Beginner need help.

[pote8218]

Currently the package I am looking at is

2x Klipsch WF-35 Icon-W Series Cabernet Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Klipsch RW 12d, sub
Onkyo TX-NR 616

The components together for $1130. My budget would be less than 1200. I was wonder if they are better deals. And, what I should be looking for exactly. I've been reading that I should stay away from klipsch subs. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[fuzz092888]

I would not get that sub

Welcome to Epik Subwoofers

http://www.svsound.com/outlet-specials/view-all-outlet?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=200&category_id=5

VTF-1 MK2 Subwoofer

VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer

Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Powered Subwoofer

I know some of these will probably put you right up against the budget or even above, but I think any of these will be better than the klipsch.

 

[markw]

Aggreewith fuzzy on the subs.

Have you heard the Icons?

If you're new to the hobby and haven't heard anything else of quality, I'm sure you'll be suitably impressed, particularly when mated with a good sub but somehow, above a certain price range, I don't consider a 5" speaker a woofer even if ther are three of them.

They seem to devote a goodly portion of their cost on looks where it might have been better spent on sound.

Be sure you have a liberal return policy and keep all packing material, just in case.

...just sayin'

 

[pote8218]

I need a 2.1 package that I can add the other components in later for around 1200. I'll do more research on tower speakers. That klipsch I'm my OP is a packaged deal.

 

[markw]

If you ask nicely, I'm sure you'll get plenty of alternatives for that price range. Enough to make your head spin. Just answer a few questions.

Do you plan on expanding to a full-blown AV multi-channel system?

How big is your room?

How loud do you listen?

What types of music do you prefer?

Are you set on floor standers or are bookshelf/standmounts an option?

Are your sources already taken care of?

What country are you in?

 

[pote8218]

It's going to be put in an extra bedroom. So the room is pretty small compared to a living room.

I'm really open to anything floorstanding or bookshelf. I want to expand to a full 5.1-7.1. In the next month or two, I'll have the extra funds to buy the remaining pieces.

I'm in the United States.

I just have an lg HTIB that I won. I really like the upgrade from the just tv speakers. And I want to upgrade to something really nice.

 

[fuzz092888]

If you ask nicely, I'm sure you'll get plenty of alternatives for that price range. Enough to make your head spin.

Haha true that

 

[fuzz092888]

It's going to be put in an extra bedroom. So the room is pretty small compared to a living room.

I'm really open to anything floorstanding or bookshelf. I want to expand to a full 5.1-7.1. In the next month or two, I'll have the extra funds to buy the remaining pieces.

I'm in the United States.

I just have an lg HTIB that I won. I really like the upgrade from the just tv speakers. And I want to upgrade to something really nice.

Well really nice is kinda vague. There are a lot of "really nice" options at just about every price point.

I would also ask:

How loud do you usually have the HTIB set to when watching movies/tv?

Is form factor for the surrounds a big deal? (do you have to have super small ones, in wall ones, wall mounted ones?)

Room dimensions would help

Do you have any specific brands in mind or are you open to whatever is suggested?

 

[pote8218]

The room is 14x15 with 9 ft ceilings. I watch movies loud maybe 75% of the volume bar. Can give a better answer when I get home.

I can basically do what I want with the room. I would rather have bookshelf or floor standing so really form factor isn't a big deal.

No brand preference, would like to deal with a company that has good a return policy and is easy to work with.

 

[markw]

It's kinda a mix and match process.

With a budget, you sort of find the best balance you can. Hopefully, this will help.

Here's a selection of manufacturer refurbished receivers, with a factory warranty, from a very reputable source with a good return policy. I've purchased several large items from them and have never had a problem. Any of them will be a step-up from that HTIB, but I have a soft spot for Denons.

As for Subs, the ones Fuzzy mention are all good but start at about $500 and that will take a major portion of your budget right there. The VTF-1 is the least expensive option. It's great and will guarantee an eviction, but with shipping, it's $500. Velodyne makes some very good, less expensive subs, and has for many years, you might want to consider, particularly on Amazon. Figure $300 upwards.

Now, if you want to be a bottom feeder, I just picked up one of these to replace my trusty old $600 Velodyne VA-1210 sub I bought 14 years ago. I figured it would be a temporary solution until I could wrangle up enough cash form one of them thar $500 big boys. But, in all honesty, after living with this for a few weeks, I'm not in any rush to replace it.

So, here are a few options: GOOD receivers (including Onkyos) for anywhere from $100 (or so) on up and some subs in the $200 - $500 range.

Whatever is left can go towards your speakers, maybe even a matching center channel and surrounds if you budget wisely.

Give it a little thought.

 

[fuzz092888]

I would think seriously about internet direct brands for speakers, it's where you're arguably going to get the best value for your dollar, plus they sell individually or in packages.

Aperion Audio

Emp Tek

Ascend Acoustics

are three of the most popular brands

I'll also throw in a word for source sound. It's a small company based in the northeast and they make awesome speakers. I can't really vouch for the other brands other than to say that I've read a ton of good things about each one, but I've heard the source stuff and it is really excellent.

