Front & surround speakers

[objectivecpp]

Hello,

I am new to HTS and have been reading some of the posts here.

Could someone tell me if I can use the same type of front speakers for surrond systems? Or, are there specific ones?

I am planning to get Monitor 70 as Front (and HSU STF-1 Subwoofer). But I have no idea what should be bought for rear speakers.

Preference:

* Tower speakers.
* Budget is < 1000 (Don't think I can get all the speakers, sub, and receiver in this budget though)
* 5.1 HTS

Usage:
======

HDTV, DirecTv
Blu Ray
xBOX360, iPod
Room Size 12 x 16

Could someone recommend?

 

[GranteedEV]

welcome to... HTS?

lol...

Anyways regarding surround speakers, the general idea is that while having the same seven speakers all around would be awesome, it's just not practical unless you realllllly love your multichannel music. In general a lesser surround speaker is perfectly fine because

1) It's probably closer to you so it needs not work as hard to get loud
2) It's hitting your ears at a different angle so our ears don't need the timbre to match perfectly
3) Surround content isn't generally as purely dynamic as front content (although it CAN be)
4) It's just plain expensive to have the same surround as your mains!

There are two general types of surround speakers. Monopoles and Dipoles. Dipoles are popular in the HT community and Monopoles are popular in the Multichannel Music community, but IMO monopoles are also better for home theater too. Movies are mixed on monopoles is my thought.

Dipoles will likely give you more "spaciousness" but IMO it's fake and in a sense "unintended".

IMO 7.1 with monopoles is the way to go. Yes I am a proponent of matrixed 7.1 over discrete 5.1.

With that said there's yet one type of Dipole I didn't really refer to - a true dipole loudspeaker. Not a sidefiring "surround" dipole but a back/forth firing main dipole a la Linkwitz Orion. This is not a bad idea for a surround but implementing it would be difficult as they want lots of space from walls and can be expensive.

 

[objectivecpp]

Thanks. Could someone recommend a few rear speakers that goes with my budget?

Is there any page / post for list of recommended setup based on price range?

 

[sholling]

You can get quality 5.1 for pretty close to $1000 but you may go over a bit with shipping but you'll have to give up the towers for a good sub. That rom isn't big enough to require towers as long as you have a sub. If you want 7.1 you can always add two more P152 later.

2x Infinity P162 as mains $85ea shipped
1x Infinity PC250 center $150 shipped
2x Infinity P152 as surrounds $75ea shipped.
1x Hsu Research VTF-2 MK3. $509 + S&H
Total $979 + $59S&H = $1038

Or if the total of the entire space including anything open to that room is less than say 2000cuft maybe an Emotiva Ultra 12 sub (on sale for $429 shipped). It's smaller but but won't fill a huge room.

 

[GranteedEV]

AVR -

Marantz SR5003 Refurbished

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5003/Marantz/Sr5003-Dolby-Truehd/Dts-hd-Master-Audio-Av-Receiver/1.html


Which leaves 600 for speakers.

I'd get a pair of Infinity Primus 363s if you can get them cheap at best buy. Otherwise I recommend going with some EMP E5Tis. You can get a pair for $400 at EMP's clearance section. That still leaves a center channel, surrounds, and a sub unfortunately. The center is up to you, and I'd cut the surrounds from the budget for the time being. Behringer Truth monitors make nice surrounds, and so do the matching EMP e5Bis.

For a sub, the Emotiva Ultra sub has been getting positive feedback, if you need a small footprint sealed sub for a small room. If your room is larger you may be better off with a ported sub like the HSU STF-2. I wouldn't bother with the STF-1 as it's only got an 8 inch driver which is too puny for any subwoofer.

 

[GranteedEV]

You can get quality 5.1 for pretty close to $1000 but you may go over a bit with shipping but you'll have to give up the towers for a good sub. That rom isn't big enough to require towers as long as you have a sub. If you want 7.1 you can always add two more P152 later.

2x Infinity P162 as mains $85ea shipped
1x Infinity PC250 center $150 shipped
2x Infinity P152 as surrounds $75ea shipped.
1x Hsu Research VTF-2 MK3. $509 + S&H
Total $979 + $59S&H = $1038

Or if the total of the entire space including anything open to that room is less than say 2000cuft maybe an Emotiva Ultra 12 sub (on sale for $429 shipped). It's smaller but but won't fill a huge room.

You forgot the budget for speaker stands/receiver/wall mounts. Technically I forgot the wall mounts budget too but you get my point.

 

[sholling]

You forgot the budget for speaker stands/receiver/wall mounts. Technically I forgot the wall mounts budget too but you get my point.

The Infinity Primus are front ported and a nail will do for wall mounts. But I guess he needs to go 3.1 for now and live with the 12" emo or Hsu STF-2, and a refurbished TX-SR508 for a total of $970. BTW if nails aren't an option or stands are a must Walmart sells some bar stools for $21ea that make decent speaker stands.

Of course he could trade down to a budget sub like a Bic F12 and use the savings for a pair of P152 for surrounds. I'd just rather see him do 3.1 right and add surrounds later than see him disappointed.

 

[GranteedEV]

The Infinity Primus are front ported and a nail will do for wall mounts. BTW if nails aren't an option or stands are a must Walmart sells some bar stools for $21ea that make decent speaker stands.

lol... we should change this place's name to "Tha Audio Ghetto".

