nOOb needs Buying HELP

D

Drumbo

Audioholic Intern
Been crawling around forum for a bit now. Seems a lot a pple have some good input, so here we go:

I need some speaker setup recommendations:

The room will be a downstairs living room, 9 foot ceilings, about 18 x 18, with open floorplan into kitchen, another 20x 18

I will be using the speakers for a lot of TV and Movies. Music second. Probably about 60/40 movie to music. My music choice would be Electronica, Classic Rock, and Hip Hop. A lot of Drum Heavy Music, and nice crisp clean highs.

At any rate:
1- for this size room, would a 5.1 system like the energy take 5 be a bad choice for filling the space? Or even the Harmon Kardon HKTS30

2- I have been thinking of a setup similar to this style, please advise:
Center: POlk TSI cs10 (or similar??)
Woof: BIC f12 (or similar??)
Front: I really like the Klipsch rf 62, but would like to not spend so much ($800/pair)
Rear: I am open, I heard the POlk tsi 200, they sounded pretty good.

I am somewhat on a budget. My wife would kill me if she knew I spent more than $1500 on speakers.

I am considering one of these receivers: (I would love to stream music from my Android device if possible)
Denon avr 1912
Pioneer VSX-1022-K
Yamaha RX-V573

I am open to ANY suggestions. PLEASE help!! THANKS
 
D

Drumbo

Audioholic Intern
Thanks for the helps thus far

I should clarify, I am not bound to any one brand or brands
I went to frys today and heard the KLipsch and thought they sounded nice with my music, its why I mentioned them. I guess a better title for this forum would have been

"BEST SPEAKER 5.1 SETUP for UNDER $1500." For the space and usage I mentioned before.

As per the receiver, I am not bound by these, just thought they would be good deals for around 400-500
 
agarwalro

agarwalro

Audioholic Ninja
The room will be a downstairs living room, 9 foot ceilings, about 18 x 18, with open floorplan into kitchen, another 20x 18...

1- for this size room, would a 5.1 system like the energy take 5 be a bad choice for filling the space? Or even the Harmon Kardon HKTS30
First I ROFL'd and then had to think on how best to break this to you.

Well my friend, let's put it this way, if the Energy Take system or its equivalent could fill that space with reference level sound for movies, and good bass for Electronica and Hip Hop, my Super Duty pickup truck would have an 8 oz. engine and still produce enough torque for a 5 digit towing capacity :D.

I would suggest bumping the budget a fair bit, and asking for forgiveness when the Mrs. flips out. Further, I recommend getting a 2.2 setup to get things going and adding the center and surround speakers at a later time.

Is DIY an option?
 
D

Drumbo

Audioholic Intern
im open to anything really, I just want Good sound. I cannot go NUTZ. DIY? If you mean building my own cabinets, I would say no, unless I wouldnt have to cut anything.

LOL I had a feeling on the energy. I could bump up to 2k if I hid the receipts from the wifey.

when you say 2.2, shoot it to me. what do you recommend
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
First I ROFL'd and then had to think on how best to break this to you.

Well my friend, let's put it this way, if the Energy Take system or its equivalent could fill that space with reference level sound for movies, and good bass for Electronica and Hip Hop, my Super Duty pickup truck would have an 8 oz. engine and still produce enough torque for a 5 digit towing capacity :D.

I would suggest bumping the budget a fair bit, and asking for forgiveness when the Mrs. flips out. Further, I recommend getting a 2.2 setup to get things going and adding the center and surround speakers at a later time.

Is DIY an option?
+1

I just didn't want to say anything because most people who ask for 5.1/7.1 advice just ignore this anyways :D
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
You could do something like this

philharmonicaudio.com

Verus Forte Tower Speaker - Aperion Audio

KEF Q900 Q Series 8 inch Cherry Floorstanding Speaker Each | Accessories4less

Wharfedale Diamond 10.7 Cinnamon Cherry (Ea.) 3-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker, at OneCall.com

PSB Alpha T1 Floor-standing speakers at Crutchfield.com

Now the Phils (or any $1000ish tower speakers), plus the denon, plus two of the parts express 10" titanic should get you rolling.

agarwalro will probably have different suggestions, but at $2000 for a 2.2 system the budgetary concerns are just slid back and forth between whether you want to put more emphasis on the towers, or on your subs. The receiver is what it is, and you can start saving up to replace it, or add a center and surrounds. 2.1/2.2 is the way to go, the former letting you put more money into the towers and the latter giving you plenty of bass...for now.
 
D

Drumbo

Audioholic Intern
so,
I havent heard of any of the speakers before mentioned.

Would you guys know of anywhere in the Bay Area that I could go test drive speakers like these? I would hate to buy something off a recommendation and not like the sound. I have a feeling speakers are like pizza; well I like pineapple on mine.

If I were to upgrade to a $500 a/v receiver. Any better bets then? I was thinking the denon 1912, or the 2112 were great bets for the money (thoughts)

I could always throw my 15" peavey dj speakers in the living room, hell we could use them as chairs too!

I would really like to get the best bet for $1500 on the speakers all 5.1. Bass heavy, clean crisp highs. I dont listen to classical or jazz. When I get sick of those or crave more, I will move these to the upstairs loft. For now. Back to $1500---

PS- how is this accesories4less site? good deals?
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
A4L is great, very reputable place.

Why not just stick with Dj speakers then?

