Best Speakers for 500-700 bucks

[Keeper420]

I want to get a 7.1 surround sound set up for my new house. I plan on buying a yamaha rx-v1600 receiver. My new basement is 620 sq feet however, all this area will not be utilized exclusively for my Home Theater (i.e. I plan on having a bar and pool table that will not be separated from the "Theater" area.) I don't mind getting a 5.1 speaker setup now and adding 2 speakers later. What are your thoughts on this in my budget of 500-700 bucks. I was thinking either the Polk RM6900 or the JBL 300.7. However, when I looked on BHphoto they had a JBL E series Northridge 7.1 package for 700 bucks, which looked enticing. What do you guys think? Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

Take a look at this. Depending on your room and listening habits, you may want to step up to the PB-12NSD sub. The JBL and Polk packages don't even come close.

 

[tdamocles]

Looks like you would need mucho power to light the mains/center up......

 

[j_garcia]

They will enjoy more power if you have it, however despite the low sensitivity, they are adequately driven with a typical receiver. I heard them in a decent size room (~14x19) powered by a Sony ES receiver and they filled it fine.

 

[billnchristy]

you could do:http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=83.1

Yeah I know, I am going to beat these things to death. I haven't heard mine with movies, but their musical output is awesome. The price is certainly right too.

 

[Nick250]

you could do:http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=83.1

Yeah I know, I am going to beat these things to death. I haven't heard mine with movies, but their musical output is awesome. The price is certainly right too.

Give us a complete review once you have had time to live with them a bit. On paper it looks like a great value.

Nick

 

[billnchristy]

Well, I posted one in the review section the night I got them, after a solid 4hrs of listening, but I will do another soon. Next month the HT will come upstairs for a bit while I demo. the basement for a true theatre. They will get a workout then.

I do only have a stereo pair though, but I would reccommend them to anyone, especially for the money. I am more impressed with them than the $1500 or so infinity mix i have downstairs.

 

[Pianoman84d]

The X-LS rock for HT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How could they not, they do music so well. They really draw you in to the movie.

 

[biz97]

How do the XLS sound w/out a Sub?

 

[Pianoman84d]

For HT or music?

For HT, almost any main speaker needs to be crossed over to a sub.

For music, I believe the review on audioholics was written without a sub engaged. Other than that I can't help you too much because I have mine crossed over at 80 in order to take the strain off my receiver. based on hearsay from others, they have good bass on their own.

 

[Martiad3]

How do the XLS sound w/out a Sub?

If you're thinking about the X-LS without a Sub ( I presume for stereo music listening), think about the X-SLS. Basically a floorstanding X-LS. Lot's of good info in this thread at av123.com: http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13775&perpage=15&highlight=xsls&pagenumber=9. 3rd post from the bottom says that the X-SLS woofer will sound even better than the X-LS. All that for $100 more than the X-LS, even less of a difference if you need stands for the X-LS.

Just my thoughts...

edit: thought I'd throw in my thoughts for a 5.1: 2 pair of X-LS at @199 per pair, 1 X-CS @129 (comes out in September), then any sub to fill out the remaining budget (I don't know much of subs).

 

[billnchristy]

The XL-S Sans sub isnt too horrible. They certainly can convey the impression of bass without the feel and depth of a larger woofer. They put out more bass than my Infinity Reference 2000.4s by a large margain and those are floorstanders.

It is not earth shattering, house rocking bass mind you, but it certainly doesn't lack horribly.

Hope that helps?

Oh, I definitely wouldnt watch movies without one because they would probably be overwhelmed.

On music they have incredible control though, appearing more piston like than a resonating disk...very controlled.

 

[ggunnell]

You can get a pair of B&W 602's or Ascend 340SE's for under $600. Or spend a little more and get the Epos ELS 303's:
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/6452

Do yourself a favor and google reviews of the above three before you buy.