$2500 System?

[DOBBER]

I want to introduce myself as a complete NEWBIE. I have been lurking around the site for a couple months searching and reading everything I could find in the archives (so I am a well read newbie ) However, I cant help myself to ask the question that alot of newbie's asks...... I have $2500 to spend on a system what you audioholics suggest?

I know its not a big budget but I already have the TV. I am basically looking for a reciever, dvd, speakers, woofer, and any other components I may need. Like everyone else I want to get all I can for my money and thats where I need some advice.

The system will be used for both music and home theatre. I would also like something that I can easily expand to put outdoor speakers on my deck (not included in the $2500). Like I said I know its not a big budget but it should be enough to get me started.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AVRat]

Welcome DOBBER, it will be helpful to know your space size (cu. ft.), bookshelf vs. floorstanders, 5.1 or 7.1, mono- or multi-polar surrounds?

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

$2500 is more than most of us started with.

What brands of speakers can you audition locally? (I'm not saying internet brands are bad, just nice to know what you'll be comparing against).

Also depending on your TV a "disposable" $50 DVD player might be a good choice (especially with DVDs replacements already on store shelves).

And If you want speakers outside, you simply need an AVR with "dual Zone" capabilites, which are fairly common on most 7.1AVRs.

 

[DOBBER]

$2500 system.

The room is approximately 16 x 18 with high cielings (around 18')open to my 2nd floor hallway (its my great room). I was thinking 5.1 with floor standers (especially in the front) but I am open to suggestions. As far as mono or multi-polar........ need advice.

 

[zumbo]

Energy
$1226.82 shipped
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENKC500

Polk
$1476.00 shipped
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28507
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28509
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28513

$429.00 shipped
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2.html

$569.88 shipped
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/538999334

$399.99 shipped
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-43BOFlSwxXT/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=54400&I=022DV2500B

$2625.69 total shipped. Energy
$2874.87 total shipped. Polk

All from authorized dealers

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

room height isn't as important as room length & width. And 16x18 is small enough that you can use almost any brand/model of loudspeaker. (Tiny cubes would still be a problem).

some suggestions......
JBL Studio L - L820 x4 (mains & surrounds) LC2 center
PSB Image - T45 x2 (mains) C40 (center) S50 x2 (surround)
Klipsch Refrence - RB61 x 2 (mains) RC52 (center) RS42 (surrounds)

No matter which company loudspeakers you buy, you'll want a subwoofer from a dedicated subwoofer company (Hsu Research, Velodyne, SVS).

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

As far as mono or multi-polar........ need advice.

The polar-quotient of your surround speakers is a personal choice. Its probably the question you should spend the least amount of time worrying about. (ie. not a big difference either way).

 

[DOBBER]

Thanks for the suggestions.

What do you think of the Paradigm monitor 11's? I heard them over the weekend and was pretty impressed. However, I can't find a retailer to compare prices with. Here is what I was qouted from a local retailer. I would then purchase a HSU sub and probably the yamaha equipment that Zumbo listed.

Mains - Monitor 11's $1020
Center - CC290 - $339
Rear - ADP390 - $595

Also how do you think these would compare to the packages listed above i.e. the Eneryg's, Polks, and PSB.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just go listen to as many speakers as you can and pick a pair; this should be the fun part. I would listen to the ones mentioned above and throw in the Monitor Audio RS6 and KEF IQ 7.

I love Paradigms but some people dont; it's all in the ear of the beholder. I have no idea where you live so it's impossible to say what the 11's are worth. In Texas you could step up to the mid-end Studio's for that price. Remember there is a lot of room to haggle in a high end AV store.

 

[DOBBER]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have spent the last week going to about every audio store that I could find. I ended up back at the first place I went but much more educated. I ordered a pair of Monitor 11's, a CC290, and ADP Surrounds at a substantially lower price that I was initiailly qouted.

Now I need some help on recievers, subs, and cables. Do I go with a Marantz 5001 or order the Yamaha HTR 5990. I really liked the Marantz but I am wondering if the Yamaha is the better reciever for the money.

For a sub I am going to order a HSU. My only question is do I go with a 10" or step up to a 12".

As far as cables go I am completely lost. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on the this. I want to make sure I get good cables but I want to make sure its a good price. Any suggestions.

 

[jcPanny]

Cables

For the highest quality, made in the USA cables, check out bluejeans cables.
For the least expensive cables that will work and sound great, monoprice.com.
Any 12 or 14 AWG copper speaker wire will work fine.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I bet you will enjoy the 11's.

Any of the Yammy, Denon, Pioneer Elites or Marantz with a power range >100/ch should drive your system just fine. Just pick the one in your price range that has the features you want.

Get a 12'' sub so you dont wish you had of. HSU is a good choice.

MonoPrice or BlueJeans for cables and wires. DO NOT spend much money here. I used all Mono and their cables are really good. My speakers wire is mainly from a giant spool I got from Home Depot since the majority is in-wall and I needed wire rated for that.

 

[AVRat]

In essence, with your room's cavernous volume, you want to buy as much sub as you can afford.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Cables: Radioshack has a 'Gold' series that I'm happy with. Just buy 12gauge speakerwire in bulk. screw-on bannana connectors are real nice too.

Subwoofer: If you're going with Hsu (certainly not a bad choice), I'd save my pennies to get the VTF-3 HO w/Turbo. Failing that the VTF-3 turbo, and finally a VTF-3 with no turbo. But I'd really save and buy the biggun'. Hell, win the lotto and buy 2 of 'em.

Nothing sucks quite like almost enough subwoofer. (and for HT the sub is the best speaker.... center channel afficianados be damned).