New to the forum and basically new to Home Theater...putting together first 5.1 setup

[sergiodurante]

Well after a few weeks of research, I've learned quite a bit.
I was initially going to buy a refurb Onkyo TX-NR545 and a Energy Take Classic HTIB Speaker set.

Anyway, I've since upped the budget and I have outlined what I'll be buying this week. I wasn't too concerned about the rear surrounds. I also read a plethora of reviews praising the ELAC B6, what do you guys think of that one?

Here it is:

-Denon AVR-X1200W ( Refurb $299)
-EMP-TEK/RBH R5Bib ( final sale clearance at $182 vs. $225 brand new)
-Dayton Audio SUB 1200 ($149)
-Pioneer Andrew Jones Center Channel ( $97)
-Micca MB42 for rear surrounds ($68.66)

I've also been informed that I'll need banana plugs, optical cable and subwoofer cable. Any other input would be appreciated. I'm very frugal , my budget basically doubled from $550 to almost $1000. So any suggestions on what I can switch with comparable quality would be great. THANKS!!

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[shadyJ]

A change I would make to that list of equipment is to use a center channel that matches your left and right front speakers, otherwise panning objects will change as they pass in front of you. This is the center you want but this will do too. If you have the vertical room for a bookshelf speaker, another R5Bi might actually serve you better as a center speaker and cost less.

 

[-Jim-]

I agree with shadyJ. Matching the front speakers with the Center speaker is best done using the same brand as most OEMs develop them as packages to make it easy. IMHO Speakers are the key element to reproducing decent sound.

I put together a system for a friend last year using the Pioneer Andrew Jones SP-BS22-LR for both the Fronts and Rears, and used the Pioneer Andrew Jones Center Channel as well. I would think you may find some used ones in your area and save some $. I was amazed to see them still on the Best Buy website. (I have a pair of Pioneer SP-BS22-LR in my home office and I'm very impressed by them for the price.)

The rears carry only a small amount of the audio material, and you are correct that's where you can scrimp if the budget is tight.

I too have read about the Elacs but I think they'd push you out of your Budget. The Denon is a decent receiver. I doubt you need to get banana plugs unless you plan on moving the system around a lot. They do make that easier, but if you are careful, stripping the speaker wires, twisting them, and inserting them into the terminals work just fine.

Interconnecting your other devices (please list them) is probably best done via HDMI cables (one and done) as I'd avoid others if possible. HDMI cables are much cheaper these days and there's no need to spend extra $ to get "name" brand ones.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

With your budget I would take a look on AA Monitors for LCR speakers, I think Dennis has option to get 3 AA Monitors or 2 Monitors with matching horizontal center. http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

 

[sergiodurante]

Thanks guys for the input, keep them coming please.

I've heard that ( as shadyJ mentioned) a center channel matching my front speakers (using the same bookshelf speaker) may be advantageous and will certainly go that route.

Another option I've looked at (as Jim mentioned) was the Pioneer Andrew Jones Set, I could get their bookshelves and center and I was going to cut costs by buying the Micca Rear Speakers I listed above. Now does it matter if I get the Dayton Sub vs. The Andrew Jones Sub? They are virtually the same price.


My biggest problem is that after all this research, I have nothing to compare it to. I've been to the Best Buy down the road and its all JBL, lower end Klipsch or expensive B&W, Martin Logan. So to compare the Andrew Jones Pioneers vs the EMP Teks is an impossible task. Do you guys think the EMP-Teks are worth the extra cost? 3 EmP TEKS are $270 while the Andrew Jones Bookshelves and Center would run me about $226.


Thanks again.

 

[cel4145]

Unlike most vertical speakers, the EMP Tek R5BiB works fine when turned on its side. You should get one of those instead of the Pioneer or any other comparably prices center as it will be the closest timbre match. EMP Tek knows this and so will sell you a third speaker if you ask.

 

[-Jim-]

I too have never heard the EmPs but Audioholics (and many others) raved about the Andrew Jones Pioneers. The reviews on the Sub however were less than stellar, so in the system above for my friend I got him to go the extra mile (as he had some extra $ at the end) and belly up to a SVS PB1000. That alone would be half your budget ($500 USD). It's a great Sub for the $ but something like that you should save up for later.

As far as the Dayton Audio SUB 1200 goes, again I haven't heard it, but the reviews are amazing for that price point. ($148 with free shipping!) I'd give it a try and see how you like it. There's not a lot of $ at risk and you can always sell it later and recover a lot of the cost.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

With your budget I would take a look on AA Monitors for LCR speakers, I think Dennis has option to get 3 AA Monitors or 2 Monitors with matching horizontal center. http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

I think he suggest to use Pioneer AJ's gen2 center since he doesn't make AA center afaik.
AA would be much choice.

Also you should definitely change Micca MB42 for Micca MB42X

 

[Diesel57]

Welcome, as you invest more time here, with a great deal of confidence the knowledge, information with a overwhelming supporting cast here will take learning and understanding audio to brand new heights...Cheers

By the way, the Bic Acoustech Pl-200 sub might grab your ears...ENJOY

 

[Pogre]

I just got that receiver less than a week ago. I'm pretty happy with it. definitely use audyssey to set up. this was my first experience with it and I'm impressed. I tweaked very little to get it where I wanted it after running it. I like having preouts too. opens up options for future adding on.

 

[shadyJ]

Unlike most vertical speakers, the EMP Tek R5BiB works fine when turned on its side. You should get one of those instead of the Pioneer or any other comparably prices center as it will be the closest timbre match. EMP Tek knows this and so will sell you a third speaker if you ask.

You would still likely get a null if you turned the R5Bi on its side, it's not really different in this respect than most other bookshelf speakers. The way to avoid that is a point source design, like the Kef Q100.

 

[afterlife2]

Welcome! Great value. I use all of these.
Banana plugs:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281205039980?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Speaker Wire:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M4CSGO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
HDMI:
https://www.amazon.com/Aurum-Ultra-Ethernet-Supports-Channel/dp/B009DMGASW/ref=sr_1_13?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1476630051&sr=1-13&keywords=Aurum+Ultra+Series+-+High+Speed+HDMI+Cable+With+Ethernet+-+Supports+3D+&+Audio+Return+Channel
and
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XM1WE0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
Dennis is a great guy to deal with and these are a highly praised deal just email him(info@philharmonicaudio.com) and he will recommend a center: http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

Dayton 1200 Depends on room size? Small to medium size room one will do. If bigger than get 2 or the Dayton 1500!