how would you spend 2k?

[a__thekevlar__2]

Hey guys, this is my first post here, just stumbled along the site trying to learn about speakers. I'm a 20 yo college student and am looking for an audio setup for my living room and im looking to spend about $2,000. I'm just looking for 2 floorstanding speakers, a sub and I need a receiver. I don't really know much about speakers or anything but I love loud noises, lol. I'll be using them mainly for music(hip-hop and techno mainly), I'll have a ps3 and xbox360 hooked up but thats not really my main concern as far as sound goes. Appearance is also pretty important to me. I was looking into the Mirage OMNISAT V2 FS and know nothing about subs or receivers. Also I don't really want surround sound right now cuz I don't want wires around and I'll be moving out in a year, but I might want to upgrade in the future. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[abboudc]

Hey guys, this is my first post here, just stumbled along the site trying to learn about speakers. I'm a 20 yo college student and am looking for an audio setup for my living room and im looking to spend about $2,000. I'm just looking for 2 floorstanding speakers, a sub and I need a receiver. I don't really know much about speakers or anything but I love loud noises, lol. I'll be using them mainly for music(hip-hop and techno mainly), I'll have a ps3 and xbox360 hooked up but thats not really my main concern as far as sound goes. Appearance is also pretty important to me. I was looking into the Mirage OMNISAT V2 FS and know nothing about subs or receivers. Also I don't really want surround sound right now cuz I don't want wires around and I'll be moving out in a year, but I might want to upgrade in the future. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I'd buy a pair of Mordaunt Short 908's for $550 + shipping here

Then an SVS PC+ 20-39 for $899 here

Then a Yamaha RX-V659 or RX-V2500 with the rest. I've seen the RX-V2500 less than $500, but YMMV.

That'd be a killer 2.1 system, and very tough to beat for the price.

 

[j_garcia]

With an SVS Plus, you won't need the 908s, the 906s would be fine, then that cash could go towards an Outlaw RR-2150, which would be ideal for 2.1

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Given that you intend to use a sub, I am not sure why you are specifying floorstanders. You could get better quality bookshelves+stands within your price range, and you wouldn't be paying for the bass twice.

 

[Crackerballer]

If it were me, RX-V2500 or Denon AVR-887. Depending on if ever plan on getting an HD Display. Denon has HDMI switching. Speakers, Axiom M60s or Some nice bookshelves (Studio 20's or 40's) And then a nice SVS or HSU sub.

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

Given that you intend to use a sub, I am not sure why you are specifying floorstanders. You could get better quality bookshelves+stands within your price range, and you wouldn't be paying for the bass twice.

I didn't even realize this, I really don't know that much about this kind of stuff... Thanks for input so far guys, this is extremely helpful. Any reccomendations for bookshelf speakers? Basically forget i said floorstadning now and just let me know what you would get with 2k, also 2k isnt really the limit its more the range, im up for spending like 2000-2500ish

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

If it were me, RX-V2500 or Denon AVR-887. Depending on if ever plan on getting an HD Display. Denon has HDMI switching. Speakers, Axiom M60s or Some nice bookshelves (Studio 20's or 40's) And then a nice SVS or HSU sub.

I already have a HDTV if thats what you mean, basically the speakers is the last part missing to my system, and i plan on using hd cables and stuff, any reccomendations on that kind of stuff?

 

[Crackerballer]

oh then this setup for sure:

Denon AVR-887 ($600 shipped off Ebay from Canal HiFi, brand new, first quality, with sore receipt)
My Paradigm Studio 20's (for sale for $650 in the classifieds on here)
SVS PB-12 NSD ($600)

And that leaves money in the bank

 

[Joe Schmoe]

My Paradigm Studio 20's (for sale for $650 in the classifieds on here)

Shameless! (A good deal, though. Those are nice speakers.)

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

how much should i be planning on spending on each part(sub, speakers, receiver) should it be equal or should it be weighted one way or the other?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

how much should i be planning on spending on each part(sub, speakers, receiver) should it be equal or should it be weighted one way or the other?

