HTS Newbie - Aspiring DIY Speaker Seeks Advice

[BoredSysAdmin]

My living room is about 22'x22' with an adjacent kitchen that's seperated only by a 3 foot wall. So its a large open area.

I will defintely look into the suggested items.

I'll consider this great room size as Huge and you'd need to seriously step up in terms of subwoofer. Depends on the budget left for sub you'd have several options

POWER SOUND AUDIO — XV15
PC12-PLUS - SVS

but this would probably the best deal:
Amazon.com: Premier Acoustic PA-150: Electronics

Only 1 left at $350. Josh Ricci - our in-house subwoofer guru has measured it and found it very good for the price - with a bit of EQ it can really shine
That said the other two subs are both significantly better, but even PA-150 will probably knock your socks off

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No, not list price more so features for the sale price. I have not currently seen anything in the $400 price range with the stats of the Onkyo 616. I am not saying they dont exist, I just have not found any as of yet, but still looking.

I'd take refub 709 (with 1 year warranty) over new 616 on any day
Onkyo TX-NR709 7.2-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

 

[JMROD1179]

I'd take refub 709 (with 1 year warranty) over new 616 on any day
Onkyo TX-NR709 7.2-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

Oh yeah, I think I would too, thanks.

 

[Jeff R.]

One thing to consider also is buying used items from Craigslist or on Audiogon. If you purchase used, the items will already be depreciated and you will likely be able to get a little higher end item for less money. Also, since your long term goal is to slowly replace all the items with DIY projects, you will minimize your loss on investment as you purge out all the "temporary" speakers and subs. You would be surprised how much high end stuff is for sale on Craigslist. I see high end used subs and speakers for sale all the time. A lot of the time people don't really know the value of what they are sitting on and just want it out of the house.

Might take a little time and a little patience but you could save some serious $$$$$.

Are you near any major cities that is a big plus if you go that route?

Good Luck!!

Jeff

 

[JMROD1179]

One thing to consider also is buying used items from Craigslist or on Audiogon. If you purchase used, the items will already be depreciated and you will likely be able to get a little higher end item for less money. Also, since your long term goal is to slowly replace all the items with DIY projects, you will minimize your loss on investment as you purge out all the "temporary" speakers and subs. You would be surprised how much high end stuff is for sale on Craigslist. I see high end used subs and speakers for sale all the time. A lot of the time people don't really know the value of what they are sitting on and just want it out of the house.

Might take a little time and a little patience but you could save some serious $$$$$.

Are you near any major cities that is a big plus if you go that route?

Good Luck!!

Jeff

Good point on the Craigslist. But how concerned do you need to be on the previous owners usage of old speakers?


Yeah, LA, and San Diego are in the vicinty. My Parents still live in LA.

 

[ImcLoud]

So you want to spend $2500 minus the tv of $800 so can we call the budget $2000 on the high end ?

I agree the 709 is nice, and it gives preouts so you can add a external amp in the future... so there goes $450

You are going to need 1 heck of a Sub for that room... Im thinking 2 HSU VTF2's but start with 1 $612 each... They are awesome... I have 1 and it is low, tight, and clean...

I LOVE Ascend Acoustics for the price, so Im going to say get 3-340's for the front stage {thats what I use, it is incredible, I listened to so many speakers when buying my system, and they are leaps and bounds ahead of anything even double their price... The cabinets finish isnt life changing but the sound makes up for it... You can get these in Bstock for around $800

so $450 for the avr, 800 for the 5 speakers, a $615 for the sub puts you around $1850... And the $340s will sound great for music...

Then upgrading is easy, first add a set of HTM200's for the rear {If you buy them within 45 days from Ascend you get a $68 off of them, so they will only cost you around $250, that will give you your 5.1
Then the next upgrade can be, an Emotiva XPA-3 {3 channel 200w per amplifier} for $600 {Bstock}. to run your front stage...
Then the last upgrade can be another VTF2 sub cost you another $615, but then you will have one heck of a system....

 

[JMROD1179]

Was considering Onkyo 609 refurb for $390 but then noticed the 709 refurb for $450.

I just found the Onkyo 709 NEW for $249! The same retailer is selling the 809 NEW for $499.

$249 for the 709 seems like a super steal. I was willing to pay $470 (450+shipping) on a refurb 709 but now I am wondering if I should get the 809 for $500. Is it worth the extra $250 or should I just stick to the? Seems the biggest upgrade from the 709 to the 809 is the amp. Considering both have preamp outs the 709 seems the better deal since I can add an amp later if I want.

I am leaning towards the 709 unless there a strong justification for the extra $250 for the 809.