Floorstanding/Bookshelf Speakers and Receiver Selection - $600 Budget

[easy e]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to figure out the best setup for my use and am a bit overwhelmed. I'm new to quality sound, so bear with me. I'm looking for a setup that will be used primarily for music (90% music, 10% movies). I'm into everything from electronic to reggae to classic rock. I am a college student and definitely want to have the ability to play some party music with some good bass. I initially was looking at HTiB but am now leaning towards a pair of bookshelf or floorstanding speakers. I guess I'm currently leaning towards a stereo type setup that can be upgraded with a subwoofer/additional speakers later on (hence the 7.1 receiver).

Here is what I was thinking:
2 Speakers: Cerwin-Vega VE-12F $279 new
Receiver: Denon AVR-1712 $250 refurbished

I notice that the speakers are rated for 250 watts. Would this receiver be underpowering them? How else should I power them?

I've also been looking at the Mordaunt Short Carnival 2 bookshelf speakers.

Any input is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Matt34]

Stick with the Denon reciever which is a good choice and instead pick up a pair of these bookshelves along with two of these subs.

EMP E5BiB

Dayton Audio SUB-1000 10" 100 Watt Powered Subwoofer 300-628

This will give you better bass than any tower in your price range plus plenty of output using the EMP speakers. It will also be easy/cheap to expand to a full 7.1 system when you're ready.

 

[bikemig]

Accessories4less has refurbished av receivers (including denons) and speakers (including mordaunt short but the carnivals are not available now). You typically get more bang for the buck by buying bookshelf speakers rather than floor standing. Personally I'd lean towards putting most of my budget at work with the bookshelf speakers even if that meant not having a sub to start with particularly given you want it mainly for music.

The Energy Veritas v5.1 got great reviews and are apparently on a close out at $180 each: Energy V5.1 Monitor Single 2-way Veritas series bookshelf speaker | Vanns.com

Here is a review: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/72853-energy-veritas-v-5-1-bookshelf-speakers-video-review.html

In any case, I'd keep my eyes out for speakers (and receivers for that matter) that are being closed out and I'd get the best quality speakers and receiver that I could that fit within my budget.

 

[zieglj01]

This is a good subwoofer that will go down low
Energy S10.3 > a good price
Newegg.com - Energy S10.3 Subwoofer Each

A nice set of speakers is Boston A25
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSA25WHA/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-A25-2-Way-5.25in-Bookshelf-Speaker-Each-Gloss-White/1.html

Made from the same family as Mordaunt Short, is the
Cambridge Audio S30 - and they will go down to 60 hz,
and are nice - and they can work with the Energy sub
http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/cambridge_s30.html

 

[easy e]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm leaning towards ponying up and getting the denon avr-1912 or 1712 and hoping that this will last for the next 10-20 years. For some reason I think the network connectivity is worth the extra $70.

I'm still torn on which speakers to get, but it sounds like at some point it is just a personal preference. I think I have a good list of possibilities and will buy when a good opportunity presents itself. My dad just pulled out an old set of Polk Audio Monitor 4 Series 2 Speakers. They look to be similar to what I'm looking for but have to be about 30 years old. I'm working on finding a way to test them but does anyone have any experience with these?

*I can't post a link but if you google "polk audio monitor 4 series 2" it's the first link.

 

[FoxMcCloudDS]

I have also been looking for a good (cheaper) surround system to start off with, and I wanted to start with some good bookshelf speakers.

I think I am going to go with the Energy Veritas v5.1 because of the positive feedback I have been given for these speakers.

Thanks!