Hey guys, I have $1200 and it's Cyber Monday!

[Rylicious]

So as the title states, I have $1200 to invest into a home theater system. All the HTIB sets I've had I've just been really disappointed with the quality of sound. This is for my living room... size 27' x 16', TV on the 27' wall 60" Samsung 3D Plasma. Couch on the opposite wall. I have a PC hooked up to my tv (netflix), playstation (games), bluray player (movies), and 360 (games) so receiver is important. I don't want to have to upgrade the receiver for a while, but I don't need anything TOO over the top. 7.1 not necessary but was eying it.

I went into this whole situation thinking that I'd get something on cyber monday but realized I don't know what I'm doing! I've read the Denon 1912 is a good starter receiver. Any tips you all can provide would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: I would love to be able to stream music as well.. something I haven't been able to do with my current setup. I listen to electronic, down tempo, trip hop, and a lot of instrumentals.

-Sara

 

[ousooner2]

If you want a 5.0 RIGHT NOW, then I'd jump on the EMP deal immediately. Overly good reviews, amazing looks, +/- 2db FR (which is more than you can say for speakers 3x the price), etc etc.

I'm in the same boat as you about upgrading the AVR, so I can't help much there. Are you wanting to pick up a full 5.0 or 5.1 right now OR piece it together as you go? Basically...is $1200 your max budget for all or just for now?


Another good deal is the Focal 814v at A4L, but one review said he couldn't tell much of a difference from those and the EMP e55ti's. If it's worth $260+ for the 814v...only you can decide that. Also, are you wanting towers or do you want/need bookshelves? We need a little more info

 

[Rylicious]

I just want the best sound. I'm not 100% familiar with towers vs bookshelves but I probably only have space for two front L/R towers plus sub. My current budget is $1200, could potentially invest more at a later date if need be but would ideally like a full working set up for this price.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Is there a specific link for the deals you speak of or should I just google them?

 

[zieglj01]

I do not base my opinions on one review - I would still seriously
consider the Focal package.
However the EMP package, still looks like a good option.

 

[Rylicious]

Update: I just bought the Denon AVR 1912 at A4L.

I have $850 left for 5(or 7).1

I found the speakers suggested.. looks the like speakers alone were $1200 if I was looking at the right thing so a little out of my price range.

 

[ousooner2]

Unless you wanted to upgrade slowly, the Focal 814v (with the center and surrounds for the 5.0) would be $1300+. You could pick up the 814v's now for $730 and enjoy until you have more to spend on the rest of the setup OR you could pick up the entire 5.0 from EMP for $890 (e55ti's, e56ci, e5bi's).

I think those are 2 of the best buys right now by far. Haven't heard either, so take my statement as just judgement based on reviews, FR measurements, looks, etc. Me personally, I didn't want to spend that much right now on my speakers, but I wanted something better than my Energy C-500's so I went EMP and i'll match with a nice sub from SVS, HSU, etc. Just bought a new house so we need to decorate that sucker instead of spending a ton of speakers.

 

[FirstReflection]

You've got a fairly large room. You'll definitely want a pretty capable subwoofer. For your remaining budget, I'd suggest:

BIC PL-200 subwoofer - $330

For 5 speakers, the Pioneer 2nd Generation Andrew Jones speakers are easily the best in your price range:

SP-FS52 Towers - $125 EACH (order 2!)

SP-C22 Center - $75

SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf surrounds - $115 PAIR (order 1 for 5.1, or 2 if you want 7.1)

Can't do better than that!

Enjoy

 

[zieglj01]

Update: I just bought the Denon AVR 1912 at A4L.

I have $850 left for 5(or 7).1

I found the speakers suggested.. looks the like speakers alone were $1200 if I was looking at the right thing so a little out of my price range.

