New Speaker Purchase

[Sir Charles]

I'm new to home theater and bought an Onkyo DS595 5.1 surround sound receiver a few years ago. It has 75W RMS per channel over all 7 speakers (has outlets for 2 extra speakers). I love the receiver and want to buy a set of speakers for it. I'm looking at various speaker sets that include 2 main speakers, 2 surround sound speakers and a subwoofer. I also want to add 2 extra speakers for the back of the room. So far I've looked at Tannoy and Polk Audio and I'm thinking of spending between $500 and $1000 on the basic set with the 2 extra speakers as an additional cost.

How are speaker sets compared to buying speakers individually?

Should I buy them all from the same manufacturer?

Is my price range realistic to get good quality sound?

What size subwoofer should I buy? The Tannoys come with an 8" sub, which I'm thinking is too small.

Additionally, the room will be a big rectangle 20'D x 13'W x 8'H. I plan to have the two mains, subwoofer and center channel at one end of the room with the TV; have the surrounds midway in the room facing the viewing area; and the 2 extra speakers at the other end of the room.

Looking at speakers is very confusing.

 

[Soundman]

I'm new to home theater and bought an Onkyo DS595 5.1 surround sound receiver a few years ago. It has 75W RMS per channel over all 7 speakers (has outlets for 2 extra speakers). I love the receiver and want to buy a set of speakers for it. I'm looking at various speaker sets that include 2 main speakers, 2 surround sound speakers and a subwoofer. I also want to add 2 extra speakers for the back of the room. So far I've looked at Tannoy and Polk Audio and I'm thinking of spending between $500 and $1000 on the basic set with the 2 extra speakers as an additional cost.

How are speaker sets compared to buying speakers individually?

Should I buy them all from the same manufacturer?

Is my price range realistic to get good quality sound?

What size subwoofer should I buy? The Tannoys come with an 8" sub, which I'm thinking is too small.

Additionally, the room will be a big rectangle 20'D x 13'W x 8'H. I plan to have the two mains, subwoofer and center channel at one end of the room with the TV; have the surrounds midway in the room facing the viewing area; and the 2 extra speakers at the other end of the room.

Looking at speakers is very confusing.

Given your budget, you are probabaly limited in your choices. Realistically, you should probably allocate $400-500 for the sub alone. However, this is a great all in one system. It's excellent for the money: http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

 

[mazersteven]

Looking at speakers is very confusing.

Confusion over.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

 

[mazersteven]

Soundman WTF ??? Got me by seconds.

LOL

 

[Soundman]

Soundman WTF ??? Got me by seconds.

LOL

Great minds think alike, Mazer!

 

[Soundman]

Or you could get a pair of these: 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

1 of these: 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

and one of these: http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=178&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

total price would be around $1,100. You could pick up some surrounds later, but this would get you started and would look and sound nice!

 

[Sir Charles]

Speakers

Thanks Guys, I'll check them out.

 

[mazersteven]

Thanks Guys, I'll check them out.

IMO it really doesn't get much better then those two systems for the money.

 

[Sir Charles]

The SVS speaker system looks great. I'll probably get the 7.1 system since it has the two extra speakers I need. I'll also check out the components.
Again, thanks

 

[Sir Charles]

Speakers

Another question - Is it better to go with one brand for all the speaker components or mix and match. I'm thinking the systems approach from one brand might be better because their speakers would be matched better with each other. On the other hand, I'm sure each brand has its strengths and weaknesses. How does one decide?

 

[Rickster71]

On the other hand, I'm sure each brand has its strengths and weaknesses.

You've answered a big part of your own question.
Also: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/
Look in the Audioholic equipment review section.

 

[mazersteven]

Having identical speakers all the way around is the ideal way to go. But because of placement issues, and room issues. Sometimes this is not always possible. That is why there are center channel speakers, di-poles/bi-pole surrounds.

Your front speakers L/C/R must be from the same manufacturer, and from the same speaker series. Your surround IMO should also be from the same manufacturer, and speaker series, but this is not as critical as your main L/C/R speakers.

