Budget 5.0 Speaker Set for HT?

[slipperybidness]

I'm just starting to kick around some ideas for a full set of 5.0 speakers. Actually, I'm thinking this will be a 5.2 setup with a pair of subs, probably HSU subs or maybe SVS for the slick cylinder form factor.

But, let's just focus on 5.0 right now.

Let's put a budget of $1000 to $1500 on it, ONLY for a set of 5 speakers.

Personally, I like towers for the L/R, but I'm not opposed to considering a complete 5 B/S speaker set, or 4 B/S + 1C speaker.

I have also never owned a set of LCR speakers, so that arrangement also intrigues me, likely MTM designs I think.

So, if YOU had $1500 or so to spend on a set of 5 channel surround sound, what would you be getting?

My general list in no particular order:

1) Boston Acoustics A series from A4L
2) Focal Chorus set from A4L
3) Emotiva Airmotiv
4) JBL Arena
5) RBH Impression (likely go LCR on these)
6) Ascend 340 and 170 (I been wanting to hear some Ascends for a long time)

What other good options did I miss???

 

[sholling]

I haven't auditioned speakers in years (I'm happy with what I have) so I haven't listened to many of your choices. I did own a set of Boston "A" Series bookshelves 10 years ago and did not like them and that's from a guy that loved the old (~2006) Boston VR series so listen first or make sure that you have a free return window. Of course they've probably improved a lot by now. I have owned the Ascend 340 briefly before getting my Sierra-1 LCRs and did like them a lot, I just liked the Sierras a bit more and upgraded within the return window. The rest I have not heard but I'd sure like to give a listen to the JBL Studio 580 towers which are on a 50% off sale again. The design intrigues me but I haven't heard them.

 

[slipperybidness]

I haven't auditioned speakers in years (I'm happy with what I have) so I haven't listened to many of your choices. I did own a set of Boston "A" Series bookshelves 10 years ago and did not like them and that's from a guy that loved the old (~2006) Boston VR series so listen first or make sure that you have a free return window. Of course they've probably improved a lot by now. I have owned the Ascend 340 briefly before getting my Sierra-1 LCRs and did like them a lot, I just liked the Sierras a bit more and upgraded within the return window. The rest I have not heard but I'd sure like to give a listen to the JBL Studio 580 towers which are on a 50% off sale again. The design intrigues me but I haven't heard them.

Oh yeah, those funky looking JBL studios!

Those are a step above the Arena line?

 

[shadyJ]

I'm just starting to kick around some ideas for a full set of 5.0 speakers. Actually, I'm thinking this will be a 5.2 setup with a pair of subs, probably HSU subs or maybe SVS for the slick cylinder form factor.

But, let's just focus on 5.0 right now.

Let's put a budget of $1000 to $1500 on it, ONLY for a set of 5 speakers.

Personally, I like towers for the L/R, but I'm not opposed to considering a complete 5 B/S speaker set, or 4 B/S + 1C speaker.

I have also never owned a set of LCR speakers, so that arrangement also intrigues me, likely MTM designs I think.

So, if YOU had $1500 or so to spend on a set of 5 channel surround sound, what would you be getting?

My general list in no particular order:

1) Boston Acoustics A series from A4L
2) Focal Chorus set from A4L
3) Emotiva Airmotiv
4) JBL Arena
5) RBH Impression (likely go LCR on these)
6) Ascend 340 and 170 (I been wanting to hear some Ascends for a long time)

What other good options did I miss???

You might think about powered monitors, like JBL LSR, Behringer, Mackie, etc. You can get a really good 5 speaker set within your budget. And since they are self-amplified, it takes a load off your AVR. You will need an AVR with pre-outs, of course.

 

[sholling]

Oh yeah, those funky looking JBL studios!

Those are a step above the Arena line?

I honestly don't know where they sit, I just kind of like that funky look. But hey, free shipping and free returns if they suck.

