First time buyer.

[Gen]

Really need some help, my budget is no more than $2000 for receiver and speakers. I compiled a list, and am ready to order, but maybe I'm missing something. Any help would be appreciated.

Onkyo TX-SR706 receiver and 2 x Martin Logan Preface speakers. The two loudspeakers are going to be for left and right - however, do I need an additional for the center sound? Or am I researching something different here?

 

[Ares]

First Welcome to the Forum, next what type of setup are you looking for 2.0,2.1,3.1,5.1 or 7.1? Is this setup for movies,music or both? once you have given a little more info we can take it from there and offer you some advice towards that end.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You also want to add room measurements to provide more accurate recommendations.

 

[Gen]

First Welcome to the Forum, next what type of setup are you looking for 2.0,2.1,3.1,5.1 or 7.1? Is this setup for movies,music or both? once you have given a little more info we can take it from there and offer you some advice towards that end.

Well, its my home-theatre set-up, so I'll using it for everything; movies, music, hooking up my laptop to my TV - which is going to be connected to the speakers and everything. Basically, my whole entertainment is to be used with this set up.

I'm also aiming for 7.1 - which I hope my chosen speakers and receiver will be able to handle nicely.

You also want to add room measurements to provide more accurate recommendations.

It's an average sized living room, open ceiling. I don't know the exact measurements though.

The more I read this forum the more I'm finding out - like, do I really need a subwoofer? I'm not really looking for a strong bass - just a nice and clear sound.

 

[Ares]

Well, its my home-theatre set-up, so I'll using it for everything; movies, music, hooking up my laptop to my TV - which is going to be connected to the speakers and everything. Basically, my whole entertainment is to be used with this set up.

I'm also aiming for 7.1 - which I hope my chosen speakers and receiver will be able to handle nicely.



It's an average sized living room, open ceiling. I don't know the exact measurements though.

The more I read this forum the more I'm finding out - like, do I really need a subwoofer? I'm not really looking for a strong bass - just a nice and clear sound.

With a $2000 budget I would suggest a 5.1 setup. If you are going to be watching movies as well I would strongly recommend a sub, even if you are going with towers they won't be able to go as low as a sub. As to BoredSysAdmin point the measurements will help alot to narrow down the field for better recommendations.

 

[Gen]

With a $2000 budget I would suggest a 5.1 setup. If you are going to be watching movies as well I would strongly recommend a sub, even if you are going with towers they won't be able to go as low as a sub. As to BoredSysAdmin point the measurements will help alot to narrow down the field for better recommendations.

It's about 30 by 35 feet. Nice open ceiling.

For the speakers, I chose two Martin Logan Preface's, they sound really nice.

What are some good recommendations for a sub woofer? Also, am I missing anything else? I already decided on the Onkyo Sr706 for my receiver.

 

[Ares]

Here are some Sub companies that have very good reputations and performance that are worth looking into.

HSU
SVS
Epik
Rythmik Audio

The room in question is very large and with an open ceiling. I would suggest to go with a dual sub setup for that size. I know with SVS you can email them with your measurements and they will recommend a sub or subs that will do the trick as for the others I'm not sure but I believe they do as well.

 

[lsiberian]

The best sounding commercial 7.1 system on your budget is the following

4 pairs of Behringer 2030p's
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321847-REG/Behringer_B2030P_B2030P_2_Way_Passive.html
4 x 131 = 524(these are equal or better than any speaker I've heard below the B&W lines in SQ and home theater applications)

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_plus.cfm

1000.(best line of commercial subs in your price range.) Plus they are a stable company which is rare in speakers.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/Sr4002-Receiver-80w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html

300(marantz have fewer issues than most other brands and this receiver should work with any current blu-ray player.) Plus it has pre-outs if you ever decide to add an external amp.
now you got a 2 grand system.

Extra's a Great Gramma or subdude for your Subwoofer.

Sanus speaker stands are usually the easiest to assemble.

1824 is the total for the speakers and sub shipping is included.

