Newbie needs help with new system

[ougrad02]

Ok so my name is Jeff and I'm new to these boards. A couple of years ago I was interested in getting a home theater setup and fell into the trap of knowing the bose name and picking up an acoustimass system. Well after doing some reading on this and similar boards I realize that I could do a lot better and be happier with my setup. So I am looking to start over and build a new system. I have a sony receiver (str-de597) that I'm happy with for the time being. It seems like it puts out decent power and I think it will be sufficient for now until I'm ready to upgrade to something with hdmi such as one of the Onkyos.

Anyway, with that being said I am looking for some recs on mains, surrounds, a center and a sub. I think for now I will start with a 5.1 system and possibly add on to that at some later point. My budget for those components is $1000, which I know isn't much but I'm hoping I can put together a system that will sound better and more accurate then the bose cubes.

As far as type of speakers I would like, probably floor speakers for the fronts and either bookshelf or satellites for the back. I would really like the satellites in the back as it is a small room but I'm open to all suggestions. The room is about 11x15 with 8ft ceilings.

Well thanks for letting me blab and thank in advance for any suggestions.

 

[mazersteven]

Anyway, with that being said I am looking for some recs on mains, surrounds, a center and a sub. I think for now I will start with a 5.1 system and possibly add on to that at some later point. My budget for those components is 700, which I know isn't much but I'm hoping I can put together a system that will sound better and more accurate then the bose cubes.

AV123

I would start with speakers only for now and save for a sub later. JMO

5-- http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1 $645 plus shipping

or

2-- http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=105.1 $339

1-- http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1 $129

2-- http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1 $165

$633 plus shipping

 

[mazersteven]

Ascend Acoustics

System 22-2000

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170hts.html

 

[mazersteven]

SVS

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-scs01.cfm

 

[ougrad02]

Thank for those suggestions. I actually updated my post to a $1000 budget as thats what it will seem to cost with those suggestions including a sub. Thanks again.

Still open to more ideas.

 

[ougrad02]

Oh and system will be used for mostly HT and not really music but on rare occassions.

 

[mazersteven]

Thank for those suggestions. I actually updated my post to a $1000 budget as thats what it will seem to cost with those suggestions including a sub. Thanks again.

Still open to more ideas.

Well with the SVS system all you have to do is add a sub. E-mail SVS and talk to Tom or Ron and ask their opinion on what sub would be best for you.


Same with AV123. Ask Sean what sub he recommends that would give you the performance you need within your budget.

x-plosive
http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=25933

http://av123forum.com/member.php?find=lastposter&t=13909

Also here are a couple other good little subs

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=68

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmcompact.html


You can also use an SVS sub with any of the speaker systems. So if you like the AV123 speakers, but like what you hear from SVS you can do that.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What about this (Mazer's rec'd + Rocket Sub)?

2-- http://www.av123.com/products_produc...&product=105.1 $339

1-- http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=91.1 $129

2-- http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=82.1 $165

1-- http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=6.1 $499

Total = $1,132

 

[mazersteven]

1-- http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=6.1 $499

I don't know. I think if I was going to spend $500 on a sub I would go a different direction.

OK, OK it's $99 bucks more

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=1.1

Or

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html

http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/dynamo.html



I would like to audition one of these myself.

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=68

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Wow, MartinLogan is a pretty big name! And it's only $600?
Do they also make inexpenisve speakers?

http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/dynamo.html

 

[ougrad02]

I think so far I like the idea of the av123 with floors for the front and bookshelf in the back. For the sub I think I like the SVS or HSU.

On a different note what do you guys think of polk speakers?

Something like the monitor 50's for the fronts, rti4's for the back, a polk center and either a svs or hsu sub. How does this compare to the previously mentioned suggestions?

And also a silly question I'm sure but how do all of these compare to the bose sound that I've been apparently torturing myself with up to this point lol!

 

[mazersteven]

I think so far I like the idea of the av123 with floors for the front and bookshelf in the back. For the sub I think I like the SVS or HSU.

On a different note what do you guys think of polk speakers?

Something like the monitor 50's for the fronts, rti4's for the back, a polk center and either a svs or hsu sub. How does this compare to the previously mentioned suggestions?

And also a silly question I'm sure but how do all of these compare to the bose sound that I've been apparently torturing myself with up to this point lol!

If your going to do Polk Audio look at the old RTi series, not the Monitor series.

"How do these compare to Bose?"

They don't compare to Bose.

 

[ougrad02]

Yeah I know the bose comment was more sarcastic lol.

 

[mazersteven]

Yeah I know the bose comment was more sarcastic lol.

Sarcastic?

Me?

Never

 

[ougrad02]

Any thoughts on the aperion speakers....I was looking at some of the 422lr and some of the bookshelves. Seem to be a solid choice.

 

[mazersteven]

Any thoughts on the aperion speakers....I was looking at some of the 422lr and some of the bookshelves. Seem to be a solid choice.

Forum members seem to like them. I have no experience with them.

I personally don't think anything can compete with the AV123 MTM towers I linked. Not for the price. JMO

 

[ougrad02]

I like the av123 products but they seem a little big for my taste and application as far as dimensions. I will definitely consider them though. Thanks again.

 

[mazersteven]

I like the av123 products but they seem a little big for my taste and application as far as dimensions. I will definitely consider them though. Thanks again.

They are slightly deeper in depth then other speakers. But I wouldn't say that should be a deal breaker.

And for $339 bucks. $110 bucks off reg retail. You could sell them once the sale is over for what you paid if you don't like them.

 

[gus6464]

They are slightly deeper in depth then other speakers. But I wouldn't say that should be a deal breaker.

And for $339 bucks. $110 bucks off reg retail. You could sell them once the sale is over for what you paid if you don't like them.

Aren't the MTM's backordered until the end of time though?

 

[DavidG]

I agree with what Mazer said about the AV123 x-series speakers. If you go with the x-mtm towers at $339/pr, the x-cs center at $129, and x-ls bookshelves at $165/pr, it leaves you $367 for shipping and a sub. I would recommend you save up a little more for a decent subwoofer by SVS or HSU.

If you don't like the x-mtm towers, then get another pair of the x-ls bookshelves for $165. This setup with 4 bookshelves and the center channel comes to $459. You could get a HSU VTF-2 MK3 sub for $499. Or, once again for a little more, get a better sub by HSU the VTF-3 MK3 for $629.

If you can't save more and need a discount subwoofer, look at either: HSU STF-1 ($254), HSU STF-2 ($349), Dayton SUB-120 ($139), or Bic Acoustech H-100 ($249)