2.1 $1000 budget.

[GranteedEV]

I dont understand what makes the Decco superior compared to a cheap receiver. It says 50wats per channel. The 2030p say they can handle up to 100 watt input. Does this mean the Decco would be under powering the 2030p?

Hey, I don't understand either...but I some would advise you towards what they perceive as a more simplistic, convenient solution over a more "messy compromise"? I understand from a dealer perspective that the consumer doesn't want the "hassle" of setting up complex networks or whatever the logic is but from a consumer perspective I want the best performance and features like streaming or wireless or what-have you simply wouldn't be worthwhile for my budget when pitted against a measurably great sound speaker with good in-room acoustics. Other stuff is just that - other stuff that I don't want to be factoring into my initial budget.

That said 50w won't be "underpowering 2030ps" unless you're trying to fill a living room. For nearfield, I'd bet you'd never ask for more than 20w out of your speakers.

For $1000 though I think spending half your budget on electronics is totally ridiculous and nonsensical. Certain people are of course free say, feel, and think whatever but PERSONALLY I'd rather budget enough to get great high-value transducers. $1000 just isn't the budget for "features". It's a budget for an excellent barebones system, if you're looking for features you may just miss out in the grand scheme of things at that price point.

My recommendation would be a quality internet direct sub (stay away from anything in a hi fi shop as you'll be charged a lot for a tiny, low output, mediocre extension sub... the only B&M subs I would personally consider at budget price points would be the Infinity PS212 or something.) Properly level and phase matched it's ultimately a matter of EQing to reasonably flat in-room.

paired with some great active studio monitors. Mackie makes some THX pm3 certified monitors which would be great for nearfield use with your kind of budget if you can cross em to a sub. The Behringer Truth stuff is always a great bang-for-buck choice too... I understand why people usually go with the passive 2030s (amp quality rumours) but I would be perfectly comfy with the actives which for every rumour have plenty of satisfied long term owners. If you want a crossover get a MiniDSP for less than $200.

 

[jinjuku]

For $1000 though I think spending half your budget on electronics is totally ridiculous and nonsensical. Certain people are of course free say, feel, and think whatever but PERSONALLY I'd rather budget enough to get great high-value transducers. $1000 just isn't the budget for "features". It's a budget for an excellent barebones system, if you're looking for features you may just miss out in the grand scheme of things at that price point.

Ding Ding Ding. We have a winner.

Up till this post I haven't seen anyone come out and say that $1000 2.1 is a series of compromises.

A couple of things to get straight: Barring a piss poor designed amp or amp section Speakers are the over whelming determinate in SQ.

I could see someone recommending the DECCO IF they thought the end user would be going up the food chain speaker wise. I didn't see this asked however. There need to be more needs assessment.

Budget can be thought of in the here and now or it can be thought of longer term.

 

[jinjuku]

What are your long term goals?

Is this a 2.1 that you want to live with for a long time? Or do you see yourself upgrading?

If you see yourself upgrading then we need to think of what the best Anchor piece is that you can perform upgrades around.

For me that is easy: Amplification/Source. You lock the right piece in and it can see you through a few speaker upgrade/swap cycles easy.

Are you running a laptop or desktop?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does your Computer have HDMI output?

If not, get a $50 ATI card with HDMI output.

Then feed it to an AVR, then to speakers + sub.

http://www.amazon.ca/Energy-RC-10-Reference-Connoisseur-Bookshelf/dp/B001BYEWEE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1294686288&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.ca/Energy-ESW-C8-8-Inch-Subwoofer-Black/dp/B0021L9BMO/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1294686288&sr=1-5

http://www.amazon.ca/TX-SR308-1080p-HDMI-Theatre-Receiver/dp/B003BEDQQM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1294687575&sr=1-1

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/energy_rc10.htm

I love Amazon, but I don't live in Canada. So I would call Amazon Canada and ask about their return policy just in case things don't work out.

If the Amazon Canada has the same customer service as in USA, which I assume it is, then you will be in good hands.

 

[jinjuku]

There is a Yamaha RX-V2095 used near me for $200...

 

[Flyingnugget]

What are your long term goals?

Is this a 2.1 that you want to live with for a long time? Or do you see yourself upgrading?

