Need suggestions for 2 fronts and 1 center channel speaker

[mtbound10]

I am back to square one... unfortunately in my area there are not to many stores that specialize in speakers. There are plenty that sell speakers but do not seem to have any idea what they are talking about.

I just purchased a Yamaha 863, and want to start the system with two fronts and a center channel just to get started. I have about 500$ +/- to spend and could use a few suggestions on what to look at. I know that I will need to listen to these speakers and test them before I buy but people are talking about ohms and all this technical lingo I know nothing about, I have done some research but could you some professional audioholic advice!!!

 

[MinusTheBear]

I am back to square one... unfortunately in my area there are not to many stores that specialize in speakers. There are plenty that sell speakers but do not seem to have any idea what they are talking about.

I just purchased a Yamaha 863, and want to start the system with two fronts and a center channel just to get started. I have about 500$ +/- to spend and could use a few suggestions on what to look at. I know that I will need to listen to these speakers and test them before I buy but people are talking about ohms and all this technical lingo I know nothing about, I have done some research but could you some professional audioholic advice!!!

I would have spent a little less on a receiver and put more of my budget/ money into the speakers. Saying that the x-series bookshelves and centre channel from av123 could cover your budget of $500.

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=172&category_id=21&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=174&category_id=21&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

 

[Matt34]

Do you object to buying used? Here are a few examples in your price range that have been recommended here before by members.

Acsend Acoustics set for $650 obo.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1217310099

New PSB T55 floorstanders.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/clt.pl?spkrfull&1202083930

Monitor Audio RS6 $650

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1217545827

Polk Lsi9 $595

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1217461729

 

[ChunkyDark]

The suggestions here are very valuable in separating the wheat from the chaff, but it's important for you to get out and listen to some speakers above and below your budget. You may find that the 300 set sound just as good as the 1000 and save yourself some $. You may also find that to get the sound you want that you'll have to spend twice your initial budget. This is a good thing since it will save you the cost of upgrading.

While those stores might not have well informed sales folks if they have a decent return policy you might be able to take home a few sets and try them out before buying.

Here are a few of my recommendations:
AV123 x-ls
Axiom M3 v2
Infinity Beta 20
Infinity Primus p162
Polk Rti a3
EMP on walls: http://store.audioholics.com/search?xSearch=emp+on-wall&x=0&y=0
RBH version of above:
http://emptek.com/EMPOn-linestore/catalog/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=42f3785b4062e1b627c8a7b00820f2a9

 

[jostenmeat]

I like Matt's suggestions. After all, I was just about to recommend Ascend and my good friend just got them, happen to own T55s, and helped someone else choose RS6. Hehe.

OP, if you have space for a vertical bookshelf do it. Ascend will sell individually. You can get 3x 170 SE's for about $500. Perfectly matched, no lobing issue. (Someone calculated for me that the matching PSB Image center's woofers would be 180 degrees out of phase at a 20 deg listening angle). And the better matching bookshelf centers usually cost less than the compromised horizontal type.

j

 

[mtbound10]

I would have spent a little less on a receiver and put more of my budget/ money into the speakers. Saying that the x-series bookshelves and centre channel from av123 could cover your budget of $500.

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=172&category_id=21&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=174&category_id=21&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

The only reason I went with the 863 instead of the 663 is because I had 500$ in gift cards to best buy so I actually got it for $440 and change. Not a bad deal.

I am not opposed to spending more than $500, I just did not know where to start looking. As far as speakers go I am clueless... I also plan on building this system in parts which is why I wanted to start with the reciever and then the two fronts and a center... If worst comes to worst and I need to wait for the speakers I can, but I did not want to short myself on the reciever, being that it is the center piece of the system... Thank you for the suggestions though, I will start with what everyone has suggested...

 

[mazersteven]

For $500 bucks I would start by getting only the front (Main) speakers for now, and holding off on a center channel. I would get the most speaker for your budget as possible.

Ascend Acoustic
CMT-340 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

AV123
x-mtm encore Tower
http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=175&category_id=21&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

 

[mike c]

For $500 bucks I would start by getting only the front (Main) speakers for now, and holding off on a center channel. I would get the most speaker for your budget as possible.

i agree with this.

the center can wait ...

 

[mazersteven]

I am not opposed to spending more than $500, I just did not know where to start looking.

Then lets just get to the meat and potato's.

SVS
MBS-01 - Bookshelf Speakers
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

 

[3db]

I like Matt's suggestions. After all, I was just about to recommend Ascend and my good friend just got them, happen to own T55s, and helped someone else choose RS6. Hehe.

OP, if you have space for a vertical bookshelf do it. Ascend will sell individually. You can get 3x 170 SE's for about $500. Perfectly matched, no lobing issue. (Someone calculated for me that the matching PSB Image center's woofers would be 180 degrees out of phase at a 20 deg listening angle). And the better matching bookshelf centers usually cost less than the compromised horizontal type.

j

curious, how can a speaker be 180degrees out of phase when listening 20 degrees off center? Something doesn't add up I'd like to see the math behind that one. I have an Image series center channel and I can sit more tha 20 deg off center and easily understand dialogue. 180 constitutes being wired out of phase.

 

[3db]

For $500 bucks I would start by getting only the front (Main) speakers for now, and holding off on a center channel. I would get the most speaker for your budget as possible.

I agree by using the money for the mains and saving up for the center channel. I also recommend PSB IMage series. I own a pair of PSB Image T45s that disappear into the background just like a good monitor speaker would but with the dynamic abilities of a good tower. I finally stopped checking to ensure my center channel was off during 2 channel music playback becuase they image so well. They also go deep enough in the bass to support most music with the exception of rap and pipe organ. If you are able to audition them, I would. I think you would enjoy them. Let us know how you make out.

 

[bandphan]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1217452369 im not a klipsch fan but the whole package is 595+shipping

 

[mtbound10]

So much for taking advice...

Despite what my original intentions were I ended up purchasing the EMP ECA-4 system with the 4 compact bookshelf speakers, a center channel and a subwoofer for 729.00... They have been well recieved by everyone in the audioholic community so far and have been getting great reviews... so I figured for the price why not get an entire "better than good" system instead of purchasing just a couple of speakers and branching out from there...

Hopefully I made the right call... let me know what you think... Thanks for all the help and trying to point me in the right direction!!!