Need help with choosing a 5.1 speaker system--$700 budget

[loubadoo]

So many speakers to choose from...so little money to buy them with!

Hi, all, I am a newbie to this forum and a/v equipment in general. Most of my a/v equipment I've owned in the past have been hand-me downs from thoughtful friends and family. This has included M Audio monitors, Sony's top of the line ES receiver from like 1990, a Denon DSW-40 sub, jbl satellites, etc. My perpetual frankenstein setups have served me well through many small apts and many years of school, but now that I've graduated and finally gotten a decent apartment, I would like matching equipment.

I've sold all my previous equipment except for the Denon woofer and have now purchased a 52" lcd and a pioneer vsx-01tsh receiver (got a free upgrade from pioneer when they ran out of the 1018 that I originally purchased). I am planning on getting a sony PS3 for my bluray player and to play rockband. I also have a set of technic turntables that will be hooked up.

My question now is which 5.1 speaker setup should I buy? Because of the flat screen tv, I would like wall mountable speakers. However, having had a variety of hand-me down bookshelf monitors and towers that sounded to me very good, I am worried about the sound to value ratio for wall mounts. Another constraint is my $700 budget (will spend a little more if it's worth it).

I am looking at 5.1's like the JBL cs6100 (cheapest at $499 from amazon), KEF 3005 if I can find on ebay for cheap, NHT Verves, Polk RM95, Energy Take FPS (silver color is cheap on ebay), B&W m1's used, Gallo micros used, Orb Audio, Definitive tech pro cinema 600, infinity tss1200. No idea how to narrow down this list or if there are better options out there?

Sorry for the long post, but any help/advice would be GREATLY appreciated =0)!

 

[lsiberian]

The KEFs would work well for a medium to small sized room, but I suggest you look into the 2000 series with your budget.

You won't get a sub 700 ebay price, but accessories4less sells KEF 2001.2s for about 100 each.

On the front side I think at your budget you should at least demo the LCR series from the speaker company. They give you a free no risk 30 day audition in home. They will even pay return shipping if you decide you don't like them.

Pair those 3 with a couple of Kef 2001.2s on the rears and pair it up with an Onkyo 606 or 705 from accessories4less and you will have a nice system.

If you have a bit more budget then look at the Infinity Beta series for your front sound stage. They go very cheap on ebay and have amazing sound. I suggest pairing the 20s with the 250s. You will want stands for your 20s if you go that route so factor that cost in.

Don't forget to factor in speaker wire.

My setup is (4)Kef 2001.2s surrounds (2) Infinity Beta 20s L/R (1) Infinity Beta 250 center (1)Onkyo 705 receiver

I use 16 gauge wire and tuck the wire in the bassboards. With the right receiver KEFs sound great, but they can be a bit power hungry so make sure you get a good heavy amp. I wouldn't do anything less than 20 lbs.

If you are really wanting a small system then a full Kef 2000 or 3000 would still be a great home theater. The 3000 has a real center speaker while the uses the same speaker for all channels.

Make sure to look on craigslist too. I got 3 of my kefs for 120 total from an angry ex-wife.

 

[loubadoo]

Thanks, lsiberian! I will look into the KEFs and the speaker company. I have heard good things about both companies. I'll also look into craigslist. I can't wait to get all this set up. Take care.