Monoprice.com is the best place for all cabling needs and they ship very fast.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The best sounding commercial 7.1 system on your budget is the following

4 pairs of Behringer 2030p's
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321847-REG/Behringer_B2030P_B2030P_2_Way_Passive.html
4 x 131 = 524(these are equal or better than any speaker I've heard below the B&W lines in SQ and home theater applications)

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_plus.cfm

1000.(best line of commercial subs in your price range.) Plus they are a stable company which is rare in speakers.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/Sr4002-Receiver-80w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html

300(marantz have fewer issues than most other brands and this receiver should work with any current blu-ray player.) Plus it has pre-outs if you ever decide to add an external amp.
now you got a 2 grand system.

Extra's a Great Gramma or subdude for your Subwoofer.

Sanus speaker stands are usually the easiest to assemble.

1824 is the total for the speakers and sub shipping is included.

Monoprice.com is the best place for all cabling needs and they ship very fast.

+1 - Very nice setup and Will give excellent SQ.
I wasn't sure about sub rec, until I noticed your 30x35 room - yea.. you'll need this sub to fill it.

Don't forget 2030P don't come with cover grills - WYSIWYG

 

[AVRat]

Gen, you do know you'll need another 5 speakers for a 7.1 setup, don't you?

 

[lsiberian]

Gen, you do know you'll need another 5 speakers for a 7.1 setup, don't you?

If he does want a 2 channel setup. Get B&Ws they are amazing speakers.

 

[Gen]

The best sounding commercial 7.1 system on your budget is the following

4 pairs of Behringer 2030p's

Monoprice.com is the best place for all cabling needs and they ship very fast.

Speakers are kind of inexpensive and it worries me that it might reflect their quality.
I do appreciate your help though - I'm just really curious as to why my choices seemed to have been so bad.

So no wires are included with the speakers or sub? If so, which ones would I need to order?

Gen, you do know you'll need another 5 speakers for a 7.1 setup, don't you?

I'm changing my mind it seems. I'm a complete noob when it comes to sound.

Would the recommended setup still work if I decided to roll with 5.1 instead?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Speakers are kind of inexpensive and it worries me that it might reflect their quality.

These come HIGHLY recommended by WmAx .
I think this should say it all....
Don't let their price confuse you

 

[lsiberian]

These come HIGHLY recommended by WmAx .
I think this should say it all....
Don't let their price confuse you

They are widely used in studios around the country. I know a lot of folks that love these speakers and there of a quality that is rare for the price. Bose charges a lot of money for their speakers yet they stink so price isn't a good indicator of quality.

 

[Gen]

They are widely used in studios around the country. I know a lot of folks that love these speakers and there of a quality that is rare for the price. Bose charges a lot of money for their speakers yet they stink so price isn't a good indicator of quality.

Awesome, here is my final order, let me know if I need to order anything else;

4x Truth B2030P
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000QF2T1M/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
A5 - 350 Sub
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000EG8IAY/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2WWWQUWZT1QBQ&v=glance
Marantz Sr4002
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/Sr4002-Receiver-80w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html

 

[bhodge]

Did a quick search on the speakers and they can be had cheaper if you go B-stock:

http://www.audiolines.com/Studio-Recording/Studio-Monitors/Passive-Studio-Monitors/Behringer-TRUTH-B2030P-Pair

Not sure about the site or shipping but if you are buying 4 of them saves $80 (not including possible shipping or tax).

 

[Alex2507]

It's an average sized living room, open ceiling.

It's about 30 by 35 feet. Nice open ceiling.

That's average?

Awesome, here is my final order, let me know if I need to order anything else;

4x Truth B2030P
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000QF2T1M/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
A5 - 350 Sub
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000EG8IAY/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2WWWQUWZT1QBQ&v=glance
Marantz Sr4002
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/Sr4002-Receiver-80w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Home-Theater-Surround/1.html

I have never heard of that sub ... That doesn't mean much though. Just maybe ask around a little more.

With a room that big I would cut back to a 5.1 system that your rec'r can power more effectively for now. Then maybe down the road when you choose to upgrade, you can pick out a mean mother of a rec'r to power up the front sound stage of your choosing at that time. The speakers are the most important part of it all and those are nice sounding speakers. 7.1 over 5.1 isn't that big a deal. If you want to fill that room with sound, it's going to take something a lot meaner than those speakers but for now they will do the job of playing movies and music nicely, just not at high SPL's.

