Need recommendations on low-end system

[WorkerAnt]

Thanks in advance for your response.. I'm not an audiophile, but I would like to get some decent low-end speakers (and receiver) for my living room. My budget for both is no more than $1700 which probably gives me $1000-$1100 for speakers. This system will be primarily used for movies and television. I've been looking at Axiom, but it is a bit outside my budget.

Anyone have a recommendation for that budget?

As far as the receiver goes, I need something with a couple of channels so that I can control my living room speakers 1 or 2 speakers on my porch. I don't need many inputs either since my TV supports what I have now.

I'm going to upgrade my JVC DVD player later.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Here you go

Thanks in advance for your response.. I'm not an audiophile, but I would like to get some decent low-end speakers (and receiver) for my living room. My budget for both is no more than $1700 which probably gives me $1000-$1100 for speakers. This system will be primarily used for movies and television. I've been looking at Axiom, but it is a bit outside my budget.

Anyone have a recommendation for that budget?

As far as the receiver goes, I need something with a couple of channels so that I can control my living room speakers 1 or 2 speakers on my porch. I don't need many inputs either since my TV supports what I have now.

I'm going to upgrade my JVC DVD player later.

Welcome to the forum. No better advice than from the experts here at Audioholics.

Look into the Pioneer THX rated 1015 receiver (~$400), and the Acoustech series speakers (~$900). That will fit your budget with some change left over. You'll be hard pressed to get a nicer system for less IMHO. It's outstanding for home theater.

 

[rumble]

I'd second bucks recommendation. That setup is going to be hard to beat for the money.

 

[Xsound]

If you like the axioms, I believe that you could get the m22's, the vp100, the qs4 from the outlet at the axiom site for less than $1,000. Get either the SVS pb10, of to save some more cash get one of the Dayton subs from parts express. Add the Pioneer vsx-1015 and you've got an awesome system. Now this system comes in around $1700, but doesn't include shipping.

 

[Tex-amp]

Another good option in your price range is Ascend Acoustics.

 

[eric0531]

I'll also second the Acoustech recommendation with one caveat. If you can, find a dealer near you that sells Klipsch Reference speakers and go listen to a setup of those. Some people just don't like the sound of horns, and if you don't like the mid/hi range on the Reference series then you won't like the Acoustechs either.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I'll also second the Acoustech recommendation with one caveat. If you can, find a dealer near you that sells Klipsch Reference speakers and go listen to a setup of those. Some people just don't like the sound of horns, and if you don't like the mid/hi range on the Reference series then you won't like the Acoustechs either.

Good advice. I don't know how easy it will be to find the Klipsch Reference line locally. Best Buy carries the Synergy series (less expensive, but very similar). The tweeters in the Synergies are horns, just like the Reference. Brian here at the forum has said a few times the Acoustechs aren't nearly as bright as the Klipsch towers. You can PM him, as he owns the Acoustechs.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/member.php?userid=10340

Here's the review between the Klipsch Refernce and Acoustechs.
http://www.audaud.com/audaud/MAR04/component/comp1.html

Here's the Klipsch Synergy towers carried at Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6781315&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03044&id=1091101346068

 

[eric0531]

I don't know how easy it will be to find the Klipsch Reference line locally. Best Buy carries the Synergy series (less expensive, but very similar). The tweeters in the Synergies are horns, just like the Reference.

Yup. The only reason I suggested the Reference (if he can find them) is that there's a better chance of having them in a decent listening room. The Best Buy's I've been in have been useless for listening, other than one time they did have a nice little pseudo-theater-room set up with a Syngergy system. I personally think the Acoustechs sound a bit better than the Synergies.

 

[Doug Plumb]

"low end" system

For that kind of money you can buy yourself some great sound.

I like the new (not the older ones- get the ones with the grey woofer cones not white ones) PSB Image B series and I would buy their small 2 ways and get 2 or 3 subs if I was in a closed room with no openings. For a large room with more openings one sub can do. For subs - just buy what is on sale at this price point. A subs job is not all that difficult and anything will do.

These new PSB's have an amazingly smooth midrange which is critical. I don't think there are too many speakers out there with a more natural sounding midrange and this is most critical. Stereophile reviewed them.

Right around $300.00 - $500.00 per pair is where you get the bang for your buck in speakers anything higher and diminishing returns starts to creep in. Subs don't have to be expensive either and more cheap ones is better than one good one in closed rooms.

I would spend no more than I had to on electronics. Better electronics does not mean better sound it just means more sound and more buttons to push.

I like the new image series because I can quite enjoy listening to those after normally listening to a set of PSB M2's which are expensive (and good).

