Need HELP from all of you experts! First time building system!

[evpj13]

First time poster and new to this site.

I'm looking to spend $1,500 or so. Room size is 12x15, with an open wall leading into another room on one side.

Here is what I have thus far...

Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR707 $496 from Amazon
Speakers - Polk Audio Monitor 70 (2 or 4) $199/each from Amazon
Center Speaker - Polk Audio CS20 $229 from Amazon
Subwoofer - BIC America F12 $218 from Amazon

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to purchase 2 or 4 of the Polk speakers. I'm wondering if anyone can offer any insight into what I have thus far? Am I paying too much for these? Are there better options I'm missing out on? I would love any feedback about different options that I might have missed (I've been reading a ton of posts on here for the past 3-4 hours).

Much Appreciated!

 

[Matt34]

First time poster and new to this site.

I'm new to this and looking to build my first system. I'm looking to spend $1,500 or so. Room size is 12x15, with an open wall leading into another room on one side.

Here is what I have thus far...

Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR707 $496 from Amazon
Speakers - Polk Audio Monitor 70 (2 or 4) $199/each from Amazon
Center Speaker - Polk Audio CS20 $229 from Amazon
Subwoofer - BIC America F12 $218 from Amazon

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to purchase 2 or 4 of the Polk speakers. I'm wondering if anyone can offer any insight into what I have thus far? Am I paying too much for these? Are there better options I'm missing out on? I would love any feedback about different options that I might have missed (I've been reading a ton of posts on here for the past 3-4 hours).

Much Appreciated!

Looks like a decent system so far. Unless your doing a lot of SACD or DVD-a listening I think four M70 are a bit overkill, not to mention they are a rather large floorstanding speaker. You could get away with running the M40 or even the M50 with negligible difference.

I had the M70 and liked them, nothing really bad to say about them, especially for the going price nowadays.

 

[its phillip]

P362s are also $200 apiece if you wanted to look at those

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

P362s are also $200 apiece if you wanted to look at those

Oh, yeah, I would definitely get the Infinity Primus P362 speakers for $200 (free shipping) from the Audioholics Store right here.

Forget the Polks or any other speakers around this price range. The P362 will kill all of them.

Get 4 of those P362 + the matching Infinity Primus Center:

http://store.audioholics.com/section/66333/1/infinity-floorstanding-speakers

http://store.audioholics.com/section/66319/1/infinity-subwoofers

Forget the Onkyo and get the Denon 2808: http://www.ecost.com/prod/Electronics/Receivers/Denon+71+Channel+Home+Theater+Receiver+-+AVR2808CI/39372346.aspx?navid=155442295

 

[sholling]

First time poster and new to this site.

I'm looking to spend $1,500 or so. Room size is 12x15, with an open wall leading into another room on one side.

Here is what I have thus far...

Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR707 $496 from Amazon
Speakers - Polk Audio Monitor 70 (2 or 4) $199/each from Amazon
Center Speaker - Polk Audio CS20 $229 from Amazon
Subwoofer - BIC America F12 $218 from Amazon

Good choice on the receiver. I just upgraded my bedroom system from a 606 to a 707 and love it.

I agree with the others that the Infinity P362 towers with the PC350 center might be a better choice for speakers. P152 or P162 bookshelves would be good choices for surrounds. A lot depends on what you listen to and how loud. The Infinities will do it all.

If you really want bookshelves it's hard to beat Usher's S-520 ($400/pr) for fantastic sound quality but they're small and can't be driven frat party loud and will need a sub to handle the lows. Good for small to medium rooms but can bottom if driven too hard without a sub. The matched center is the S-525.

Or ff you don't care what they look like then 3 pair of the homely Behringer B2030P studio monitors are amazing for the $110/pr that they cost. Good for small and medium sized rooms.

Assuming the other room is the same size then that little bic is going to be a bit challenged. It might be okay if it's right next to you but I think I'd save a bit more subwoofer. I think I'd contact Elemental Designs, Hsu Research, and SVSound and have them size you a sub to the room.

 

[evpj13]

Thank you everyone for your responses. After doing some more research I am pretty sure I'll go with the Infinity Primus P362, along with the matching Center. I still like the Onkyo 707 for the price (the Danon was a tad pricey that was recommended). Same goes for the subwoofer, the F12 for that price is hard to beat.

Any thoughts on rear bookshelf speakers for this system? Should I just go the easy route and get the same brand Infinity P152 or P162???

For the time being I'm going to go 5.1 and see how the system sounds.

 

[Knucklehead90]

The P152s should be more than adequate for surround duty.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thank you everyone for your responses. After doing some more research I am pretty sure I'll go with the Infinity Primus P362, along with the matching Center. I still like the Onkyo 707 for the price (the Danon was a tad pricey that was recommended). Same goes for the subwoofer, the F12 for that price is hard to beat.

Any thoughts on rear bookshelf speakers for this system? Should I just go the easy route and get the same brand Infinity P152 or P162???

For the time being I'm going to go 5.1 and see how the system sounds.

You can get those Primus p362 for $150 each at Frys:

http://www.frys.com/product/5223687#detailed

The factory refurbished Denon 2808 @ eCost costs less ($430) than the Onkyo from amazon.

