Need some assistance with a new HT setup

[Micky55]

Hey guys, heres my situation....I am currently in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, getting ready to head back to the states in the near future. I will be moving to North Carolina and buying a house out there, and am trying to setup the living room by buying parts now during the holiday shopping system so I have it all together when I get back and have a full system. I am definitely trying not to blow my whole savings from this year, but I am not looking for a $400 HTIB package either. My budget was around $3,000, and I have already ordered the LG 47LE8500 and the Panasonic DMP-BD85K for about $1500 together, there is half my budget. These are the other pieces I am looking at ordering:

Main Speakers - [PAIR] Monitor 70 BLACK Towers from Polk Audio - $600/Pair(Bids from $180) - Polk ebay store

Center Speaker - CS2 BLACK Center Channel Speaker from Polk Audio- bidding starting at $69 - Polk ebay store

Surround Speakers - [PAIR] Monitor 40 Black Bookshelf speakers Polk Audio - $140 - Polk ebay store

Subwoofer: Klipsch Synergy SUB-10 Subwoofer Speaker (Single, Black) - $170 - amazon

Receiver - Onkyo TX-NR708 - $540 - amazon

I am trying to get opinions on these pieces and other/better options if anyone knows of any. Keeping the price down with definitely on the agenda with the wife, any suggestions/opinions would be appreciated!!

Mick

 

[GranteedEV]

don't take any of the following the wrong way

Main Speakers - [PAIR] Monitor 70 BLACK Towers from Polk Audio - $600/Pair(Bids from $180) - Polk ebay store

meh

Center Speaker - CS2 BLACK Center Channel Speaker from Polk Audio- bidding starting at $69 - Polk ebay store

meh

Surround Speakers - [PAIR] Monitor 40 Black Bookshelf speakers Polk Audio - $140 - Polk ebay store

meh

Subwoofer: Klipsch Synergy SUB-10 Subwoofer Speaker (Single, Black) - $170 -

fail

Receiver - Onkyo TX-NR708 - $540 - amazon

Not passing with flying colors. You can do better.

Here we go

Let's start with the fact that 3D isn't necessary. It seems your TV isn't 3D-capable and nor is your blu ray player. So let's dial back the clock a year or two and try to find a better deal.

Receiver
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5003/Marantz/SR5003-Dolby-TrueHD-/-dts-HD-Master-Audio-AV-Receiver/1.html

this is an excellent 3 year old but still warrantied (b-stock/refurbished) receiver. You can spend an extra 50 on the SR5004 if you want.. it's up to you.

Next for mains and center. Get these.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69870

Surrounds. Get a pair (or two) of these.
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-B2030P-Truth-Studio-Monitor/dp/B000QF2T1M

Sub
http://www.lavasubs.com/12_inch/powered_home_subwoofer.html

Does that seem reasonable?

 

[Micky55]

Alright definitely open to different options here, I'm not familiar with the Lava subs, is the 250 watt amp RMS or peak? I do like the numbers on it tho. The Surround speakers, the Behringers, I've heard the name but thats it. Looking at some of the reviews a couple people are saying it needs to be amplified, would a HT receiver with 100-130 watts per channel be enough to push these to a max potential, or at least still above par with other speakers in its range? The EMP speakers look good, I might consider getting those, I wish it was a black finish, but the finish on the looks really nice. The receiver, my mom used to have an old Marantz set when I was a kid, however....The Onkyo had more power RMS per channel, networking capability, 7 HDMI 1.4a ports, and USB plug-ins. I've had a Onkyo HTIB receiver I bought a couple years ago, and it was decent, what are the downsides you see to this one? Thanks much, absolutely appreciated. As far as what I'm looking for, just a 5.1 setup that wont need to be upgraded for a few years. Do not care about 3D, as far as I can tell its just a fad, but one of my requirements is I want my components to be network capable. I don't care about wireless, I'll be using a Buffalo Ethernet Converter to connect them, so as long as it has an Ethernet port, I'm golden.

 

[Micky55]

OK been looking around some more, does anyone know anything about the BIC Acoustec PL-76 speakers? They sound like a good option...

 

[GranteedEV]

Alright definitely open to different options here, I'm not familiar with the Lava subs, is the 250 watt amp RMS or peak? I do like the numbers on it tho.

RMS. It's a good sub.

The Surround speakers, the Behringers, I've heard the name but thats it. Looking at some of the reviews a couple people are saying it needs to be amplified, would a HT receiver with 100-130 watts per channel be enough to push these to a max potential, or at least still above par with other speakers in its range?

All passive speakers need to be amplified. The 2030p is an easy to drive load.

The EMP speakers look good, I might consider getting those, I wish it was a black finish, but the finish on the looks really nice.

They do come in a glossy black ash finish btw.

The Onkyo had more power RMS per channel, networking capability, 7 HDMI 1.4a ports, and USB plug-ins. I've had a Onkyo HTIB receiver I bought a couple years ago, and it was decent, what are the downsides you see to this one?

90 and 110 watt RMS is virtually an in audible difference in dynamic capability. "If it's not double it's pretty much the same" The other features are in my eyes pretty much worthless, and I'd just rather get a brand focused on low noise floor and quality DAC sound quality rather than features. I also thought the marantz was cheaper.

one of my requirements is I want my components to be network capable. I don't care about wireless, I'll be using a Buffalo Ethernet Converter to connect them, so as long as it has an Ethernet port, I'm golden.