 

[zieglj01]

Knock the JBL Arena off the list for the front 3

JBL Studio 2 series is on sale
https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STUDIO+230.html?dwvar_STUDIO 230_color=Black-GLOBAL-Current&cgid=loudspeakers#start=1

https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STUDIO+235C.html?cgid=loudspeakers&dwvar_STUDIO 235C_color=Black-GLOBAL-Current#start=1

The Arena will be fine as surrounds -- the B15 is a good price
https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Bookshelf-Surround-Speaker-Special/dp/B01EYJZYQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533912282&sr=8-1&keywords=arena+b15&dpID=41%2BPsTbQtaL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

RBH and Ascend will also be nice options

 

[afterlife2]

Highly recommend: https://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Two-Way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Woofer/dp/B07FGF2Z7Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1533912563&sr=8-2&keywords=saga+speakers&dpID=41bN4672Q7L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Or the newer Boston A series

 

[slipperybidness]

You might think about powered monitors, like JBL LSR, Behringer, Mackie, etc. You can get a really good 5 speaker set within your budget. And since they are self-amplified, it takes a load off your AVR. You will need an AVR with pre-outs, of course.

I do like that idea, but the difficulty is likely running power to each location.

However, it would be great to get an electrician to give me power drops right behind the speaker mounts.

 

[shadyJ]

There are a lot of great choices within your budget. One question, do you need to use a horizontal speaker as a center speaker, or can you accommodate a upright bookshelf speaker?

 

[slipperybidness]

There are a lot of great choices within your budget. One question, do you need to use a horizontal speaker as a center speaker, or can you accommodate a upright bookshelf speaker?

This is still a bit hypothetical!

I'm looking at moving into a larger house within the next year or so, and a decent HT setup is on my list of items for a new home.

I do like the idea of 5x identical speakers, or at least 3x identical on the front and maybe a step-down in the same speaker line for the surrounds.

Back to your powered speaker idea.....that would open up the option for a simple pre-pro like an Outlaw or Emo.

 

[sholling]

Back to your powered speaker idea.....that would open up the option for a simple pre-pro like an Outlaw or Emo.

From my limited experience the problem with powered speakers is that in some cases it opens up the possibility of amplifier hiss, ground loop noise, RF noise and a variety of other challenges. When it works it works pretty good but just be aware that it's not always as plug and play as a receiver and passive speakers.

 

[KEW]

As long as you can stomach the look of the Studio 580's I think that is a no-brainer!
The studio 5 series is above the studio 2 series, which is above the Arena series. Depending on how much concern you have over the quality of the surrounds, the Arena B15 (same as Arena 120) is on sale at Amazon for under $80/pr and should be a decent match with the Studio 5 (assuming JBL has a brand sound). That leaves you with the question of whether to pay for the 5 series center (which may be at regular price) or go with the Studio 2 center (which may be on sale, but will not be a perfect timbre match with the 580's).
But the 580 will give you the dynamics for a great HT sound and do a damn fine job with music. You might try them with phantom center, before spending the money on a dedicated center. IME, the center didn't add much, but opinions are all over on this. I suspect it has to do with the specific room and specific speakers in play.

 

[slipperybidness]

I do have some options to fill out my Ge T2 towers into a 5 channel setup.

Or add a center and the AA Monitors to fill our my Philharmonitors (Alexis Monitors) into 5 channels.

One of those likely isn't a bad option at all, but I'm thinking about those being dedicated music systems and adding a more budget friendly HT.

At least this thread reminded me about the JBL studio line. I'm not sure how I feel about those looks, but if the sound is awesome then I can live with them for sure.

 

[snakeeyes]

I do have some options to fill out my Ge T2 towers into a 5 channel setup.

Or add a center and the AA Monitors to fill our my Philharmonitors (Alexis Monitors) into 5 channels.

One of those likely isn't a bad option at all, but I'm thinking about those being dedicated music systems and adding a more budget friendly HT.

At least this thread reminded me about the JBL studio line. I'm not sure how I feel about those looks, but if the sound is awesome then I can live with them for sure.

They are kinda fugly. LOL

 

[lovinthehd]

I've got a full set of the JBL Studios, 590 mains, 520C, 580 surrounds, 530 rear surrounds. The looks aren't for everyone but they grow on ya! I did better on new 580s than the current sale (mine were $518 the pair delivered) plus I got the 590s at a great price ($900 the pair delivered) and got the 530s and 520 used (from @speakerman39, aka Phil, think it was $625 the set delivered). So depends on sale/budget at a given time. I do like them a lot.

My first thought was a full set of AAs, though and that would save you some money. I'm also an Ascend fan, altho the JBLs moved my Ascend set to the bedroom where I like them even more (smaller room, set of Sierra-1s, 170SEs in 5ch, used also 200SEs in 7ch setup).

 

[kickerofelves]

I just picked up a pair of Yamaha NS-333s for nothing at a thrift store.