The subwoofer can be from any manufacturer, and doesn't have to be from the same manufacturer as your speakers.

 

[Sir Charles]

Speakers

Thanks Maser. The room will be rectangular about 22' X 13'. I plan to put wall-to-wall carpeting and have the walls a little rough so that I don't have a lot of echos. One end of the room will have a bar in it and the other end will have the TV. There will also be curtains on the windows for additional sound absorption and my builder knows the room will be for media and parties so he's planning on insulating all four wals as well as the ceiling and floor. I'm thinking those SVS speakers with the sub should be a good choice.

Has anyone heard of Tannoy? Are they any good? I have a local dealer here that has a Tannoy system for about the same price. However, it only has an 8" subwoofer.

 

[rlj676]

Thanks Maser. The room will be rectangular about 22' X 13'. I plan to put wall-to-wall carpeting and have the walls a little rough so that I don't have a lot of echos. One end of the room will have a bar in it and the other end will have the TV. There will also be curtains on the windows for additional sound absorption and my builder knows the room will be for media and parties so he's planning on insulating all four wals as well as the ceiling and floor. I'm thinking those SVS speakers with the sub should be a good choice.

Has anyone heard of Tannoy? Are they any good? I have a local dealer here that has a Tannoy system for about the same price. However, it only has an 8" subwoofer.

I'm not familiar with Tannoy's, but I have the SVS system with their older ISD-12, and I will bet big money that Tannoy sub can't touch a SVS. The SBS 01 system is very good for the money, and I don't regret having bought it as a starter system at all.

 

[gus6464]

Thanks Maser. The room will be rectangular about 22' X 13'. I plan to put wall-to-wall carpeting and have the walls a little rough so that I don't have a lot of echos. One end of the room will have a bar in it and the other end will have the TV. There will also be curtains on the windows for additional sound absorption and my builder knows the room will be for media and parties so he's planning on insulating all four wals as well as the ceiling and floor. I'm thinking those SVS speakers with the sub should be a good choice.

Has anyone heard of Tannoy? Are they any good? I have a local dealer here that has a Tannoy system for about the same price. However, it only has an 8" subwoofer.

Tannoy makes some killer stuff. I only have experience with their single coaxial driver speakers and they sound great. They make everything in house from drivers to cabinets.

 

[Guangui]

I like Tannoy very much, but the ones I really liked were out of my budget range. In any case, see what deal they will make you for the Tannoys without the sub. Then check different subs from HSU, SVS, Dayton, AV123, and eD. Tannoys are very good with music, so if you are into music I highly recommend a sub that is considered "musical", or one that has adjustable settings for music and movie.

 

[Sir Charles]

Tannoys

My wife and I are into music and TV. We watch a lot of movies but also really enjoy a wide range of music from classical, classic rock, folk, electronic, celtic, alternative and techno. About the only music we don't really like is c/w and disco.

The Tannoy's sub is no where near as good as SVS's sub. I believe the SVS 7.1 system is about $1400 with a 12" sub. The Tannoy system has an 8" sub for $1100 with only the 5.1 system. I'm adding two extra speakers as B speakers.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I'm going to go up to Portland and check out some speaker systems there and also listen to the Tannoys. If I can't find any SVS dealers in my area, I'll probably order the SVS system after listening to the others and keep it if I like the sound.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

SVS is an ID company so you wont find them locally.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I'm going to go up to Portland and check out some speaker systems there and also listen to the Tannoys. If I can't find any SVS dealers in my area, I'll probably order the SVS system after listening to the others and keep it if I like the sound.

 

[Guangui]

SVS is an ID company so you wont find them locally.

They do have dealers, but only for international sales (Canada, South America, Russia, etc.). Very intelligent move on their part.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You are correct but since the OP is from Oregon, I didnt get into all that.

They do have dealers, but only for international sales (Canada, South America, Russia, etc.). Very intelligent move on their part.