5.1 system to go with my Yamaha RX-V667 Receiver

[Dell_Dell]

First I wanna say thanks to everyone on this forum for helping out. I've been a lurker of these forums and avsforum for a long time. These are the forums I read when I have free time at work.

I apologize for this being my first post and making another suggestion thread before hand.

In 2010 I bought the Yamaha RX-V667 receiver (after seeing it as a good mid-budget recommendation in audioholics, avsforums, and cnet) in order to connect my PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Computer, Sega Saturn, PS2, and Dreamcast to my 30 inch dell monitor 3008WFP. What I did for audio was that I gutted my Logitech 5.1 computer speakers and connected them to the receiver and threw away the sub-woofer. Now I finally have money to invest on speakers and a sub-woofer. I have a budget of around $800-$1200 for new speakers and a sub-woofer. This will go in a 14 x 11 bedroom. I will use the speakers for everything in the bed room basically. (movies, music, games, etc.)


Right now I'm considering the Energy 5.1 since they have good reviews in amazon and are available for $399. Having said that I do have a bigger budget available so recommendations for my budget would be appreciated it, thank you. I will buy the speaker system online without hearing it since I'm not familiar with speaker dealers here were I live in the Miami Florida area. (Best Buy doesn't count).

*I can't post links or I would had put the amazon link here* (this is my first post)

I've read in the forums that a lot of people like that Infinity Primus speakers so maybe that could be a consideration ?

Thank You,

Dell_Dell.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For your smaller room I'd go with Primus Bookshelfs - P163 - they are steal at $85 ea.
Matching center is PC251
Sub: Rythmic FV12
Total: just over $1000 just add the cables from monoprice or bjc

 

[its phillip]

BSA's recommendation is solid. The take classic system would be fine for the money and your bedroom, but the P163s and FV12 (or some other sub) will be MUCH more capable. Either system would be a HUGE upgrade from a gutted logitech system lol.

 

[Dell_Dell]

Infinity Primus P163 Bookshelf Speaker x 4 ($85 x 4) = $425

Infinity Primus PC251 Center Channel Speaker x 1 ($149.00) = $149.00

Infinity Primus PC351 Center Channel Speaker x 1 ($199.00) = $199.00

Rythmic FV12 from their website $499, Didn't see it in the audioholics store.

Whats the difference between the PC351 and PC251 ? is the extra $50 dollars worth it for the bigger center channel ?

Thanks.

Total would be ($1073 or $1123).

 

[its phillip]

If you aren't opposed to a vertical center, I'd just get another P163.

It's up to you on whether or not you want to spend the extra $50 on the larger center. I probably would if I had the room for it and planned on getting the P363s/362s later.

 

[Dell_Dell]

P363 x 2 $400
PC351 x 1 $200
P163 x 2 $170

Rythmic FV12 $500

total = $1270

That would be $70 over the money i have saved for the system without including cables, but if you think it's worth it to make it a little future proof (if that makes sense) I can wait 2 to 3 more paychecks to save up money in order to get them.

Yeah I do not mind about vertical or horizontal for center channel, I didn't know that made a difference. Getting 5 P163's would save me around $80 or so.

Edit: Thank You for the replies, going to University now will update back tommorow.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

14x12 bedroom - imo Towers are two big - P163 is more than enough with sub
PC351 would be better match for P363 towers - aka bigger room
PC251 would be fine match for bookshelf, but to note that:

If you aren't opposed to a vertical center, I'd just get another P163.

+1

5x P163
1x FV12
--------
If you really [STRIKE]like[/STRIKE] LOVE bone shacking, wall crushing sub for a bit more consider this one : eD A5 - 350

 

[GranteedEV]

I have a budget of around $800-$1200 for new speakers and a sub-woofer. This will go in a 14 x 11 bedroom. I will use the speakers for everything in the bed room basically. (movies, music, games, etc.)

It is luckily a smaller room, though the budget is pretty small. obtaining useful output won't be a major issue. the real problem with a small room is how much sound bounces back and forth and muddies things up.

I would start first and foremost with some bass traps that will do double duty in reducing the amount of quick reflections in the room. So start by ordering three of these:

Roxul Rockboard 60

a panel built with three of these, will be 6" thick. Three cases of that will allow you to place about six panels into the room, which will give you lots of flexibility. You can cover it in fabric to blend it into the room

next I would go for this subwoofer: Rythmik FV12 - vented HT sub

In the small room you can probably set it to its lowest tuning mode without sacrificing any lower end output.