I have a hodge-podge of speakers I rotate; ACI Sapphires, Jaguar 2000, NHT SuperZero, ADS L400, NHT SuperZero, AR28b, MartinLogan Motion 4, Advent 3s, CSW Abiance, CSW Ensembles w/8" woofers, Paradigm 5 v.1 and Wharfedale Evo2-20s. Yes I have a shed.

These little Yamaha NS-333s are really impressive I think. [Full disclosure I have some hearing loss in my right ear, not enough for a hearing aid but it's noticeable on an audio test.] Be that as it may these little bookshelf speakers are amazing. Good soundstage, decent imaging etc, they are great all-around speakers.

For music the Paradigms, Advents and ADS I love. The NHTs and the Yamaha NS series are real keepers that I think would do well in both music and HT. The NS-333 should get a lot more love in the low-budget bookshelf category.

 

[2channel lover]

I'm just starting to kick around some ideas for a full set of 5.0 speakers. Actually, I'm thinking this will be a 5.2 setup with a pair of subs, probably HSU subs or maybe SVS for the slick cylinder form factor.

But, let's just focus on 5.0 right now.

Let's put a budget of $1000 to $1500 on it, ONLY for a set of 5 speakers.

Personally, I like towers for the L/R, but I'm not opposed to considering a complete 5 B/S speaker set, or 4 B/S + 1C speaker.

I have also never owned a set of LCR speakers, so that arrangement also intrigues me, likely MTM designs I think.

to spend on a set of 5 channel surround sound, what would you be getting?

My general list in no particular order:

1) Boston Acoustics A series from A4L
2) Focal Chorus set from A4L
3) Emotiva Airmotiv
4) JBL Arena
5) RBH Impression (likely go LCR on these)
6) Ascend 340 and 170 (I been wanting to hear some Ascends for a long time)

What other good options did I miss???

I'd never had a matching LCR either until the Salks...it's a good move for movies.

"So, if YOU had $1500 or so..."

IF...this is primarily an audio space...I would push the envelope a tad and go with 5 mini Phils...the RAAL is that good to me. If I needed to stay underneath $1500 I would go with 3 mini Phils and a pair of Phil AAs in the rear.

I have a pair of RBH Impression series book shelf manning the rear...just for sh!ts & giggles about a month ago I finally connected my B&W 804m floorstanders (old L&R) to the rear speaker cables. For movies, eh...

For some multi-channel music...yes. While I'm not ready to run out and buy a pair of matching Salks for the rears, I am considering the mini Phils because they have the RAAL tweeter.

 

[psbfan9]

I'm just starting to kick around some ideas for a full set of 5.0 speakers. Actually, I'm thinking this will be a 5.2 setup with a pair of subs, probably HSU subs or maybe SVS for the slick cylinder form factor.

But, let's just focus on 5.0 right now.

Let's put a budget of $1000 to $1500 on it, ONLY for a set of 5 speakers.

@slipperybidness, I know I'm late to this party but wanted to throw out a suggestion you may not have considered. RSL

This is a 5.2 package under budget. $1478 + FREE SHIPPING

https://rslspeakers.com/products/cg3-5-2-home-theater-speaker-system

https://rslspeakers.com/cg3-overview/#all-products

What better place to test a home theater system than in your home? If our speakers don’t blow you away, return them within 30 days for a 100% full refund.

Don’t worry – we won’t hit you with restocking fees or charge you for return shipping if you decide to return your order. Trying RSL Speakers is truly risk free!

 

[slipperybidness]

@slipperybidness, I know I'm late to this party but wanted to throw out a suggestion you may not have considered. RSL

This is a 5.2 package under budget. $1478 + FREE SHIPPING

https://rslspeakers.com/products/cg3-5-2-home-theater-speaker-system

https://rslspeakers.com/cg3-overview/#all-products

What better place to test a home theater system than in your home? If our speakers don’t blow you away, return them within 30 days for a 100% full refund.

Don’t worry – we won’t hit you with restocking fees or charge you for return shipping if you decide to return your order. Trying RSL Speakers is truly risk free!

Yeah, I've seen RSL, but really were not on my radar, and should be worthy to consider.

I also like their silly name for the "speed woofer". Marketing at its finest! But, I kind of take it as tongue-in-cheek.

I'm leaning heavy towards RBH.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Whatever you decide, I want to point out something about prices in general. If you can find dealers for those brands, they might be able to get you discounts.