I don't have hardly any experience with receivers, other than the one in my sig. Which maybe isn't the best for it's price, but it gets the job done.

As for the mobo. I'm not sure what you're trying to do exactly. If you want to connect your receiver and z5500 to it, that's easy. Since your board has both optical and coaxial output you could use one for the receiver and one for the z5500. Or you could connect the z5500 using the 3 analog connections. I think this would work, if that's what your trying to do. Though figuring out your PC's sound settings may be tricky. It was down right maddening for me.

 

[Protostar1]

Haha, I too have the Promedia 5.1, which I will sell off once my upgrade is done.

I really have no idea, but I'm not sure if the 819V would be the best choice for running towers in a HT, as it's amp is on the weaker side. I don't have hardly any experience with receivers, other than the one in my sig. Which maybe isn't the best for it's price, but it gets the job done.

As for the mobo. I'm not sure what you're trying to do exactly. If you want to connect your receiver and z5500 to it, that's easy. Since your board has both optical and coaxial output you could use one for the receiver and one for the z5500. Or you could connect the z5500 using the 3 analog connections. I think this would work, if that's what your trying to do. Though figuring out your PC's sound settings may be tricky. It was down right maddening for me.

Yes! It was that simple of a question. I just wanted to know if that digital S/PDIF out was for audio and would it output at the same time as the analogs. Thank you.

I am going to TRY and listen to the Jamos and the Behringers (assuming the models are carried by my local shops) and I will see if I prefer one to the other.

WmAx, would you think that one (or even two) of the 2030ps laid on their sides would be just as good as any $200 center channel? Hopefully I can hear a 2030p and put this debate to rest.

Thank you all so far, you have been very helpful!

 

[Protostar1]

Sorry to totally go off topic, but I have a Yamaha RX-V559 already and didnt realize it. Is this a pretty go receiver (I am using it anyway haha)?

I have a concern about video routing through this. If I have an S-Video IN AND a separate Component IN, can I connect my monitor/ TV by means of ONLY a component connection with this receiver? Thanks!

 

[WmAx]

I am going to TRY and listen to the Jamos and the Behringers (assuming the models are carried by my local shops) and I will see if I prefer one to the other.

Do note that the main benefit of the 2030P(it's superior off axis response) will not be audible in the showroom, as it's not like a room acoustic in your house where the off axis sound has a strong presence reflection from the walls.

WmAx, would you think that one (or even two) of the 2030ps laid on their sides would be just as good as any $200 center channel? Hopefully I can hear a 2030p and put this debate to rest.

As I stated earlier, this will work, if you lay them so the tweeters are sitting close together, and set a block (can be triangluar) of foam between the tweeters. This foam piece will block most of the negative consequences of having two tweeters operating together like this. In addition, the actual sound in your room with and without the block may be so small, that you don't even need the block. We are talking about good sounding low cost solutions, not top end audiophile sound systems here.

-Chris