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

[Rylicious]

I *did* say this was only the start of the rabbit hole... only proper to receive an initiation slap

Anyway, good news for me I came here first.

 

[Jonny Rotten]

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 just bought the Focals and the center.$1084 shipped.I looked for speakers for weeks to the point of "I just gotta pull the trigger or this will never end".everything I read about these speakers are positive and at a ridiculous price.Look at Focal 814 yes or no thread for other member imputs,good luck

 

[Rylicious]

^ thanks for pointing out that thread... I never thought that placement might be an issue... the current space I have for towers might be iffy. Can anyone give me their opinion of any of the aforementioned towers in these spots?

(The sub will be replaced and can be repositioned to make room)

In the process of relocating the PC/UPS but this is where, potentially, the left tower would go.

 

[ImcLoud]

That looks fine to me, them towers aren't huge.... once you get them in place play around with them, you will be fine... What did you decide on for surrounds? you will do very good with the denon and the focals for sure... And you still need a sub?

 

[Rylicious]

That looks fine to me, them towers aren't huge.... once you get them in place play around with them, you will be fine... What did you decide on for surrounds? you will do very good with the denon and the focals for sure... And you still need a sub?

The only thing I know for sure is the Denon atm. Someone said the EMPs and Focals need to be 20" from the wall? That is sadly not an option for me. Will the Pioneers work better against the wall?

 

[ImcLoud]

The only thing I know for sure is the Denon atm. Someone said the EMPs and Focals need to be 20" from the wall? That is sadly not an option for me. Will the Pioneers work better against the wall?

Don't get crazy about what everyone said, my towers are not all placed by the book, you will probably not even notice the difference in sound.... These are for your living room, not a sound booth or critical listening arena... Just your living room where you live, its not like having them 12" from the wall is going to make them sound like garbage, they will be fine... and at that price, you wont have trouble getting rid of them if you dont like them,,,

My ascends can be against the wall or behind it and they sound good, I find placement matters more for how they are pointed and angled than distance from the walll....

 

[agarwalro]

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.

Your room layout is not conducive to making the most of your new acquisitions. Having he speakers on one wall and the couch on the opposite wall is a known setup no no. This article gives some more tips on what to avoid, Room Setup General No-Nos

This great article shows what is generally considered best layout for front LR speakers. The article has layout for surround sound speakers. IMHO, definitely look into room treatments as part of the $2000 overall budget.

 

[zieglj01]

The only thing I know for sure is the Denon atm. Someone said the EMPs and Focals need to be 20" from the wall? That is sadly not an option for me. Will the Pioneers work better against the wall?

The Focal can survive 12" from the back wall for now - and try to get
at least 18" from the side wall if you can. >> The rear ported Pioneer
also should have at least 12" from the rear wall. If something is going
to be near a back wall - then something like a front ported Focal, is a
nice option.

Do what you can for now, with the speakers - you never know what the
future holds.

 

[Rylicious]

OR you could pick up the entire 5.0 from EMP for $890 (e55ti's, e56ci, e5bi's).

On the EMP's, I was adding this set up to my cart and happened to notice that the e5bi's are bookshelves as opposed to surround. I'm guessing this doesn't matter? I can use the e5bi's as surround?

 

[scott911]

answering you earlier question...
the rear speaker don't have to be exact same brand as the fronts.

Your front left, front center, and front right should be the same, but you can get aware with a different brand front to back.

Check your receiver specs: if it offers (phantom center) you don't even need a center - the front left and front right can play that role. this lets you put your money into the two important speakers - and not spread your limited funds out among too many speakers .at this time.

Regarding surround question - they can be and often are - bookshelf sized speakers.

 

[scott911]

Note that the sub is often placed in the back of the room. The ear can't hear where the sub's noise comes from because it's a low, enveloping frequency. That can help keep down the clutter in the front of the room.

This site has a couple articles listed that show example ideas of where to put the sub.

But, if you invest your remaining money into two good front speakers, you probably don't need a sub right away. A sub is an easy thing to add later - unlike upgrading cheap fronts which is not easy - you have to sell, and start over.

 

[ousooner2]

On the EMP's, I was adding this set up to my cart and happened to notice that the e5bi's are bookshelves as opposed to surround. I'm guessing this doesn't matter? I can use the e5bi's as surround?

Yeah you can definitely use the E5bi as surrounds. Both use the same drivers, but the E55wi is a side surround (someone correct me if I'm wrong here). I just have a place behind me and not to the sides, PLUS one would be firing directly into a wall, which I do not want lol.

It's too bad the sale is over though. Seems like A LOT of people jumped on the deal. Hopefully we get them sooner than expected (week of Dec. 10th) as I'm getting antsy already. Gives me a little time to wire the surrounds through the attic, look into a new AVR, etc etc.

 

[Rylicious]

Thanks again for all the recommendations. I ended up getting the Pioneer Second Gen Andrew Jones 5.0. I thought that was the logical next step- I was unhappy with a soundbar/sub, and 2 different HTiB. I don't need this set up for large parties or anything - just want to be able to be deeply immersed in whatever audio/video I put on. Set should be here tomorrow so I'll let you know how I like it. If I'm not 100% satisfied, I got it at amazon and can send it back. Maybe the Focals will still be on sale since I missed the EMPs.

I'm still in the market for a sub though potentially. Does anyone have any experience with this sub:

Amazon.com: Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black): Electronics

It was recommended to me as well?

 

[its phillip]

The PSW10 is not worth buying, imo. Save for something better

 

[ousooner2]

^ agreed. What's your sub budget?

 

[Rylicious]

Since I went with the Pioneer speakers, I have about $250 left. I don't need anything that shakes the house, but I'd like something solid that would compliment the speakers. Is the Pioneer second gen sub that bad? I held off on buying it.

 

[Rylicious]

Btw, I see now how many of these same questions you guys get asked a day.. you all are truly saints.

 

[zieglj01]

Since I went with the Pioneer speakers, I have about $250 left. I don't need anything that shakes the house, but I'd like something solid that would compliment the speakers. Is the Pioneer second gen sub that bad? I held off on buying it.

I would go after this Acoustic Energy sub, and is under $200
holiday price. It is better built, has more power and is heavier
than the Pioneer, and the Polk sub. Use to list for $749
ACOUSTIC ENERGY AEGO AE12-08 T Series 200 Watt Dual 8in Subwoofer Black | Accessories4less

 

[Rylicious]

Kept perfectly in my budget too!
I'll chime back in tonight after I get everything hooked up (sans sub). Anything I should know before I start wiring everything together? Hoping the Denton 1912 is pretty easy to figure out haha

 

[Rylicious]

This sound is AMAZING. I am so glad you all helped me with this. Can't wait to hook up my sub. LOL my cat is so scared she is climbing up the curtains! Going to have to ease her in.

One thing though, I've got the Denton 1912 hooked directly up to my internet via ethernet, have tested the cable, it is good, but it is not connecting in the setup menu. Think it might be a refurb problem? or do you all know a trick off hand? my computer is hooked directly up to my setup so I can stream pandora off of that but would like to know its capable..