Limited Buget

[Halon451]

Hello to all - I've viewed the forum here several times and have always found a wealth of knowledge and information from many of you. This is my first posting.

I am putting together a HT system on a very limited budget. However, I know that my ears will not allow me to settle for anything less than superb quality (it literally drives me insane to hear sub-par audio). Henceforth, my system setup right now is as follows:

I just purchased a Yamaha RX-V361 A/V Receiver (I know, not the greatest in the world but remember my $$$ limit). So far, it is working out fine, and I have no complaints, other than my rear surrounds don't seem to come through very well. Okay truth is - three of the speakers are left overs from an old HTIB system, including the rears (with a limited power rating and a sensitivity of 83 dB.. yuck). The two front mains are both some Pioneer floorstanders I purchased from a Pawn Shop, and while they're not exactly bad, they're not exactly GOOD either.

I also purchased (against my better judgment) a Sony SA-W3000 12" Subwoofer (rated for 200 watts), which, for a price of 200 bucks actually manages to breathe some life into this jalopy of a HT system. Who would have thought that Sony could do it.

ANYWAY, I've purchased a JBL N-Center center channel speaker from eBay, which is where I will probably finish purchasing the rest of the system (two rear surrounds and two front mains). My intent is to go with JBL as a means of balancing budget with quality, and there's a few great deals on eBay for these speakers (as well as Amazon).

My question is: Is this a fairly reasonable approach to building my system? I am quite comfortable discussing the various technical aspects of speakers, and am able to communicate in electronics-speak.

Note that I don't require the best sounding system in the world, but I would like something that I'm not embarrassed to turn on and crank up with a good DVD.

It's the TV that you focus your attention on, but it's the sound system that creates the environment.

Thanks in advance for any help or thoughts!

 

[agarwalro]

My intent is to go with JBL as a means of balancing budget with quality, and there's a few great deals on eBay for these speakers (as well as Amazon).

My question is: Is this a fairly reasonable approach to building my system?

It's the TV that you focus your attention on, but it's the sound system that creates the environment.

Welcome to the forum.

There is no reason why not to go with JBL N Series since at the end of the day, if it works for you, performance and budget wise, it is all that matters. There will always be a other/ better option out there, only you can draw the line. Regarding buying from eBay, just be wary of fakes and White Van scams.

A sub is the keystone of your HT. Many folks make the mistake of skimping on this speaker. If at all possible return the Sony sub and replace it with something from AV123, HSU, SVS or some other internet direct brand. Since your mains are going to be budget speakers (most likely bookshelf kind) this consideration becomes even more relevant.

 

[Twism]

i have no complaints about my jbls in either build or sound

 

[Gimpy Ric]

A sub is the keystone of your HT. Many folks make the mistake of skimping on this speaker. If at all possible return the Sony sub and replace it with something from AV123, HSU, SVS or some other internet direct brand. Since your mains are going to be budget speakers (most likely bookshelf kind) this consideration becomes even more relevant.

I've owned 5 pairs of JBL's and still have a pair of L 100 T Studio monitors in a closet. JBL does make good sounding speakers.

But I quoted agarwalro because for movies, your sub shall make or break a soundtrack. Bottom end is so important. Good clean bottom end. Umm, makes me feel all warm and cozy.

Check out Hsu Research - http://www.hsuresearch.com or SVS http://www.svsound.com and find a great sub at an excellent price.

 

[agarwalro]

Good clean bottom end. Umm, makes me feel all warm and cozy.

ROTL. Nice

 

[Halon451]

I do agree with the sub option - I was very hesitant to purchase the Sony sub, and not because Sony doesn't make good products, because they do, but if you want good speakers you have to go with a speaker manufacturer. It was a BB purchase and easily returnable. My ONLY complaint with it is that it seems a bit sluggish on the low end, but it does produce some "Wow" inducing notes during certain soundtracks (such as any of the Matrix gun battles).

I appreciate the advice about using eBay as well - hopefully with enough research on the seller and the item I will be able to make an informed decision that's not going to turn out badly.

I don't think I will settle for bookshelf variety front channel speakers though - I crave that good solid front stage environment. If I can't afford it now, I will sooner or later, just have to save some dough. Either the JBL N-Series or Venue (I've been looking at them a lot lately).

I figured the center channel speaker was the next best thing to upgrade considering most of the sound comes from this source, and almost all the dialog.

Yep, notwithstanding... those old Kenwood HTIB speakers need to be put out of their sad misery.

 

[Halon451]

Btw, Gimpy Ric - thanks for the links. Very helpful.