MTX TP2400 ThunderPro2 Dual 12" 2-Way Loudspeaker 245-806

Get 4 of these, pick up a cheap center channel and "build" two of the titanic 10" or buy one 12inch from svs, velo, hsu outlaw.

That'll give you more or less everything you're looking for, and cheap I think. If you aren't crazy about musical accuracy and want a theater like HT sound, that also thumps hard well, why not?

It'll definitely giving you a bigger bass heavy sound, compared to other 5.1 systems you could put together for $1500.

Just another thought :D
 
agarwalro

agarwalro

Audioholic Ninja
when you say 2.2, shoot it to me. what do you recommend
First purchase a set of Mains and one sub, just about $2k with receiver.
Ascend Acoustics CMT 340
Rythmic FV15HP

Next stage,
CMT 340 center
CMB 170 for sides and rears
Rythmic FV15HP

This will give you a great sounding 7.2 system with gut punching low bass.

What is your listening distance like? If you're sitting 7-10 ft. from the Mains and center, you can go with the CMB 170 all around.

Alternate 2:
EmpTek 55ti
Hsu Research VTF 15 H
 
D

Drumbo

Audioholic Intern
LOL I was kidding about throwing my dj speakers in the mix, two of those together are about the size of a loveseat, seriously. I dont really care much about aesthetics, but that is just wrong.

My listening distance, if movies, would be about 12 feet. If we are listening to music, it be in the kitchen, part of the open layout, and up to 30 feet. What i was really hoping for was to get a full 5.1 layout of speakers under 1500 for now (not including the receiver)

As another n ote, I posted this question on another site and someone mentioned

"the center have to be the same brand/timber to keep a good sound quality going"

Is this true? What pieces of the setup are best kept within the brand?
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
First purchase a set of Mains and one sub, just about $2k with receiver.
Ascend Acoustics CMT 340
Rythmic FV15HP

Next stage,
CMT 340 center
CMB 170 for sides and rears
Rythmic FV15HP

This will give you a great sounding 7.2 system with gut punching low bass.

What is your listening distance like? If you're sitting 7-10 ft. from the Mains and center, you can go with the CMB 170 all around.

Alternate 2:
EmpTek 55ti
Hsu Research VTF 15 H

Some of this seems kinda familiar..........:p

Intimus 4T Hybrid SD - Aperion Audio

Impression Series 5.1 Home Theater Package 2

Ascend System Advisor

choose the 170, then the 170 center and 170 surrounds, plus the denon, plus an hsu vtf2-mk4
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
LOL I was kidding about throwing my dj speakers in the mix, two of those together are about the size of a loveseat, seriously. I dont really care much about aesthetics, but that is just wrong.

My listening distance, if movies, would be about 12 feet. If we are listening to music, it be in the kitchen, part of the open layout, and up to 30 feet. What i was really hoping for was to get a full 5.1 layout of speakers under 1500 for now (not including the receiver)

As another n ote, I posted this question on another site and someone mentioned

"the center have to be the same brand/timber to keep a good sound quality going"

Is this true? What pieces of the setup are best kept within the brand?
Matching only really matters if you're are going to be playing music all channel stereo, in which case you're ideally better off with three matching center across the front. It could affect SQ for HT a little, but usually only if there is a big difference in quality between the center and the front towers.
 
runswithscisors

runswithscisors

Audioholic
If you like the Klipschs, contact these guys.

info@acousticsounddesign.com
http://www.acousticsounddesign.com
888-224-3663

Authorized dealer, and everything, but you have to contact them directly with the speakers you want and they can quote you a package price.

Here is an example of what they were able to do for me:

RF-82 II towers, 2 each
RC-62 II center, 1 each
RB-41 II Surround, 2 pair
SW-115 Subwoofer, 1 each

$2499 Delivered

$3,199.96 retail.

I haven't decided on the Klipschs yet, and have already nixed the SW-115. But if I do go with Klipsch, I'll go with these guys.
 
Last edited:
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
If you like the Klipschs, contact these guys.

info@acousticsounddesign.com
Authorized Klipsch and Polk Audio Dealer. Klipsch Gallery Speakers, In Wall and In Ceiling Speakers, Klipsch Reference 5 Series, Ref II.
888-224-3663

Authorized dealer, and everything, but you have to contact them directly with the speakers you want and they can quote you a package price.

Here is an example of what they were able to do for me:

RF-82 II towers, 2 each
RC-62 II center, 1 each
RB-41 II Surround, 2 pair
SW-115 Subwoofer, 1 each

$2499 Delivered

$3,199.96 retail.

I haven't decided on the Klipschs yet, and have already nixed the SW-115. But if I do go with Klipsch, I'll go with these guys.
Good deal, but a grand over budget and no receiver mentioned, plus swapping out the sub would go even further over budget.
 
N

norml4721

Audioholic Intern
Speakers for $1500

Hi:

Since this post is a few days old I do not know if you are still looking. Oh well You may read it.

Have you thought of used speakers. Ebay has some interesting buys. For example. There is a Focal set 2 fronts 1 center and 2 surrounds for $950.00 For these speakers this is an incredable deal. (they were several thousand new.) I know because I have a 7.1 set of the same speakers.

Focal is a high end French company (Check it out on the web) I think the seller wants local pick up but you could offer to pay for packaging and shipping. (still a fantastic deal.)



Just a thought. Good Luck on your new home theater.

Best
 

Latest posts

newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top