Need advice on 5.1 speaker set

[elonepb]

In an ideal world, I'd buy speakers individually based on their performance and sound, but I am unfortunately only the resident of a small 1 bedroom apartment.

I am buying a new receiver and would like to get a nice speaker set that has decent audio sound and performance, without breaking the bank.

I don't want to spend more than $300 would could pose a bit of a problem but I'm willing to hear suggestions.

Keep in mind, room isn't that big, can't really blast the system, and not trying to spend too much.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[agarwalro]

Do you have go get 5.1 in one shot? Your budget is very meager to set up the whole configuration in one purchase. I would highly recommend building up in stages (I bought my speakers incrementally over a period of one year!), in the following order.

1) Mains
2) Sub
3) Center
4) Surrounds

Now if this is possible, over time you can put together a much better system when compared to getting a 5.1 setup for $300.

In fact, looking back, from the time of the first purchase (Axiom M60's) to the most recent (Denon 3910) its been 3 years, with various upgrades like Receiver, TV, Universal remote, etc. interspersed in between.

 

[elonepb]

Do you have go get 5.1 in one shot? Your budget is very meager to set up the whole configuration in one purchase. I would highly recommend building up in stages, in the following order.

1) Mains
2) Sub
3) Center
4) Surrounds

Now if this is possible, over time you can put together a much better system when compared to getting a 5.1 setup for $300.

I would prefer 5.1 in one shot. I really don't need anything loud or perfect as I live in a one bedroom apartment and can't really put them up loud because of neighbors.

 

[rnatalli]

I posted this for the deals section.

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46b754e8005cefd42740ac1003410649/Product/View/2516

That's 5 Mordaunt-Short speakers, but no sub. I just bought this system for one of my rooms and it sounds great. If you add say an 8" Dayton sub from partsexpress.com, you'll be a little over your $300, but it's still a better bet than buying something like BIC or Fluance.

Another option is Boston Acoustics. I saw some of their CR57 speakers around for about $80 a pair. I think it was onecall.com Buy two pairs of those and the matching center which I saw at the same place for about $100 plus a low-cost sub and that'd make a good system.

The Mordaunts are inefficient speakers so they need an amp able to push a 4-Ohm load. The Bostons play quite a bit louder with far less power. What receiver do you have in mind?

 

[elonepb]

What receiver do you have in mind?

Thanks for the reply!

I'm looking at the Onkyo TX-SR605. I'm quite novice when it comes to understanding ohm's and all of that.

What would work with that receiver?

 

[agarwalro]

I posted this for the deals section.

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46b754e8005cefd42740ac1003410649/Product/View/2516

Rnatalli is on the right track, look for deals like this one and you will find a set thats in your budget.

The Mordaunt's are a good deal but they are tough speakers to drive.

 

[rnatalli]

Either of the options I presented should work with that receiver. It's a matter of taste really. I very recently picked up both the Mordaunt and the Bostons as they're similar in price. I found the Bostons were more forward and played louder than the Mordaunts, but I like the overall presentation and balance of the Mordaunts as they feel very natural. The Mordaunts do look and feel nicer than the Bostons, but as agarwalro says, they're tough to drive. Both these systems need a subwoofer hence the 8" Dayton sub from partsexpress.com

 

[elonepb]

Either of the options I presented should work with that receiver. It's a matter of taste really. I very recently picked up both the Mordaunt and the Bostons as they're similar in price. I found the Bostons were more forward and played louder than the Mordaunts, but I like the overall presentation and balance of the Mordaunts as it feels very natural.

And I wouldn't need an amp for either with that receiver?

 

[rnatalli]

You shouldn't need an external amp for either of these sets. Based on your situation, I'd probably go with the Mordaunts. They won't bleed your ears, but will play loud enough and since you can't blast it, why not go for some great-sounding speakers. On the other hand, if you want to get evicted, the Bostons are the better pick

 

[elonepb]

You shouldn't need an external amp for either of these sets. Based on your situation, I'd probably go with the Mordaunts. They won't bleed your ears, but will play loud enough and since you can't blast it, why not go for some great-sounding speakers. On the other hand, if you want to get evicted, the Bostons are the better pick

Awesome, thanks a lot for your help.

 

[jcPanny]

Speakers and receiver

I would recommend budgeting $2-300 for the receiver and $5-600 for the speakers instead of vice versa. The speakers are the most important component of the audio system and receiver features like HDMI video switching will not make the $300 speakers sound better.

 

[rnatalli]

Here's another good deal:

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46b8c2a5004273362740ac100341064f/Product/View/2229

Mission makes some great speakers. However, jcPanny makes a good point though about investing more into speakers. I generally invest 50% of my budget into speakers.

 

[flippo]

Check this deal out - mirage speakers and denon reciever 599$

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46b8c2a5004273362740ac100341064f/Product/View/2632

or this one

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/46b8c2a5004273362740ac100341064f/Product/View/2517

the bottom one is 895 but again it is the reciever and good speakers and sub.

 

[Panzer]

You can check ebay, right now there is a used BA Micro set for around $199. It has all of the components needed to get you going, speaker wise, and they are really pretty nice.

Good luck!

 

[TIMEATELL]

If you have to do it all in 1 shot, I would recommend increasing your budget and considering this 5.1 set by Kef: kef.com/KHT/KHT2005.2/home.htm

I just did a search. circuitcity(.com) is offering this set for $450 . That can't be right.