Need a budget minded speaker recommendation

[AAD]

I have just finished construction on my 14' x 20' dedicated home theater with a new Panny AE-900U projector. The picture looks great but my sound system needs a budget overhual and my wallet is looking pretty thin. I currently have an older Yamaha Pro Logic receiver with and Energy Take 5 speaker system and a Definitive 12" 185 Watt sub - pretty hum drum sound with very little surround sound effect. I am thinking about a Yamaha Rx-V2500 receiver but not sure what to do for speakers. I am considering some Polk Monitor 30s and R15's from Fry's Outpost. The Polk's sale pricing from Fry's is pretty tough to beat but I am not sure how they will sound. Any thoughts or other recommendations???

Note: I am looking for a 7.1 setup for a better surround sound effect with (2) rows of seating.

Thanks in advance!:

 

[Duffman-OOHYEAH]

Check these out http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55

For the $$ they're almost impossible to beat. Also check out audioholics review of the x-ls.

As for a sub, go for either the svs pb10 or mirage s12 again both are hard to beat for the price. Or check audiogon for nice deals on used gear.

JR

 

[Johnd]

What's the budget?

 

[AVRat]

The Polks would be nice. Maybe more bang/buck might be BIC DV62LCR for 3 fronts and DV62si for surrounds. I would seriously consider putting more into the fronts and use the Takes for surround to start with. And you’ll definitely need to add an upgraded sub.
http://www.sounddistributors.com/productlist.asp?searchtxt=bic+dv62

 

[JennAir]

This one recently received a Writer's Choice Award from Positive Feedback.
http://www.us.alegriaaudio.com/Ling.htm

 

[AAD]

What's the budget?

Not sure that I can swing much more than about $700, and that my be pushing things when I add in the new receiver.

 

[speakerman39]

Not sure that I can swing much more than about $700, and that my be pushing things when I add in the new receiver.

Hey man I can relate believe you me on the money thing. Be sure to take a look at the Level II's 5.1 package for $649 over at hometheaterdirect.com. This set includes a 10" subwoofer and shipping if I remember correctly is only $35 more. This would keep you under $700. Keep in mind the Level II's are made with real wood veneer and not laminate. Good luck in your decision. Be sure to keep us informed.

 

[JennAir]

I certainly understand the budget constraint part but I don't understand the, what appears to me anyway, horizontal move in speakers. By all means, upgrade the receiver first then listen to your Energy system. If is still doesn't wow you then look up, not across. You've apparently exerted effort in setting up a good HT room, and once you get a good AV receiver take a deep breath and reflect on your options. You may be better served in the long run to save up for a system you can live with for many years.

 

[3db]

whoaa slow down just a little here

I have just finished construction on my 14' x 20' dedicated home theater with a new Panny AE-900U projector. The picture looks great but my sound system needs a budget overhual and my wallet is looking pretty thin. I currently have an older Yamaha Pro Logic receiver with and Energy Take 5 speaker system and a Definitive 12" 185 Watt sub - pretty hum drum sound with very little surround sound effect. I am thinking about a Yamaha Rx-V2500 receiver but not sure what to do for speakers. I am considering some Polk Monitor 30s and R15's from Fry's Outpost. The Polk's sale pricing from Fry's is pretty tough to beat but I am not sure how they will sound. Any thoughts or other recommendations???

Note: I am looking for a 7.1 setup for a better surround sound effect with (2) rows of seating.

Thanks in advance!:

The Energy Take 5s were and still are awesome sounding speakers. Won many awards in their day. I wouldn't be so quick to give them up just yet, expecially for some Polk Monitors. The 1st thing I would do is get the new receiver. Theres' a big difference in sound from prologic and dolby digital. That switch alone maybe the sound you are looking for. I've a friend with the Take Series driven thru a crappy Panasonic receiver and they still sound really good. I'm not saying that the Take 5s are the end all speaker. What I am saying is the take 5s are a good speaker and that running them a true dolby digital receiver maybe what you are looking for. If your not happy with the takes after the receiver upgrade, then look for new speakers since your wallet is already thin, do the receiver upgrade, then the speakers if required. Good luck

 

[AudioArcher]

Dcm

How about these, http://www.directdcm.com/details.cfm?PN=CINEMA2 And they have a system $100 less

 

[AVRat]

I concur with the others. Take the time to build a better system. Start your upgrade with a new receiver and add a new sub, the SVS PB-10 would do the job. Continue using the Def Tech sub with your front L/R wired through it using the sub’s crossover at 100Hz. For this setup, you would set these speakers to large in the receiver’s set up menu.

If you like the Polks, I wouldn’t go with anything less than the Monitor 40s or RTi 6s. More driver surface area is better.

A 5.1 system works well if you postion the side surrounds slightly behind the "audience" facing each other. In your case, I suggest 2' from the rear wall.

 

[bsheldon]

AAD,

Have you ever heard AAD speakers? Real nice--probably a bit out of your price range though. Plus a little ironic.

Agree with previous poster, get the new receiver first. There is a world of difference between DD and pro logic receivers. The new ones have equal power to all speakers and much more info is sent to the surrounds.

Look at the Pany X55--digital amp, getting a lot of priase for under $300--great deal.

As far as speakers go, if you really still want to switch them out after getting a new amp, there are several choices in that price range. But you are not going to get a world of difference over what you have for $700. You can/will get some, but get the amp first then decide.

 

[brendy]

The Energy Take 5s were and still are awesome sounding speakers. Won many awards in their day. I wouldn't be so quick to give them up just yet, expecially for some Polk Monitors. The 1st thing I would do is get the new receiver. Theres' a big difference in sound from prologic and dolby digital. That switch alone maybe the sound you are looking for. I've a friend with the Take Series driven thru a crappy Panasonic receiver and they still sound really good. I'm not saying that the Take 5s are the end all speaker. What I am saying is the take 5s are a good speaker and that running them a true dolby digital receiver maybe what you are looking for. If your not happy with the takes after the receiver upgrade, then look for new speakers since your wallet is already thin, do the receiver upgrade, then the speakers if required. Good luck

Excellent advice !!!! Also Definitive Technology makes very good subs.Go with the receiver upgrade first and let your ears decide the next step.

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Check this deal out at Onecall -- <a href=http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-127&menu=true&Sort=highPrice&Page=2&didRedirect=true&id=23876>Harman/Kardon DPR2005</a> for only $525, original list price $1,600. As the new HK AVR models come out in the next couple months, there should be more good deals. They've had the AVR 635 for $635, and will probably go lower soon.

If you still want to upgrade speakers, Audioadvisor is still offering free Wharfedale Evo-DFS bi-pole surround speakers (worth $500) with the <a href=http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=WHARFE20B&product_name=Evolution%2020%20Floorstanding%20Speaker%20-%20Pair%20and%20FREE%20Pair%20Wharfdale%20DFS%20Surround%20Speakers>Wharfedale Evolution 20</a> for $999. I recently got the Evo-Center speaker for $200 on eBay, worth $500.

I lost a few bids last month on some nice Velodyne SPL subwoofers worth about $1,000 that went for under $500. I ended up with a Sunfire True Super Junior due to my space restrictions.

Good luck!

 

[Nuzy]

I have the Polk's you referenced in your original post along with a SVS PB10 sub and they sound great together. The R30's and R15's are a great value, inexpensive but still very good speakers. you wouldn't be disappointed. I preferred the CS2 center as it sounded better than the CS1 to me.

 

[corey]

If, after getting your new receiver & listening for a while, you want/need a speaker upgrade; put your budget into new center & mains. Use your current sub & Take 5's for surrounds.