Need help choosing between these 8 speaker combinations

[YoSkor]

I have been researching for a home theater system for the past couple of weeks. This is going to be my first system and I have had the typical "enlightenment" of a newbie who had wanted to get a HTiB but am now convinced into building the system. I have a limited budget of $700-$800. Earlier I wanted a 5.1 system in that budget but now I have decided to rather "invest" in a 2.0 or 3.0 system and then build gradually.

 

[YoSkor]

Here is my scenario:
Location: Living Room / Media room in apartment
Room Dimensions: 17' x 19' x 11' (W x D x H)
Seating Area: Center of the room, TV positioned along one of the 17' walls
Intended use: Music, Movies, Gaming in this order
Budget: $700 - $800 without Blu-Ray player

 

[YoSkor]

Right now I am looking for the speakers, once decided on that front I will move on to the AVR research. Budget for the speakers will be $700 minus cost of a good, new AVR, which put me in the range of $200-$300 speakers. Here are the options I have shortlisted so far, all cost around the same. While I will be auditioning these ones personally, I dont think I will be able to cover them all, hence I need help from you guys in helping me decide. The top level specs I know from their specsheets, what I am ignorant of is the brand reliability, the build quality, materials used, value for money, etc I hope you guys can help me out there.

 

[YoSkor]

I apologise for breaking up my post into 5 smaller ones - I could not post links until then...

 

[YoSkor]

one more...

 

[YoSkor]

1. Option 1: Total: $248
   SVS SBS-02 $149 / pair
   SVS SCS-02 $99
2. Option 2: Total: $348
   SVS SCS-02(M)-PAIR $249 / pair
   SVS SCS-02 $99
3. Option 3: Total: $180
   Pioneer SP-FS51-LR $130 / pair
   Pioneer SP-C21 $50
4. Option 4: Total: $200
   The reason I am considering these in spite of the FS are because the FS are not the prettiest in the world , wanted to know your views on these.
   Pioneer SP-BS41-LR $150 / pair, might come down to $100
   Pioneer SP-C21 $50
5. Option 5: Total: $305
   Polk Audio RTi6 High Performance Bookshelf Loudspeaker $180 / pair
   Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker $125
   OR
   Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker $111
6. Option 6: Total: $365
   Polk Audio Monitor60C Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker $240 / pair
   Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker $125
   OR
   Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker $111
7. Option 7: Total: $235
   Sony SS-F5000 $150 / pair
   Sony SS-CN5000 Dual Center Channel Speaker $ 85
8. Option 8: Total: $180
   Energy PS500 5CH Home Audio Speaker System

 

[afterlife2]

Receivers:
Onkyo TX-NR515 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less
or
Onkyo TX-NR609 7.2-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less
or
DENON AVR-1712 7.1 A/V Surround Receiver | Accessories4less
or
DENON AVR-1911 7.1 Home Theater 3D Multi-Source/Multi-Zone Receiver | Accessories4less
These:
Option 3: Total: $180
Pioneer SP-FS51-LR $130 / pair
Pioneer SP-C21 $50

Option 4: Total: $200
Pioneer SP-BS41-LR $150 / pair, might come down to $100
Pioneer SP-C21 $50

Say NO to POLK!

 

[YoSkor]

Thanks for the recommendations afterlife2. Just curious though, why the aversion towards polks?

 

[afterlife2]

Thanks for the recommendations afterlife2. Just curious though, why the aversion towards polks?

It's not up to par unless you get their expensive speakers. Those Pioneers will kill the Polks. If only you can hear both in a speaker store. I almost bought a Polk Sub and I was nearly killed by the guys here.

 

[YoSkor]

I agree, I have heard from a lot of reviews that the Polk Monitor line is their budget line and that it is sub par. Would the Polk RTi series also fall in the sub par category? Specifically these ones, compared to the Pioneers. (agreed you don't own them, but from what you have heard / read)

Polk Audio RTI A1-Black High Performance
OR
Polk Audio RTi6 High Performance

I am caught between the Pioneers and Polk cause we auditioned them at Best Buy (Pioneers and Polks), I liked the Pioneers slightly better than the Polks, but my wife liked otherwise

 

[YoSkor]

And to add, while we were at BBs, we listened to this one as well and quite like it, I was surprised it had not been mentioned on forums as often.

Klipsch KB-15 Bookshelf Speakers

Newegg has the older version of these I think,
Klipsch WB-14 Icon

Any thoughts on these Klipschs?

 

[brianedm]

I auditioned in store just like you, preferred the polks then. brought them into my apartment and they were a tad brighter than in the store (I imagine due to room effects) but that has gotten much better as they've broken in. I'm very happy with them, although Polks don't get much love here. Trust your ear.

 

[afterlife2]

I can't comment on the Polks at all I've never heard them. Just people telling me I could do better. I didn't like the Infinity Primus P162 I bought earlier this year. I just found something missing and sold them. I took a whim and bought the Klipsch Icon VB-15 and VC-25 center on ebay and I love them once I heard them. You can find a couple on ebay. I have not heard those Klipsch you mentioned but I've read they are good.