Help me choose HT speakers under $1500 (for fathers day)

[Tubes4Life]

As a fathers day gift my mother and brothers are setting up a home theater room in their basement while trying to keep the cost relatively low. I (being the resident "speaker guy") am tasked with picking out the speakers with a total budget of around $1500, new or used.

The room is about 15x19 and the speakers will be powered by an Onkyo HT-RC160. The source material will be almost always blu-ray and a subwoofer would be preferable.

Thanks!

 

[sholling]

Just based on their reputation I'd consider an SVSound (with the PB12-NSD upgrade) or Hsu Research package. You'll find some reviews on the main site under pro reviews. The downside is the SVS SBS-2 speakers aren't very sensitive and may not blow the windows out.

Another choice could be a pair of Infinity Primus P362 towers, a PC350 center, and a pair of PC152 bookshelves for about $800-900 if you shop well, and an SVS PB12-NSD sub for about $600. The infinities are really easy to drive.

 

[ack_bak]

As a fathers day gift my mother and brothers are setting up a home theater room in their basement while trying to keep the cost relatively low. I (being the resident "speaker guy") am tasked with picking out the speakers with a total budget of around $1500, new or used.

The room is about 15x19 and the speakers will be powered by an Onkyo HT-RC160. The source material will be almost always blu-ray and a subwoofer would be preferable.

Thanks!

How loud do you listen to music/movies? I second looking into SVS, but I would probably step up to the SCS speaker line for your room. You should have the budget. Also look into HSU. They use horn loaded tweeters and will play louder than SVS. There are plenty of other options out there too, but hard to beat HSU and SVS on sound, quality, customer service, and price.

 

[ack_bak]

Just based on their reputation I'd consider an SVSound (with the PB12-NSD upgrade) or Hsu Research package. You'll find some reviews on the main site under pro reviews. The downside is the SVS SBS-2 speakers aren't very sensitive and may not blow the windows out.

Another choice could be a pair of Infinity Primus P362 towers, a PC350 center, and a pair of PC152 bookshelves for about $800-900 if you shop well, and an SVS PB12-NSD sub for about $600. The infinities are really easy to drive.

Excellent advice.

 

[tom67]

Good advice for the Infinity 362. He is basically HT only. The Infinity has rated 93db efficiency which is a plus for HT in a large room to have good dynamic range with a modest amp. Per attached, these look like a bargain from quality dealers like Crutchfield....for only $199, its a lot of speaker

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P362BG/Infinity-Primus-P362.html?tp=185&tab=features_and_specs

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I recommend NHT, Aperion, & Definitive Technology speakers.

 

[3db]

For a truly dynamic speaker thats hard to beat for the money, I'd seriously look at PSB new Image series speakers. I have their previous generation and found them to be very linear and dynamic. I've heard the latest series and they improved upon that previous generation. For a sub, I would stick with SVS, Outlaw, or Velodyne.

 

[Tubes4Life]

I just got a very good deal on some Infinity Primus speakers. Thanks for the suggestions.