need some 5.1 advice please

[Drury]

I started looking around and decided it’s time I get a home theater system in place. I need everything.
I’d like to start with 3.1 and later add the rears for 5.1. Some options I’ve been considering are as follows.
Fronts - Polk 45B (brother has a pair for sale) or Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Loudspeaker (read good things)
Receiver - DENON AVR-1613 5.1ch Networking Receiver w/AirPlay 3D ready
I’m open to suggestions on everything and need help for the center and sub as well.
Should I just go with the Pioneer Andrew Jones stuff on all the speakers?
Any direction is appreciated.

 

[zieglj01]

What is your budget and what is your room size?

Pioneer is a real good option.

 

[psbfan9]

Welcome to the forum Drury.

The Polk 45B seem to be a decent speaker based on quick Google search. Does your brother have the matching center? You would want the three front speakers to at least be the in the same series, so that they will all be timbre matched. If he doesn't have the center, I would say to get the Andrew Jones speakers.
Your AVR choice is solid.
Sub recommendations would depend on budget and size of your room. Hsu, Rythmik, and SVS are all good and well liked by most people here.

 

[Drury]

20' x 25' with a vaulted ceiling.
For budget, I'd like to stay under 1k.

 

[Drury]

The couches aren't up against the walls so I guess it would actually be a little smaller than the 20'x25' if that makes a difference.

So would these speakers with the DENON AVR-1613 5.1ch Networking Receiver w/AirPlay 3D ready be enough to get it done or is this on the small side?
My wife is opposed to towers so that figures into the equation.

Pioneer Andrew Jones Designed SP-C22 Center Channel Speaker - 55Hz-20kHz, 6 ohm, 9 Watt, 2 Way Configuration
Pioneer Andrew Jones Designed SW-8MK2 Subwoofer - 38Hz-150Hz, 100 Watt-Powered Amplifier (50W FTC Power Output), 8" Driver
Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Loudspeaker - 2 Way, 55Hz-20kHz, 80 W, Gold 5-Way Binding Posts

 

[zieglj01]

The Pioneer sub is too small and not much power for your room. How much do you have left to spend
after the receiver? Where do you plan to place the bookshelf speakers?

look at some subs
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/86910-2013-subwoofer-roundup-6-subs-$500-less.html

Cadence sub
http://www.cadencesound.com/csx12-mark-ii/

 

[afterlife2]

Receiver: Amazon.com: Pioneer VSX-822-K 5.1-Channel Network Ready A/V Receiver: Electronics
2 pairs: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed 80 Watt 2-Way Bookshelf Stereo Speakers SPBS22LR - Micro Center
1: Pioneer SPC-22 Andrew Jones Designed 90 Watt 2-Way Center Channel Speaker SPC22 - Micro Center
1 SVS PB1000: PB-1000 - SVS
all together right around 1k.
another option: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007O5ATC8/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished

 

[Drury]

Right now if I go with the Denon AVR-1613 or the 1912, the Pioneer Andrew Jones Bookshelf and Center speakers, I'd have about $500 left over for the sub.
The bookshelf speakers will be head high with one about 3' to the right of the TV and the other about 6' left of the TV. They would be about 15' away from the couch.

 

[markw]

I really think that for a room that size, floor-standers for the mains are required. Those are nice speakers but they don't play all that loud. Take wifey out to nice, romantic dinner and then approach the subject.

and, that Pioneer sub is a joke.

 

[psbfan9]

So would these speakers with the DENON AVR-1613 5.1ch Networking Receiver w/AirPlay 3D ready be enough to get it done or is this on the small side?

Pioneer Andrew Jones Designed SP-C22 Center Channel Speaker - 55Hz-20kHz, 6 ohm, 9 Watt, 2 Way Configuration
Pioneer Andrew Jones Designed SW-8MK2 Subwoofer - 38Hz-150Hz, 100 Watt-Powered Amplifier (50W FTC Power Output), 8" Driver
Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Loudspeaker - 2 Way, 55Hz-20kHz, 80 W, Gold 5-Way Binding Posts

I would go with this set up plus the Denon, but minus the Pioneer sub.