As far as rec'rs go, there are plenty of Marantz fans and unless you hear otherwise I would think that one is just fine at that price point.

Just curious but what made you choose that rec'r and that sub?

 

[bandphan]

Just curious but what made you choose that rec'r and that sub?

 

[Kai]

Gen my question to you is are you buying for the "now" or for the future?
If you're buying for the now there are a decent amount of options for your $2000 however I'd suspect that in the near future you will become disatisfied and start changing things...you wind up with lots of stuff...or selling stuff cheap to be rid of them...and a much more costly system than it should cost.

If you're the patient type I'd suggest starting with a receiver and front speakers then adding to the system as you accumulate the money.
To buy a quality entry level receiver your going to spend $500 or so...perhaps up to $750...that is plenty for a very nice receiver.
A quality pair of front speakers will be much more pleasing that lots of less expensive speakers. A good pair of fronts should also go deep enough in the bass area to put off buying a sub for a bit...
I'm a Paradigm guy though have heard other wonderful speakers as well. I'd look at the Paradigm Studio 20's for fronts. They have a wonderful sound and go quite deep. They are not inexpensive at roughly $1300 per pair but with a $600 receiver and pair of 20's you...add in the cables you need and maybe inexpensive stands...are right at the $2000 budget and have a great system.
B+W, etc also make wonderful speakers.
I suggest doing some auditioning and buy the speakers that sound best to your ears.

You now have a great stereo system for tv, movies and music.
Now for the rest:
If you're satisfied with the bass responce of the fronts I'd buy a pair of surrounds next. The features of the receiver will allow for a decent surround sound from just the four speakers. Whether you buy a sub or center channel next is really up to you and how the system is working in your room.
The center really defines dialogue in tv and movies but the sub provides so much "richness" that it is hard to suggest what to get next.

If you decide on surrounds next and for instance you have the Studio 20's I'd suggest the Studio 10's to stay in the family and provide an excellant match.
I'd also stay with a Paradigm Studio center and sub of your choice.
None of them are inexpensive but at the end you will have an amazing system without spending a lot of money on "replacements/upgrades"...wish I'd of done it or had the same advice.

The brand of receiver is perhaps a bit easier than the speakers. The majority of us are all partial of the major brands...Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, etc. While they all have a bit of a different sound they are all quality brands that will satisfy for a long time.
Speakers are an entirely different animal...but speakers that you don't like after a period of time in your room or buying the most, but inexpensive, speakers you can will soon prove very disatisfying.
Speakers you like/love can last for decades providing sonic happiness continuously and are worth the extra time and money it takes to buy them.
If you have to take a day trip or half day trip to drive to a shop that is a bit far away it will certainly be worth the time and effort in the long run.

Make a demo cd of your favorite songs...perhaps only 10 songs is fine...of varied genres and artists. Take that cd with you when you audtion receivers and speakers.
Be patient and take your time...you will be much happier in the long run.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[lsiberian]

That's average?



I have never heard of that sub ... That doesn't mean much though. Just maybe ask around a little more.

With a room that big I would cut back to a 5.1 system that your rec'r can power more effectively for now. Then maybe down the road when you choose to upgrade, you can pick out a mean mother of a rec'r to power up the front sound stage of your choosing at that time. The speakers are the most important part of it all and those are nice sounding speakers. 7.1 over 5.1 isn't that big a deal. If you want to fill that room with sound, it's going to take something a lot meaner than those speakers but for now they will do the job of playing movies and music nicely, just not at high SPL's.

As far as rec'rs go, there are plenty of Marantz fans and unless you hear otherwise I would think that one is just fine at that price point.

Just curious but what made you choose that rec'r and that sub?

ED uses very good drivers and excellent designs. Given he wanted to get it off Amazon I didn't see many other choices. ED makes great subs. 800 for that sub is a bargain IMO. As far as stepping up to better speakers. That's not what I suggest for your average person. If you are an audiophile then you could always mod the speaker to hifi quality.