What would you do with $1000 and a VTF-3?

[Shell]

I'm needing suggestions for speakers in a room that measures 18x26, converted attic. The panel(Samsung 61" A650 DLP TV)is mounted in front of the sidewall, not endwall, about 6' from one end of the room. So I guess the actual area I'm needing to fill with sound would be more like 18x18.
Basically, I've got about $800-1000 to complete my system(including the receiver), and I already have the VTF-3. I was considering the high end HTiB solution(Onkyo 9100 or Samsung 3252), but I feel like I can do much better with seperates even if I have to wait for a streaming BD player until later.

I have no preference regarding book shelves or towers for the L/R's as far as aesthetics. They will be used mainly for HT, but I worry whether or not bookshelves will fill the room as well as towers when listening to music(that will probably be matrixed from stereo to 5.1)?
I have an older Hsu VTF-3, not sure if it is MK-2 or MK-1(if that ever existed).

I've seen the EMP Impressions, also have seen some Primus closeouts that look like alot of bang for the buck.
The SVS 5.0 SBS/SCS-01 package interests me also.
Was looking at the AV123 Trio special but I'm scared to do business with them right now.
So many options out there...

So far, I'm leaning towards the Pioneer VSX 1019AHK if I can find a good holiday deal. I'm open to suggestions on receivers also if you feel like it. 5.1 is fine, 3 HDMI inputs minimum.

Thanks for discussing my options with me.

 

[j_garcia]

Someone here is selling a set of 3 AV123 X-LS speakers for a ridiculous price. I'd jump on those if he still has them, otherwise I'd probably say SVS since you still need a receiver. With the sub you have, I wouldn't worry about music with bookshelf speakers at all. The SBS-01s are lower sensitivity though, so you will want to get as powerful of a receiver as you can with your funds. They can fill a room - I've heard them in a fairly large room with a Sony ES receiver and they did fine.

Room size is actual size, not your listening "area".

 

[jvgillow]

If I had your budget, I'd probably buy a refurb Denon AVR-590 (260+s/h) which can do all the new HDMI audio formats. I have the AVR-589 which doesn't do them and it is still an excellent performer. Pioneer's MCACC can't come close to the capabilities of Audyssey, IMHO. That leaves you about $700 to get the remaining 5.0 speakers.

I've heard the SVS speakers before but never really been impressed with them, even the more expensive series. One of my coworkers has some elemental designs speakers that he likes, but I haven't been over yet to listen to them. A 5.0 package of A6-6T6 MTMs and A6-5T5 comes in at $646 with free shipping. BIC Acoustech would be another option in that price range, if you prefer a horn design speaker. Overstock has the PL-76 towers with PL-26 center for $473 shipped and then you could add a couple of their surrounds for ~$200.

I know some people on this site have the EMP package and they will probably comment about its performance. It's an attractive introductory offer at $775 for the group. Any of these options will be way better than a HTIB solution

 

[j_garcia]

After reading a number of stories about the terrible customer service of eD, I would never buy anything from them. If you are afraid to buy from AV123, then you should be just as afraid to buy from eD IMO.

I felt the SBS-01s were good with music, but they like to be cranked louder due to their lower sensitivity. They do very well for the price, but I'd opt for SCS-01s for the front 3 vs the smaller ones.

Another option might be to get 3 pairs of Behringer 2030Ps which run around $150/pr and will likely sound better than the SBS-01s. http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB2030P

 

[JerryLove]

The Berhinger option sounds like a good one. Two pairs of EMP bookshelves and a Center would total <$600, leaving room for a sub and AVR (I echo the recommendation to pickup a recondition Marantz or the like).

 

[krzywica]

The Berhinger option sounds like a good one. Two pairs of EMP bookshelves and a Center would total <$600, leaving room for a sub and AVR (I echo the recommendation to pickup a recondition Marantz or the like).

He already has a VTF3.....hence the title of the thread.

 

[shadyJ]

The Speaker Company looks to have good affordable speakers. A lot of good things have been said about them. The Infinity Primus speakers are awesome, I just got some P162s and a PC350 center for a complete 5.0 set with my P362s, these things are terrific. You will be very hard pressed to get more bang from your buck. The Behringers look good also, if you don't mind the industrial aesthetic.

You can get three LCR speakers from The Speaker Company for $150!~ These have been positively reviewed, and at that price they are practically disposable. Something you could do is buy a bunch of those as temporary speakers, and save up for something for formidable.

 

[Shell]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I knew you guys would be able to broaden my scope.
I'll look into the Behringer's although I need to research how to wire a pair of speakers for use as a center.
I'm scoping out the TSC stuff as I type.
I just had to leave offshore for two weeks, so I won't be able to respond for a while after this. I'm hoping to be back right in time for some good deals around Black Friday. Wanted to let ya know I'm not flaking on you guys, I'll revisit this topic and my options when I get back.

 

[j_garcia]

If you have a receiver that is capable of 6.1, then you would use the 6th as the rear center

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I knew you guys would be able to broaden my scope.
I'll look into the Behringer's although I need to research how to wire a pair of speakers for use as a center.
I'm scoping out the TSC stuff as I type.
I just had to leave offshore for two weeks, so I won't be able to respond for a while after this. I'm hoping to be back right in time for some good deals around Black Friday. Wanted to let ya know I'm not flaking on you guys, I'll revisit this topic and my options when I get back.

Just use it vertically if you can. If you have to you can lay it on it's side. You will get the same sound you would from an MTM center that way.

BTW the first thing I thought was spend it on booze and women, but I'm glad to see our maturity level has risen here.

 

[Shell]

Just pulled the trigger on a Pio VSX-21THX, as well as a set of Jamos( 4-E 660 floor standers, and a S 60 CEN), and I will be adding a $150 Samsung BDP 1600 this weekend. Total cost shipped will be $959. Still some budget left over for speaker wire and a couple HDMI cables.