help needed!! speakers vs receiver--which is more important?

[forango]

OK, so I am wanting to put together a decent home theater/stereo system in our apt...the living room is about 14x14(with one side being open). It doesn't have to be an amazing setup but I want it to sound good for both stereo use and home theater.

Here is the rub...my budget sort of sucks. LOL...at least one peice of this puzzle is likely gonna need to be purchased through walmart online so i can use my card. For the rest I have a budget of about $600.00.

I am wondering what the basic opinion is on whether it is better to pair "less than awesome" speakers with a really good reciever/amp..or if it is better to use a less than awesome reciever/amp with really good speakers. what I mean by which is better, i mean which way will create better sound?

My two ways of thinking are the following routes:

1--Pioneer VSX-822-K or Onkyo HT-RC560 recievers..and then put them together with a good set of Polk Audio towers/center/surrounds/sub

2--Fluance AVHTB tower/center/sorrounds...and get a nice high quality Yamaha receiver/amp(or something of the like) and a good sub.

 

[ski2xblack]

...or if it is better to use a less than awesome reciever/amp with really good speakers.

This option.

what I mean by which is better, i mean which way will create better sound?

Speakers are where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. The speakers and how they interact with your room's acoustics are the most important considerations when building your system. So if the budget allows a bit of splurging on either speakers or receiver/amp, but not both, put the money in the speakers.

 

[markw]

The better the speakers, the better the sound. As long as the receiver has the cojones to cleanly drive the speakers. Bob's yer uncle.

 

[shadyJ]

You might be able to get a OK receiver at wal-mart. You have to be careful though, because many of the products made specifically for wal-mart are of a lower quality than the same models intended for normal distribution. For your budget I would just get a 2.0 system. It's too disheartening trying to build a decent 5.1 system for $600, there is nothing you could put together that is worth getting excited about. On the other hand, you could have a fairly nice 2.0 system for that same amount. Some speakers to look at: Arx A3rx floorstanders, Infinity Primus p363, push your budget just a bit and look at some EMP Tek E55Ti floorstanders or some Arx A5 floorstanders. I would also look at some studio monitors, there are some with good bass response out there, check out the JBL LSR308, KRK Rokit 8, Mackie MR8.

Also, for your totally uncalled-for and sanctimonious harangue of the day: be ethical and don't shop at wal-mart.

 

[Pyrrho]

As the others have said, speakers matter more. They are vastly more important. Any receiver from a respectable brand will work okay with speakers of normal impedance and sensitivity, so unless the speakers you select are difficult to drive, you can go cheap on the receiver and still get good sound.

Also, speakers are, by far, the better investment for the future. This is because they are always coming out with new features for receivers, that people feel the need to get. So the receiver is basically going to be replaced eventually anyway, so putting extra money there is a waste. But you can still use old speakers, and if they are great, then there is no need to replace them. And speakers also can last a lifetime, if they are not abused and if they are well-made.

With a budget of $600, I would personally go with a 2.0 channel system, getting the best pair of speakers I could find. Probably, I would go with bookshelf speakers, and simply sacrifice deep bass for better sound for the higher frequencies (and this, by the way, is coming from a person who owns a pair of SVS Ultra subwoofers; I love deep bass, but not at the cost of unsatisfactory sound from the midbass on up).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

This option.



Speakers are where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. The speakers and how they interact with your room's acoustics are the most important considerations when building your system. So if the budget allows a bit of splurging on either speakers or receiver/amp, but not both, put the money in the speakers.

To fix your analogy - Speakers are bit more than tires and/or wheels - Speakers are equivalent to the whole car, minus the engine. But don't go too far with this analogy - if you shouldn't overspend on engine to get better results - it doesn't work like that. If the engine (receiver) is good enough then car will drive fine. If it's weak - it will still drive, but a bit slower (less loud)

p.s:

a good set of Polk Audio

Please never put words like Polk and Good in the same sentience, especially not at your budget. Only decent sounding polk series start at LSiM series - which cost arm and a leg

Go with Walmart's Pio 822 and get your Pioneer speakers :
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com
Set alert and wait till they back on sale at $90/pair - get two pairs = $180
Same for center - wait for sale at $70
Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Designed Center Channel Speaker | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com

and get this sub:
Amazon.com: JBL ES250PBK High-Performance 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer: Electronics

total budget: add $220 for receiver and total for whole HT would be $670 - It will not be mind blowing, but I guarantee it will be pretty good especially for budget

p.s.s: Don't wait too long and get the sub - it's already at great price and will not last long

 

[forango]

To fix your analogy - Speakers are bit more than tires and/or wheels - Speakers are equivalent to the whole car, minus the engine. But don't go too far with this analogy - if you shouldn't overspend on engine to get better results - it doesn't work like that. If the engine (receiver) is good enough then car will drive fine. If it's weak - it will still drive, but a bit slower (less loud)

p.s: Please never put words like Polk and Good in the same sentience, especially not at your budget. Only decent sounding polk series start at LSiM series - which cost arm and a leg

Go with Walmart's Pio 822 and get your Pioneer speakers :
Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com
Set alert and wait till they back on sale at $90/pair - get two pairs = $180
Same for center - wait for sale at $70
Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Designed Center Channel Speaker | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com

and get this sub:
Amazon.com: JBL ES250PBK High-Performance 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer: Electronics

total budget: add $220 for receiver and total for whole HT would be $670 - It will not be mind blowing, but I guarantee it will be pretty good especially for budget

p.s.s: Don't wait too long and get the sub - it's already at great price and will not last long

Just as a side note, if I bought the receiver at Walmart, that is not included in my $600.00 speaker budget.