 

[objectivecpp]

Thanks Granteed and sholling.

3.1 sounds like a good idea. I actually wanted to do that but was not sure if it was an option.

I will go with CS, fronts and sub for now and add surround later. I am leaning towards the following set up. Could you check if it sounds good?

Infinity Primus P362 (Fronts) - 400$
Infinity PC350 center - 199$
HSU VTF2 / Emotiva sub 12 - ~500$

Which is going to cost me 1100. But have no money left for receivers.

Or, Should I downgrade to P253 (Fronts) - 150$ each, PC250 (CS) - 150$?

Could you also suggest a few receivers?

Thanks

 

[objectivecpp]

This might sound silly. What do you think about Polk Audio R300 speakers? I can get a pair for 100$ from NewEgg.

 

[GranteedEV]

Thanks Granteed and sholling.

3.1 sounds like a good idea. I actually wanted to do that but was not sure if it was an option.

I will go with CS, fronts and sub for now and add surround later. I am leaning towards the following set up. Could you check if it sounds good?

Infinity Primus P362 (Fronts) - 400$
Infinity PC350 center - 199$
HSU VTF2 / Emotiva sub 12 - ~500$

Which is going to cost me 1100. But have no money left for receivers.

Or, Should I downgrade to P253 (Fronts) - 150$ each, PC250 (CS) - 150$?

Could you also suggest a few receivers?

Sholling and I recommended some of the better bang-for-buck receivers already IMO.

And have you considered the used market? One thing I've found is that with audio equipment you can always get a great deal used. Well YOU Can, I can't cuz I'm stuck up here in Kanadia.

This might sound silly. What do you think about Polk Audio R300 speakers? I can get a pair for 100$ from NewEgg.

I don't think much... they are what they are.

 

[sholling]

lol... we should change this place's name to "Tha Audio Ghetto".

Hey I'm using those bar stools as temporary stands for my surrounds.

 

[objectivecpp]

Thanks all. I have ordered the following.

Infinity Primus P252 - 299.98
Infinity Primus PC350 Center Channel Speaker - 199.99
ONKYO RECEIVERS HT-RC260 R - 329.00

I have yet to order a sub. Looking for a used one; if i don't get anything that's interesting, will go for emotiva.

Do I need to order any cables to install these items?

 

[sholling]

Thanks all. I have ordered the following.

Infinity Primus P252 - 299.98
Infinity Primus PC350 Center Channel Speaker - 199.99
ONKYO RECEIVERS HT-RC260 R - 329.00

I have yet to order a sub. Looking for a used one; if i don't get anything that's interesting, will go for emotiva.

Do I need to order any cables to install these items?

Speaker wire needn't be anything special. Monoprice.com has great prices on 14ga speaker wire, subwoofer cables, and HDMI cables for connecting the TV and cable box to the receiver.

 

[its phillip]

While the walmart stools are nice and cheap, amazon has some sanus stands that are even cheaper (in 24" & 31" heights). They can't support as large of a speaker as the stools though.

http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-BF-24B-Speaker-Stands/dp/B00006JQ5N/
http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-BF-31B-Speaker-Stands/dp/B00006JQ5O/

 

[objectivecpp]

Could you provide a link?

I am little confused because am not sure if I need both cables and connectors.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10244

What is the difference between 12/14/.../ AG cables?

Thanks.

 

[GranteedEV]

What is the difference between 12/14/.../ AG cables?

The lower the gauge, the more surface area of copper for electrical current to flow / AKA less resistance. With less resistance you can have a longer run without (significant) signal loss. 18awg is probably plenty for most home theater runs, although 12 awg may be recommended for a very high output amplifier IE 2500 watts. A dual run of 14 awg for an effective 11awg is useful for an inhome installation (Rather than 10awg, which becomes problematic as it's not very flexible) Otherwise we usually recommend 14 awg because it makes us sleep better at night.

 

[sholling]

The lower the gauge, the more surface area of copper for electrical current to flow / AKA less resistance. With less resistance you can have a longer run without (significant) signal loss. 18awg is probably plenty for most home theater runs, although 12 awg may be recommended for a very high output amplifier IE 2500 watts. A dual run of 14 awg for an effective 11awg is useful for an inhome installation (Rather than 10awg, which becomes problematic as it's not very flexible) Otherwise we usually recommend 14 awg because it makes us sleep better at night.

Very good information but if he wasn't confused before...

OP,
This is good general purpose speaker wire. They have longer or shorter lengths as well. You don't need connectors.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2791&seq=1&format=2

I buy this stuff for subwoofer cable. Pick the length that you need. Just be careful because sometimes it's s bit tight and make sure that the sub is off when you connect it.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603

 

[objectivecpp]

Thanks.

For a subwoofer, I am thinking of postponing my purchase to another 2-3 months. In the mean time, can I use my existing Logitech Z-2300 2.1 THX speakers as a sub and rear speakers with my new setup?

Infinity Primus P252 Front
Infinity Primus PC350 Center Channel Speaker
ONKYO HT-RC260 R RECEIVERS

Will there be any issues connecting this to Onkyo in terms of Power / Efficiency?

 

[sholling]

I have no idea how you'd use the Z-2300 but maybe somebody else does.

The 260 should drive those Infinities just fine.