If you see yourself upgrading then we need to think of what the best Anchor piece is that you can perform upgrades around.

For me that is easy: Amplification/Source. You lock the right piece in and it can see you through a few speaker upgrade/swap cycles easy.

Are you running a laptop or desktop?

Im running my music off my desktop.

My long term goals would be to buy my own house, and have my computer hooked into a HT system for watching movies and music. However my long term goals are almost irrelevant right now as I am no where near buying a house.

The only upgrade I could see within the next few years is wanting surround sound for playing games. I do play games once and a while, but my priority is music. I dont like to upgrade often. I was originaly going to buy the Klipsch promedia 2.1. After doing some researched I realized that if I bought the Klipsch I wouldnt be satisfied and would be looking for something better in a few months. Now I am here trying to figure out what I can get for $1000. Ill probably end up going over my budget but it will be well worth it. I am in no rush to pull the trigger and will wait until I am 100% sure in my purchase. Although I would like to have this system finished by the end of February.

I am more concerned about here and now as this purchase will last me years. The best future proofing I can do right now is the receiver and subwoofer. Then in the future some time ill buy some front towers/amp and put my bookshelf speakers in the rear.

So far my plan is to get the SVS PB10-NSD Subwoofer($579), there is store close by where I can pick it up, and behringer 2030p($270shipped) bookshelf speakers(Ill mod them for sure as I love modding) Ill try and find the 2030p cheaper somewhere.

 

[jinjuku]

Im running my music off my desktop.

My long term goals would be to buy my own house, and have my computer hooked into a HT system for watching movies and music. However my long term goals are almost irrelevant right now as I am no where near buying a house.

The only upgrade I could see within the next few years is wanting surround sound for playing games. I do play games once and a while, but my priority is music. I dont like to upgrade often. I was originaly going to buy the Klipsch promedia 2.1. After doing some researched I realized that if I bought the Klipsch I wouldnt be satisfied and would be looking for something better in a few months. Now I am here trying to figure out what I can get for $1000. Ill probably end up going over my budget but it will be well worth it. I am in no rush to pull the trigger and will wait until I am 100% sure in my purchase. Although I would like to have this system finished by the end of February.

I am more concerned about here and now as this purchase will last me years. The best future proofing I can do right now is the receiver and subwoofer. Then in the future some time ill buy some front towers/amp and put my bookshelf speakers in the rear.

So far my plan is to get the SVS PB10-NSD Subwoofer($579), there is store close by where I can pick it up, and behringer 2030p($270shipped) bookshelf speakers(Ill mod them for sure as I love modding) Ill try and find the 2030p cheaper somewhere.

Holy price hike on the Behringer Monitors. I picked both the 2030p and 2031p for well under $200 just a few years ago. Still a good deal but damn...

Here is the link for the Yamaha RX-V2095. You should really consider it. The thing is a tank. I believe the for $200 (or maybe less) others would vouch for it.

 

[jinjuku]

You could look at the Parts Express Titanic MK III 10" for $399. Just need a screwdriver.

Free up some cash for other stuff...

 

[Flyingnugget]

Does your Computer have HDMI output?

If not, get a $50 ATI card with HDMI output.

Then feed it to an AVR, then to speakers + sub.

{Cant post links because I dont have 5 posts}

I love Amazon, but I don't live in Canada. So I would call Amazon Canada and ask about their return policy just in case things don't work out.

If the Amazon Canada has the same customer service as in USA, which I assume it is, then you will be in good hands.

Thanks for the suggestions ill research those. I have a 5870, it has 2 HDMI ports. Ill probably be buying a high end soundcard from Asus with a build in headphone amp, the Xonar ST/STX. I havnt really looked at the soundcards yet as ive been spending all my spare time looking at speakers.

There is a Yamaha RX-V2095 used near me for $200...

I have never been a fan of buying things used online, I just dont trust people

 

[sholling]

Holy price hike on the Behringer Monitors. I picked both the 2030p and 2031p for well under $200 just a few years ago. Still a good deal but damn...

Prices on those have gone up 50-100% here in the US. Canada adds duty and taxes to that.

