Can I get a better 5.1 system for $1100 or less?

[dparz]

$113 x 4 - EMP Tek R5Bi Bookshelf Speakers
$195 x 1 - EMP Tek R5Ci Center Channel Speaker
$450 x 1 - Outlaw LFM-1 Plus Sub-woofer

Total price is just less than $1100, and I expect it to be closer to $1000 if EMP's go on sale for Black Friday. I am debating whether I need to spend so much for a sub.

I have an open room, approximately 30' wide by 16' deep with a 25' ceiling (apartment loft).

Thanks for the input and suggestions!

 

[3db]

$113 x 4 - EMP Tek R5Bi Bookshelf Speakers
$195 x 1 - EMP Tek R5Ci Center Channel Speaker
$450 x 1 - Outlaw LFM-1 Plus Sub-woofer

Total price is just less than $1100, and I expect it to be closer to $1000 if EMP's go on sale for Black Friday. I am debating whether I need to spend so much for a sub.

I have an open room, approximately 30' wide by 16' deep with a 25' ceiling (apartment loft).

Thanks for the input and suggestions!

That's a big room room you are pressurizing so my answer about the sub would be yes... thats the bare minimum I would buy for this room size. I would go bigger and spend more money.

 

[j_garcia]

Sounds like a good setup to me. I agree, I would not go for a lesser sub than that for a room that size. In fact, I might even suggest the LFM-1EX.

 

[zieglj01]

Can I get a better 5.1 system for $1100 or less?
Thanks for the input and suggestions!

Yes and No - it is what will work best for you.
Not a bad choice - enjoy the adventure!

 

[dparz]

That's a big room room you are pressurizing so my answer about the sub would be yes... thats the bare minimum I would buy for this room size. I would go bigger and spend more money.

If I increased my budget to say $1500, what would you recommend?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If I increased my budget to say $1500, what would you recommend?

More subwoofers.

Companies usually give you 10% discount when you buy 2 or more subs.

 

[j_garcia]

If I increased my budget to say $1500, what would you recommend?

I'd recommend at least stepping up to the LFM-1EX for that room. Won't totally kill the budget and should be plenty for that room. It is AH "certified" for large room duty.

 

[alphaiii]

I'll throw out another suggestion...
XTZ 93.22 x 5 = $770 (after 30% off using code 93HTS30).
http://www.xtzsound.us/shop-en/Speakers/xtz-93-22-93-wmt-center

93.22 x 3 = $462
93.21 x 2 = $273
Total = $735
http://www.xtzsound.us/shop-en/Speakers/xtz-93-21

The 93.21 are a less deep and are front ported, so might work better as surrounds. The 93.23 is also an option for front L/R if you like the trapezoid shape and want to save $7 each for the L/R:
http://www.xtzsound.us/shop-en/Speakers/satellite-speaker/xtz-93-23-93-wmt

I haven't heard the EMP/RBH speakers, but they have a good rep and many like them. What I can say is that you have a fairly large room, and the EMP are moderate to low efficiency speakers with 5.25" woofers. In addition, I don't like that the cabinets are fairly lightweight for their size.

The XTZ are very solidly built, and have 6.5" woofers and a little higher efficiency. This may be beneficial in your room. Personally, I think the 93.22 sound very good and are a great deal right now, but that's just my opinion. They have a 60 day no risk trial, so if you don't like them you can send them back without being out any money.

I know they're a bit of an unknown, and you won't find many reviews on them. Jim Wilson, who reviews speakers and subs for HT Shack, did post some positive comments on the 93.21 earlier this year... and the sale price now is even better:
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/xtz-sound/72974-93-21-speakers.html

 

[GIEGAR]

If I increased my budget to say $1500, what would you recommend?

This: HSU Research | Hybrid 3 HP - 5.1 Package.

(http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-15h-mk2-vtf-3-mk5-hp-subwoofers)

(HB-1 "MK1": http://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/hsu-research-hb-1-bookshelf-speaker-review)

 

[ImcLoud]

There are a few awesome deals on WD Diamonds left at musicdirect...

Since budgets are made to be broken, I will throw this out there, It comes to around $300 more than your budget BUT, you will get A LOT for your money, on a completely different level than what you listed... That is about the best you can do right now under $2000...
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-219515-wharfedale-diamond-10cm-center-channel-speaker-black-demo.aspx
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-112887-wharfedale-diamond-105-black-demo.aspx
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk4.html
http://www.amazon.com/Fluance-AVBP2-Surround-Satellite-Speakers/dp/B00067OLOS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416582070&sr=8-1&keywords=fluance+surrounds

All hope isnt lost though if that is way out of budget...

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-216667-wharfedale-diamond-103-tower-speakers-cherry-photo-shoot.aspx
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-253545-wharfedale-diamond-10cm-center-channel-speaker-cherry-demo.aspx
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html
with the same surrounds listed above...

