Budget system for small room: thoughts on Orb vs. Aperion

[timezone]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a "budget system" for the living room (16 x 12) of a small apartment. Front speakers will be at one end of the 16ft dimensions.My goals are to have a decent (within budget) system to watch HD content and listen to music (maybe more on the music than the movies). Because of budget and room size I cant go too big, so I am looking for smallish speakers, but I think I can handle some bigger bookshelves for the front that I would be able to put on stands...but it will be a little awkward for the backs.

I am new to all of this, but I figured if I came up with a couple scenarios, I might get some more focused feedback. I am still open to all sorts of suggestions, and I dont mind being educated in the process.

Thanks!


Right now I am looking at these two setups (btw, they both allow me to do a 30 day trial).

Setup # 1 - $1,098.00
Orb Audio's People's Choice speaker system
* double Orbs (Mod2) for all front speakers and single Orbs (Mod1) for all rear speakers.
* Super Eight Custom Long Throw Subwoofer

Setup # 2 - $980
* Aperion Intimus 4B Satellite Speaker - $130.00ea
* Intimus 4C Center Channel Speaker - $160.00ea.
* Hsu Research - STF-1 Subwoofer - Regularly:$299.00

RECEIVER (these two are not shipping yet, but figured to future proof with the whole hdmi 1.4). I am open to other ideas that will work best with the speaker packages above and the source equipment being connected to them below.

Receiver # 1 - Onkyo TX-SR508 - $499.00 (if it ships soon)
Receiver # 2 - pioneer - VSX-820-K - $299 (if it ships soon)
* AS-BT100 Bluetooth Adapter - $99.00 (stream music from computer or iphone)


Sources to be connected:
* PS3 (for gaming, netflix, streaming of music/video content)
* Nintendo Wii
* PROJECTOR - Optimo 720p projector (until I upgrade to 1080p projector and/or TV)
* regular tv
* Popbox or Boxee device
* Streaming music from Computer/iphone (not sure how yet, but the pioneer has a bluetooth device to support this; PS3 might be able to act as a bridge to the receiver.)

Note: I hope to stream more content from the PS3, but am trying to figure out how to connect my existing iMac 24in 2.8 ghz Core 2 Duo (7,1 identifier) to deliver other music / video content. Not sure yet whether this should/can be done direct to receiver, or through PS3 to receiver, and then out to speakers and projector. Also not sure how I can do this wired or wirelessly, and if I am gaining or losing anything in terms of "quality" or convienence/cost by choosing one over the other.

 

[sholling]

I'm not much for smallish satellites so I'm going to toss out a few other completely off track ideas. Having lived in apartments for most of my early years I'd sensitive to neighbor complaints. Therefore I'm going off on a completely different direction.

Option 1
Towers - yes I know you want small speakers but by using near-full range towers you should be able to get away without using a neighbor irritating subwoofer. I suggest auditioning Infinity's Primus P362 towers, matched PC350 center, and P162 bookshelves as surrounds. If you Google well will you can do the whole thing for about $600. Later if you like you can add a sub for the low lows and just turn it down when neighbors are home.

Option 2
Speakers are very subjective so buy whatever flavor of bookshelf speaker floats your boat as long as its bass response comfortably extends below 80hz. That's the point where you really notice the sound shifting from the speaker to the subwoofer. Everyone has different taste in speakers but the low cost bookshelf speaker that many here swear by is Behringer's B2030P studio monitor. They are front ported and extend below 80hz. They also sound really good out of the box and even better after few easy mods. They sell for $131/pr shipped. The downside is that they are rather industrial looking and you'll have to make do with a bookshelf as a center.

For the subwoofer I'd find a front firing sub if you have anyone under you, and I'd plan on placing it on a "SubDude" isolation riser. I haven't heard this one but the eD A3s-250 should be enough to give you enough bass for an apartment without driving the neighbors nuts.

Receiver
For the receiver I recommend looking on Accessories For Less for a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR607 ($330) or better yet a refurbished TX-SR707 for $500.

Streaming Music
I like Western Digital's TV "Live" with a USB network adapter.

 

[timezone]

One note about neighbors...I live in a place with a lot of college students who practice their trade in the building...music. As well as right by a highway and street filled with clubs and live band venues. I am not so worried about disturbing the neighbors beyond what is already a fairly noisy environment... we are all used to it.

thanks

 

[sholling]

In that case (assuming no one under you) your setup 2 if you like the sound of the Ascend. I've never had the pleasure of hearing them so I can't comment. But one change. I would go with a Hsu STF-2 for just a few dollars more.

 

[rnatalli]

First for the subwoofer, I would get an HSU STF-2 regardless of what you choose for speakers. Out of the 2 receivers, I would go with the 508 as Onkyo amp sections are bit better than non-Elite Pioneer and Onkyo uses Audyssey which I prefer over MCACC. Also, the 4B's are hungry speakers so the Pioneer might choke at high volume. As for the speakers, I would just order both and see what you like better. Aperion pays shipping both ways and Orb will only cost like $10 to ship back to them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would go with Aperion.

 

[timezone]

Hi all,

After further insight and feedback from various sources, I think I am currently going with a HSU Research package of speakers and subwoffer:
hsu research enthusiast1 package:
1 VTF-1 Subwoofer
4 HB-1 MK2 Horn Bookshelfs
1 HC-1 MK2 Horn Center Channel

I just wanted to check in again and see if anyone had any thoughts of the new direction. The reviews I have seen are good, I am a fan of MIT engineering (bose aside, since they cater to a different type of audience with their products) and have had personal recommendations from users who listen to the same music I do.

I plan to pair this system with the Onkyo 608 coming out soon.

What do you all think?

Thanks

 

[sholling]

I've never heard Hsu speakers so I can't begin to comment on them. Maybe one of these days when I run up that direction. As far as the VTF-1 goes it might be a very good choice for an apartment because it doesn't go super low but goes plenty low for almost any music. That's a good compromise for even a rowdy apartment. I'd also give serious consideration to the equivalent SVS package but since I've never heard either's speakers (just their subs) I have no clue how they compare.

 

[Warpdrv]

here is a pretty good deal on some really top quality speakers...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=13228

Not sure if they are in your budget, but I highly recommend them - as many others will as well...