The nice thing about the infinity primus speakers is that they tend to have reasonably smooth off-axis response so integrating them into rooms is easier done than the average speaker and allows you to use the aformentioned absorption panels more versatilely, at spots that aren't necessarily the first reflection point.

Another speaker you may wish to consider, would be these:

KEF Q300 Q Series 6-1/2 inch Black Bookshelf Speakers, pair | Accessories4less

with these as surrounds:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFQ100BL/KEF-Q100-Q-Series-5-1/4-inch-Black-Bookshelf-Speakers-pair/1.html

as for a center, the Q200 is an option, although I don't know if it's really worth having a center speaker in your budget.

 

[timoteo]

Yes the Infinity Primus bookshelf/Rythmik sub would be incredible in that room for the money!!

+1 for that suggestion

Id go all 5 speakers the same bookshelf if i were you. Having all 5 the exact same speaker ensures perfect voice matching all around which is a beautiful thing. Specially in a smaller room like yours where you are pretty close to the actual speakers.

Get the vented sub because the bass extention & spl will be never ending for you always go the biggest you can because you can always tuen it down if needed. This will ensure the most headroom & least distortion.

 

[jcl]

+1 For all the Infinity Primus recommendations. They are tough to beat for the money. That said, the system cost more than doubled from the take classic system. Beware, it is easy for us to spend your money.

I'll offer some more suggestions to reign in the budget and add variety.
First off you could save a little by going with 153s at $70 ea shipped from newegg.

Unfortunately you just missed NHT's 30% of gift card sale. At $99 ea now I don't think the superzero's are worth the premium over the infinitys for sound (To me the gloss black looks much better). A 5.0 set of super zero's would have been sweet. Maybe keep an eye out for more deals.

You can get the Energy Take Classic 5 ($299)and add the sub of your choice. The sub is the biggest weak spot of the classics so this would really make a big difference.

Infinity Home Theater 5.0 pack $239 - Harman Audio - PRIMUSTPIIBK

Best Buy also has the Pioneer 5.0 system for $284. They have a sub but I'd skip it. - Pioneer 5-1/4" Floor Speakers, 4" Bookshelf Speakers & Center Channel Speaker Package

Here are some subs that budget wise come in under the Rythmik.
HSU STF 2 - $349 + 43 s/h
STF 1 - $299 + 35 s/h
Outlaw - LFM-1 Compact $399 / 349 B stock
M8 - $249 / 225 B stock
Energy s10.3 From Newegg $250 (These go on sale constantly. Wait for 199-230)

Last but not least is a b-stock Atlantic Technology 1400 5.1 system, $1150. This features dipole/bipole rears which differentiates it from the rest. In your smaller room, however, this might not be a good thing. Free Shipping - Atlantic Technology System 1400 5.1 Home Theater Speakers in satin black - B-Stock

One point, if you go with bookshelf speakers allocate funds for speaker stands. Placement is extremely important for the best sound.

While your at it also allocate funds for a spool of speaker wire and banana plugs all around. No need to get fancy, but they are worth it for the convenience.

 

[Dell_Dell]

Thank you all for your suggestions, this is an investment that I hope will last me for a couple of years so I want to make the right choice.

Based on your recommendations I think I'll order the 5 primus speakers and the FV12 Direct Servo Sub-woofer 12" vented HT sub.

Total = $924

Looking at monoprice they have 12,14,16, and 18 AWG speaker wire. I think the lower the number the bigger the resistance, does that mean anything ? What type of AWG speaker wire would I buy ?

Would anyone recommended a wireless solution for the back speakers or is that not recommended and I just need to find a way to hide the back wires.

Thank you.

Graanted EV:

If I have money left over I will buy the roxul rockboard 60's or I can just buy them later and play with setting them up inside the room. It will add a little bit of fun to setting everything up.

Edit: JCL I already have the banana plugs since I bought them from monoprice and I used them when I gutted my logitech speakers last year. I would need to buy the speaker wire though.

Edit #2 Do the Super Zero's sound better than the primus ?? at $99 x 5 = $495 compared to $425. I'm willing to pay the the difference if they are better. As for aesthetics I don't really care about it since it's my bed room and I don't expect anybody except myself and my girlfriend to ever be inside my room.