The diamonds sound really really good for their regular price, with music directs sale pricing they are even better, the HSU subs are my favorite and I own, owned, and have heard the competition, for the money HSU is it, the fluance surrounds are my go to surround speaker, they are very nice and worth twice their price, they also have another series 1 level up that are even nicer for $199, either way surrounds don't need to be crazy high quality its an effect speaker, don't spend more than $200 on a set...

Good luck, IMO treat yourself get the vtf3 with the 10.5's and cm center {very strong center channel}...

 

[alphaiii]

Off topic for a sec...

ImcLoud - you have or have heard the Wharfedale Denton, right? The $499 price at MD sure is tempting...

 

[ImcLoud]

Yes, I own a pair, I power with w luxman, I paid more than that and i am happy with the purchase, $499 is a great deal, I think they only have 2 pairs left...

They aren't super efficient, so you wouldn't want to power them with a 20w amp if you want loud speakers, but 50x50 works well... They are very clean sounding and on the warm side of the spectrum, a very tame tweeter but still crisp and clear, great for most types of music, I don't use a sub with them and run the full range, they do the job well...

My set and the luxman 505u are back in their boxes right now, since selling my business I packed them up until I find a new place for them, I am thinking I will set them up in the kitchen at the lake house this spring...

 

[tcarcio]

If you want to stay closer to your budget you could take a look at Fluance here.http://fluance.com/product/XL_series_5_Speaker_Surround_Sound_Home_Theater_System_with_Biploar_Speakers_dark_walnut.eng-150.html They are having a sale this week for $819 for the set and are giving a free subwoofer with their 5 speaker set up. You could add a second sub for $249 and still be really close to your original budget. Having 2 subs is always better than 1. They reviewed very nicely for a speaker in this price range. So for a total of $1069 you would be hard pressed to do much better. You get a lifetime warranty and a 30 day in home trial so you could send them back if you don't like them. Here is the review.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14171918489737&key=0f4a86ba6db5fdb509f85ecacef1696f&libId=2d6239b3-a6c4-4495-afd0-097bf38dbd2e&loc=http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1348724-fluance-speakers.html&v=1&out=http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/fluance-sx-htb-speakers&ref=https://www.google.com/&title=Fluance Speakers - AVS Forum&txt=http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...x-htb-speakers

 

[OdinGOW]

If you want to stay closer to your budget you could take a look at Fluance here.http://fluance.com/product/XL_series_5_Speaker_Surround_Sound_Home_Theater_System_with_Biploar_Speakers_dark_walnut.eng-150.html They are having a sale this week for $819 for the set and are giving a free subwoofer with their 5 speaker set up. You could add a second sub for $249 and still be really close to your original budget. Having 2 subs is always better than 1. They reviewed very nicely for a speaker in this price range. So for a total of $1069 you would be hard pressed to do much better. You get a lifetime warranty and a 30 day in home trial so you could send them back if you don't like them. Here is the review.
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14171918489737&key=0f4a86ba6db5fdb509f85ecacef1696f&libId=2d6239b3-a6c4-4495-afd0-097bf38dbd2e&loc=http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1348724-fluance-speakers.html&v=1&out=http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/fluance-sx-htb-speakers&ref=https://www.google.com/&title=Fluance Speakers - AVS Forum&txt=http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...x-htb-speakers

Note that they updated the package as well with the better surround speakers which seemed to be the only major negative in the review.

I took advatage of this deal as i was already lookng at it before and then the black friday free sub sealed the deal for me. 980$ after tax and conversion to canadian dollars.... Havent got it yet but i hope it will do well for my first system.

I expect the sub isnt that great but probably better than no sub and fix the bass issues reviewer had also i hope. Anyone have any experience with it?

I was going to get hsu sub but only ships to canada for outrageous shipping cost... If i need to upgrade will probably go with SVS.

 

[tcarcio]

Why didn't you go for 2 subs? For the price I think it would have been a good deal and since you get the 30 day in home trial if you didn't like them you could send them back. So 1 free and the second for $249 would have been the way to go, IMO.

 

[OdinGOW]

Why didn't you go for 2 subs? For the price I think it would have been a good deal and since you get the 30 day in home trial if you didn't like them you could send them back. So 1 free and the second for $249 would have been the way to go, IMO.

Because I figure 250$ subs probably aren't that great, just enough to get job done, and if I was going to buy a sub I would be looking at better ones probably from SVS.... Not to mention I live in duplex and theatre room is only 13x11.....

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

This: HSU Research | Hybrid 3 HP - 5.1 Package.

(http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-15h-mk2-vtf-3-mk5-hp-subwoofers)

(HB-1 "MK1": http://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/hsu-research-hb-1-bookshelf-speaker-review)

While the shipping extra of $200 kinda place this kit a bit over budget, but I have heard hsu horn bookshelves and subs - i honestly don't think you could find better true HT sound experience that with this kit.
For 80% movies, 20% music this system is the one to beat, especially at your tight budget and honestly a huge room

 

[Irishman]

To the OP - do you have an AVR already? It's conspicuously absent from your list.