Advice? - 7.1 speakers for <$1000

[wilkenboy]

Hello all, been reading for about a month, first time posting. Great forum! I'd like some advice on the following.

I'm building a new house that has a dedicated media room, 13.5' x 18.5'. My primary use will be home theater; HD channels, watching DVDs, HD Xbox, and some web surfing, with the occasional audio listening.

I'd like to do a 7.1 speaker setup for less than $1000 (speakers). I'm planning on building some custom shelving in the room to house the electronics and front speakers, so ideally I'm looking for bookshelf sized speakers.

Not afraid of buying off the net, in fact prefer it. I live in a major metro area so getting to showrooms is not much of a problem.

For reference, I'm looking at the following recievers to pair with the speakers, if you have advice here I'd be interested as well. Musts are 3x component inputs, 7.1, and video up-conversion from composite or s-video to component video. Planning on using a Panasonic PT-AE700U projector.

Receivers under consideration (would like to stay <$500)
Onkyo TX-SR702
Denon 2805 or 3805.
Yamaha RX-V1500 or V2500.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Tight budget, lofty goals

Not a bad thing though. You can't get a Denon 3805 or Yammy 2500 for under $500. That's what you want. Go with this (sorry to keep pushing this guys - it hurts me too that we've spent double what this thing is going for - newbies win):

www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10373206

For your speakers, and your budget, run to Best Buy and get 6 of these if they have any left:

www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5335693&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03043&id=1051806301325

Then get the Athena center (BB or online).

www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5336754&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03046&id=1051806304282

Finally, if there is any room left in the budget, get this sub:

www.partexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-632

You should be well under $1000.

Tight budget, but it can be done.

 

[cuse4284]

i dont think the marantz is going to be as much of a bargain as it used to be. been watching the price quickly inflate the last 2 days on ubid. think this forum might single handedly be responsible for it. was hoping to pick one up for $500 which would be an absolute steal. don't really need one, but if i could get it at that price, it could replace my pioneer.

 

[korgoth]

i just bought an avr a few months ago, plus im broke. but thats a nice *** deal.. im still thinkin about buyin it

 

[audiovette]

Energy

If you are looking for speaker system under $ 1000, take a look at Energy act6 system. They are supposed to be great for small-to-medium-sized rooms with warm, open midrange, clear treble and bass that goes surprisingly low.

 

[corysmith01]

You could try the ELT set up from Rocket/Onix. It's on special right now for $799 which is a nice price considering what you get (2 fronts, 2 rears, center and 350W sub). It doesn't give you 7 speakers, but at that price it leaves you ~$200 to get those last 2 speakers for a 7.1 set up. Lots of people here have raved about the rocket speakers, so while it's on sale, it might not be a bad way to go. Really sharp looking stuff and from what I read, really nice sounding as well. Could be an option.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=60.1

 

[wilkenboy]

Thanks! Some follow-up questions

Great advice so far. What possibilities open up if I expand the speaker budget to $1200?

I've been told that Polk, Altantic Technologies, and Definitive Technologies are great and can sometimes be had in this price range. How do these stack up vs. the Athenas?
On the Marantz: I can't seem to find how many component inputs the 8400 series has. I know the 8500 series has plenty.

Thanks!

 

[corysmith01]

Marantz SR8400 back

here you go:

http://www.marantz.com/p_product_alt.cfm?id=2662&cont=u&img_ext=bck

 

[Takeereasy]

The Marantz only has 2 component inputs but.... You will not beat it's quality in this price range. If your TV has two component inputs I'd suggest you use them and get the Marantz. I have this receiver on order (still) and expect to receive it no later than Monday. You can always buy a switching unit if you need more component inputs. You won't always be able to get a $1300 receiver for under $500. The Marantz has a 3 year warranty for a reason.

As for speakers here is what I always suggest when it comes to bookshelves in this price range. 3 pairs x PSB Image 2B's. I'd suggest the 9c but the 8C does a great job. I personally have 4 2B's and an 8C and am thrilled with this setup. I'd love the 9C but I don't have the room. The only reason I linked you to this dealer is because they are an authorized retailer. I'd suggest you go on the PSB website and find a local shop for audition purposes. The odds are a local shop will match these prices and then you get them shipping free . These speakers are such a deal because they ave been replaced by a newer model. I couldn't hear the difference, but the savings I got could sure be felt.

You said you are putting these speakers in Cabinets? There are some issues with that that you might want to ask about. One thing is for sure, if you go that way you want either front ported or sealed design speakers. THe PSB's are front ported.

 

[MacManNM]

I just bought this:

Ok guys, I'm sure you're all tired of hearing me talk about the BIC line of speakers, so here's what I did:

I bought:
a pair of DV84 Towers
a pair of DV64si Rear surrounds
a pair of DV52si Rear center surrounds
a DV62clr front center
a V1220 Sub
and a MARANTZ SR8400 receiver.

I got everything for a little under $1400 USD

I am going to perform a comprehensive review of the speakers, both listening and making some detailed measurements. The first part of the review will be my first impressions of the speakers, the quality of build etc.

The second part will be true measurements in an anechoic chamber, and some specific listening tests. I will also compare the DV84’s to 2 pairs of some well regarded (but older) solid mid-fi speakers, my McIntosh XR-16 loudspeakers (which have just come back from NY with a clean bill of health) and a pair of Pioneer HPM-100’s, also in very good shape. This test will be on a 2 ch system. If anyone has any questions or anything specific that they think I should look for, please let me know. I hope these speakers perform well, but if they don’t, you will know about it. Let the fun begin.


EDIT: I will do some assessment on the Marantz SR8400 also. I am not going to make any real detailed measurements, I will however give a good idea of the sonic, ergonomic, and general qualities of the unit.

 

[Takeereasy]

I don't know if it's just me but that seems like a heck of a bargin. Make sure you do post back your findings, I'd like to see them, especially since I'm getting the same reciever. Personally I'd like to see lots of photos of the reciever, as well as constant praising of the receiver with reminders to feel no buyer's remorse, and finally some kind of award handed to the receiver. Oh, and some stuff on the speakers would be OK too.

 

[MacManNM]

I don't know if it's just me but that seems like a heck of a bargin. Make sure you do post back your findings, I'd like to see them, especially since I'm getting the same reciever. Personally I'd like to see lots of photos of the reciever, as well as constant praising of the receiver with reminders to feel no buyer's remorse, and finally some kind of award handed to the receiver. Oh, and some stuff on the speakers would be OK too.

See edit, my previous post

 

[Takeereasy]

Awesome, thanks alot. I really hope it goes smoothly for you. I really don't see how it can go wrong though. $1400 for a system that could fill a medium/large room with good sound is a fantastic deal. I will hold off on commenting further until you do the measurements. I am dying with anticipation with regards to my receiver. It is being shipped UPS to me so I expect it between This afternoon and Monday.

 

[sts9fan]

Why not just get one of the sound projectors this site is payed to plug?

 

[baldbear]

Marantz SR 8400

I have also watched the Marantz price increase on both the Ubid and Ebay site. I bought mine Monday on CompUSA Auction for $477.00. In fact there is one there now.

Now sure why this Receiver is going so cheap, seems like everyone's got one to sell. I e-mailed Marantz and asked them the question. Let you know their reply as soon as it comes in.

 

[annunaki]

Marantz probably offered a special discount purchase on them to move inventory. The SR 8500 is now in place of it.

 

[audiovette]

Paradigm and B&W

If your budget is $ 1200 for the speakers only, I would look at Paradigm Atom or B&W VM1 speakers. Both these systems provide great sound quality for the money.