Suggestions for a ~$700 5.1 setup?

[mazersteven]

I've always wondered about them, that's for sure - I've never heard them before - so that's good to know!

Now what if he went out, and purchased them because of your recommendation?

 

[JerryLove]

Ok I'll buy into that with front ported speakers. I'm sort of curious though why you wouldn't want the two mains to be 2031Ps? I haven't heard them but my philosophy is I want my mains to go town below 60hz even with a sub.

Because the 2031's, according to those who have heard and measured both, do not perform as well as the 2030's do. Their on-axis response is worse (less flat), and their off-axis worse than that.

Again out of simple curiosity do the $140 2930Ps sound better than the larger and only slightly more expensive ($180) 2931Ps?

According to the measurments and listening reports of people I trust, yes.

I'll stand corrected. Instead of full range perhaps I should have said closer to full range or "near full range", or near enough to full range to live with without a subwoofer. This solution also works well with a sub because you can still turn off the sub when the neighbors are home without losing mid-bass. As much as I love bass I've just had to many neighbors that complained about deep bass more than simple volume. Again I don't don't disagree with you it's just a philosophical difference. I would think that a pair of the 2931s if they sound as good a the 2930s might be a happy solution that fits both of our world views.

If you use the EQ in the AVR to roll off bass, you'll drop the LF with a smooth roll-off. Most people find that more pleasent (increasing reductions in SPL as the frequency changes) compared to an absense of sound.

I respect your opinions (and the Audioholics review praising the for near field use) have me just curious enough that I may pick up a pair of 2930s for my computer and then move my Energies to a secondary TV room. The my Energies sound good but you need to be at least 4-5 feed away to really appreciate them to their fullest - and 5.1 on a PC is a waste for me.

An inexpensive test to be sure.

Here are the FR charts and waterfall on the 2030. There is also a relatively simple DIY that will improve the sound further (if you need help tracking it on a search here, let me know. It's a post by WmAx).

http://www.linaeum.com/productinfo/other/behringer_2030P/fr_waterfall_detail_offaxis_1M.gif

 

[sholling]

An inexpensive test to be sure.

Here are the FR charts and waterfall on the 2030. There is also a relatively simple DIY that will improve the sound further (if you need help tracking it on a search here, let me know. It's a post by WmAx).

Thanks I think I found the post and bookmarked it. And thanks for the information about the 2031Ps. I ordered the 2030Ps for my PC. I have about 12,000 FLAC files that I've ripped from my CD collection or legally downloaded and I'll give them a thorough workout paired with my existing sub. I'll wall mount them above my workstation (aimed down at me) 3' away from me and roughly 3 feet apart. For a PC application do you suggest aiming them at the listening spot or slightly off axis?

Thanks!
Steve

 

[JerryLove]

Thanks I think I found the post and bookmarked it. And thanks for the information about the 2031Ps. I ordered the 2030Ps for my PC. I have about 12,000 FLAC files that I've ripped from my CD collection or legally downloaded and I'll give them a thorough workout paired with my existing sub. I'll wall mount them above my workstation (aimed down at me) 3' away from me and roughly 3 feet apart. For a PC application do you suggest aiming them at the listening spot or slightly off axis?

I would think on-axis will give you a better sound: but certainly play with positioning.