You can find some good subs in the $400 range, and not much less than that unless you get used or a deep discount. How much you need to spend on the receiver depends on whether you want to add surround capability or plan to stick with stereo. If it were my budget, I would say around $500 in the first case or $300 in the second. This leaves $1100-$1300 for speakers (and stands if you get bookshelves), which gives you a lot of options. The B&W CM1s are excellent for $900.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd focus on the main speakers first, then the right power to drive them, and then the sub.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I'd focus on the main speakers first, then the right power to drive them, and then the sub.

Remember that his main interest is in Hip Hop and Techno. I think he will need a good sub right away.

 

[HiJon89]

If I were you I'd get:
Pioneer VSX-1014TX for ~$300-$350 Shipped off of eBay/Videogon/Audiogon and use it as a pre/pro
Rotel RB-1080 amp for $650 Shipped from here:
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/45abc795005d14fe2740ac1003410657/Product/View/2549
RBH 661-SE Speakers for $700-750 Shipped from eBay/Videogon/Audiogon
HSU VTF-3 MK2 Subwoofer for $600-650 Shipped from eBay/Videogon/Audiogon

Total: $2250-2400

Even if you don't agree with the choice of speaker/sub, I would definitely try to get a dedicated power amp rather than a receiver.

 

[Crackerballer]

a good mid-upper level receiver can run $500-1000. Just decide on the bells and whsitles you want. Anythin around 100 watts a channel will drive most speakers in your price range.

The Rx-v2500 has like 120 or 130 per channel, which is great.

Just go try out some speakers at dealers. Axiom has a 30 day return policy.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If I were you I'd get:
Pioneer VSX-1014TX for ~$300-$350 Shipped off of eBay/Videogon/Audiogon and use it as a pre/pro
Rotel RB-1080 amp for $650 Shipped from here:
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/45abc795005d14fe2740ac1003410657/Product/View/2549
RBH 661-SE Speakers for $700-750 Shipped from eBay/Videogon/Audiogon
HSU VTF-3 MK2 Subwoofer for $600-650 Shipped from eBay/Videogon/Audiogon

Total: $2250-2400

Even if you don't agree with the choice of speaker/sub, I would definitely try to get a dedicated power amp rather than a receiver.

$1000 for amplification out of a $2000 budget? That seems pretty excessive to me. Why not just use the Pioneer? I think the speakers (including sub) have a far bigger impact on the sound of the system as a whole. (An amp upgrade can always come later.)

 

[Crackerballer]

Agree, but if the speakers are underpowered they will be crap. I have no sub with my Studio 20's and set to large they vibrate my walls. You could get by without a sub, or with an entry level sub (av123 x-sub $242) and go hard on the speakers and amp/receiver

 

[HiJon89]

$1000 for amplification out of a $2000 budget? That seems pretty excessive to me. Why not just use the Pioneer? I think the speakers (including sub) have a far bigger impact on the sound of the system as a whole. (An amp upgrade can always come later.)

Good speakers driven poorly will sound bad, as will bad speakers driven well. I tried to find a good balance given the budget constraints. He said he likes to listen at loud volumes and the amp built into a mid-level receiver just doesn't have the power he's looking for.

 

[j_garcia]

I can't say that I would expect hip hop to benefit from great speakers, but I did notice that the large amount of techno that I listen to did benefit from a well controlled speaker. Techno/electronica tends to use a lot of midrange and a LOT of stereo splitting/panning, as well as a lot of bass activity. I've heard quite a few speakers that don't do electronica well, and not so many that can handle it really well.

You are right, within your budget, you need to find a good balance between power and speaker, but that starts by choosing the right speaker for your needs, then find the right gear to power those speakers. Do that right and you can get away with any sub until you are ready to get a good one. There are a few subs that are quite good at the $400-500 point that will do well enough, which is why I say don't worry so much about the sub, or at least not a higher end sub unless you are looking for serious bass.

 

[a__thekevlar__2]

haha, now im starting to get confused, i didn't know that an amp and a receiver were 2 different things, if i get an amp do i need a receiver also. yes, i realize im a speaker noob.