Speaker Recommendations?

[NaOH]

Hi there,

I'm putting a 5.1 system together in conjunction with an Onkyo TX-SR608, and I was wondering if anyone could weigh in on what I'm looking at for speakers, and maybe offer some suggestions/alternatives if what I've selected isn't the best choice for my budget.

My budget is somewhere in the vicinity of $1200, so here's what I've picked (everything sourced from Amazon.com):

Fronts: Polk Monitor 70
Rears: Polk Monitor 50
Center: Polk Monitor CS2
Sub: BIC America F12

These seem to review well (especially the BIC sub) but are they the best choice given my budget?

I've also been told to look seriously at the Enthusiast package deals from HSU but I'm 60/40 on the concept of horn speakers, mostly because I'm in an apartment and I can't blast anything really loud anyway...

I'll be using this system mostly for watching movies and playing video games, and will probably listen to music on rare occasions, and then usually only from satellite radio; I own no SACD or DVD-Audio or anything like that, so I'm not really worried about performance in that regard.

Thanks very much!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Call the amazon customer service and ask them about the return policy on these speakers.

Unless you have listened to them in your home and love the sound, there is no telling how good they sound. This goes for all speakers.

If amazon allows a free return on these speakers, then it's worth a try.

Otherwise, there are other online dealers that will give you a 30-day try of their speakers (free shipping to you and to them if returned). Examples include Aperion Audio and NHT speakers.

I'm not sure about SVS Sound, but you can call them and check.

They should fit your budget.

I like NHT speakers a lot because I've owned some in the past.

The Aperion and SVS speakers also have a lot of great reviews.

 

[j_garcia]

The SVS packages are out of stock until June while they ramp up production in their new facility. The S-series package would be great and IMO, would outperform the Polk setup.

I haven't heard the Aperions but with the 30day trial, I'd say it is a safe way to go. Get a pair and see if you like how they sound.

NHTs are excellent speakers. No question these should be on your list.

 

[NaOH]

I don't really see how anything NHT or Aperion puts together is within my budget, though... the packages that are cheap enough are just satellite speakers, not the towers I want, and I'm pretty sold on the BIC subwoofer...

 

[j_garcia]

You haven't heard the BIC, but you are sold on it? Have you heard the Polks? Speakers make the biggest difference in what you hear, so if you don't like the speakers, you aren't going to be happy with the system.

The NHT package is $1499 and includes towers for the mains. If you drop the sub out and get a different one, like the BIC, then you are probably right around your price range and even if it is above, you are going to get MUCH better speakers.

 

[NaOH]

Unfortunately, due to my location, I really don't have much ability to test anything... I don't have any high-end shops within a reasonable distance, so I'm pretty much going to have to buy sight-unseen.

I'm also restricted (by way of WAF) to all towers, as "they look the most like furniture", so any setup that includes wall-mount or bookshelf speakers for the surrounds won't be possible. Does this help?

 

[ErnieM]

A Hsu fan here

As you can see from my signature, I own a set of Hsu speakers and I can say that I LOVE how they sound, even at low volumes. Don't let the horns scare you. Hsu offers a 30 day return policy.

You also may wish to take a look at Aperion Audio, Axiom Audio and SVS. All offer excellent products with generous return policies.

Enjoy your quest for superior sound!

 

[j_garcia]

The HSUs aren't towers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just for the heck of it, I called Amazon customer service and they told me that amazon cannot ship speakers to Canada. They can ship electronics, but not speakers.

 

[sholling]

The two things that stand out from the post are:

1. Have you auditioned the Monitor 70s? Speaker selection is very subjective and what I like you may hate and what you like I might not be my taste. That's not a reflection on these specific speakers just an observation that you need to get out and give a listen. Room acoustics also make a huge difference in how speakers sound. That's why reviews at this price level are just a guide - especially the amateur reviews that you see on Amazon and Newegg. The two in your price range that I suggest that you listen to side by side are those Monitor 70s and Infinity Primus P362 towers then pick the one that sounds good to you.
   
2. Have you sized the subwoofer to the room? If not then you're flying blind. Subwoofers, especially at this price point, are far less subjective than other speakers. They are either flat from 20-150hz or they are not. They are either clean and free of distortion and port noise or not. They are either powerful enough to fill your room with room shaking bass or not. You need to research the latter and be sure it will handle your room.

Good luck with your speaker shopping adventure.

 

[ErnieM]

Opps, misread OP on towers

I misread this:
I'm also restricted (by way of WAF) to all towers, as "they look the most like furniture",

So yes, the Hsus are not towers.

BTW, I did ask in a phone call back when I bought my speakers if they (Hsu) were considering building towers. They said it wasn't on the agenda at this time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

BTW, I did ask in a phone call back when I bought my speakers if they (Hsu) were considering building towers. They said it wasn't on the agenda at this time.

Yeah, seems like with this economy, no one is taking any chances on anything new.

 

[m2rogers]

Look at 7.1 Setup

I have the same Onkyo 608 receiver, which has only been out for about a month or so. I've tried it with both a 5.1 and a 7.1 setup using Polk speakers and, for me at least, the 7.1 arrangement is the best. My room is open at the back and the left side with walls on the right and the front and 10' ceiling. Not sure what your room config is but you might want to give 7.1 a try. The 608 requires you to hook up the back speakers (in your case the Monitor 50's) as Surrounds in a 5.1 configuration. Unless you can hook up your rears to the Surround Back connection terminals in a 7.1 configuration you will not experience the THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX, DTS -ES Matrix and DTS-ES Discrete capabilities (see page 12 of the 608 manual). Those sounds really came alive when I hooked it up as a 7.1. Good luck with whatever you do. The 608 is a very good receiver for the money.