suggestion for new or refurb 5.1 speakers for under $400 (room 20x18)

[davy12]

My room size is approx 20x18 (9 ft celling) and my budget is $400-$500 for the speakers (would love keep it around $400). To begin with i will be using it in an 3.1 setup.. and expand to 5.1

I am ok with refurb as well. The speakers that I gather will suit my needs are ..


1. Energy take 5.1 (but I hear it may not be enough for my room size) - $399

2. boston acoustics mcs130 black ( i heard the mcs 95 in frys with Denon 591BA package and really liked it, but it looks like it is very difficult to get an refurb MCS 130 black set anywhere online)

3. Martin logan MLT-1 (heard it in frys and it was good as well) - $499

Any other suggestions? Polk audio ? I do not have room for big book self speakers though.

Your help/recommendation is greatly appreciated.

 

[TLS Guy]

My room size is approx 20x18 (9 ft celling) and my budget is $400-$500 for the speakers (would love keep it around $400). To begin with i will be using it in an 3.1 setup.. and expand to 5.1

I am ok with refurb as well. The speakers that I gather will suit my needs are ..


1. Energy take 5.1 (but I hear it may not be enough for my room size) - $399

2. boston acoustics mcs130 black ( i heard the mcs 95 in frys with Denon 591BA package and really liked it, but it looks like it is very difficult to get an refurb MCS 130 black set anywhere online)

3. Martin logan MLT-1 (heard it in frys and it was good as well) - $499

Any other suggestions? Polk audio ? I do not have room for big book self speakers though.

Your help/recommendation is greatly appreciated.

With that size of room just forget mini speakers. You really need towers. Avoid refurb speakers. Speakers usually only fail because they have been abused, and severely at that. You will be much better off looking at the used market.

 

[sholling]

With that size of room just forget mini speakers. You really need towers. Avoid refurb speakers. Speakers usually only fail because they have been abused, and severely at that. You will be much better off looking at the used market.

I agree completely. That's too large of a room for mini speakers and way too much room for the subwoofers that come with them.

 

[davy12]

correction the room size is 20x 13ft

sorry for the correction, the room size is 20x 13ft. Is it still more for any of the mini speakers can handle ?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

20x13 is still pretty large room to fill. Mini speaker and sats wont do
Start by looking in audiogon.com and craigslist in your area.

As far as new systems go, well 5.1 is too much to get anything decent for $400, however emptek is running pretty decent promotion: buy a pair of EF50T tower speaker for $499 and get free matching EF50C center free.
http://www.emptek.com/special_ef50t.php

I think it'll be a good start if you ok starting with smaller, but stronger at core 3.0 system and adding pieces later as budget allows.

 

[zieglj01]

sorry for the correction, the room size is 20x 13ft. Is it still more for any of the mini speakers can handle ?

Since it looks like you don't want bookshelf or towers - then you may have
to do, on-wall speakers.

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/Refurbished-Products-C226.aspx

Boston Acoustics Certified Refurbished Products
Boston Acoustics Certified Refurbished Products are Boston products that undergo Boston’s strict reconditioning process prior to being offered for sale.
These products are returned due to technical issues, open box, or shipment issues.

Each Boston Certified Refurbished Product:
•is fully tested by QA specialists.
•is refurbished with replacement parts for any issues identified during testing.
•is put through a thorough cleaning process and visual inspection.
•is repackaged and includes owners manual, any included accessories, and a new box.
•is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
•is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.
Our reconditioning process follows the same technical guidelines as all Boston Acoustics Finished Goods testing procedures.

You can hang this up - front ported
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P152BG/Infinity-Primus-P152.html?search=infinity+primus
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Photos/Default.aspx?i=108P152BG&search=infinity+primus&tp=186

 

[clouso]

With that size of room just forget mini speakers. You really need towers. Avoid refurb speakers. Speakers usually only fail because they have been abused, and severely at that. You will be much better off looking at the used market.

Agreed!.....

 

[zieglj01]

As far as new systems go, well 5.1 is too much to get anything decent for $400, however emptek is running pretty decent promotion: buy a pair of EF50T tower speaker for $499 and get free matching EF50C center free.
http://www.emptek.com/special_ef50t.php

I think it'll be a good start if you ok starting with smaller, but stronger at core 3.0 system and adding pieces later as budget allows.

May need a sub - the towers are 3db down at 80 hz.

 

[davy12]

thanks everyone for the response. I was avoiding the bookself speakers because our entertainment center does not have space. Based on your response i guess it might be easier to change the entertainment center than work around the "no-bookself" requirement.

If I am ok with the bookself speakers (smaller footprint the better) , then what choices do I have? (since I will be using it in a 3.1 setup to begin with maybe this is even a better route.)
I have a 1.5 yr old so I still do not want Towers since i am fearing he might topple/damage it.

 

[zieglj01]

You need to have enough space to spread the bookshelves out - or hang
them on the wall. It is easier to knock bookshelf speakers on stands over,
than it is to knock a tower spealer over. With a $400 to $500 budget, your
choices are limited. Will need to know about the entertainment center set
up, that you will have. Most likely, it will be about $300 for a sub and the
rest for bookshelves and center.

 

[davy12]

thanks zieglj01. I see your point on bookselfs vs towers. what do you think of Jamo s 426 HCS 3 5.0 system or Jamo s 413 HCS 5.1 systems (vanns selling them for 199) ?


looks like both of these can be had for less than $400. I am not able to find much data about these though.

 

[zieglj01]

thanks zieglj01. I see your point on bookselfs vs towers. what do you think of Jamo s 426 HCS 3 5.0 system or Jamo s 413 HCS 5.1 systems (vanns selling them for 199) ?


looks like both of these can be had for less than $400. I am not able to find much data about these though.

I did not see the 426 at Vann's - however, I know the 2 fronts are
towers, and you may like it.

For a little over $400 - you can get towers, center and sub - then
save for surrounds later.
http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=search&search_query=celestion

You are restricted by room and family - however something is better
than nothing. I can't comment on entry level Jamo. Try to Squeeze
out another $50 and look at this - if you do a sub/sat system.

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/-MCS-130-Surround-Sound-Package-Refurbished-P506.aspx

 

[lsiberian]

1 Dayton Sub-120 http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

1 pair Behringer 2030p http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321847-REG/Behringer_B2030P_B2030P_2_Way_Passive.html

1 Onkyo 607 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR607BLK/Onkyo/TX-SR607-90-watts-channel-7.2-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

The above is the best you can do on your budget.

 

[davy12]

thanks zieglj01 and lsiberian.

zieglj01:
yes MCS 130 was on my list however, I cannot go with anything other than black color for the speakers and it is hard to find a MCS 130 in black.
Jamo 426 is sold in electronics express/amazon/tigerdirect and other places for around $300-$400


Isberian:
I hear the Behringer 2030p has one of the best reviews, however is it ok without the center or what centers would you suggest ?

also, how do these compare to Jamo 413 or 426.

 

[lsiberian]

thanks zieglj01 and lsiberian.

zieglj01:
yes MCS 130 was on my list however, I cannot go with anything other than black color for the speakers and it is hard to find a MCS 130 in black.
Jamo 426 is sold in electronics express/amazon/tigerdirect and other places for around $300-$400


Isberian:
I hear the Behringer 2030p has one of the best reviews, however is it ok without the center or what centers would you suggest ?

also, how do these compare to Jamo 413 or 426.

You can use another Behringer 2030p for the center. I've never evaluated the Jamos, but I will tell you the Behringer speakers have plenty of happy customers on Audioholics.