$1,000 speaker/sub budget and a few questions

[SoundEffect]

Hi all. I'm setting up my first home theater and have allocated $1,000 for speakers including the sub. I'll be using a Denon receiver, probably either the E300 or the x1000.

I'm allocating $500 for the sub so I can get an SVS PB-1000 or similar quality alternative.

So that leaves $500 for LCR and surrounds.

This setup will be 50/50 music and movies, and my listening area is around 11' by 13' (low ceiling--around 7 and a half feet) but with an opening to another room.

My main dilemma is LCR, and then I can decide on some small surrounds (not much room beside or behind the couch!) I'd like to get surrounds for not much more than $100, so that leaves $400 for LCR.

There's such a myriad of options for bookshelf speakers--what do you folks think? These are the speakers I've considered so far for L and R (assuming I'd buy a matching center for whatever I choose):

HSU HB-1 MK2
Cambridge Audio S30
EMP Tek E5Bi

I'd like something that goes down to 60hz or lower, so I can comfortably crossover to the sub at 80hz or lower (I have very limited sub placement options, so I want to avoid localization issues).

Ideally I'd like to get the speakers in piano black, but I haven't seen anything that fits the bill with that finish yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

 

[psbfan9]

Hi SoundEffect. Welcome to the forum!

You have some decent options at your budget.

You can get 5 NHT Super Zeros at $99.00 each and a Hsu Research VTF-1 for $419+ $48.00 shipping.

SuperZero 2.1 | Bookshelf Speakers | Premium Audio Equipment

VTF-1 MK2 Subwoofer

Or

You can get two pair of Wave Crest Audio with an extra HVL-1 for the center. These are $230.00 a pair. Then ad the Hsu sub at $419.00

HVL-1 Two-Way Loudspeaker | Wave Crest Audio

 

[bikemig]

Hi all. I'm setting up my first home theater and have allocated $1,000 for speakers including the sub. I'll be using a Denon receiver, probably either the E300 or the x1000.

I'm allocating $500 for the sub so I can get an SVS PB-1000 or similar quality alternative.

So that leaves $500 for LCR and surrounds.

This setup will be 50/50 music and movies, and my listening area is around 11' by 13' (low ceiling--around 7 and a half feet) but with an opening to another room.

My main dilemma is LCR, and then I can decide on some small surrounds (not much room beside or behind the couch!) I'd like to get surrounds for not much more than $100, so that leaves $400 for LCR.

There's such a myriad of options for bookshelf speakers--what do you folks think? These are the speakers I've considered so far for L and R (assuming I'd buy a matching center for whatever I choose):

HSU HB-1 MK2
Cambridge Audio S30
EMP Tek E5Bi

I'd like something that goes down to 60hz or lower, so I can comfortably crossover to the sub at 80hz or lower (I have very limited sub placement options, so I want to avoid localization issues).

Ideally I'd like to get the speakers in piano black, but I haven't seen anything that fits the bill with that finish yet.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

I am looking to do a 3.1 set up and I've looked at some of the same speakers you are looking at. HSU does a reasonable deal if you buy the system from them so you may want to consider doing that. If you want the cambridge S30s, accessories4less has a good price on them as well as the center speaker.

 

[SoundEffect]

Hi SoundEffect. Welcome to the forum!

You have some decent options at your budget.

You can get 5 NHT Super Zeros at $99.00 each and a Hsu Research VTF-1 for $419+ $48.00 shipping.

SuperZero 2.1 | Bookshelf Speakers | Premium Audio Equipment

VTF-1 MK2 Subwoofer

Or

You can get two pair of Wave Crest Audio with an extra HVL-1 for the center. These are $230.00 a pair. Then ad the Hsu sub at $419.00

HVL-1 Two-Way Loudspeaker | Wave Crest Audio

Thanks psbfan9!

Looking at your suggestions, I'm drawn more to the Wave Crests because they go lower (63hz) than the NHTs.

Rather than buying five identical speakers, I was thinking of spending less on the surrounds so I could spend more on LCR. Is that a reasonable strategy or do you think five identical speakers would provide a big advantage? I was thinking if there were a weak link somewhere it could afford to be the surrounds.