Edit #3 What Speaker Stands would I choose ? I would probably by them later though since if there expensive they would put me out of budget. I was planning on putting the front 3 speakers on my desk at the front of the room and then putting the other 2 on the back wall in each corner with my bed being at the center.

 

[jcl]

For the wireless systems I had best buy's amplified rocketfish system. I wouldn't recommend it.

I've just gotten an Audio Engine w-1. I'm going to play around with it. Think i spent to long posting this am and won't get to it today!

There's also the outlaw system for a little more money. I think it does include more in the way of the usb ac power adapters.

Both of these are unamplified, so you have to budget for amplification too.

For speaker wire lower gauge is thicker and better. For your runs 14 or 16 would probably be fine, but for a few $ I'd just get the 12.

Per your question do the Super Zero's sound better than the Infinitys? That's really a matter of personal opinion, and also dependent on your listening habits.
The NHT's are less efficient at 85db sensitivity vs. Infinity's 90db. The NHT's also won't play as low either so a dual sub system would probably be optimal. However, the NHT's take up less space and may be easier to place.

 

[Dell_Dell]

Update: I'm going to buy the 5 primus between today and tommorow and the Rythmik sub and 12AWG wiring.

Thank you all for your replies. Will update with picture once its all set up.

 

[jonnythan]

I don't like working with 12 gauge wire. I find 14 gauge just right. 12 is pretty thick and 14 is already larger than you need for your wire lengths. I suggest Monoprice's in-wall speaker cable. The white jacket looks a ton better than the clear, and you get nice red and black insulation instead of clear and clear with a line drawn on it. The prices are almost identical.

Don't forget the subwoofer cable. You want one of these:
Audio Cables - Digital Coaxial Audio

 

[its phillip]

I agree with jonnythan. I don't have an issue working with 12awg, but 14awg will be more than enough for your needs and yes, the in wall stuff looks so much better than the normal clear jacketed cable.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

P363 x 2 $400
PC351 x 1 $200
P163 x 2 $170

Rythmic FV12 $500

total = $1270

That would be $70 over the money i have saved for the system without including cables, but if you think it's worth it to make it a little future proof (if that makes sense) I can wait 2 to 3 more paychecks to save up money in order to get them.

Yeah I do not mind about vertical or horizontal for center channel, I didn't know that made a difference. Getting 5 P163's would save me around $80 or so.

Edit: Thank You for the replies, going to University now will update back tommorow.

I would get 5 identical P163 + 1 Rythmik FV12.

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/infinity_primus_p162/

 

[Dell_Dell]

Ok, I'll order the #14 AWG wire, I would need 5, i'll order 6 have a spare one just in case. Thanks for reminding be about the sub cable, I was not going to order that.

AcuDefTechGuy:

I looked at the graphs and read what it said but I have no idea what it means, jajaja sorry.

 

[jonnythan]

No no no. You order a roll, not individual cables. You just cut them to the size you need. Approximate how much total length you need, and order at least 25% more.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

AcuDefTechGuy:

I looked at the graphs and read what it said but I have no idea what it means, jajaja sorry.

The graphs confirm that these speakers are accurate speakers. Their on-axis response is accurate. Their off-axis response is also accurate & smooth. Good 2 measurements to have on speakers, among other measurements. Recipe for good accurate sound.

The Rythmik subwoofer is also very accurate. High Damping Q = 0.5, which means tight, accurate sound. Can go down to 14Hz @ -2dB. Set your AVR crossover to 80Hz.

 

[jcl]

I don't like working with 12 gauge wire. I find 14 gauge just right. 12 is pretty thick and 14 is already larger than you need for your wire lengths. I suggest Monoprice's in-wall speaker cable. The white jacket looks a ton better than the clear, and you get nice red and black insulation instead of clear and clear with a line drawn on it. The prices are almost identical.

Don't forget the subwoofer cable. You want one of these:
Audio Cables - Digital Coaxial Audio

I had gotten a spool of the monoprice 12awg in-wall and it is indeed stiff. I attributed that more to the separate outer casing than the guage of the wire. It does make it a bit of a challenge to fish through speaker stands, but it can be done with a little patience.
I also wanted white instead of clear casing. I had some old Monster Navajo but had longer runs to do and i'm not sure what gauge the monster actually is. Something like that, but with a honest gauge would be ideal imho.