It seems like Onkyo has issues with reliablity and customer service - I mean if you are unlucky.

http://www.ecost.com/cat/electronics/receivers/155438257.aspx

 

[sholling]

You can get those Primus p362 for $150 each at Frys:

http://www.frys.com/product/5223687#detailed

The factory refurbished Denon 2808 @ eCost costs less ($430) than the Onkyo from amazon.

It seems like Onkyo has issues with reliablity and customer service - I mean if you are unlucky.

I don't know about relibility issues I have 3 that work just fine. Wasn't it just the 806 that had issues? However I will concede that their support personnel are as clueless as they come. They try to be helpful but don't seem to have any clue about much of anything. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of companies have reduced their support training to little more than providing CSRs with a script and a manual. But on the plus side Onkyo menus and manuals are decipherable by mere mortals.

BTW a refurbished TX-SR707 can be had for $399 from Accessories For Less. Less than the Denon from the nasty nasty ecost.

 

[evpj13]

AcuDef,

Thanks so much for that link to Fry! I just bought 2 of the P362 speakers, total was $340 with S&H. Now I just need to find the PC350 center speaker for cheap

And I think I'm going to stay with the Onkyo, I had a all-in-one home entertainment system from Best Buy before this that was Onkyo and I had no issues with it. Can you tell me why you recommend the Denon?

 

[its phillip]

After seeing how cheap they are at fry's, I think I might try to craigslist some of the assorted speakers I've got and see if I can scratch up the $330 for the L/R and another $200 for the center

 

[sholling]

I just realized that we left out one perfectly viable option. SVSound's SBS-2 Deluxe bundle. The sub is huge but should rock the heck out that space. Here's a review of the older version.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

AcuDef,

Thanks so much for that link to Fry! I just bought 2 of the P362 speakers, total was $340 with S&H. Now I just need to find the PC350 center speaker for cheap

And I think I'm going to stay with the Onkyo, I had a all-in-one home entertainment system from Best Buy before this that was Onkyo and I had no issues with it. Can you tell me why you recommend the Denon?

I did too. I ordered 2 of the P362s.

I never owned Onkyo, but I have a couple of friends who kept on telling me that they had reliability issues in the past.

I would just do some searching on the web and see what others have said on their experience with Onkyo vs Denon.

I've also heard that Onkyo has terrible customer service. But that's just what I've heard.

I do respect the measured specs that Onkyos have - they are always among the highest.

I don't know. Perhaps some people are just unlucky.

Some people never have issues with Onkyos.

I don't feel too lucky lately, so I'll stick to what I know personally - Denon .

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

After seeing how cheap they are at fry's, I think I might try to craigslist some of the assorted speakers I've got and see if I can scratch up the $330 for the L/R and another $200 for the center

You better do it fast. Something tells me it won't last too long.

But I will let you guys know how I feel about their sound when I get them.

And if they sound awesome, you better jump on that deal.

 

[Matt34]

You better do it fast. Something tells me it won't last too long.

But I will let you guys know how I feel about their sound when I get them.

And if they sound awesome, you better jump on that deal.

I don't think you'll have too much to complain about with them. They won't have the bass extension of your BP7000 of the bi-polar effect but they seem to do everything else right in my book.

 

[evpj13]

Fellas,

Any of you know how long it generally take for the P362's to "break in"? How long before you really want to stretch the sound (volume)?

One final thing, what are considered the "top rated" receivers in the $300-600 price range?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[sholling]

Fellas,

Any of you know how long it generally take for the P362's to "break in"? How long before you really want to stretch the sound (volume)?

Thanks again for all the help!

There is no break in.

One final thing, what are considered the "top rated" receivers in the $300-600 price range?

If you're in the US and don't need 3D then a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707 or TX-NR807 form Accessories For Less would do the job well while saving you hundreds. If you want 3D support then for $675 you can buy the newer TX-NR708 from Vanns. There are other brands but I know these will work well and won't have any problem with the Infinities dipping down to 4ohms.

 

[evpj13]

There is no break in.


If you're in the US and don't need 3D then a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707 or TX-NR807 form Accessories For Less would do the job well while saving you hundreds. If you want 3D support then for $675 you can buy the newer TX-NR708 from Vanns. There are other brands but I know these will work well and won't have any problem with the Infinities dipping down to 4ohms.

Is buying refurbished equipment a good idea? Honestly I'm not to keen on the idea. Any stories or comments about this?

 

[evpj13]

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR707/Onkyo/TX-SR707-Thx-Select2-Plus-100-watts-channel-7.2-Receiver/1.html

$399 and a 3 year warranty for $39 extra. Again, I've never bought refurbished stuff.

 

[sholling]

Is buying refurbished equipment a good idea? Honestly I'm not to keen on the idea. Any stories or comments about this?

Over the past couple of years I bought two factory refurbished Onkyo receivers (TX-SR606 & TX-SR707) from Accessories For Less and have had zero problems with them. Nothing was missing except the batteries for the remote and so far they have been flawless. That's why people often see me referring members to A4L - personal experience. It's hard to top the bang for the buck. And if you like you can always get an extended warranty although I never have.

You might also want to keep an eye on the deal sites because there have been some great 1 day (or less) clearance sales on last year's receivers.