I'm planning to build a HT to use for music (40%) and movies (60%) and I have a low budget...I included 1k but depending on what this HT will be, i might consider a little bit more (or less).
More is always better
My first idea was to find a nice 2.1 system, but after thinking a little bit more I've decided to pick up a 5.1....
In your budget, I like the "2.1 for now" path... maybe even 2.0 or 4.0 as half-decent subwoofers are fairly expensive, moreso than a pair of half-decent surrounds.
As much as I read, the most important thing to do is match main and central speakers. Actually, I read an nice article saying the ideal system should consider ~80% between central (40%), main speakers (25%) and subwoofer (25%). I decided to put a budget of 1k and it needs to include the receiver.
I would say main speakers are 65%, subwoofer is another 15%, and center is about 10-15%, with surrounds as the last 5-10%
Fisrt of all, I thought that would be a nice idea to buy used speakers, maybe B&W 600 series (S1)
I'd steer clear of B&W personally. Their speakers tend to measure rather poorly.
This would allow me to get a 250USD subwoower (like wharfedale; energy, polk or others)
Steer clear of brick n mortar subwoofers as well. They're undersized, and underperforming.
Looking forward it seems that buying a brand new will give me a longer time to enjoy the system, and I went to see some otpions.
Brand new vs used isn't a big deal - there's good deals in both branches. What is important, is what speakers you pick. There's really poor speakers that at first glance seem like a great deal, but end up being mediocre, and.there's also some speakers which are always a nice choice.
A) Considering the 1st option, buying new stuff, would be better to choose the same line (Diamond 10) buying the Main and Central (for 650), or could I choose the Evo-2 and match with DIA 9CS or DIA 10CS central? This will give me a nice Main+central under 500/600....what are your recommendations? For the same price worth to pick up the Evo (not matched with same line) or the Diamond 10.1 (matched with same line)?
Sorry, I'm not too familiar with wharfdale speakers, and they seem somewhat unappealing to me.
B) Considering the used options, worth to spend 600/700 in used B&W as mentioned in #2 and #3 cases? Wuld you guys recommend this instead the new Wharfedale models?
While B&W is a widely known and distrubuted brand name, their speakers are seem stuck in the 1960s when it comes to measured performance. Blegh.
I would recommend, for now, getting the best 2.0 you can get, maybe two of these:
KEF Q700 Q Series 6-1/2 inch Cherry Floorstanding Speaker, Each | Accessories4less
plus one of these:
MARANTZ SR5005 100w X 7ch 3-D Home Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less
Once you begin to appreciate a good speaker, the other stuff (subwoofer, center, surrounds) can be added slowly as you yourself evaluate what aspects of the system you want to expand. That is what I recommend. I realize I may have blown your budget out of the water, and everyone here will have other options for you to consider, but that's about the level of quality I would shoot for if I were you. This is especially true on the electronics from - i would want something with decent amplifier sections and full set of preamplifier outputs. Some EMP e55tis:
EMP Tek Tower Speakers
are another speaker you may wish to consider, if your room is larger.