 

[brian32672]

Welcome to the forum. No better advice than from the experts here at Audioholics.

Look into the Pioneer THX rated 1015 receiver (~$400), and the Acoustech series speakers (~$900). That will fit your budget with some change left over. You'll be hard pressed to get a nicer system for less IMHO. It's outstanding for home theater.

For 1300 total, delivered to your door. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG...
As far as the Acoustechs. They are no where near as bright as the Synergy series, they do compare much closer to the Reference series (Klipsch), however at a fraction of the cost. The Klipsch set would set you back 2500-3000.00.
Warning, all 3 sets mentioned need very little power to run. They are all very efficient speakers. And will not need much power So keep the volume knob on the 1015 at normal to below normal range

Honestly, I have wood floors and no wall treatments. And I do not find them over-bright. However if they seem a little bright, this is easily controlled. Either by wall treatments, or by making sure you have carpet in the room this is going into. Or last just by using the 1015's EQ for each individual speaker.
Thats the good thing with the 1015, very versitile with almost any speaker choice you go with. The THX Select2 rating (rather, certification) is a plus. And will easily fill up a 2,000 square foot room with sound. And matched with the 96db efficient Acoustechs, would easily fill up to a 3,000 sq. ft. room.

The surround on this receiver is great, matched with the HT-63's you actually get real surround sound that can be easily heard. Not a setup, that you almost need to get your ear to the surround speakers because the fronts are drowning (over-powering) them out.

The above recommendation is excellent budget entry level system. And IMO is more for a Home Theater (movies) set-up, over music. I would say 80/20 HT/Music. The Fluance set matched with this receiver would be more of a 50/50 or 60/40 HT/Music set-up. Meaning if you watch a lot of movies and want excitement and realism from your speakers, go with the Acoustech's. If you listen to more music then you may want to go with another brand of speakers. Not even the Klipsch set, however the reference series is a little more suited for music.
I would recommend Fluance SXB set, or AVB set. Others may have some other recommendations if you want more for music.

Note on the VSX-1015TX, it will do 2 Zone, but then you would only have a 5.1 set-up for your HT room. And 2 extra speakers 2.0 for the patio. Or 2.1 if you use a Y-splitter for the sub...

 

[brian32672]

Also note: This would not really be considered a "Low End" system IMO.
Much more of a entry level system into the wonderful world of audiophile.

EDIT:: If you like these rec. then another person that has similar setup is Spiffyfast. You may want to PM him. I have not seen him post in a few days, but I'm sure he will be back soon. He says the Acoustechs are more of a 70/30 60/40 HT/Music, and he says they are more musical than I am making them out to be. But I have tried a few setups, and this is how I feel. Plus I am more into movies than music, probably closer to 90/10.

 

[audioferret]

AV123.com

My budget for both is no more than $1700 which probably gives me $1000-$1100 for speakers. This system will be primarily used for movies and television.

Anyone have a recommendation for that budget?

I'm going to upgrade my JVC DVD player later.

You may wish to look at the Extremely Luscious Theatre from AV123.com. It is sold out right now, but at $1000.00 for a 5.1 speaker package in a beautiful rosewood finish is pretty nice. They are anything but low-end.

Check out the reviews:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_1/onix-rocket-elt-1-speakers-3-2004.html

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/rocket_elt.htm

For the receiver, try the Denon AVR 2106. It will give you a comfortable 100wpc and all the latest decoding processors for $700, or less from an on-line retailer. The receiver also has a 7.1 channel Auto-Setup and Room EQ function, plus 24 bit, 192 kHz high resolution DACs so you can run the digital output to the receiver to use its decoder for better sound than your dvd player can process.

 

[audioferret]

Careful...

For that kind of money you can buy yourself some great sound.

...A subs job is not all that difficult and anything will do...

...Subs don't have to be expensive either and more cheap ones is better than one good one in closed rooms...

...Better electronics does not mean better sound it just means more sound and more buttons to push...

I also like the PSBs and think they are great speakers. However, I have heard some really good subwoofers that don't cost too much. (PSB sub-zero and sub 6i come to mind). And better electronics does mean better sound. The difference between a quality receiver and DVD player and a HTIB receiver and dvd player can be staggering.

The question is: is the increase in price worth the increase in money? Listen and decide for yourself.

 

[WorkerAnt]

A mighty thanks!!

Thanks to all those who replied. I'll look into each recommendation. Sounds like I can get a pretty decent system with the cash I have.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Yes Guys, I'm back, it took awhile to get up and running and all settled back at school. The pairing of the 1015tx with the Acoustech's is a great match. I actually love it now that the towers are all broken in. If you listen to rock,rap, pop type music they sound very good and will open with a little bass when they are all broken in. I've actually been running a surround system with no sub for about a week and a half now, sold my sony sub, and am saving for an Xsub, but i'm still very pleased with the sound.