EMP is still a good option for you.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get the Focal 814v BRAND NEW for $730/pr (59% off) for now.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/FOCAL814V/FOCAL-Chorus-814V-716v-Dual-6-Floorstanding-Speakers-Gloss-Black-Pair/1.html

We can't see the future. But many of us have upgraded and sold our old speakers about 20 times.

If you keep the Focal 814v in excellent condition w/ original boxes, you can sell them on AudiogoN or eBay and get 100% back of what you paid - $730 or even more.

I was shopping for the Focal 826V used on AudiogoN. The lowest used price I found was about $1600/pr. Excellent resell value.

If you sell the EMP, you might get 50% of what you paid.

The fact that the Focal 814v has a big brother by the name of Focal Grande Utopia III that costs $190,000 probably helps the Focal.

Interesting trivia- all the Focal speakers are "made in France", while most speaker brands are "made in China".

Later add matching Focal center and surround speakers and one or two good subs.

 

[scott911]

Wait!

If you have $850 remaining budget, I would very seriously consider one of the two following options.

#1 - split the remaining cash among two tower speakers left and right front
#2 - split remaining cash among two smaller front speakers and a subwoofer.

Completely forget about the rear and side surround speakers right now. You just don't have enough $, in my opinion, to get a system that will really please you if you split the money among so many different components.

Regarding brand - you are in the right place for good common sense budget discussion. these guys can advise you well. - But I really think you should avoid the temptation to split the money among so many different pieces - quality will suffer.

I took this advice myself. I bought a receiver, two fronts, and a subwoofer. I enjoyed great sound (music and movies) and never missed the 'effects' of surround. A year of two later, I got a pair of rear speakers - they offer a little bit of an improvement for movies, sure, but I'm VERY glad I waited to get them, because your fronts are what give you MOST of the quality and presence of a good sound system - and waiting on the surrounds let me get a pair of fronts I could live with.

good luck!

regarding brands - in addition to what the gents above mentioned:

I like KEF in that budget. I have those for the rear surround, and they offer good sound for the value. Especially at accessories4less and kefdirect.com .
KEF iQ90 Floorstanding Loudspeaker. Free Shipping on KEF iQ90 Loudspeakers. - cyber monday sale for something dead on your budget.

Welcome to the New Official Paradigm® Website. is also a well regarded brand.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you have $850 remaining budget, I would very seriously consider one of the two following options.

#1 - split the remaining cash among two tower speakers left and right front
#2 - split remaining cash among two smaller front speakers and a subwoofer.

Completely forget about the rear and side surround speakers right now. You just don't have enough $, in my opinion, to get a system that will really please you if you split the money among so many different components.

Regarding brand - you are in the right place for good common sense budget discussion. these guys can advise you well. - But I really think you should avoid the temptation to split the money among so many different pieces - quality will suffer.

I took this advice myself. I bought a receiver, two fronts, and a subwoofer. I enjoyed great sound (music and movies) and never missed the 'effects' of surround. A year of two later, I got a pair of rear speakers - they offer a little bit of an improvement for movies, sure, but I'm VERY glad I waited to get them, because your fronts are what give you MOST of the quality and presence of a good sound system - and waiting on the surrounds let me get a pair of fronts I could live with.

good luck!

regarding brands - in addition to what the gents above mentioned:

I like KEF in that budget. I have those for the rear surround, and they offer good sound for the value. Especially at accessories4less and kefdirect.com .
KEF iQ90 Floorstanding Loudspeaker. Free Shipping on KEF iQ90 Loudspeakers. - cyber monday sale for something dead on your budget.

I like KEF too. And Revel. Any cyber deals in Revel out there?

 

[scott911]

funny AcuDefTechGuy - since you posed about those Focals on Accessories 4 less, I've been pouring over everything I could read about those : looks like a hell of a nice speaker for the price...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

funny AcuDefTechGuy - since you posed about those Focals on Accessories 4 less, I've been pouring over everything I could read about those : looks like a hell of a nice speaker for the price...

