Looking for a mid level Home Theater System

[burnetet]

Hey guys,

I have been looking for about a week now for a mid range receiver and some floor standing speakers/center channel/sub. I cant really make a decision so I wanted to throw up a post on here and see if anyone had any recommendations. The only system I have had before was an Onkyo receiver and 4 12" MTX loudspeakers in a college house. I am not "new" to home theater but I have never put together a real system before. I am looking to spend around $1000-$1500.

I will be using the system for Movies/Gaming/and Music. I will be listening to a decent amount of party music (rap/hiphop/techno) so I want decent base but nothing that is going to shake my place down. I'm hoping that the towers will have nice punchy base and then get maybe an 8 or a 10 inch sub to go along. The tv room is decently small, probably about 15x15.

First up is a receiver. I have been looking at the Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha at the 400-500 price range. I Like the Onkyo TX-SR608 because I have had an Onkyo before. I was also looking at the Pioneer VSX-1020-K because of all the features they pack into it for the price. The Pioneer worries me because it has a bunch of reviews on amazon about them blowing in a few months. I have also started looking at the Yamaha RX-V667 because it is recommended on this site. Does anyone have any good feedback on these receivers, or maybe something else in this price range?

Next is floor speakers. I have a buddy that recommends the Energy RC30's and those are right around what I am looking to spend at 200 a piece from amazon. Someone on here had recommended the Infinity Primus P362 for a floor standing speaker around that price range. The Infinity is appealing because it is newer and the Energy is an 08 model. I have heard that the Energy is a much more refined speaker. I have also been looking at getting the Polk Audio TSI400's and then maybe the cs10 or 20 center channel.

As far as a center channel and a sub goes, I haven't done much searching. I am just planning on getting the receiver and the towers and then figure the rest out. Is it usually a good idea to keep the brand consistent with the towers and the center channel? The sub doesn't need to be anything crazy because the room is pretty small and I'm hoping that the towers will produce a decent amount of base.

I also found this Polk bundle on amazon that has the TSI300 towers with the bookshelf's, center, and sub for what I think is a pretty good deal at around 640. http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Bookshelf-Subwoofer-Floorstanding/dp/B004921M9S/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1295924446&sr=1-9
Does anyone have any input on what this speaker setup would be like?

Let me know what you guys think of the speakers I have been looking at and if you have any other suggestions. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Eric

 

[sholling]

Start with you speakers and sub and then worry about the receiver. In a room that size I'd be looking at bookshelves and a good quality sub. Bookshelves are going to give you a lot better sounds quality bang for the buck than towers and the sub will give you better bass. The subwoofer choice needs to be based on total room volume including anything open to your TV room. I would start out by contacting Hsu Research and Elemental Designs, give them the dimensions and have them size a sub to the room. Neither will try to oversell you. Hsu is a little bit more money but almost always has product in stock, while eD builds to order and may need a few weeks to build yours - but may be worth waiting for. Assuming 2000cuft a good budget number for now $450 with shipping. If you have anyone below you then budget about $70 for a subwoofer isolation pad.

I have not heard the RC-30s but knowing Energy's RC line I suspect that they'll be a bit more refined than the Infinity - however the matching RC-LCR center is bloody expensive if you can even find one. Infinity P362 are good speakers for their price. Both the PC line and the 362 are discontinued. In a larger room either might make sense but in a small room I think you'll be better off with bookshelves. You'll get a lot more bang for your buck.

• Entry priced: 2x Infinity P162 bookshelves, 1x PC250 center, and when money allows - 2x P152 bookshelves as surrounds. Review
• Mid-priced: 2x Ascend CBM-170SE bookshelves with CMT-34SE center. When you have more money you can add surrounds or upgrade the mains to CMT-340s or add more add more 170s as surrounds. You may be able to save by buying b-stock.
• Deluxe: 2x Ascend CMT-340SE bookshelves, 1x CMT340SE center and add surrounds later. You may be able to save money by buying b-stock. review

The little Onkyo TX-SR608 (cheap at Amazon) should be able to drive the heck out of any of the above. The reason for waiting until last is to make sure the receiver meets the speakers' needs. In all three cases it will work fine.