 

[WorkerAnt]

Good buy on Pioneer VSX-1015TX

Just bought the an Acoustech 7.1 system for under $1000 with delivery!! Whooohooo! I listened to some Klipch and the tweeters didn't bother me too much. I think I'll like the Acoustech.

Now I'm shopping for the Pioneer VSX-1015TX and I cannot seem to find anything under $500 except for a few that have the title of "VSX-1015TX-K". I'm not sure what the "-K" means, but it's not on Pioneer's website.

Anyone know where I can get a good deal on this?

Thanks again!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Just bought the an Acoustech 7.1 system for under $1000 with delivery!! Whooohooo! I listened to some Klipch and the tweeters didn't bother me too much. I think I'll like the Acoustech.

Now I'm shopping for the Pioneer VSX-1015TX and I cannot seem to find anything under $500 except for a few that have the title of "VSX-1015TX-K". I'm not sure what the "-K" means, but it's not on Pioneer's website.

Anyone know where I can get a good deal on this?

Thanks again!

The Pioneer 1015TX is probably the best selling receiver of all time. It's out of stock in so many places. You just can't get a THX Select unit for that price anywhere else.

Where's Brian when you need him??? I think J&R Music World will match prices, but you need to have a website handy. They're the place to buy from if buying online. Brian may even sell you his.

http://www.shopzilla.com/12--Pioneer_VSX1015TXK_7.1_CH_Receiver_-_cat_id--11070000__prod_id--325483621

I'd say tell them to sell it to you for $390 including shipping, and they'd do it. www.jr.com

 

[WorkerAnt]

VSX-52TX instead???

Wow, looks like the 1015 is sold out across the states unless you want to buy retail. Eeks! One of the online salespeople recommended the Elite series VSX-52TX by Pioneer as an alternative. In fact he wondered why I would want the 1015 when the 52 is only $100 more (even less difference when you consider the price gouging going on with the 1015).

Being a total newbie, can anyone comment on that? I can get the 52 for around $550 delivered with no wait. As I said in a previous post, I just bought the Acoustech speakers (7.1 setup). With Labor Day sale, I got in at $1100 delivered!!!

To Brian: I had no idea that too much posting was a bad thing... Most forums reward by number of posts. :O

 

[patnshan]

Just bought the an Acoustech 7.1 system for under $1000 with delivery!! Whooohooo! I listened to some Klipch and the tweeters didn't bother me too much. I think I'll like the Acoustech.

Now I'm shopping for the Pioneer VSX-1015TX and I cannot seem to find anything under $500 except for a few that have the title of "VSX-1015TX-K". I'm not sure what the "-K" means, but it's not on Pioneer's website.

Anyone know where I can get a good deal on this?

Thanks again!

The K means black, the S means silver I think. Don't ask me why they use K for black

Pat

 

[brian32672]

Yeah, I kinda already explained the K thing... (But post was deleted)
The 1015 is basically a rebadged 52 Elite. Except there are more bells and whistles on the 1015. (Price gouging? Not at 450.00 shipped.) (Remember, the 1015 is their flagship of the consumer line, MSRP of 650.00) For the extra price, I would still hold off for the 1015. (Clearly the salesman is trying to get the 52's off the shelf, its an older unit as well)
It will return to stock, just give it a week. And have a few companies numbers to call. Try them and ask when their normal shipments come in. J&R should be able to give an ETA. But its so back-ordered from Pioneer, I'm sure its a first come first serve basis. So you may need to call on a daily basis.

Back on the K thing for all. Usually Pioneer will have a K and a S version. However the S version was never done with the 1015. So some retailers may add the K some won't. It has only been made in black. Either way (K or no K), you will get a Black version. My box, has the K on it. The manual will just have VSX-1015tx. Pioneer I'm sure did not know it would be so popular, and they may in time add a S (silver) version. But then again they may not. Why mess with a good thing. (Even if it is just a color change)

EDIT:: There is this one on eBay.. And its close to me (Local pick up only) I will bid on it, but not go high. If I win it and all checks out, I will sell it to a member here (and I will ship it)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5805553929&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEBI:IT&rd=1

Sorry, I have bid as high as I will go.....

Just checked. This place seems to have them in stock. Kinda expensive. You will need to use the 5% off entire order code (sale4me). Total with shipping would be 484.97 (I'm sure the 5% off is before shipping costs, and thats what I calculated for)
http://www.unbeatablesale.com/mrpi061.html