bought a receiver........clueless on speakers

[dave206]

Hi,

I am trying to assemble my first home theater system. After doing some research (keeping my budget in mind) I bought onkyo 506B receiver. Though it is 7.1, I'm just looking to have a 5.1. Now, I am looking to buy a sub and speakers. Following are the options I am considering:

1. Klipsch Quintet III (5.0) with Acoustech Bic H-100 (~700)

OR

2. Energy Take classic 5.1 (~$400)

I understand that there is at least a $300 differential between the two set-ups but that's fine as set-up 1 is within my budget (barely), but I want to get the best sound I can for this budget. Please advise.

Also, would either of the two options work fine with the receiver I've bought?

Please feel free to suggest other speakers/subs that may fit into my budget.

Thanks a lot for the help

 

[Seth=L]

I like the speakers that come with the Energy setup better for looks and sound. Energy's subwoofers are decent considering their size, personally I would purchase the Energy Take Classic. I never liked the BIC subwoofers for their cheasy appearance alone. The way the sound is unknown to me, I never had a chance to listen to the one in the showroom at which I saw it.

 

[krzywica]

Hsu

You may also want to check out something like this.

HSU makes some amazing products and their customer service is excellent.

 

[3db]

Hi,

I am trying to assemble my first home theater system. After doing some research (keeping my budget in mind) I bought onkyo 506B receiver. Though it is 7.1, I'm just looking to have a 5.1. Now, I am looking to buy a sub and speakers. Following are the options I am considering:

1. Klipsch Quintet III (5.0) with Acoustech Bic H-100 (~700)

OR

2. Energy Take classic 5.1 (~$400)

I understand that there is at least a $300 differential between the two set-ups but that's fine as set-up 1 is within my budget (barely), but I want to get the best sound I can for this budget. Please advise.

Also, would either of the two options work fine with the receiver I've bought?

Please feel free to suggest other speakers/subs that may fit into my budget.

Thanks a lot for the help

Option #2 by a loooooooooooooooooong shot

 

[Exterous]

I have not heard the Quintet IIIs but I have heard the Energy Take Classic and I have been very impressed by the performance you get for the price you pay.

I seriously doubt you would be unhappy with the Take Classic

 

[Kai]

Have you checked in your locale for what the local shops are offering? If not I suggest you begin there. Speakers are arguably the most personal selection in the AV world. We all hear differently and speakers affect us differently.
I suggest taking some favorite music cd's ( or create a compilation cd ) of a variety of songs/artists that you are most familiar with and a couple of dvd movies that have amazing audio tracks and use them as your demo material when auditioning speakers.

Speakers, generally, are the longest lived of hardware. Good speakers that you love can last for years and years. It is generally well accepted to buy the best speakers that you can afford and love even reducing the number of speakers you purchase and saving until you can complete the system.

While mentioning "keep my budget in mind" you don't specify a budget other than describing the costs of 1 & 2. What is your total speaker budget and is there "wiggle room" if you find something wonderful but a bit more?

My ears prefer the Paradigm brand. My budget also prefers them as they provide a lot for the modest cost...at least in the Monitor line lol. I also love the sound of B+W speakers.
Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Exit]

You might want to take a good look at this EMP 5.1 speaker setup. According to the references they, are rebadged RBH (premium) speakers with a different woofer cone material. I have heard them and I don't think you can get a good quality speaker setup that will play well in both a small room or a large room cheaper. The subwoofer alone sells for $350 and produces good bass down to 30 Hz. A lot of the little speaker setups in the below $500 class are only suited to small rooms.

http://store.audioholics.com/product/1866/17/emp-htp-351-5-1-speaker-system

 

[dave206]

My budget

While mentioning "keep my budget in mind" you don't specify a budget other than describing the costs of 1 & 2. What is your total speaker budget and is there "wiggle room" if you find something wonderful but a bit more?

Thanks for all the replies.

My budget is about $900. I have already spent $200 on onkyo receiver. So I have $700 left for a 5.1 set-up. I am strongly considering Bic H-100 which is about $250. That would leave me with $450 to buy a set of 5 speakers. I could go +-10% if I find something really good. Let me know if you have any recommendations. Thanks!

 

[bandphan]

The behringer 2030p @ 130 a pair would allow for a better sub and are quite neutral. Just a thought.