 

[LottaKash]

Maybe try AV123

I Too, was on a very low budget, so, a few months ago I did alot of reading about budget speakers and decided to give AV123 speakers a 30 day listen. Based on numerous reviews about the x-ls speakers (bottom end of their line) I couldn't find a reason not to. So many of the reviewers liked them. The cabinet are built like brick **** houses, well damped, and made like fine pieces of furniture... They sound so sweet and musical. I love them. Right now you can buy a pair of x-ls, A center channel x-cs and and an x-sub for next to nothing right now, as they improved the line and making room for newer models. A pair - $165, cntr $129 and an x- sub-woofer for $199. Man, add that up and you can have great sound for way cheap. I was not in the least bit sorry about the purchase. I'm enjoying the hell out of them. I'm retired and on a fixed income, not destitute mind you, but that was all that the budget would allow for some time. If it makes any difference, years ago I used to own many fine audio pieces, McIntosh, Ohm-F as well as early Marantz and Phase Linear, well the list could go on and on, but, the point isI know what good sound sounds like, and , although I havent't heard it for some time now, I know what it is like. For the money, I'm not in the least bit wanting. If I had some extra cash though, I surely know what I would do. That's not possible. Hey, I'm buying new cd's now and I even enjoy FM again. GoodLuck in your search.

 

[Halon451]

I checked out the AV123 line. Wow - at least as far as the specifications go, these indeed look like fine speakers. Thanks for the tip. I guess at the moment, however I committed myself to JBL, having bought the center channel speaker from their N-Series line. In the interest of timbre matching, I've been dialing into the rest of the JBL product line to see what suits my needs. Later on, when I've finished paying off the car, the new roof on my house, the new fence in the backyard and I once again have some cash to spend I might look into AV123's a bit further and possibly retire the JBL system to the bedroom.

Or as I should say (my wants). The wife doesn't consider it a "Need" like I do. I'm pretty sure a lot of people reading this are smiling by now.

My only concern with this path is that the N-Center speaker is plastic mold, and the rest of the related series JBL's are made of wood. That seems like it could pose a problem with proper timbre matching.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[LottaKash]

Good Luck with your James B. Lansings

Don't know much about the newer JBL's. As far as wood vs. another material, it's not about the material, it's about the resonance of the cabinets which add color and distortion to the sound source. And, it's about timbre matching with the FRONT and Center Speakers. Generally, There is an equivalent center channel that will timbre match with your front mains. Back channels are another story. For instance I recently got a pair of Atlantic Technology 4.5 rear surrounds, they are made of plastic (dense to a knuckle wrap), won them on e-bay for $108 (msrp $400pr)(they are a little older technology) anyway Iput them in my av123 speaker system and WOW did they make system perk up. I'm drifting. Anyway, maybe an E-mail to JBL, and they could tell you what mains pair nicely with the center you already have. GL.

Any good sound is good sound........

 

[Halon451]

Any good sound is good sound........

That's what it all comes down to in the end isn't it?

 

[agarwalro]

but it does produce some "Wow" inducing notes during certain soundtracks

Not trying to be patronizing, but from personal experience, you don't know "wow" until you have tried one of the monsters from SVS or Hsu.

 

[fmw]

My question is: Is this a fairly reasonable approach to building my system? I am quite comfortable discussing the various technical aspects of speakers, and am able to communicate in electronics-speak.

Very reasonable. To me it makes much more sense to buy the speaker systems in installments rather than to blow the budget on a complete setup that won't satisfy.

I'm sorry, I can't help you with the brand recommendations because I just don't recommend things I haven't tested myself. I do recommend products based on objective specifications and tests, however, and I can tell you that the SVS subwoofer numbers look very good. Someone mentioned them above. If I were in the market for a sub, I would go straight there without passing Go and without any detours.

I do own a pair of JBL speakers that I use upstairs in my exercise room. I don't know the model but they are 3 way systems with 10" woofers. They sound pretty good to me. The enclosures are not terribly rigid and that has some negative effects on the sonic presentation from resonances but they have nice fidelity and what sounds like a smooth frequency response.

 

[yettitheman]

I do agree with the sub option - I was very hesitant to purchase the Sony sub, and not because Sony doesn't make good products, because they do, but if you want good speakers you have to go with a speaker manufacturer. It was a BB purchase and easily returnable. My ONLY complaint with it is that it seems a bit sluggish on the low end, but it does produce some "Wow" inducing notes during certain soundtracks (such as any of the Matrix gun battles).

I appreciate the advice about using eBay as well - hopefully with enough research on the seller and the item I will be able to make an informed decision that's not going to turn out badly.

I don't think I will settle for bookshelf variety front channel speakers though - I crave that good solid front stage environment. If I can't afford it now, I will sooner or later, just have to save some dough. Either the JBL N-Series or Venue (I've been looking at them a lot lately).

I figured the center channel speaker was the next best thing to upgrade considering most of the sound comes from this source, and almost all the dialog.

Yep, notwithstanding... those old Kenwood HTIB speakers need to be put out of their sad misery.

Is the Sony Subwoofer ported? If so, you may try plugging the holes with some old rags and play around with the output volume.... also subwoofer placement may improve the sluggishness you talk about.

 

[Halon451]

Not trying to be patronizing, but from personal experience, you don't know "wow" until you have tried one of the monsters from SVS or Hsu.

Well, it's all relative. No offense taken. I've experienced true power building auditoriums with huge monster subs that move so much air that it's difficult to lock your knees. Not to be taken any other way, but I don't necessarily need that kind of power in my small living room. On the other hand... maybe it wouldn't be that bad of an idea. Hmmm... I'll need stronger windows and a lot of glue to anchor stuff down first. Hehe...

The Sony packs an unexpected punch, that's all I was trying to say - it holds its own against the other non-expensive subs out on the market.