Lots of other good stuff out there as well, but those are some of the big names that get thrown around the most. They have tremendous customer service and generous return policies as well.

 

[pote8218]

After going through some posts. I am thinking about purchasing

Option 1
Denon 2311 $349.99
VTF 2 $509.00
EMP TEK E5Ti $500.00 a pair.

This put me over my budget. I am wondering if this would be a good starting point to add the rest of my components. I am wondering if the receiver might not be good enough any help on what things I should look for, or receiver recommendations.

Option 2
HSU VTF 2
HSU HB-1 MK2x2; 799 together

Option 2, would leave me a little more money for a different receiver.

 

[markw]

I'll go along with your choice of receiver and sub. I don't think you coukd go wrong with those. Asfor thereceiver being "good enough", what, exactly do you have in mind? You're already choking your budget for mains big time as is.

As for the HB-1's, I've never heard them but Here's a review I dug up on them. You should read and consider what it says.

You're going from one extreme toanother here. From big towers to tiny bookshelves.

As for the other speakers you mention, I have no experience with them. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard of them.

 

[pote8218]

I'll go along with your choice of receiver and sub. I don't think you coukd go wrong with those. Asfor thereceiver being "good enough", what, exactly do you have in mind? You're already choking your budget for mains big time as is.

As for the HB-1's, I've never heard them but Here's a review I dug up on them. You should read and consider what it says.

You're going from one extreme toanother here. From big towers to tiny bookshelves.

As for the other speakers you mention, I have no experience with them. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard of them.

I had a typo in the speakers. If I bought the HSU sub with the bookshelf speakers. Then next month bought the EMP Tek E55's next month with the matching center. Would the HSU bookshelf surrounds sound nicely with the emp Tek Towers and center?

 

[markw]

I had a typo in the speakers. If I bought the HSU sub with the bookshelf speakers. Then next month bought the EMP Tek E55's next month with the matching center. Would the HSU bookshelf surrounds sound nicely with the emp Tek Towers and center?

You want the center speaker to match the front right and left speaker. That means they should be be of the same manufacturer and line as the other two front speakers. Personally, I like the surrounds to match as well although it's not mandatory for movies.

To keep it safe, get everything except the sub from the same manufacturer. Any good sub can go with virtually any speakers.

 

[pote8218]

On receivers; is the Onkyo TX NR616 the best available at around $350. I really don't think I will be going up to 7.2 so is that extra channel a waste?

I am pretty to close to buying these

HSU VTF 2 MK4
Emp TEK E5ti

 

[pote8218]

After doing a couple of hours of research, people are having a lot of problems with the NR616. So I am looking at Denon avr 2311 vs 2112.

The 2112 has networking, but is a little weaker. They are the same price, would I be losing a lot of quality going with the 2112 over the 2311. Or would I not be able to tell the difference.

 

[fuzz092888]

You probably wouldn't notice the difference. They're very similar, but the 2112 has some nice connectivity add ons like airplay and DLNA certified. The power difference isn't really a big concern.

The biggest difference is that the 2311 has 2 sub pre-outs while the 2112 only has one

 

[pote8218]

Thanks for the help everybody. I have another quick question. I found out I can Infinity Primus P363s and a Center PC351 for 510. Does anybody have an opinion of the P363 vs EMP tek E5ti?

 

[slipperybidness]

Thanks for the help everybody. I have another quick question. I found out I can Infinity Primus P363s and a Center PC351 for 510. Does anybody have an opinion of the P363 vs EMP tek E5ti?

I really don't think you can go wrong with either one. Both come highly reccommended in the budget range. I recently had the exact same choice to make. After asking around on this forum, I ended up getting the P363.

Just a day or 2 ago, Frys had (in store pickup only) the P363 for $99 each! But I don't see that right now. Probably the best price on the P363 right now is $200 each Infinity Primus P363 Floor-standing speaker at Crutchfield.com

Man, just a couple days ago the E55Ti towers were on sale for $575. I was gonna tell you to spend the extra $75 over the E5Ti, but too late! You seem to be a few days late either way! But if you are patient, the sales will come back around. I wasn't patient and picked up the P362 (pretty much same as P363 but last year's model) for about $380 delivered and that's not too shabby. Also, I have seen the B-stock E5Ti go for $275, but it's been a few months since emp has had any B stock.

So, from what I've been able to gather, the E55Ti seems to be the best, then the P363, then the E5Ti, if you are interested only in sound quality. If you are also interested in nice aesthetics and WAF, then the red burl finish on the EMPs is top notch, while the P363 is black-vinyl-wrapped-box.

Last item to consider, the P363 can be modified to sound much better than it does straight from the factory. It seems that some corners have been cut to keep costs down. Basically, the mods are adding damping material and/or bracing to the cabinets. There are a couple great threads on this forum on the topic and I will let you search for them. Even from the factory, these speakers sound good, but the word is that with some time and work from you, they can sound like speakers costing 10x more. For me, I love to tinker and have a couple amp and preamp project-builds in progress right now. It was a natural choice for me to go with the P363, knowing that whenever I get some motivation I can improve on the SQ by following advice from this and other forums.