5.1 speaker setup for $1000 help

[jumpman23j]

I've been contemplating really hard on which speakers to get to the point it's making my head hurt. I listened to the definitive tech studio monitor 350 and they sounded pretty darn good and better than the klipsch reference bookshelf i compared them to. Listened to some paradigm titans and they didn't sound too good with the type of music i listen to which is mainly r&b/hip-hop. I will also be using them for movies and regular television. Space is limited so i need some suggestions. I have been looking at psb b25's and kef iq3's. What do you guys suggest, i currently don't have any room for a sub so I need to know what are my best options. Thanks. I will be matching them up with an onkyo sr-605 or 705.

 

[rnatalli]

Welcome!

Choosing speakers is usually an exhausting process. You may like speakers with a more laid back sound such as the X-LS. The PSB Image is a great line worth considering. Saturday Audio has them for a great price right now. Since you like Rap and Hip-Hop, the SVS SBS-01 packages are worth considering as well.

You may need to go towers so you get some bass as bookshelves like I mentioned above may no go low enough for the music you like. Saturday Audio has the PSB Image Towers definitely worth considering for the money. Also checkout the X-MTM review here at Audioholics as bass was one of their strong points. Try and listen to as many as you can so you get a real feel for what you want.

 

[jumpman23j]

hmm, saturday audio has the b-25's on sale? I couldn't find them on their site.

 

[rnatalli]

Right on their homepage. Here's the direct link:

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/image_maple_sale.htm

 

[jumpman23j]

thanks, don't know how i missed it. Anyone know how the monitor audio bookshelf's compare to the b25's? Trying to get a feel for all the bookshelf speakers.

 

[3db]

thanks, don't know how i missed it. Anyone know how the monitor audio bookshelf's compare to the b25's? Trying to get a feel for all the bookshelf speakers.

Read this thread. It will give you some ideas. I'm a PSB's bggest fanboy and I really do like their products.

 

[Guangui]

thanks, don't know how i missed it. Anyone know how the monitor audio bookshelf's compare to the b25's? Trying to get a feel for all the bookshelf speakers.

If you do a google/yahoo/msn search you will find many threads from this forum, and others, doing a PSB B25 vs MA Bronze comparisons. Both compare favorably to each other. Some people like MA being more laidback, and others like PSB being little more detailed. I did extensive comparison of both, and decided on PSB, as my use would be around 70% HT/30% Music, and I liked the PSB being more dynamic, which helps movies. In my case I decided for T45's with B25's as rears. Found the B25's to be so good as mains that they will be used for 100% music in a 2-Ch. system, and purchasing a set of PSB Alpha's for rears to the T45's.

MA is my other favorite brand, so IMO you cannot go wrong with PSB nor Monitor Audio.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ummm...Hip-Hop with no sub....that's a bad combo...

CV? Infinity Beta?

 

[rnatalli]

I would not go with MA if you generally like rap and hiphop simply because they're a refined and detailed speaker generally on the polite side. I feel they're more suited for classical or jazz music. But they're still worth a listen as everyone feels differently about speakers.

 

[Soundman]

If you listen to rap, hip-hop, etc, you definitely need a sub. That SVS system may suite your needs 'cause you'll get a killer sub for the money.

 

[AVRat]

If you don't mind basic black, an Ascend Acoustics CBM-170/CMT-340 (System 23-2000) combo would work very well. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170hts.html

 

[jumpman23j]

Yeah, thats what i've been told, that i need a sub. I don't think i will listen to much music on em though. It will be mostly for playing xbox 360, television and movies. Don't really listen to too much music in the home, thats what i do while i'm driving. So i think i might give the psb b25 and t45 a test. Need to find an audio place around here to test them out.

 

[jumpman23j]

Would an onkyo 705 or 605 be good with these psb speakers (b25 or t45)?

 

[mazersteven]

Don't really listen to too much music in the home, thats what i do while i'm driving.

That is what most people say before they put a system of quality speakers in their house. Then after hearing the house system the car speakers just aren't good anymore. It hurts to listen. With proper calibration and placement. You might just find yourself listening to music more and more in your house.

 

[Sheep]

Would an onkyo 705 or 605 be good with these psb speakers (b25 or t45)?

Source makes no difference. Those speakers are an easy load.

You will need a subwoofer. Bookshelf speakers cannot handle bass.

SheepStar

 

[Nimrod]

That is what most people say before they put a system of quality speakers in their house. Then after hearing the house system the car speakers just aren't good anymore. It hurts to listen. With proper calibration and placement. You might just find yourself listening to music more and more in your house.

Exactly what I'm going thru now. (all I've done is run the speakers / receiver thru to Onkyo 705 auto setup thing) I hate my Bose car stero now.

My wife still really could'nt nice a hoot about all the nice AV stuff we have now.. but the other day I fired up some music she liked (REO Speedwagon "Roll with the Changes, Billy Joel "Miami 2017, etc.) and she was "Bopping" around the house enjoying herself

 

[jumpman23j]

Exactly what I'm going thru now. (all I've done is run the speakers / receiver thru to Onkyo 705 auto setup thing) I hate my Bose car stero now.

My wife still really could'nt nice a hoot about all the nice AV stuff we have now.. but the other day I fired up some music she liked (REO Speedwagon "Roll with the Changes, Billy Joel "Miami 2017, etc.) and she was "Bopping" around the house enjoying herself[/QUOTE]

Well it is bose But anyways which speakers did you purchase and how do you like your onkyo 705?

 

[Guangui]

Exactly what I'm going thru now. (all I've done is run the speakers / receiver thru to Onkyo 705 auto setup thing) I hate my Bose car stero now.

My wife still really could'nt nice a hoot about all the nice AV stuff we have now.. but the other day I fired up some music she liked (REO Speedwagon "Roll with the Changes, Billy Joel "Miami 2017, etc.) and she was "Bopping" around the house enjoying herself

Same thing here...I enjoy music so much now, that I'm putting together a 100% music system in my living room using the B25's, and leaving the T45's for my HT in the family room. Or, since I have a sub, maybe I will leave the B25's for HT, and use the T45's for the music system...Everytime I enter this forum I get more confused...LOL