Also, the Polk Audio's I was considering was the Tsi line..my father has a set and they sound good to me...those still not a decent speaker? My ears are likely not well tuned as we have had nothing but a Samsung HT in a box for the last 6-7 years. lol

 

[markw]

"Decent" is in the ear of the beholder and is a matter of personal taste and budgetary constraints.

Polk is a well established manufacturer who turns out a sturdy product. Don't be so concerned about other peoples opinions. You have to like them, nobody else does.

but, if possible, you should listen to as many speakersa as possible in your price range.

 

[forango]

"Decent" is in the ear of the beholder and is a matter of personal taste and budgetary constraints.

Polk is a well established manufacturer who turns out a sturdy product. Don't be so concerned about other peoples opinions. You have to like them, nobody else does.

but, if possible, you should listen to as many speakersa as possible in your price range.

I have been trying to do just that, but unfortunately around my area the only option I have found thus far is Best Buy, and their speaker options go from "crap" to "un-affordable" lol..for me at least

 

[markw]

I have been trying to do just that, but unfortunately around my area the only option I have found thus far is Best Buy, and their speaker options go from "crap" to "un-affordable" lol..for me at least

If you're really that worried, some internet places that sell a variety of different brands have liberal return policies for returning speakers you don't want to keep. But, you may have to pay return shipping.

Audioadvisor is one that springs to mind.

Some Internet only speaker manuafacturers are also out there but I'm not sure about their policy on return shipping.

But, those speakers you are thinking about would make a "decent" starter set.

P.S. you might want to consider modifying your profile so we know where you are. Some of us might have some knowledge about that area.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Just as a side note, if I bought the receiver at Walmart, that is not included in my $600.00 speaker budget.

Yea, I figured so.

Also, the Polk Audio's I was considering was the Tsi line..my father has a set and they sound good to me...those still not a decent speaker? My ears are likely not well tuned as we have had nothing but a Samsung HT in a box for the last 6-7 years. lol

"Decent" is in the ear of the beholder and is a matter of personal taste and budgetary constraints.
Polk is a well established manufacturer who turns out a sturdy product. Don't be so concerned about other peoples opinions. You have to like them, nobody else does.

Going to mention this - few year back I was in large audio dealer store - I auditioned entire Polk bookshelfs line all the way from cheapest monitors to LSi/9 and in short version liked nothing but the top of the line LSi/9 speaker. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and I could see how Polk TSi will sound as large improvement over Samsung HTIB.
I didn't meant to say that ALL Polk is sh1t, not at all, it's just their value proposition is considerably lower that other brands.

but, if possible, you should listen to as many speakersa as possible in your price range.

YES - This is very true - go out with CDR of your favorite music and listen to as much speakers as possible.

 

[forango]

If you're really that worried, some internet places that sell a variety of different brands have liberal return policies for returning speakers you don't want to keep. But, you may have to pay return shipping.

Audioadvisor is one that springs to mind.

Some Internet only speaker manuafacturers are also out there but I'm not sure about their policy on return shipping.

But, those speakers you are thinking about would make a "decent" starter set.

P.S. you might want to consider modifying your profile so we know where you are. Some of us might have some knowledge about that area.

will do thanks

 

[forango]

Well I pulled the trigger finally...went with this setup:

2 x Polk Audio Tsi300 towers
2 x Polk Audio Tsi100 surrounds
1 x Polk Audio TL1 center(the CS10 was literally 1/16" to big for my entertainment center)
1 x Polk Audio PSW111(got for free through. Rust hfield)

And for a receiver I got the Pipneer VSX-822

Thanks for the help here

 

[ColdScience94]

Find a used receiver with decent wattage first to get you started, nothing to junky. I would definitely need HDMI inputs and 5.1. Splurge on the speakers, they are the foundation of sound. I'm more than happy with my set up, although my receiver isn't top of the line, still will shake your brains and rattle your bones!! Just do your research!!

 

[ColdScience94]

Good set-up!! Polk audio sounds great, I have no complaints!! And I'm happy with my Pioneer!!

 

[forango]

Good set-up!! Polk audio sounds great, I have no complaints!! And I'm happy with my Pioneer!!

Yeah it sealed it for me when I went to the local HHGregg here and they had an almost identical Pioneer receiver hooked to a set of 2 way Polk towers and it sounded great