Budget $1k Help

[monsterman]

I appreciate all help and suggestions. I LOVE bass. LOVE IT. I like feeling myself move.
I was thinking I could get away with getting a good 2.1 setup for my computer and upgrade to a receiver + rest later. I use my PC as a home theater and music player. 80% music, 10% gaming, 10% movies. I listen to rap, techno, hardcore rock ect. My budget is flexible and I could always hold off until I have saved more money. I am looking to make my room sound incredible and have 'upgradeability' for future needs (probably like 3-5 years away when I buy my own house). I currently have my setup in a medium sized bedroom in a townhouse.
My thoughts so far

 

[shoryuken]

Decent Budget

I have a similar budget. Nice tips!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well, something have to power the speakers, if you decided not to spend money for receiver now, active speakers might choice for you:
My 2c:
Get two Behringer's TRUTH B2030A $219 for a pair and a couple of B2092A's for $339 to add BASS.
total budget: $897 - so even with shipping/taxes you should be under $1k

http://www.behringer.com/

And you can always add receiver/speakers later

 

[agarwalro]

Well, something have to power the speakers, if you decided not to spend money for receiver now, active speakers might choice for you:
My 2c:
Get two Behringer's TRUTH B2030A $219 for a pair and a couple of B2092A's for $339 to add BASS.
total budget: $897 - so even with shipping/taxes you should be under $1k

http://www.behringer.com/

And you can always add receiver/speakers later

This is definitely a good option to consider, although, it makes the upgrade path for the mains complicated. In the upgrade context, it might be better to get the passive version with a good outboard amp like the Behringer A500.

Zzounds (linked above for the A500) does price match on Behringer products.

 

[njedpx3]

I appreciate all help and suggestions. I LOVE bass. LOVE IT. I like feeling myself move.
I was thinking I could get away with getting a good 2.1 setup for my computer and upgrade to a receiver + rest later. I use my PC as a home theater and music player. 80% music, 10% gaming, 10% movies. I listen to rap, techno, hardcore rock ect. My budget is flexible and I could always hold off until I have saved more money. I am looking to make my room sound incredible and have 'upgradeability' for future needs (probably like 3-5 years away when I buy my own house). I currently have my setup in a medium sized bedroom in a townhouse.
My thoughts so far

You need something to power you speakers so why not get a recevier.

The Behringer truth speakers already mentioned are good but I like Cambridge Audio S-30s better ( and later they can become surrounds or presence psekaers) They are $199.99 from Digital Craze http://www.digitalcraze.com/Details.asp?Source=Froogle&ProductID=3969

A very good, inexpensive sub is the Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer for $155.23 from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-SUB-120-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000C9NV78

That leaves $650 for a AVR,whcih can buy a very nice receiver which will still be good when you buy your house. Some of my preferred choices Onkyo and Marantz

Onkyo TX-SR707, 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) as low a $599 from Camera King. http://www.camerakings.com/ViewProduct.aspx?ID=11575161&l=Nextag

Marantz SR5003 as low as $593.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/MARANTZ-SR5003-AV-RECEIVER-SR-5003-NEW-HOME-THEATER-MP3_W0QQitemZ260391859690QQcategoryZ14981QQcmdZViewItem

Then later when you want to upgrade move the Cambridge Audio s-30s to rears or presence speakers and buy some nice \Front towers anda matching center. You won't need to upgrade your AVR. you can also upgrade later to a SVS or Hsu subwoofer.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Not be disrespectful or anything towards Forest Man
BUT Shoving lo-mid range receiver into tight budget with very specific demands seems, to say at least, unbalanced. Not to mention monsterman specifically mention he rather not get it now, and system to be easily upgradable.

I agree with agarwalro - I double checked and - my bad: active behringers don't work in passive mode, which I assumed they would for some reason

Pair of Passive 2030p's (or other large bookshelfs), A500 amp and sub(s) of your choice seems to be they to go.

Edit:
I did some research about Dayton Audio subs, but Its a bit hard to believe - good sub for $120 ?
Audioholics reviewed much more expensive [$800 if im not mistaken] Dayton sub before, yet to find it near perfect... Do it makes sub from same maker, which cost 6 times less cost nearly as good as $800 one??