For a sub, look at the link that link that zieglj01 posted. The SVS afterlife posted would work to. My suggestion would be Hsu VTF-MK2; http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html

I know you're looking for a 3.1 system now, but a good choice for a full 5.1 would be this. http://emptek.com/cinema5.php. I have EMP speakers and like them.

Check on return policies before buying. If this system does not get it done, then we can make other suggestions.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get 5 NHT SuperZero b-stock @ $55 each = $275 shipped direct from NHT.

Then get the $500 SVS sub.

That leaves you with $225 for the AVR.

My brother has 5 of the SuperZero + SW2P sub + 55 watts per channel Harman Kardon AVR and we can play to 105dB in his 25' x 20' x 12' family room just fine.

When it comes to speakers, it is the listening distance from the speakers that matters, not the size of the room. Subwoofer output depends more on the total room size, but not speakers.

I assume you will be sitting about 13-15' from the speakers, not 25' away?

And I also assume you won't exceed a TOTAL volume (all speakers + sub) of 110dB?

 

[afterlife2]

link for the b stock $55?

 

[Drury]

Correct. I'll be 15' or less from the speakers.
The more I learn, the more I spend.
So I think I have a good grasp on the speakers and sub now. But Pandora’s box has been opened on the AVR. I realize that I need a AVR capable of two zones that can run simultaneously with different sources. So, now I’m looking at the Denon 1913 or the Denon AV-X1000.
I like the idea of the second zone being controlled from a smart phone. Any reasons why I should choose one of the DVRs over the other? Any other options I should consider?
Much appreciated,
D

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

link for the b stock $55?

http://www.nhthifi.com/s.nl/sc.21/category./.f?search=B-stock

I think you have to call them on the phone to buy the b-stock.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Correct. I'll be 15' or less from the speakers.
The more I learn, the more I spend.
So I think I have a good grasp on the speakers and sub now. But Pandora’s box has been opened on the DVR. I realize that I need a DVR capable of two zones that can run simultaneously with different sources. So, now I’m looking at the Denon 1913 or the Denon AV-X1000.
I like the idea of the second zone being controlled from a smart phone. Any reasons why I should choose one of the DVRs over the other? Any other options I should consider?
Much appreciated,
D

You mean AVR ?

I think the X-series is new, so I would get that.

 

[Drury]

Correct, AVR. Post corrected.

 

[zieglj01]

Right now if I go with the Denon AVR-1613 or the 1912, the Pioneer Andrew Jones Bookshelf and Center speakers, I'd have about $500 left over for the sub.
The bookshelf speakers will be head high with one about 3' to the right of the TV and the other about 6' left of the TV. They would be about 15' away from the couch.

Can you do anything different with the 3ft and 6ft set-up? This affects imaging and soundstage presentation.

Pioneer review
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

 

[Drury]

Per the 3ft and 6ft set-up, unfortunately, no. There's a fireplace separating the two. Only other option would be to have the speakers set right on either side of the TV itself. I was trying to get a little separation. Would it be better to have the speaker right with the tv?

 

[zieglj01]

Per the 3ft and 6ft set-up, unfortunately, no. There's a fireplace separating the two. Only other option would be to have the speakers set right on either side of the TV itself. I was trying to get a little separation. Would it be better to have the speaker right with the tv?

Can you post a picture?

If not, then test both positions and settle for what sounds best to you.
Some people can not hear a difference, between 3 and 6 ft.

 

[alumiu90]

Anyone know if this is true? It was on another forum I follow.

"The problem with the NHT Superzero is that they don't perform at the recommend THX crossover 80hz settings. You will have to set then at a higher crossover with the sub and this will result in a very localized sub."