Need Some Advice on Speakers

[Jet40]

Hi everyone
I am pretty new to home theater, having used an old JVC theater in a box for the last 5 or so years. Recently I purchased a new TV and reciever and I am looking for help in choosing new speakers.
Here is what I have:
TV- a 50" Samsung plasma
AV receiver- Yamaha HTR-6260
Sub- Merak MS-885
DVD- Sony Blu-Ray
I also have a Yamaha I-Pod docking station hooked up.

I am currently looking at the Polk RM6880 5.1 for $349.99
Do I really need the sub Polk offers or is my Merak okay?
The size of the speakers is important(my wife insists I keep them small).
My room is 14' by 30'
Any advice or ideas are welcome

 

[dapack69]

Nice size room! How much of a budget do you have for speakers? Speakers are the most important thing when it comes to Movies and Music.

 

[Jet40]

My wife wants my budget to be around $200- 300, I however could probably persuade her that $500 is not unreasonable.
Thanks for the reply

 

[Jet40]

I should mention I live in Nova Scotia so everything is a little more expensive

 

[dapack69]

The problem I have is you have such a big room and I just don't think the satillites will be able to fill it properly.

You said the wife set the price. Just remember its easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

Do you need a complete 5.1 system now or are you willing to piece it together over time?

 

[Jet40]

The room may be big but the farthest sitting area away from the TV is about 16'. But to answer your question, yes I could piece it to together. Actually I referee basketball on the side and use the spare money I earn for my toys and vacations.

 

[dapack69]

I would piece it togther than and buy descent book shelves. Small enough to please the wife, but larger and better sounding than the salillite speakers.

 

[Jet40]

thanks for the help

 

[DJ in TX]

So if you are now going with the bookshelf idea as Dapack suggested, then you likely want some recommendations to start your list, yes?

My only recommendation is a pair of Paradigm Atoms v.6. MSRP is $299 for the pair and this is USD. Not sure what it would equate to in canadian currency. An advantage for you being in Canada is that Paradigm is a Canadian company, so you likely wouldn't even have to worry about shipping or import/export fees.

Of course if you aren't near a paradigm dealer, then you would have to make a trip to go audition and then buy them. I am biased, but I love mine. They are definitely worth a listen if you have the opportunity.

 

[Jet40]

I have read many great things about Paradigm, unfortunately I can find no dealer close by and to my knowledge they cannot be purchased online.
Any suggestions would be very helpful
On a side note it is hard to believe with my lack of knowledge in the Home Theater field I took an electronics course for 2 years at trade school and graduated 3rd in my class over 20 years ago. I did not pursue my trade

 

[hfw01]

Another Canadian manufacturer worth looking at is PSB. I got a pair of their Alpha A/V bookshelf speakers 13+ years ago, and still think they are a great pair of speakers. I am sure the models have changed since I bought mine, but when I got them they were the best sounding $250.00 pair of speakers in New Orleans.

I agree that piecing the system together over time is the way to go. (I am still trying to find a center channel.) One great place to look is www dot audiogon dot com (I obviously ahven't posted enough to post urls) if you are not afraid of buying used. I picked up a little Mirage subwoofer for cheap, that has been awesome, and that is probably how I am going to get a center that fits into my budget and my taste.

Good Luck

 

[ljaggers]

I pieced my set together over a 5 month period and I am very satisfied with my setup. I would recommend starting with a moderately priced pair of tower speakers and a subwoofer to get things going. I'm sure you could survive with a 2.1 system for a while until you can afford to add the others. Below are some options for your moderately priced towers:

Infinity Primus P252
BIC America DV64
Sony SS-F6000
Polk Monitor 50

I have either personally heard or know someone who owns all of the above speakers and they are all a good option. I think these would be fine even for a big room. (Anything will be an upgrade from that HTIB – I know I'm a snob)