Piecing 5.1 setup on shoestring budget

[BobSaccamano]

Ok, newb here. I've done a lot of research lately, and thoroughly confused myself. I'm looking to piece together a 5.1 speaker system for my living room (20' x 22') to go with my pioneer receiver, thinking upgrading the speakers will be more noticeable than upgrading the receiver (which I will do at a later date). I was considering the energy take 5.1, but don't know if it will be enough for the room. I need bookshelfs, not towers. Really just looking for the best bang for my buck, maybe even find something on closeout,etc. Will be used 60/40 home theater/music. Any help is greatly appreciated. Like to keep it around $5-600. Is it possible?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get 5 Infinity P152 for $75 each:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-kBy9PGILeK9/p_108P152BG/Infinity-Primus-P152.html

I would get the BIC PL-200 subwoofer for $279 shipped (coupon CODE TV15) :
http://www.sounddistributors.com/buynow.asp?action=detail&prid=526&crid=57&cat_name=Powered+Subwoofers

Total is $654.

 

[its phillip]

The P163s are only $85/ea if you want to go that route.

 

[bikdav]

Good suggestion guys. The Primus series form Infinity is lots of speaker for the money. As an example, I have the "old" Primus 150s and they do the job very nicely. Five or more of these and a decent subwoofer should result in a system that won't blow the budget apart.

 

[BobSaccamano]

Good input, thanks. I also found the polk monitor 40 series with matching center for what looks like a good deal. How would these compare with the infinity primus line? Any other suggestions?

 

[zieglj01]

Good input, thanks. I also found the polk monitor 40 series with matching center for what looks like a good deal. How would these compare with the infinity primus line? Any other suggestions?

The Primus is more smooth and has better detail, compared to the Polk.

I would also consider the Infinity Classia bookshelf
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=87ED526BD18C17F656205150B8C18BD5.bbolsp-app02-40?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-5373240248711595457&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=infinity+classia&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960
This is the center
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Classia-CC225BK-Two-Way-Channel/dp/B0015YZQQ8

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The P163s are only $85/ea if you want to go that route.

Yeah, my initial recommendation was the P163s too for that 6.5" woofer.

I would get the P163s, but the OP said $600 budget. The P163s would put that @ $704 or more w/ the subwoofer.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

my humble 2c:
This 5.0 -from Jamo http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544012176/jamo-s606hcs3
or this if you budget $600 - is really fixed:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544158919/jamo-s506hcs3

and
sub mentioned above

since you have rather big room and towers would help you... only slight issue is they are rated at 6ohm and 89db - your pioneer would be able to drive them, but don't try to play for very loud large party - if you hear distortion - stop and lower the volume right away

 

[Pyrrho]

Good input, thanks. I also found the polk monitor 40 series with matching center for what looks like a good deal. How would these compare with the infinity primus line? Any other suggestions?

If you are going to go with Polk, I recommend going with a discontinued model from a higher line, the RTi4 for $149.99 plus tax delivered:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAIR-RTi4-CHRRY-Bookshelf-Surround-Speaker-Polk-Audio-/230634142265?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35b2ddba39

That is a new pair direct from Polk (so no worries about the warranty), which they also have in black. And they have enough of them for a complete surround system.

Here is a review:

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/1004polk/index.html

I would probably get the nice cherry finish (real wood finish, not vinyl veneer like most speakers in your price range), which have a much higher spouse acceptance factor than most speakers in your price range. And for the money, they are good speakers.

If you bought three pairs, you could use one for your center channel speaker and have enough for a 6.1 system (obviously, for the ".1" you would need a subwoofer).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you are going to go with Polk, I recommend going with a discontinued model from a higher line, the RTi4 for $149.99 plus tax delivered:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAIR-RTi4-CHRRY-Bookshelf-Surround-Speaker-Polk-Audio-/230634142265?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35b2ddba39

That is a new pair direct from Polk (so no worries about the warranty), which they also have in black. And they have enough of them for a complete surround system.

Here is a review:

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/1004polk/index.html

I would probably get the nice cherry finish (real wood finish, not vinyl veneer like most speakers in your price range), which have a much higher spouse acceptance factor than most speakers in your price range. And for the money, they are good speakers.

If you bought three pairs, you could use one for your center channel speaker and have enough for a 6.1 system (obviously, for the ".1" you would need a subwoofer).

Sorry,Pyrrho - I heard this model and it sounded terrible and harsh. Anything from polk under LSi series is utter trash and LSi's are way over the budget

 

[BobSaccamano]

Thanks for all the input guys, lots of different opinions.
How much of a "step up" would it be to look into something like the Klipsch RB41 line for ($838 at acousticsouddesign or synergy B20 line for $807) both include a sub.

