Speaker reccomendations for HT system

J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
Hello.
I am pretty new in the world of home audio, however, I have a good amount of experience with automotive audio. I have recently purchased a Viewsonic P8200 projector, and a Sony STRDH520 7.1 Channel 3D Av Receiver. I currently have them both running along with a pair of Bose 601 Series III Direct/Reflecting® loudspeaker system Circa 1987. I am aware of the reputation that Bose has acquired, however, I am working with what I have.

My question is, what would be a good, economical set of center, surround, rear, and sub woofer to compliment the system nicely. Room is approximately 20LX9WX10H. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Further, keep in mind that I am a recent college grad who is working on a budget. Thanks!
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
It'll be rough to determine a matching center for those speakers but ther are other ways to go about it.

1) Concentrate on getting a pair of new front right/left speakers and the matching center speaker. They will be matched and you'll have a good start.

2) Move your 601's to the surround positions for now. Having matching surrounds isn't as important as having the front three match.

3) Get the best subwoofer you can afford. These don't have to "match" and there are some outstanding subwoofer only companies out there and a sub can be bought at any time.

Now, you say money is tight: I can appreciate that. In such case, you might want to concentrate on steps 1 and 2 now. When more money bcomes available, get the matching surrounds. You might want to do that sooner than later since manufacturers change their model lines fairly frequently.

Finally, save up for the best subwoofer you can get. The more you can spend, the better of you are.

If you're really froggy for a sub now, this does a surprisingly good job for about $200. It'll more than hold you over for a few years until you can move up to the big boys, like those from Hsu , SVS, Epik, Velodyne, etc, etc...

So, which way do ya wanna go? All now, or in steps? If the former, you might want to state a budget.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
First, I would like to get the 7.0 set up first, and pick up a sub woofer. I have considered purchasing a 5.1 speaker setup (ex: Klipsch HD 500 Compact 5.1 Home Theater System [ref: Amazon.com]), however, I do not know if the speakers are of great quality. I have also considered excluding a center speaker as the 601's are pretty solid speakers, and running a 6.1 surround setup.

I have considered waiting on the sub woofer as they are much easier to add in to a system after the fact.

As far as a budget goes, I am hoping to spend 400 or less at this point on speakers (still recovering from the cost of the projector). However, if I could find a system for ~200-300, that would be preferable.

I have also considered purchasing some used speakers, although I am wary of this due to the potential for previous damage that I might not notice.

Are there any systems/individual speakers that you would recommend currently? Also, does the 6 speaker setup sound like it may be a good idea? Thanks!
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
Note: The current price is what is available currently. I do not mind picking up pieces at a time and slowly accumulating a system
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
Finding a good" system for $400 will be a challange, to say the least.

To run a "phantom center channel" system requires the front speakers have fairly precise imaging.

The 601's, while good in their own right, are exactly the opposite of that. They exemplify the Bose philosophy of a vague, amorphous type of sound, which is fine if your tastes go for that, but it's an anathema for HT.

As for that Klipsch system, it's an all-in-one solution and your 601's would easily overpower them should you try to incorporate them into it.

So, did you say you want to go the step-by step method or not? If so, you might be able to get some entry-level (but still good) the Infinity Primus series for your front three for around your price range with some careful shopping and help from some of the other regulars here.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
I would like to go through in a step by step manner, assuming that the Klipsch system would not be a good option. I can exclude the 601's from the system, as my rear speakers will need to be wall mounted (or bookshelf). As a base system, for the next year or two, would you recommend starting with a slightly cheaper system (i.e. the klispsch surround sound) and upgrading piece by piece? I do want a HQ HT system, however, as I said before, money is the limiting reagent currently. Let me know what you think, and if there is a set of front speakers that you would recommend, please send me a link. Thanks!
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
With your budget, the very first thing I would do is replace the Bose speakers.

