5.0 Speakers for $900

[blued888]

A friend would be able to import speakers from the US for me. Budget has increased greatly from $325, to $900. I already have an eD A2-300 ordered for my subwoofer.

Please note that previous setup was a Yamaha HTIB with 5 satellites and a 6.5" subwoofer. I hope that with a $900 budget, I will get a significantly better sound experience.

Floorstanders preferred for mains.

1. Your budget. $900, includes shipping and taxes.

2. Room dimensions. 940 cubic foot or 3660 cubic foot. (More consideration on the 3660 cubic foot room)

3. Primary uses. 95% HT / 5% Music

4. Listening habits. Will be listening at moderate volume. (With the occasional urge to listen at moderately high volume)

5. Appearance requirements. Preferably black.

6. Timeframe. To be ordered within the next 30-45 days.

7. Store preference. Online ordering or phone ordering. B&M ordering is a very slim chanced option.

To be used with this receiver:

Yamaha HTR-5540 (75w x 5), might be upgrading to a Yamaha RX-V663 sometime in the future.

Current considerations:

Infinity Primus System (PC350 + P362 + P162) = $820, I know I might be able to get P362s cheaper at Fry's which can save me $200, but there's a pretty slim chance of doing so. Shipping would be more convenient to the person who will be getting it for me.

BIC Acoustech System (HT-85 + HT-88 + HT-64) = $725

BIC Acoustech System (HT-85 + HT-88 + HT-75) = $879

 

[gus6464]

A friend would be able to import speakers from the US for me. Budget has increased greatly from $325, to $900. I already have an eD A2-300 ordered for my subwoofer.

Please note that previous setup was a Yamaha HTIB with 5 satellites and a 6.5" subwoofer. I hope that with a $900 budget, I will get a significantly better sound experience.

1. Your budget. $900, includes shipping and taxes.

2. Room dimensions. 940 cubic foot or 3660 cubic foot. (More consideration on the 3660 cubic foot room)

3. Primary uses. 95% HT / 5% Music

4. Listening habits. Will be listening at moderate volume. (With the occasional urge to listen at moderately high volume)

5. Appearance requirements. Preferably black.

6. Timeframe. To be ordered within the next 30-45 days.

7. Store preference. Online ordering or phone ordering. B&M ordering is a very slim chanced option.

To be used with this receiver:

Yamaha HTR-5540 (75w x 5), might be upgrading to a Yamaha RX-V663 sometime in the future.

Current considerations:

Infinity Primus System (PC350 + P362 + P162) = $820, I know I might be able to get P362s cheaper at Fry's which can save me $200, but there's a pretty slim chance of doing so. Shipping would be more convenient to the person who will be getting it for me.

BIC Acoustech System (HT-85 + HT-88 + HT-64) = $725

BIC Acoustech System (HT-85 + HT-88 + HT-75) = $879

Cancel the ED and get this instead.

SVS SBS-01 with PB-10NSD $999
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

That will come with 5 speakers and a damn good entry level sub or you could pay $150 more and get the upgraded PB-12NSD for an even better sub.

Edit: Since the ED is $315 if you cancel it that puts you at $1200 which allows you to get the SBS-01 with the PB12. That PB12 will spank that ED A2-300 all around town.

 

[Matt34]

The Infinity Primus system would be my choice in your price range, don't bother with the BIC Acoustech.

Also check out the Boston Acoustics VR-series that can be found at discount prices.

 

[blued888]

Cancel the ED and get this instead.

SVS SBS-01 with PB-10NSD $999
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

That will come with 5 speakers and a damn good entry level sub or you could pay $150 more and get the upgraded PB-12NSD for an even better sub.

Edit: Since the ED is $315 if you cancel it that puts you at $1200 which allows you to get the SBS-01 with the PB12. That PB12 will spank that ED A2-300 all around town.

My eD order is already awaiting paint. I don't think I will be able to cancel it. And I'd prefer floorstanders for my mains (Edited 1st post to reflect preference for floorstanders as mains). I'm leaning towards Infinity Primus because it's the only brand I was able to audition other than the Wharfedale Diamond 9's. Other brands would be pretty much a blind buy and based from user/internet reviews.