Its over my budget, but I guess I could spend a little extra if it's going to be noticeably better. However, if I blow the budget, I don't want to do it in pieces, I'd want to do the whole thing. I saw a coupon code somewhere that would bring it down some too (if it actually works).

 

[BobSaccamano]

They also have some premier acoustics sets at above mentioned website, any opinions on those?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Personally, I would rather just get 5 Infinity P163s ($425) plus a BIC PL-200 ($279).

I doubt if the Klipsch bookshelf speakers are any better or even as good, and I doubt the subwoofer that comes with it is even as good as the BIC PL-200, which is essentially a HSU Research subwoofer (designed by HSU, with 1,000 watts peak BASH amp).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

This set regular price is $1000; priced at $400 with free shipping is a steal.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544012176/jamo-s606hcs3
Also comes in black (+$50)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

This set regular price is $1000; priced at $400 with free shipping is a steal.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544012176/jamo-s606hcs3
Also comes in black (+$50)

It's a good thing we're not a couple of real-life sales reps at an audio store because you'd be kicking my a$$ on the sales!

That package looks good. I wonder how they sound, though.

I own a pair of Infinity P362s, so I have a good idea how the P162s sound - just like the trebles and midrange of the P362s.

I also own a BIC PL200, so I know that thing can rock, especially for the prize.

But I have never auditioned Jamo speakers.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It's a good thing we're not a couple of real-life sales reps at an audio store because you'd be kicking my a$$ on the sales!

That package looks good. I wonder how they sound, though.

I own a pair of Infinity P362s, so I have a good idea how the P162s sound - just like the trebles and midrange of the P362s.

But I have never auditioned Jamo speakers.

Lol I'm sure like Harman's products (Infinity is one Harman brands) - my JBL monitors are outstanding. Whole Primus line gets a lot of thumbs up and AH benched with very good results, however I still convinced that $400 for that 5.0 set from major and well known brand is simply steal especially due to OP larger space - bigger towers would do better than bookshelfs for 2.0 music

AcuDefTechGuy, Nothing personal Just trying to help OP get best deal

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Lol I'm sure like Harman's products (Infinity is one Harman brands) - my JBL monitors are outstanding. Whole Primus line gets a lot of thumbs up and AH benched with very good results, however I still convinced that $400 for that 5.0 set from major and well known brand is simply steal especially due to OP larger space - bigger towers would do better than bookshelfs for 2.0 music

AcuDefTechGuy, Nothing personal Just trying to help OP get best deal

We're all here for the same reasons: have fun and help out a few.

It's cool to see how different minds think. The more the merrier. I like towers for large space as well.

I always try to buy things that have been reviewed and measured. We all know how the Infinity P362s measure on Stereophile, and we know how well they did against the B&W 802D in terms of frequency responses.

I can see PENG and SETH (among others) are just rolling their eyes like this.

Soundstage measured the Infinity P162:
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/infinity_primus_p162/


The 5-point Avg FR appears to be 80Hz-19kHz +/- 3dB. Even at 60 degrees horizontal off-axis, the P162 appears to be 60Hz-10kHz @ -7dB. Try getting those numbers with the B&W 802Ds.

PENG and SETH (among others) are still rolling their eyes like this.

 

[BobSaccamano]

Thanks guys. REALLY appreciate all the advice. The jamo set looks like a steal for sure, but I have absolutely no room for towers. It's going to have to be bookshelfs. As for my space, although it is large, it is an older house and it's a pretty closed off space, as opposed to the large open rooms in newer construction.

As for the klipsch, I've had several people tell me they like them, but I doubt they really know any more than I do. Probably just repeating something they were told.

The infinitys keep coming up, I will definately have to check them out, if I can find somewhere that has them in stock. What would be the difference in five p162s compared to four p162s plus matching center?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The infinitys keep coming up, I will definately have to check them out, if I can find somewhere that has them in stock. What would be the difference in five p162s compared to four p162s plus matching center?

The P162 is basically the same as the P163. The P163 is the new version, which is more available.

I can only assume the center speaker measures fine.

But I do know how the P162 measures, which is great.

BTW, after seeing the measurements on the P162s, I decided to order a single P163 on amazon to use as a center speaker for my P362s in the family room.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What would be the difference in five p162s compared to four p162s plus matching center?

I think it would be the same sound quality. Just whatever suits your budget and space requirements. The center speakers are designed to be slimmer (shorter in height).