$500-600 speaker budget

[Soundman]

HI ALL!!!
A friend of mine is finally going to get some audio going in his living room. He had pretty much decided on a HTIAB. I've talked him into maybe going another route. I told him to get an inexpensive receiver like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-6030BL-5-1-Channel-Digital-Receiver/dp/B000O3OF86/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199115796&sr=8-2 , 2 main speakers, and maybe a center channel if he's willing to stretch the buget a little. But if not, 2 decent L/R speakers will sound better than 5 crappy HTIAB speakers. I pointed him to the AV123 X-series speakers and he was amazed that he could get a pair of towers for $300. So, does anyone have any other recomendations in this price range? Keep in mind that this guy has no experience with "real" audio. This will be his first setup and he doesn't have much to spend, $500. I might be able to talk him into $600, but don't think he can stretch more then that right now. I'm actually amazed that I've been able to get this far with him. He's finally starting to understand that you don't have to settle for cheap plastic speakers. I'd appreciate any recommendations. We have a possible convert here. Let's help this guy out. Thanks.

 

[3db]

check out the energy review done here at audioholics;

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/energy-take-classic-review

 

[Soundman]

check out the energy review done here at audioholics;

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/energy-take-classic-review

That does look like a nice system for the money, but the first thing he needs is an entry lvl receiver and he'll need a couple hundred for that, so I think this system may put him over budget. Very nice right up on it though. It definitely looks like a nice value.

 

[3db]

That does look like a nice system for the money, but the first thing he needs is an entry lvl receiver and he'll need a couple hundred for that, so I think this system may put him over budget. Very nice right up on it though. It definitely looks like a nice value.

Oh the budget includes the receiver// Hmmm Thats a tough one. Maybe he should try a receiver plus 2 main speakers 1st and grow into a 5.1 system. Thats not alot of scratch to play with.

 

[Soundman]

Oh the budget includes the receiver// Hmmm Thats a tough one. Maybe he should try a receiver plus 2 main speakers 1st and grow into a 5.1 system. Thats not alot of scratch to play with.

I know. I told him that, so he may just get main speakers for now and just go stereo and upgrade later. I told him he would be happier with it in the long run this way. Any suggestions?

 

[gus6464]

Refurbed RX-V661 for $279
http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V661_910W_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224773-rsearchone.html

Refurbed HK AVR-247 for $388
http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR 247

And then some $300 speakers. That way he has a future proof receiver if he decided to get a BD/HD DVD player.

Didn't you say you have heard those X-LS Encores and that they sounded pretty good?
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=111.1

 

[mazersteven]

Refurbed RX-V661 for $279
http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V661_910W_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224773-rsearchone.html

Excellent recommendation

Also look at this receiver

Marantz SR4001
http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR4001_560W_A/V_7.1_Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224968.html

For speakers I would do these. You can get a refurbished pair for $258

CBM-170 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=25900#post25900


Or these speakers

Elemental Designs A6 - 5T5 - MTM
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=95

Or these speakers

Intimus 422-LR Satellite Speaker
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-422-LR-Satellite-Speaker,7,20,6.aspx

 

[mojo_13]

The Polk rti8's are on sale right now for $300 a pair which is a pretty good deal too. Might be able to listen to those at a local store before purchase too.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3753286;jsessionid=fAWM+gAM+ZcDVzlo-yEl2A**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[Soundman]

Excellent recommendation

Also look at this receiver

Marantz SR4001
http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR4001_560W_A/V_7.1_Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224968.html

For speakers I would do these. You can get a refurbished pair for $258

CBM-170 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=25900#post25900


Or these speakers

Elemental Designs A6 - 5T5 - MTM
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=95

Or these speakers

Intimus 422-LR Satellite Speaker
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-422-LR-Satellite-Speaker,7,20,6.aspx

Thanks Mazer! Great ideas. That's a nice deal on the Marantz for the price, seeing as it's his first setup.

 

[Soundman]

The Polk rti8's are on sale right now for $300 a pair which is a pretty good deal too. Might be able to listen to those at a local store before purchase too.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3753286;jsessionid=fAWM+gAM+ZcDVzlo-yEl2A**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Nice link Mojo! I remember a time when the rti8's were $800/pair. I know they've come down dramatically due to Polks new speaker lines, but $149 each is a steal, IMO. I'll definitely tell him about those as a possible option.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks Mazer! Great ideas. That's a nice deal on the Marantz for the price, seeing as it's his first setup.

Yes, the Marantz is a killer deal at that price.

 

[Guangui]

Yes, the Marantz is a killer deal at that price.

Don't know what price the Marantz had as the UBid auction closed, but you can also get a refurb SR-4001 from www.accessories4less.com at $249.99, and they are a Marantz authorized dealer, so you are protected.

I bought an SR-5001 from them, and I can't stop telling people what an excellent receiver it is. Beautiful sounding, and great price. I highly recommend Marantz.

 

[Seth=L]

Don't know what price the Marantz had as the UBid auction closed, but you can also get a refurb SR-4001 from www.accessories4less.com at $249.99, and they are a Marantz authorized dealer, so you are protected.

I bought an SR-5001 from them, and I can't stop telling people what an excellent receiver it is. Beautiful sounding, and great price. I highly recommend Marantz.

The SR4001 is now $299.99 refurbished at accessories4less.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

 

[Soundman]

The SR4001 is now $299.99 refurbished at accessories4less.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

aww man...i guess you snooze you lose. It's still a good deal though.

 

[Guangui]

The SR4001 is now $299.99 refurbished at accessories4less.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

At this forum and others people have been talking highly of the SR4001 SQ, features, and price from Acc4Less for refurb, so I guess price went up because of supply and demand. I would have thought that with the SR4002 out, adds HDMI 1.3 and Audissey, pricing on the SR4001 would go down.

Also, check pricing from www.secondact.com, also an authorized Marantz refurbished dealer.

 

[mazersteven]

aww man...i guess you snooze you lose. It's still a good deal though.

Ha Ha

Keep watching U-Bid.

 

[parkerbender]

noone may like this post... but i bought a yamaha htib summer 2003, and really, that's what started me, if i had bought components right away, i don't know if i, personally, would have gotten into it. i think i got a htr-5740, but it could have been a year older model... but, yeah, and i have used the speakers until literally, fifteen minutes ago. the first thing he wants to do is replace the htib sub, but i thought it was nice to have a baseline, and not just start with a stereo system, just my $.02

 

[Seth=L]

noone may like this post... but i bought a yamaha htib summer 2003, and really, that's what started me, if i had bought components right away, i don't know if i, personally, would have gotten into it. i think i got a htr-5740, but it could have been a year older model... but, yeah, and i have used the speakers until literally, fifteen minutes ago. the first thing he wants to do is replace the htib sub, but i thought it was nice to have a baseline, and not just start with a stereo system, just my $.02

I can't say that I dislike your post Parker, but I don't understand it.

 

[mazersteven]

Originally Posted by Soundman
aww man...i guess you snooze you lose. It's still a good deal though.

Ha Ha

Keep watching U-Bid.

I told you so.

Marantz SR4001 $219
http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR4001_560W_A/V_7.1_Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a11225442.html

 

[gus6464]

http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V661_910W_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a11225445-rsearchone.html