 

[rded]

Hi,

I am trying to assemble my first home theater system. After doing some research (keeping my budget in mind) I bought onkyo 506B receiver. Though it is 7.1, I'm just looking to have a 5.1. Now, I am looking to buy a sub and speakers. Following are the options I am considering:

1. Klipsch Quintet III (5.0) with Acoustech Bic H-100 (~700)

OR

2. Energy Take classic 5.1 (~$400)

I understand that there is at least a $300 differential between the two set-ups but that's fine as set-up 1 is within my budget (barely), but I want to get the best sound I can for this budget. Please advise.

Also, would either of the two options work fine with the receiver I've bought?

Please feel free to suggest other speakers/subs that may fit into my budget.

Thanks a lot for the help

Pardon my frank and upfront comment; but shouldn't you have chosen your speakers 1st then build around it? I.e. get a receiver next?
I am not a real fan of Klipsh so I guess my vote is for Energy if you certainly must limit yourself to the above choices. Your receiver should be able to handle them...

 

[jostenmeat]

Pardon my frank and upfront comment; but shouldn't you have chosen your speakers 1st then build around it? I.e. get a receiver next?

Yeah, but what can you do?

I should never have bought the HTIB. . .

I should never have bought the Mon$ter HDMI cable. . .

I should never have drank so much before meeting that woman at the bar. . .

 

[lsiberian]

Pardon my frank and upfront comment; but shouldn't you have chosen your speakers 1st then build around it? I.e. get a receiver next?
I am not a real fan of Klipsh so I guess my vote is for Energy if you certainly must limit yourself to the above choices. Your receiver should be able to handle them...

Let's not beat up on a 2 post person. We all make mistakes. And it's ok he only spent 200 on a receiver.

Not like it's a crazy loss.

I suggest you not try to build a 5.1 system with that budget. But I think you can get a set of Primuses and a decent sub for a nice price.

Would you have more fun buying 2 very awesome speakers or 5.1 budget speakers.

Think about this.

You can get some really awesome towers or bookshelves with 700 bucks.

Seriously think about this.

You can have a hifi system built over a period of time. You can get 2 speakers that will last you a long time.

Ok now i've given that.

If you still want a nice budget system. I suggest looking at the SVS stuff. 1. They have a great reputation, good build quality and good sound. For me a speaker needs too look as good as a it sounds. I think SVS speakers look good and make a nice system

Now if you want to go this route you have 2 ways of going

You can build from the bottom up. With a nice sub and cheap speakers or from the top down. With great speakers and a cheap sub.

I would do the latter if you are in an apartment or have a small room. If you have a large room you shouldn't buy a 5.1 setup on your budget. It would be a waste of money.

With that said I suggest you get SVS's set of 5 speakers
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

Why?

I think it's a very good bet for SQ on a budget, and I think they are well built speakers with great versatility. Since this may be your first awesome system I expect you will find yourself listening to music far more than previously. I didn't use to listen to music on the old Sony HTIB, but on my speakers now. I listen all the time.

Then add one of these.
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1974/0/dayton-sub-120-12--150-watt-powered-subwoofer

If you need more budget you can get the 10inch as well.

The above recommendation assumes you have no SO living with you or she is open to large surrounds(you could also prefer smaller surrounds for your room). If this is not the case. Then I suggest a pair of KEF iQ3s for the fronts paired with an iQ2 and a pair of iQ8s or KEF 2001.2s paired with this sub for maximum WAF.

www.accessories4less.com has by far the best deals on KEF speakers and receivers(though you got one already) You can pick up the cables there too. Or use monoprice.com

Hope this helps.

 

[rded]

I wasn't beating up on the OP. Its more of a reality check. But I did answer his question.

 

[lsiberian]

I wasn't beating up on the OP. Its more of a reality check. But I did answer his question.

It is a wise statement, but I must say that I think a receiver is a good start for a budget buyer. Since deals are often what they build a system with.

Though I did have hamsters running my speakers. Enough of em and I can get far more power than any of those silly receivers.

 

[rded]

It is a wise statement, but I must say that I think a receiver is a good start for a budget buyer. Since deals are often what they build a system with.

Though I did have hamsters running my speakers. Enough of em and I can get far more power than any of those silly receivers.

So true. We've all made impulsive decisions but not necessarily considered blunders. Although I have to disagree on power coming from receivers. Clean current is just as important.