Beyond the frequency response issue, the main problem with those particular speakers is their direct/reflecting technology. It sounds cool with music - it adds a spaciousness and fullness to the sound. With home theater, though, it stinks to high heaven. By bouncing the sound around so much and focusing on reflected instead of direct sound, a single sound arrives at your ears many different times spaced closely together. This really muddies up the sound and makes it hard to understand.

Replace the front speakers first. Get a center at the same time if you want. I'd recommend a pair of Polk Monitor 70s. You can get a pair for $350 shipped. They are good for HT and have a good amount of bass, meaning you can get by without a subwoofer for now. A Polk CS2 center is $125.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
I will look into some of those speakers that you have recommended. How large is the difference between the monitor 70's and the monitor 60's? Also, how noticeable is the difference between the CS2 and CS1 center speakers?
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
I recommended the 70s because they produce a good bit more low end than the 60s. The CS1 and CS2 aren't worlds apart but you can hear the difference. The CS2 is only a couple of dollars more expensive and matches better with the 70s.
 
C

csherman7992

Audiophyte
I agree that you should upgrade your speakers. I'd really recommend the energy take classics. You can get it with the subwoofer for 400 or w/o the sub for about 250. I just got these without the sub to pair with a HSU stf-2, and they sound incredible. Everywhere i looked said they were the best budget speaker set you can buy.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
Does anyone else have experience with Polk monitor 70s/CS2? How about Energy Take classics? I appreciate any input.
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
I haven't heard the Take Classics, but I've never heard a tiny speaker that I've really liked. You just can't produce good dynamics with drivers that tiny.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
You flip flop a lot. You say you want it all at once, then you want to build it a step at a time and then, bang, you're back to wanting it all at once. Pick a direction already.

The Take Classics are fine little speakers. The operative word here is "little".

But, as Mr J. says, little implies certain limitations, but many people can live with them. Can you?

In your earlier posts, your requirements were defined as "good" and cheap. As you may be realizing, your level of the first (good) will be somewhat controlled by the second (cheap).

Sometimes, ya gotta spend to get the good stuff. Bottom feeding is good (I do it all the time :D) but I'm realistic about what I expect. I don't hold out any expectations that I'll equal the performance I would get had I opted for the premium stuff.

Now, the Takes are both good and cheap, but a lot depends on your expectations of good and how loud you want to play these. They are great for smaller rooms if the levels are kept sane. I'd recommend the system w/o the sub and go for that sub I mentioned earlier. That'll give you clean sound (up to a limit) and all the deep bass you can handle, and then some, for the time being and keep the price somewhat within your limits.

But, there's really no room for your Bose speakers in this multi-channel system. Perhaps as your "B" speakers for a stereo only playback.

As that great poet and philosopher John Sebastian once said, "Time to go home, son, and make up your mind".
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
Eh, I think I'd be happy using those Bose as surround speakers for now. Won't be great but far from terrible.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
Thank you Mark, and Jonny for your input. I think I will go for the Monitor 70's, and pick up the center and potentially a sub after my next pay cycle. I intend to piece it all together, it will just take me some time. Is there a website/store that you guys would recommend purchasing sound equipment from? Thanks!
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
I sent you a PM about Polk's eBay store.

What is your room like? Dimensions, ceiling height, openings to other rooms, etc.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
The room itself is approx. 19Lx9wx10H, with blacked out windows, and one doorway in the front half of the room, close to the center on the right side. It is essentially a long rectangle. We have a Viewsonic P8200 mounted on the ceiling ~16 or 17 feet away from the screen on the far wall. No carpeting, two couches, two chairs, and a small entertainment center box below the screen housing the audio, cable, and game systems.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
Note: I will draw up a diagram in the near future
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
I was asking for a sub recommendation. That's for the future though.
 
J

Jimbog22

Audioholic Intern
I am interested in a sub recommendation, the front firing one you mentioned seems like it may fit into the budget, along with the other speakers, over the next few months. Could you post a few options that fit within the general price range? Thanks
 
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