 

[jcPanny]

AV123 X-series

Check out the X-series speakers from AV123. You should be able to get a system with the X-sls or X-mtm floorstanders for the mains in your budget. Also look for deals on b-stock or older models on thier site.

X-mtm classic for $300/pair:
http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,207/category_id,21/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/
X-cs Classic for $89
http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,33/category_id,21/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

 

[abboudc]

How about 5x Mordaunt Short 914 floorstanders? ($329/pair):
Mordaunt Short 914's

 

[allargon]

Current considerations:

Infinity Primus System (PC350 + P362 + P162) = $820, I know I might be able to get P362s cheaper at Fry's which can save me $200, but there's a pretty slim chance of doing so. Shipping would be more convenient to the person who will be getting it for me.

Where do you live? Your budget is awfully high for this setup.

P362x2=$200+tax @ Fry's
PC350~$140 shipped off E-bay (unless you are one of those people that insist on new)
PC162x2=$140 shipped off E-bay (possibly less, possibly more unless you are one of those people that insists on new)

200+280=480 not 820... use the savings to get a two channel amp for that Yamaha as Wmax and others have said the P362's want P*O*W*E*R and certain frequencies...

Actually $480+$100-$200 for decent stands for the PC162's--those aren't wall mountable like the 152's.

I could've snagged an Acoustech for less than $150 shipped off Fleabay yesterday. However, I saw Matt's note. Plus I know a 10" sub is too small for my 15x25x10 ft. great room with lots of openings. I'm going to try and DIY an 18".

 

[Tex-amp]

Ascend Acoustics 200SE.

EDIT- Never mind I missed the floorstander pref.

 

[mazersteven]

Ascend Acoustics 200SE.

Floorstanders preferred for mains

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Very few floorstanders (if any) within that budget range will provide more bass extension than Alesis Monitor Ones. These are large bookshelves that extend to 45Hz +/-3dB with exceptionally flat response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion. Best of all, they can be had for just $200/pr (though stands will be required.)

 

[blued888]

Where do you live? Your budget is awfully high for this setup.

P362x2=$200+tax @ Fry's
PC350~$140 shipped off E-bay (unless you are one of those people that insist on new)
PC162x2=$140 shipped off E-bay (possibly less, possibly more unless you are one of those people that insists on new)

200+280=480 not 820... use the savings to get a two channel amp for that Yamaha as Wmax and others have said the P362's want P*O*W*E*R and certain frequencies...

Actually $480+$100-$200 for decent stands for the PC162's--those aren't wall mountable like the 152's.

I could've snagged an Acoustech for less than $150 shipped off Fleabay yesterday. However, I saw Matt's note. Plus I know a 10" sub is too small for my 15x25x10 ft. great room with lots of openings. I'm going to try and DIY an 18".

Philippines. The Primus set is actually $1065 if I'm going to be getting it here. So I'm actually getting around $250 in savings already for the set. Plus the Primus set here only come with silver grills which I frantically hate aesthetically. Replacement black grills are not available here.

Here is a breakdown of the prices of the Primus set here in the Philippines:
P362 pair = $535.00
P162 pair = $270.00
PC350 = $260.00

A friend will be shipping the speakers via ocean freight from the US. Personal preference insists me getting new. I can't get the P362s from Fry's unfortunately because I would be asking too much of a favor from the guy (Those P362s are huge). I just order online and will have the items shipped to his address (This is not possible on eBay since most people there require confirmed PayPal addresses).

As for the amplifier, I am planning to save up for either an Onkyo TX-SR805 or a Yamaha RX-V663, probably in the near future and the possibility of adding either another pair of P362s or P162s for a 7.1 setup. (P362s IF there would be a way for me to get them from Fry's if a sale on them comes up again.)

 

[Davidt1]

Very few floorstanders (if any) within that budget range will provide more bass extension than Alesis Monitor Ones. These are large bookshelves that extend to 45Hz +/-3dB with exceptionally flat response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion. Best of all, they can be had for just $200/pr (though stands will be required.)

