Best Floorspeaker for my setup - $300+/-

[infinity2134]

I have a newly finished basement that needs an AV upgrade i am considering the 50" Panny S1 and the HK AVR254 but now I need ideas for the speakers. I mostly watch sports and other tv and listen to music quite often. I dont watch too many movies but would like to up grade to the full 5.1 or 7.1 later on. I would like some suggestions on 2 floor speaker to start off with for my setup. Floor is carpeted and the room is not too large but setup in an "L" shape with the tv on the back wall of one of the runs. Ill post picks if needed. Any ideas for the 2 floor speakers and then the eventual upgrades? Thanks

 

[Matt34]

Infinity primus 362 would be my first recomendation.

I have a newly finished basement that needs an AV upgrade i am considering the 50" Panny S1 and the HK AVR254 but now I need ideas for the speakers. I mostly watch sports and other tv and listen to music quite often. I dont watch too many movies but would like to up grade to the full 5.1 or 7.1 later on. I would like some suggestions on 2 floor speaker to start off with for my setup. Floor is carpeted and the room is not too large but setup in an "L" shape with the tv on the back wall of one of the runs. Ill post picks if needed. Any ideas for the 2 floor speakers and then the eventual upgrades? Thanks

 

[infinity2134]

Nice - I was looking at them since im kind of a hk/infinity/jbl guy but cant find them in the right price range. Any help or links?

 

[Matt34]

If you have a fry's close by you might be able to find them for 99/ea.

 

[infinity2134]

in store im supposing?

 

[lsiberian]

in store im supposing?

If you are an Infinity fanboy than I want to introduce you to a store of your dreams.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Buy everything there. Don't even worry about fry's you can get everything shipped from that store.

Beta's are my favorite Infinity Line. They have metal grills that are removable.

Primuses use very similar drivers so you can mix and match them with Primuses sonically speaking.

Also buy your amp there too. The refurbs get full warranties.

Though a Marantz 4002 is really a great buy at accessories4less.

 

[m_vanmeter]

to stay within your budget, you might consider the Polk Monitor 50 or 60 towers from Newegg.com. For the extra $30 each, I would get the Monitor 60. Also, if you think you will ever build out to a 3.1 or 5.1 dolby system, then consider getting the Polk CS1 or CS2 center channel along with a pair of towers. The Monitor series will be discontinued (thus the super price) soon and matching up a center channel later may be difficult.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=polk+monitor

 

[ChunkyDark]

Audioholics really liked these:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/tsc-tst2
That is starting to get out of your budget though.

 

[jinjuku]

to stay within your budget, you might consider the Polk Monitor 50 or 60 towers from Newegg.com. For the extra $30 each, I would get the Monitor 60. Also, if you think you will ever build out to a 3.1 or 5.1 dolby system, then consider getting the Polk CS1 or CS2 center channel along with a pair of towers. The Monitor series will be discontinued (thus the super price) soon and matching up a center channel later may be difficult.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=polk+monitor

Bump! Yes, stretch for the center channel. Tremendous value.

 

[lsiberian]

to stay within your budget, you might consider the Polk Monitor 50 or 60 towers from Newegg.com. For the extra $30 each, I would get the Monitor 60. Also, if you think you will ever build out to a 3.1 or 5.1 dolby system, then consider getting the Polk CS1 or CS2 center channel along with a pair of towers. The Monitor series will be discontinued (thus the super price) soon and matching up a center channel later may be difficult.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=polk+monitor

You really think at 300 bucks a person should be getting a center?

If you sit on axis don't waste your money on a center. It isn't necessary.

 

[jinjuku]

You really think at 300 bucks a person should be getting a center?

If you sit on axis don't waste your money on a center. It isn't necessary.

But it will be necessary if the OP wants to go 5/7.x in the future. Agreed, direct on axis response negates the need for a center channel.

 

[m_vanmeter]

center vs. "phantom center" is purely a personal choice. Even in very entry level "budget" systems I have helped set up for others, the addition of the center channel speaker greatly enhances the "surround" experience by fixing the on-screen vocal audio to the position of the TV itself.

