Cheap upgrade speakers for Onkyo HTiB

[tbergman]

Ok, I'll looking to upgrade my Onkyo HT-S5100. I figure the best way to do this is with some new front speakers. Looking at bookshelf models around $150 a pair max. Here are my ideas, let me know what you think and something I haven't mentioned.

Yamaha NS-6490
http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032183&allCount=118&fr=StorePrice/RSK/00005000/00009999&fbx=0&fbc=1&f=PAD/Speaker+type/Shelf&fbn=Speaker+type/Shelf

tSc P6-PR
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/P6-PR-65-2-way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-P37C6.aspx

Behringer B2030P
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-B2030P-Reference-Studio-Monitor/dp/B0002Z82LW

The thing is there is nowhere I can audition these speakers so I'd like to narrow it down a bit, so I can get the speakers and return them when I demo them at home.

PS, system is primarily used for TV/Xbox 360-75% Movies-25%

 

[phlakvest]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/budget-bookshelf-shootout-2009

Audioholics did a comparison. Some of the speakers you were looking at are there.

 

[tbergman]

Yep, I saw that, thats where I found the two, I was just wondering if anyone else had an opinion on any of these speakers.

 

[alexwakelin]

If you haven't seen it already, here's a review of the P6-PR's:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40828&highlight=speaker+company

The Behringers are highly regarded as well.

These JBL's are quite nice for a budger speaker as well, I own a pair and I think they are a solid upgrade from HTiB speakers. Of course, there are better speakers to be had in the $100+ range, but they are a steal at only $70 (binding posts and they come with wall mount brackets). The specs say 70 Hz - 20k Hz, but from playing test tones I think the usable response is closer to 60 Hz.

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Venue-4-Inch-2-Way-Speakers/dp/B000FD03MC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233600223&sr=8-1

Not available from B and H anymore, but they have a picture with the grill off:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428968-REG/JBL_TOUR_TOUR_Venue_Series_2_Way_.html

 

[tbergman]

Thanks for the link to that review.

 

[Midcow2]

Some other options

Ok, I'll looking to upgrade my Onkyo HT-S5100. I figure the best way to do this is with some new front speakers. Looking at bookshelf models around $150 a pair max. Here are my ideas, let me know what you think and something I haven't mentioned.

Yamaha NS-6490
http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032183&allCount=118&fr=StorePrice/RSK/00005000/00009999&fbx=0&fbc=1&f=PAD/Speaker+type/Shelf&fbn=Speaker+type/Shelf

tSc P6-PR
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/P6-PR-65-2-way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-P37C6.aspx

Behringer B2030P
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-B2030P-Reference-Studio-Monitor/dp/B0002Z82LW

The thing is there is nowhere I can audition these speakers so I'd like to narrow it down a bit, so I can get the speakers and return them when I demo them at home.

PS, system is primarily used for TV/Xbox 360-75% Movies-25%

Some really good samll bookshelves ( not include in their shoot out ) are the Cambridge Audio S30s small ( 9 1/2 D x 6 W X 9H) , but quality build and sound. $219 http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Natural-Oak/M/B00196SJOI.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle
I have a pair and they sound excellent.

If you want some inexpensive speakers that sound very good, esepcially for the price, Sony SS-B3000 . I have these in a garage system and as surround in my media game system to augement Def Tech 2006 fronts and Def Tech Pro 100 center. I bought them becuase they were rated high in a shoot-out a couple of years ago. The have reasonable bass sound.

Small speakers—big sound: the SS-B3000 performance bookshelf speakers may not be large, but they pack a high resolution audio punch. With their highly-advanced 8" woofer and stellar reproduction qualities, these durably-constructed speakers will refresh your appreciation for your music collection.

Features:

8" Newly Developed Kevlar H.O.P. Woofer
3 ¼" Enhanced H.O.P. Cone - Mid Driver
1" Nano Fine® Balanced Dome Tweeter
Sound Reproduction to 50kHz (for High Resolution Audio)
120W Maximum Input Power

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=Sony+SS-B3000&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp/RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=11&Go.y=13

About $100 /pair shipped.



A lot of people here in the last couple of months, like the Behringer B2030P
you listed; but I have had no experience with these speakers.


Good luck!

MidCow2

 

[lsiberian]

Infinity Beta 20s. You can probably get a pair for around 120 on ebay and they IMO offer the best bang for your buck. I love them and they have a very good range of sound. They are best paired with a Beta 250 IMO. I have a 360, but I think it more bang than the 250.

 

[alexwakelin]

Infinity Beta 20s. You can probably get a pair for around 120 on ebay and they IMO offer the best bang for your buck. I love them and they have a very good range of sound. They are best paired with a Beta 250 IMO. I have a 360, but I think it more bang than the 250.

If they are still in stock, this is a smoking deal:

http://www.electronicexpress.com/product?prod_id=5942&refer=6&cpc=6&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

 

[lsiberian]

If they are still in stock, this is a smoking deal:

http://www.electronicexpress.com/product?prod_id=5942&refer=6&cpc=6&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

Depends how much shipping is.

Infinity gets a decent discount on shipping from UPS I think.

50 is about the going price on Ebay for the refurbs.

But that does give you them right away.

I can say that Beta 20s sound really nice with an Onkyo Receiver. The main drawback is the bulkiness(which I find to be a positive)

I just haven't found a 100 dollar pair of speakers that comes close. But it's your ears.

 

[tbergman]

If they are still in stock, this is a smoking deal:

http://www.electronicexpress.com/product?prod_id=5942&refer=6&cpc=6&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

yeah, too bad it's in store only. Anyone want to pick up a pair and ship them to me?

 

[lsiberian]

yeah, too bad it's in store only. Anyone want to pick up a pair and ship them to me?

Hey man that's silly just go to ebay. http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZinfinityQ20betaQ2020QQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ

You can probably win 2 for 50 dollars each. They come straight from infinity with a full warranty. While your at it make sure to pick up a 250. I'm selling my cherry one right now on ebay. The cherry 250s go much cheaper than the blacks and they perfectly match most cherry tv stands. I just upgraded to a 360, but I think the 250 is a better volume match for the 20.

The beta 20s IMO are the best bang for buck bookshelf out there. I love them. They have a great balance between music(where they excel) and movies where they do a nice job. Brass is amazing on the tweeters. I prefer to look at them with the grills of because it gives me a grin whenever I see them.