What ever happened to the Cambridge Audio S30? Oh, I forgot your speaker of the month is the Alesis Monitor Ones now.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

What ever happened to the Cambridge Audio S30? Oh, I forgot your speaker of the month is the Alesis Monitor Ones now.

Those are great speakers too, but I wouldn't recommend them to someone as an alternate to cheap floorstanders because they have somewhat limited bass. (The Alesis have bass that utterly belies their size. With eyes closed, you would swear they are big floorstanders.)

Oh, and my speakers of the month are Primus 250s (I recently got my old ones back), but those are outside the OPs budget.

 

[gus6464]

Very few floorstanders (if any) within that budget range will provide more bass extension than Alesis Monitor Ones. These are large bookshelves that extend to 45Hz +/-3dB with exceptionally flat response, wide dispersion, and vanishingly low distortion. Best of all, they can be had for just $200/pr (though stands will be required.)

You kidding right? OP is looking for good bass extension and this is what you recommend? How hard is it to contribute anything productive in a thread rather than going around spouting the stuff you own?

 

[gus6464]

Wharfedale Diamond series

Diamond 9.4
Diamond 9.0
Diamond 9.CS

Those 5 speakers will set you back exactly $899 before shipping at wild west electronics.

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/

Other than AV123 X-series or Polk RTi at deep discount it would be very hard to find what you want at your budget. Maybe Infinity Primus but those are getting harder and harder to find at deep discount.

 

[blued888]

Wharfedale Diamond series

Diamond 9.4
Diamond 9.0
Diamond 9.CS

These are the prices of Wharfedales locally in the Philippines:

Diamond 9.1 $120.88
Diamond 9.2 $136.26
Diamond 9.4 $213.19
Diamond 9.5 $274.73
Diamond 9.6 $384.62
Diamond 9.SR $83.52
Diamond 9.CS $98.90
Diamond 9.CM $142.86

So the system you suggested will only cost $450, no shipping needed since it can be picked up locally. However I have auditioned the Diamond 9.6 and 9.CM but did not like how they sounded. It was like the sound was trying to hide behind the speakers. Hmmm, how do I describe that... They were not forward-sounding?

The next day I auditioned the Infinity Primus (PC350 + P362) and JBL L Series (LC2 + L880). Even though the L Series of JBL is a higher product line than that of the Infinity Primus, I still liked the Infinitys better because the JBL's highs were too harsh at some points.

I believe I will go with the Infinity Primus set. I've noticed there's not much choices within my price range. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I appreciate it.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

You kidding right? OP is looking for good bass extension and this is what you recommend?

Yes, and precicely because they have great bass extension. 45Hz is as low or lower than the majority of floorstanders under $300 each.

 

[bandphan]

QUOTE=Clint DeBoer;440053]Basically everyone should practice NOT having the last word. There are a few people here who can't stand to not have the last word. As a result, any post in which they are quoted or replied to gets derailed.... like clockwork.[/QUOTE]

 

[gus6464]

These are the prices of Wharfedales locally in the Philippines:

Diamond 9.1 $120.88
Diamond 9.2 $136.26
Diamond 9.4 $213.19
Diamond 9.5 $274.73
Diamond 9.6 $384.62
Diamond 9.SR $83.52
Diamond 9.CS $98.90
Diamond 9.CM $142.86

So the system you suggested will only cost $450, no shipping needed since it can be picked up locally. However I have auditioned the Diamond 9.6 and 9.CM but did not like how they sounded. It was like the sound was trying to hide behind the speakers. Hmmm, how do I describe that... They were not forward-sounding?

The next day I auditioned the Infinity Primus (PC350 + P362) and JBL L Series (LC2 + L880). Even though the L Series of JBL is a higher product line than that of the Infinity Primus, I still liked the Infinitys better because the JBL's highs were too harsh at some points.

I believe I will go with the Infinity Primus set. I've noticed there's not much choices within my price range. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I appreciate it.

Since the prices seem to be a lot better than the US check out other speakers like Mission, Mordaunt Short, and Tannoy. Since the price seems to be about half for european speakers compared to here in the US you might be able to get some Tannoy Mercury or Revolution.