With the extremely agressive pricing currently available on the Polk Monitor towers and CS center channel speakers, you can easily fit the front 3 speakers into the top end of the OP's budget (or stretch it slightly ) and end up with an outstanding "budget" system that sounds much more "expensive" than it was.

 

[ChunkyDark]

If you are an Infinity fanboy than I want to introduce you to a store of your dreams.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Dangit lsiberian stop telling everyone about my secret deal place!

He's right though, if your patient and or lucky, you can get some really good deals there. Right now the stock is a bit low do to them doing some maintenance.
Polk also has a store, but I haven't had much luck:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct__W0QQ_armrsZ1

 

[GomGom]

Audioholics really liked these:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/tsc-tst2
That is starting to get out of your budget though.

The TST2 is quite appealing in term of price and it has subwoofer attached on the tower but brand name wise, I don't think I can resale it in future if I want to since no brand recognition yet. Also, the finish is not appealing at all to me.

I wonder how the TST2 against Axiom M50 v.2...

 

[dougg]

Try the Primus 362's

I have them in My Master Bedroom with a Harmon HK3485 2.1 Reciever, HK CD, HK T20 Turntable and a PS8 Sub and very happy for the Price. The Cabinets Acoustics seem to be everyone,s Gripe with them. No Problems with My ears. I think it would not show up unless i took the Volume too loud for me anyway.
In My living Room i have a HT setup with Primus 162 fronts, 350 center, PS10 Sub and the Infinity CS 8" Ceiling Speakers for Rears. I got all of them Refurbished from Harmon Audio E-Bay less $600.00 Shipped. Zero Cosmetic defects on all of them.
The Yamaha RX V665 is excellent with them. The YAPO Set up worked very good with the Subwoofer settings to my Ears.
I upgraded from a RX V463 and like the Remote and ease of setup much better.
Doug S.

 

[allargon]

The TST2 is quite appealing in term of price and it has subwoofer attached on the tower but brand name wise, I don't think I can resale it in future if I want to since no brand recognition yet. Also, the finish is not appealing at all to me.

I wonder how the TST2 against Axiom M50 v.2...

If you think you can't resell The Speaker Company products, you must work out of white van. TSC stuff ihas great reviews. You can just point people to reviews and have them knocking down your door.

If you don't like the looks of them, that's fine. However, the brand name argument stuff isn't even a red herring rather than a straight cop-out with your budget. If you were shopping in the Wilson Alexandria price range, then you could pull out the brand name argument.

The TST2 ranked favorably against the RBH-TK5CT. That's pretty good company.

I have a pair of P362's, as the $99/ea fit my budget quite well. However, if I were still shopping I would totally audition the TST2's if they were in my budget.

Polks? Some people like 'em. I would definitely listen to them first before buying. That's just MHO. I will stop right there.

 

[tbergman]

I have a pair of P362's, as the $99/ea fit my budget quite well. However, if I were still shopping I would totally audition the TST2's if they were in my budget.

Where did you find them at $99 each?

 

[allargon]

Where did you find them at $99 each?

Fry's...in-store. Often they run $129/ea specials on their website. However, you will also have to pay shipping. There's no Fry's near you in Ames. (I know where Ames is. I drove through many times on my way between Minneapolis and Kansas City.) The closest Fry's is arguably Dallas or Chicago--not exactly a short road trip. IMHO, the Fry's specials are better than the E-bay deals. The Fry's speakers are new/not refurbs plus usually cheaper than the E-bay deals.

I kind of agree w/ lsiberian to skip the center for now. Get two mains (~<$300) then a sub (consider DIY!), then add a center and surrounds later.

 

[lsiberian]

center vs. "phantom center" is purely a personal choice. Even in very entry level "budget" systems I have helped set up for others, the addition of the center channel speaker greatly enhances the "surround" experience by fixing the on-screen vocal audio to the position of the TV itself.

With the extremely agressive pricing currently available on the Polk Monitor towers and CS center channel speakers, you can easily fit the front 3 speakers into the top end of the OP's budget (or stretch it slightly ) and end up with an outstanding "budget" system that sounds much more "expensive" than it was.

It's not that hard to match a center to LR setup. And we both know that 2 great speakers are more versatile than 3 good speakers. Believe it or not mixing brands isn't even that bad. Especially if you know your tweeters style and sound.