 

[SoundEffect]

I am looking to do a 3.1 set up and I've looked at some of the same speakers you are looking at. HSU does a reasonable deal if you buy the system from them so you may want to consider doing that. If you want the cambridge S30s, accessories4less has a good price on them as well as the center speaker.

Thanks for the tips bikemig! Which speakers are you leaning toward for your setup?

 

[psbfan9]

Thanks psbfan9!

Looking at your suggestions, I'm drawn more to the Wave Crests because they go lower (63hz) than the NHTs.

Rather than buying five identical speakers, I was thinking of spending less on the surrounds so I could spend more on LCR. Is that a reasonable strategy or do you think five identical speakers would provide a big advantage? I was thinking if there were a weak link somewhere it could afford to be the surrounds.

Glad I could offer some help!

The biggest advantage to 5 indetical speakers of the same series is that they are all timbre matched. Which is important when listening to multi channel music. If you don't listen to multi channel music then it's not a concern. You do want your front three to match, or at least be of the same series. Your strategy is right on. You could use most any speaker for surrounds. You could check eBay or Craiglist for used.

But, if you prefer new, these have good reviews from actual owners.

8 Inches 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) - Black - Monoprice.com

 

[zieglj01]

I am looking to do a 3.1 set up and I've looked at some of the same speakers you are looking at.

You are still looking?

 

[zieglj01]

Looking at your suggestions, I'm drawn more to the Wave Crests because they go lower (63hz) than the NHTs.

Rather than buying five identical speakers, I was thinking of spending less on the surrounds so I could spend more on LCR. Is that a reasonable strategy or do you think five identical speakers would provide a big advantage? I was thinking if there were a weak link somewhere it could afford to be the surrounds.

Wave Crest or Cambridge would be the ones I would be looking at.

The Cambridge will go down to 60 hz - if you choose Cambridge, I would get an
extra pair and use one as a vertical center - it would be worth it. You would still
stay in budget.

For surrounds, one option is NXG Pro 4.1 - sold each
Amazon.com : Nxg Pro 4.1 Satellite Speaker (Discontinued by Manufacturer) : Home Theater Speaker Systems : Electronics

 

[bikemig]

Thanks for the tips bikemig! Which speakers are you leaning toward for your setup?

I'm passing on the LCR speakers at this point and sticking with my current set up (a pair of PSB imagine B speakers with no center). I did get the SVS SB 2000 and it rocks. It took care of the biggest issue I had with my HT set up. But if I were going to spring for the LCR speakers at around a $500 budget, I'd go with the PSB Alpha and matching center. What can I say, I'm a PSB fanboy.

You are still looking?

I'm fence sitting, . I did pick up the SVS SB 2000 which I love. I haven't decided on the LCR yet, though, . . . .

 

[zieglj01]

Another option and they do have bass - is Philharmonic Audio AAL Monitors,
You can get a 5.0 set for $390. They are for real and are good.
Philharmonic Audio

 

[SoundEffect]

Glad I could offer some help!

The biggest advantage to 5 indetical speakers of the same series is that they are all timbre matched. Which is important when listening to multi channel music. If you don't listen to multi channel music then it's not a concern. You do want your front three to match, or at least be of the same series. Your strategy is right on. You could use most any speaker for surrounds. You could check eBay or Craiglist for used.

But, if you prefer new, these have good reviews from actual owners.

8 Inches 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) - Black - Monoprice.com

Got it, thanks!

Wave Crest or Cambridge would be the ones I would be looking at.

The Cambridge will go down to 60 hz - if you choose Cambridge, I would get an
extra pair and use one as a vertical center - it would be worth it. You would still
stay in budget.

For surrounds, one option is NXG Pro 4.1 - sold each
Amazon.com : Nxg Pro 4.1 Satellite Speaker (Discontinued by Manufacturer) : Home Theater Speaker Systems : Electronics

I keep seeing raves about the Cambridge, which is why I put them on my list. How would you say they are different from the Wave Crest?