 

[jinjuku]

Thanks for the suggestions ill research those. I have a 5870, it has 2 HDMI ports. Ill probably be buying a high end soundcard from Asus with a build in headphone amp, the Xonar ST/STX. I havnt really looked at the soundcards yet as ive been spending all my spare time looking at speakers.



I have never been a fan of buying things used online, I just dont trust people

That is only a decision you can make. So far knock on wood it has worked in my favor and the build quality on that unit is top notch.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have an [ATI] 5870, it has 2 HDMI ports. Ill probably be buying a high end soundcard from Asus with a build in headphone amp, the Xonar ST/STX. I havnt really looked at the soundcards

I don't think you need a soundcard.

With the HDMI, you just need to bitstream all your sound to an AVR, which will do all the DAC and has a headphone jack.

I think getting a better AVR is a better idea than getting the additional soundcard.

I've tried one of those Asus Xonar $300 soundcards before. Sure, they advertise "Burr-Brown DAC" and all that. But I was very disappointed with the Asus Xonar's DAC & Sound Quality compared to a $400 Harman Kardon AVR.

I say just get a good quality AVR & speakers.

 

[Flyingnugget]

You could look at the Parts Express Titanic MK III 10" kit for $399. Just need a screwdriver.

Free up some cash for other stuff...

I dont have a problem buying and building a kit. After tax and shipping to Canada it will probably end up costing about the same as the SVS PB10-NSD sub that I found locally.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

With the kind of luck I have, there is no way I'm buying any used electronics PERIOD.

 

[GranteedEV]

With the kind of luck I have, there is no way I'm buying any used electronics PERIOD.

You should buy a brand new theta digital casablanca III HD

 

[jinjuku]

I dont have a problem buying and building a kit. After tax and shipping to Canada it will probably end up costing about the same as the SVS PB10-NSD sub that I found locally.

Crap, I forgot your from 'up north'.

 

[jinjuku]

With the kind of luck I have, there is no way I'm buying any used electronics PERIOD.

I have perfectly working used Parasound that you should be adding to your avatar.

AcuParaDefTechGuy... Has a certain ring to it.

 

[Flyingnugget]

Does anyone have any experience with the SBS-02 Bookshelf Speaker? The reason I'm asking is because I can pick them up at the same place as the subwoofer. This will cost me less than the Behringer 2030p.

I havnt been able to find anything on these bookshelves.

http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/sbs02-bookshelf-speaker-pair-black-p-14.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Does anyone have any experience with the SBS-02 Bookshelf Speaker? The reason I'm asking is because I can pick them up at the same place as the subwoofer. This will cost me less than the Behringer 2030p.

I havnt been able to find anything on these bookshelves.

http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/sbs02-bookshelf-speaker-pair-black-p-14.html

Dunno much about sbs-02, but sbs-01 was proper reviewed right here:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/svs-sbs-01

 

[digicidal]

I don't think you need a soundcard.

With the HDMI, you just need to bitstream all your sound to an AVR, which will do all the DAC and has a headphone jack.

I think getting a better AVR is a better idea than getting the additional soundcard.

I've tried one of those Asus Xonar $300 soundcards before. Sure, they advertise "Burr-Brown DAC" and all that. But I was very disappointed with the Asus Xonar's DAC & Sound Quality compared to a $400 Harman Kardon AVR.

I say just get a good quality AVR & speakers.

I'm not sure which Xonar you tried, or the way in which you listened to it - but I was very impressed with it (after an op-amp upgrade) at least in the headphone department ( I have the Essence ST - PCI... of note I did not like the Essence STX - PCIe card strangely enough).

That being said I completely agree with it not being necessary - or even recommended in this case - if you are using an AVR + HDMI for video already, not using it for digital audio as well is silly. In any case, the simple fact of having the analog processing occur outside of the PC case as opposed to using a sound card for that is better noise-wise.

I do however, recommend a Xonar for cases where headphones will be the primary listening device and space constraints prevent the use of ancillary equipment. I definitely believe it is better than any of the equally expensive offerings from Creative Labs. Although a small USB DAC/Headphone amp would be at least as good if not better since it would again be outside the PC case. I do understand the appeal of a totally 'clean' desktop however.