5.1 speakers for brand new member

[von bek]

I have a budget of a grand and would like thoughts and direction on where to go.
I have a new LCD and blue ray and am completing the HT this coming week.
I don't want to go with pre-fabbed HTiB and have done some research for 2 1/2 months on speaker/receiver combinations. So far this is what I wanted to get.
1. Onyko SR606 - this is a definite.
2. Rocketfish wireless speaker kit - for the surround speakers
The part that I need help with is the speakers.
So far here is what I am leaning on based on scouring the web on reviews and owner experiences.
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Polk rm85 + PSW 110 sub woofer or Harman Harman/Kardon HKTS 18.
I was thinking about the Energy RC micro 5.1 package but it may be a little more than I can spend and finally Mirage Nanostats.
The room is 18' X 20' and the ceilings are 18' w/ carpeting.
5.1 is the setup and maybe in a year or so I would go with 7.1 so please limit replies to a 5.1 speaker combination.
This is my first post and I will be my first HT setup. I do want a decent audio experience. I have been to brick and morters and have not been impressed with any of the HTiB's I've listened to.
Thanks to all for your insight.

 

[john72953]

The best suggestion I can give you is to go and audition them! Both Energy and Mission are solid brands, but they sound completely different to one another.

Unless you absolutely have to, I wouldn't go wireless! Hard-wiring is always the better option.

John

 

[Highbar]

I'm going to agree with john and say that wireless is more than likely not going to impress you. As for speakers, that room has a lot of volume in it with 18' ceilings. If I were you and only had a $1000 to spend to start I would probably look at a 2.0 or 3.0 system and put a little more into each speaker. If you are dead set on going 5.1 to start I like the Energy's the best out of your list. Just know if you like bass you're probably going to want to upgrade the sub at some time.

 

[lsiberian]

With 1000 dollars I could wipe the floor on ebay and craigslist and put together a sweet system.

brands too look at KEF, Infinity, Mirage, Ones listed above of course.

Buying used speakers is usally a safe move and you can get some awesome stuff from pissed off ex-wives.

 

[shenaniganz]

The energy's sound pretty good. I have a friend who has them powered by the onkyo 606. I myslef had about the same budget I wanted to stay under $1,000. But I just received my svs sbs-01 package today!! So my budget has well doubled almost. So watch out.. a little ht can turn into a bif investment. My thoughts would be to build from the ground up... And these guys/gals here have all the info you may need.

 

[von bek]

Thanks to both of your responces. I wish I had more $ to invest but maybe in the furure I can upgrade.
I'll stick it out with a 5.1 setup.

 

[von bek]

You know taking all into consideration. I am going to do some research on the KEFS.
Energy seems the best wallop for the price though.
B&W is to expensive but maybe in a few years I could afford them.
Scared of Craig's list unless I could purchase something local that could be demo'd up close..I'll stick to new.

 

[john72953]

I think the KEF's are a great choice!

Without offending the many Polk, Klipsch, Energy and Def Tech fans the KEF's stand above them in my opinion .

They have remained truer to their original orgins, whereby the others have catered to the digital sound.

John

 

[3db]

Thanks to both of your responces. I wish I had more $ to invest but maybe in the furure I can upgrade.
I'll stick it out with a 5.1 setup.

Your other option is to buy 2 quality towers this year, save for the surrounds and a sub next, followed by the center channel. You'll save coin by not purchasing speakers twice, ie repacliong your initila system with something better down the line.

 

[john72953]

Your other option is to buy 2 quality towers this year, save for the surrounds and a sub next, followed by the center channel. You'll save coin by not purchasing speakers twice, ie repacliong your initila system with something better down the line.

Good advice and definately worth considering. However, I'd go with the Center Channel before the Subwoofer, but that's just my preference and how I went about it. (see sig...still no sub) LOL!

 

[von bek]

Found KEFs for a decent price.
KEF KHT2005.2 5.1 (599$)

 

[BoB/335]

I was recently shopping for a receiver and checked the reviews for this Onkyo that many seem to mention.


The good:
Four HDMI inputs; onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; upconverts analog signals to 1080i over HDMI output; Sirius-ready; excellent automatic speaker calibration; switches as many as six high-definition video sources; improved remote.

The bad:
Poor video processing limits utility of HDMI upconversion for analog sources; sounds better on movies than with music; no phono input.

The bottom line:
The Onkyo TX-SR606 offers tons of functionality for the price, but subpar video processing and improved competition means it's less of a standout receiver than last year's version.

 

[BoB/335]

I was in the same situation in looking for a complete surround. I opted with ordering a pair of towers and a sub. Will add surrounds next and then the center channel. (I wanted the rumble of a sub for the movies)