I see. Then you probably will need a networking receiver. Personally I think the money should go getting great speakers.

 

[KEW]

OK been looking around some more, does anyone know anything about the BIC Acoustec PL-76 speakers? They sound like a good option...

By all accounts, the BICs are pretty decent. If you go with their system, spend the extra $59 for the HL-200 subwoofer which involved Dr Hsu (thanks to ShadyJ for that info).

http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=1540&sc=27

The EMP's that GranteedAV recommended are an excellent option for your budget if you put a greater emphasis on music compared to Home Theater. But I think you'd be happy with either.

Right now EMP is providing a free sub with their system, but that only works through Monday night (unless they extend it):
http://www.emptek.com/special_impserie51_pkg2.php

The EMP sub is fine for music and a little weak for HT, but the price is right!

I can understand if you are wary of the refurbished receivers, but Accessories4less has developed a pretty good reputation with the people here who have bought their products. I have bought 7 items from them and all have been in perfect condition. I had a brain fart on a receiver and thought it was screwed up - they took care of return shipping and I had the replacement within the week - it was that kind of service (and me feeling guilty about my screw-up!) that led to my buying so much more from them.

If you are an Onkyo fan-boy, here is a network-ready option to save money:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR807/Onkyo/TX-NR807-THX-Select2-Plus-135-watts-Channel-7.2-Network-Receiver/1.html

 

[Micky55]

OK heres where I'm at...I really like the BIC speakers, and after being an active duty artillery guy for a few years, my ears aren't quite as good as they should be, I have a hard time hearing people speak at times. Which is something it sounds like the BIC's excel at with the horn tweeter, based on reviews I've read. The Onkyo TX-NR807, sounds like a great deal, except I've read a lot of reviews of people disappointed with the quality and networking issues, and it only comes with HDMI 1.3. So, 1) can anyone tell me firsthand about this reciever that actually owns one on here, and 2) what specifically is the difference between HDMI 1.3 and 1.4, or is it simply the ability to transfer 3D video? I think I'll end up going with the Lava 12, and I'll be buying all my parts piecemeal to save as much as I can.

accessories4lessdotcom has a refurbished Onkyo HT-RC180

Found this receiver and the reviews on amazon are great. Slightly less power, and HDMI 1.3 instead of 1.4, only real difference for a couple hundred bucks less. If someone can confirm HDMI 1.4 is basically just for 3D video, I think I just found a receiver.

 

[KEW]

I need to say I know little about Onkyo receivers. I chose that Onkyo because at a quick glance it seemed pretty similar to the TX-NR708 you proposed in your original thread.
The main thing, from my standpoint, is that you can probably get a receiver through accessories4less which will save you a hundred or two with little or no sacrifice.

If you go with the BICs, you won't have to worry about power. A sensitivity of 96db means they are LOUD with only 1 watt!
Any modern mainstream receiver will drive them fine, so focus on the features you want.

PS - Thanks for your service, and glad to have you back!

 

[Micky55]

If you go with the BICs, you won't have to worry about power. A sensitivity of 96db means they are LOUD with only 1 watt!
Any modern mainstream receiver will drive them fine, so focus on the features you want.

I know the idea behind the sensitivity of a speaker, but how exactly does that work and what is it based on? What gives a speaker an increase or decrease in sensitivity?

PS - Thanks for your service, and glad to have you back!

You are welcome, and I appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

 

[KEW]

I know the idea behind the sensitivity of a speaker, but how exactly does that work and what is it based on? What gives a speaker an increase or decrease in sensitivity?

I am not the best to answer this, but I will tell what I know.

The Sensitivity is determined by feeding the speakers a 1 Watt signal (1kHz, I believe) and measuring the Sound Pressure Level at 1 meter away. I consider anything over 90 pretty darn efficient and below 85 is getting inefficient. 96 is outrageous in my book (though I am sure there are other horns that are just as high or higher).

Some of the least efficient speakers are Acoustic Suspension or Sealed speakers because the air in the cabinet acts like a spring attempting to return the speaker to it's centered or neutral position.

The BIC is a combination of two very efficient designs. The Bass Reflex (AKA ported) design for the woofer removes the "air spring" and allows the driver to move with little resistance. The Horn is the most efficient design I am aware of.

I'm sure there are also many other factors such as the size and type of magnet used, etc.

HTH

 

[GranteedEV]

I am not the best to answer this, but I will tell what I know.

The Sensitivity is determined by feeding the speakers a 1 Watt signal (1kHz, I believe) and measuring the Sound Pressure Level at 1 meter away. I consider anything over 90 pretty darn efficient and below 85 is getting inefficient. 96 is outrageous in my book (though I am sure there are other horns that are just as high or higher).

The signal itself is not 1 watt, it's 2.83 volts. Now with an 8 ohm speaker this ends up being 1 watt, but with a 4 ohm speaker this is actually 2watts. And of course impedance isn't constant, so we don't really know what the impedance will actually be during this sensitivity test. All we really know is the voltage is always kept at 2.83.