Almost 60% off on brand new high-end Focal brand speakers don't come by everyday. I got 30% off on my 826v. If only A4L had the 826v at 60% off. Too bad for me.

$730/pr for Focal 814V made-in France speakers is just a great deal.

 

[Rylicious]

After spending the day reading your site and after all of your helpful tips I can see my two options.

1. The Andrew Jones speakers
2. Focal speakers that are on sale

Let's say I go route 2 and spend the money on these great French speakers. Will I be able to find a equally good deal on the rest of the speakers in the future? Or will I be stuck there? And would I just go with the same Focal speakers for the rest? What kind of requirements am I bound by for "mixing n matching" speakers with the receiver I bought? Could I use my current HTIB speakers with the Focal ones until I got others? lol Thanks for baring with me.

 

[agarwalro]

SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf surrounds - $115 PAIR (order 1 for 5.1, or 2 if you want 7.1)

You can get the previous gen speakers for less. Since it is for surround speaker duty, they will not be a noticeably different from the BS22. BS21 $50/pair or BS41 $85/pair.

 

[zieglj01]

After spending the day reading your site and after all of your helpful tips I can see my two options.

1. The Andrew Jones speakers
2. Focal speakers that are on sale

Let's say I go route 2 and spend the money on these great French speakers. Will I be able to find a equally good deal on the rest of the speakers in the future? Or will I be stuck there? And would I just go with the same Focal speakers for the rest? What kind of requirements am I bound by for "mixing n matching" speakers with the receiver I bought? Could I use my current HTIB speakers with the Focal ones until I got others? lol Thanks for baring with me.

I will hands down take the Focal over the Pioneer speakers. You never
know what the future holds as far as deals. However, if you know how
to fish/look, the deals can be found. You can use a different brand for
surrounds, to go with the Focals.

You can use your HTIB speakers as surrounds for know - however, I for
sure, would aim to replace them in the future.

I will hands down take the Phase 2 Pioneer speakers, over the Phase 1

 

[ousooner2]

So the EMP got the boot based on MSRP alone?



...weird.



Only the OP can know what he wants to do with his money. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SPEND IN THE LONG RUN? That's the only question you should be asking since you can't/haven't heard any of the speakers being mentioned. People on here talk about measurements, but there are people out there that prefer speakers that are NOT flat over speakers that ARE flat. People on here talk about MSRP, but certain brands might have more mark up in their prices. Until you have a complete break down of costs for the company, it's hard to say what a "good buy" really is. If you're looking at spending a little more, buy the e55ti and the 814v and send the one back you don't like. That's the only way you wont question your choice. If you hear both then you can contemplate if it's worth the extra $400+ for the rest of the setup or not. Is my thinking flawed here or what?

 

[Rylicious]

Sorry! I misunderstood your OP and thought the EMP was just two towers based upon my incorrect search. EMP 5.0 is definitely still a solid choice. Then I only have to buy a sub instead of a center, R/L, R rear L rear. I'm still undecided.... The only reason the Focal towers were still in the running was because the resell value.
I know that Bose are really poor quality speakers for the price. But I was at Best Buy this past weekend, standing in the middle of the V25 setup on demo and was blown away. I would be happy if they sounded like that all the time. Granted it was BOSE's demo, it was an action scene and I didn't hear music.... I read online that you can get "bose quality sound or better" at a fraction of the price and that's what started this rabbit hole. lol

Since I have not heard any of these mentioned set ups, feel that most HTIB are pretty weak, how would some of these recommended set ups match up against the V25? (don't slap me)

Edit: I went into this with a $1200 budget but I would be willing to spend $2000 total in the long run.

 

[ousooner2]

Any of these setups will absolutely blow away the Bose. Not even close. This of course is my opinion, lol....but I think we'd all agree here.

 

[zieglj01]

Since I have not heard any of these mentioned set ups, feel that most HTIB are pretty weak, how would some of these recommended set ups match up against the V25? (don't slap me)

This is not April 1 {April Fools Day}, is it?