 

[SoundEffect]

Another option and they do have bass - is Philharmonic Audio AAL Monitors,
You can get a 5.0 set for $390. They are for real and are good.
Philharmonic Audio

Interesting, thanks!

 

[zieglj01]

Got it, thanks!
I keep seeing raves about the Cambridge, which is why I put them on my list. How would you say they are different from the Wave Crest?

I have not listened to Wave Crest - I have owned the Cambridge S30 >> a forum
member whom I tend to respect, did demo/and own both - and did not pick a clear
winner between the 2 - as always it will be subjective. So they are 2 nice options.

However I for sure, will clearly take the modded Pioneer AAL Monitors over the stock
Cambridge S30 speakers - they have a smooth refined balance, with nice detail and
definition - and for me will stand with and above, some speakers out there from $350
down per pair. They tend to favor an NHT sound signature.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

AAL's are really good mods, but OP might have to be patient to get them - Dennis mentioned he's swamped with orders for these

One of better choices I would prefer is 3 Wavecrest/Cabridge S30 for LCR, cheap surrounds and as much as sub as you could afford.

Going with SVS PB1000 is a good call and HSU could be good alternatives.

 

[zieglj01]

I'm fence sitting, . I did pick up the SVS SB 2000 which I love. I haven't decided on the LCR yet, though, . . . .

While sitting on the fence - you missed out on the MB Quart deal - they are
good and can take the power - having a 3 inch voice coil is cool/good, and
hard to find something like it, for that close out price.

 

[SoundEffect]

I have not listened to Wave Crest - I have owned the Cambridge S30 >> a forum
member whom I tend to respect, did demo/and own both - and did not pick a clear
winner between the 2 - as always it will be subjective. So they are 2 nice options.

However I for sure, will clearly take the modded Pioneer AAL Monitors over the stock
Cambridge S30 speakers - they have a smooth refined balance, with nice detail and
definition - and for me will stand with and above, some speakers out there from $350
down per pair. They tend to favor an NHT sound signature.

OK, so I'm just working out that the AAL are modified Pioneer speakers. I did read god things about those Pioneers (unmodded) but didn't put them on my list because it seemed my other choices were a cut above them. Would you choose the AALs over all the other choices I have?

The one option that nobody has mentioned is the EMP Teks. I put them on the list because I found an amazing review online by Andrew Robinson (?), but since then I haven't found many other views on them at all, which I thought was strange.

 

[zieglj01]

AAL's are really good mods, but OP might have to be patient to get them - Dennis mentioned he's swamped with orders for these

He said that he is caught up with the AAL monitors.

 

[SoundEffect]

AAL's are really good mods, but OP might have to be patient to get them - Dennis mentioned he's swamped with orders for these

One of better choices I would prefer is 3 Wavecrest/Cabridge S30 for LCR, cheap surrounds and as much as sub as you could afford.

Going with SVS PB1000 is a good call and HSU could be good alternatives.

Thanks for the tips! Would you prefer the Cambridge/Wave Crest/AAL to the HSU bookshelves?

 

[zieglj01]

OK, so I'm just working out that the AAL are modified Pioneer speakers. I did read god things about those Pioneers (unmodded) but didn't put them on my list because it seemed my other choices were a cut above them. Would you choose the AALs over all the other choices I have?

The one option that nobody has mentioned is the EMP Teks. I put them on the list because I found an amazing review online by Andrew Robinson (?), but since then I can't find another single review of them, which I thought was strange.

For the most part yes - I take some of Andrew Robinsons' reviews with a few grains of salt.

Now I hope EMP has improved their budget bookshelf, from the ones I owned in the past.
The ones I owned from the RBH/EMP/Destination audio company - took a fast exit out of
my door. And they had a former List price of $395 a pair.

Have fun with your search adventure.

 

[SoundEffect]

For the most part yes - I take some of Andrew Robinsons' reviews with a few grains of salt.

Now I hope EMP has improved their budget bookshelf, from the ones I owned in the past.
The ones I owned from the RBH/EMP/Destination audio company - took a fast exit out of
my door. And they had a former List price of $395 a pair.

Have fun with your search adventure.

Thanks--I will! And thanks for all your help!