 

[JerryLove]

Not be disrespectful or anything towards Forest Man
BUT Shoving lo-mid range receiver into tight budget with very specific demands seems, to say at least, unbalanced. Not to mention monsterman specifically mention he rather not get it now, and system to be easily upgradable.

If this question was coming up 8 years ago and it was a $800 receiver would you feel that it was bad?

Because that same receiver is now $50 on craigslist.

 

[njedpx3]

Not be disrespectful or anything towards Forest Man
BUT Shoving lo-mid range receiver into tight budget with very specific demands seems, to say at least, unbalanced. Not to mention monsterman specifically mention he rather not get it now, and system to be easily upgradable.

I agree with agarwalro - I double checked and - my bad: active behringers don't work in passive mode, which I assumed they would for some reason

Pair of Passive 2030p's (or other large bookshelfs), A500 amp and sub(s) of your choice seems to be they to go.

Edit:
I did some research about Dayton Audio subs, but Its a bit hard to believe - good sub for $120 ?
Audioholics reviewed much more expensive [$800 if im not mistaken] Dayton sub before, yet to find it near perfect... Do it makes sub from same maker, which cost 6 times less cost nearly as good as $800 one??

BoredSysAdmin - good points and no offense taken. OP Bored Sys Admin is correct, most of any budget (1/2 -2/3) should be spent on speakers. I just didn't think most powered speakers would give you good sound and any other reasonable speakers would required a receiver (AVR); the problem end most of the low-end receivers have gotten very crappy. The low end Yamaha and Pioneer are not very good now. I was trying to steer OP into a solution that would last for awhile and BoredSysAdmin is correct in his thinking that I suggest too much receiver at this time. You could still go with Behringer Trut 2030ps or Cambridge Audio S-30s and the Dayton Sb 120-HT is a very good low cost sub. So you are still around $350. The least expensive sutiable receiver is a Sherwood for only $92.71 will handle you short term
http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX4105-2-Channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B0002EPWC0

Then your total cost will be under $500.


Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[JerryLove]

Alternatively, a used amp.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Hey Monsterman, you say you LOVE bass? Well, do you have access to a woodwork shop or a garage with, at a minimum, a circular saw, drill and a jigsaw? You could build your own subwoofer that will be far superior to one that you could buy at the same price. That's what I'm planning to do this winter. There are several people on this forum who can create a design that will give you the absolute best performance for your money.

If great bass is a priority for you within a tight budget, it's doable. Just start a thread in the DIY section, provide your budget, the maximum enclosure dimensions that you can tolerate and whether you prefer deep extension or high SPL. Before you know it, you'll have a design that will be easy to build and within your budget.

I never thought about building my own speakers before I joined this forum. I'm good with woodwork, but didn't have a clue how to build speakers. I don't think I would try a pair of mains at this point, because that would involve matching up drivers and messing with crossovers (someday, maybe). But, when it comes to subwoofers you don't have to deal with that. A driver and a plate amp - you're off to the races!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I just didn't think most powered speakers would give you good sound and any other reasonable speakers would required a receiver (AVR); the problem end most of the low-end receivers have gotten very crappy. The low end Yamaha and Pioneer are not very good now.

Good point, lo-end AVR have typically crappy amp part, but I fail to see the need in AVR in his config first place. He mentioned he plays his music/video content from a pc, thus there is only one source and he might not even need any sound/video processing on AVR.

What he'd really need is amp (granted he choices to go with passive speakers).
Now, finding linear and flat response stereo amp on a tight budget is much more easier task

 

[monsterman]

I ended up getting a 4' cu box with TC-2000 15" and a EP2500 with a DCX 2946 and a pair of Audioengine A5's + wiring. I got EVERYTHING used or b-stock. It sounds really nice and very powerful. That sub will last me for a very long time. The powered bookshelf speakers have an excellent resale value and great portability so it was an excellent long-term investment. I will most likely get something like the Emotiva processor and separate amp for the speakers http://emotiva.com/umc1.shtm
I want some kick butt tower speakers + center and some rocking amp first then add surround much much later. I will most likely do multi-room setup first then surround in a living room. Multi-room is significantly cooler than surround sound.