Suggestions for speaker system for 2000

[hummer5]

Hi all,

well i need some help with chosing speakers for my home theater. What i have right now is Denon 4308ci, Boston Acoustics floor standing fronts, polk audio old center channel speaker which i don't even know the model # of as none is mentioned on it and it is pretty small in size, and 2 rear polk audio speakers which are dipoles. Also has polk subwoofer psw505. I know mix and match is not good and i have no intentions to do that but except for the receiver i got the speakers from someone who upgraded, so i didn't pay a dime for those. I thinks now i need to setup good system. I have ps3, tivo and pioneer kuro.

Please advise which speakers should i go for and if i can use any of the above in the setup. I will be greatful for any help.

thanks.

 

[gus6464]

Hi all,

well i need some help with chosing speakers for my home theater. What i have right now is Denon 4308ci, Boston Acoustics floor standing fronts, polk audio old center channel speaker which i don't even know the model # of as none is mentioned on it and it is pretty small in size, and 2 rear polk audio speakers which are dipoles. Also has polk subwoofer psw505. I know mix and match is not good and i have no intentions to do that but except for the receiver i got the speakers from someone who upgraded, so i didn't pay a dime for those. I thinks now i need to setup good system. I have ps3, tivo and pioneer kuro.

Please advise which speakers should i go for and if i can use any of the above in the setup. I will be greatful for any help.

thanks.

So you have a $2000 budget for 5 speakers and a sub right?

 

[hummer5]

yes $2000 for all the speakers if i can't use any of the ones i got.

 

[gus6464]

yes $2000 for all the speakers if i can't use any of the ones i got.

sub too? Do you want towers or bookshelves?

 

[hummer5]

preferrably towers due to setup is in the family area where i think towers will look better.
I can get the subwoofer in this budget if possible, otherwise i can buy that in couple months and buy some good speakers without the sub now. Just want to setup nice system which i can show my wife and she will be happy with.

thanks.

 

[gus6464]

Here are a couple of systems (without sub)

www.bowers-wilkins.com
B&W 684 fronts - $1100/pair
B&W HTM61 ceter - $650
B&W 686 rears - $480/pair
Retail price is actually over $2000 but since you are buying a complete system it does not reflect package pricing.

www.totemacoustic.com
Totem Arro fronts - $1100/pair
Totem Dreamcatcher center - $400
Totem Dreamcatcher rears - $500/pair
Once again does not reflect package discount

www.psbspeakers.com
PSB T65 fronts - $799/pair
PSB C60 center - $349
PSB B25 rears - $300/pair
Good deal on these as you can get them on closeout at www.saturdayaudio.com

www.monitoraudiousa.com
Monitor Audio RS6 fronts - $1000/pair
Monitor Audio RSLCR center - $500
Monitor Audio RS1 rears - $600/pair
Does not reflect package discount so you can get for cheaper

All of these speakers should be available in your area to audition as they are pretty common. Where do you live? If you live near San Antonio or Austin, TX I can give you a couple of places to check out that carry all these brands and some others.

All of these are very solid systems that offer good performance for the dollar. Out of all of them I myself prefer the Monitor Audio and Totem over the rest. But go out and listen to see what you like.

 

[mazersteven]

My recommendation

AV123 Rocket 200/450/850/MFW-15

http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,273/category_id,19/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

AV123 is an internet direct manufacturer of speakers and subs. If you do some research around the audio forums you will see that they are very highly recommended.

 

[hummer5]

Thanks for all your help

any recommendations for speaker cable...!!!

 

[mazersteven]

any recommendations for speaker cable...!!!

For all your cable, and interconnects

www.bluejeanscable.com
www.monoprice.com

 

[jostenmeat]

Hi all,

. . . and pioneer kuro.

Is your tv wall mounted? If so, how high? If close to a few feet, I heartily recommend three identical towers up front. Get a URC RF-20 remote + blaster combo for $80, a Mono HDMi cable of 35 ft is about $40, and put the components anywhere you damn please. If not in a closet, etc, a modular studio tech rack is $200 shipped.

You would have achieved a type of setup that typically only the finest HTs in the world have done. They only thing one might say that you don't have is acoustically transparent screen for utter centering, but hey, you got those blacks, ain't ya?

I said this recently here:

By having the identical tower, you will be:

- perfectly matched as matched can be, in all speaker characteristics
- even plane of tweeters/drivers for perfect and even panning
- completely bypass horizontal lobing issues inherent in a horiz mtm design, which usually means a sweetspot at less than 20 degrees.
- horiz cabinet means vertical dispersion as opposed to horiz dispersion. Sound likes to travel along the path of least resistance (smallest dimension), so to speak.
- less stuff/mass/material in-between your speakers that would otherwise destroy stereo, or m-ch, imaging.
- better video immersion without all the lights up front
- best of all, money in the pocket

If it indeed must be horizontal, the best designs will be such as top mounted tweeter (ie B&W), WTMW (ie Revel, AV123), or coincidental (KEF).

Now, if you have only one loveseat, for 1-2 viewers, not as big of a deal, assuming you sit straight on. If you have more than one couch, my suggestions just only regarding center design will benefit you greatly.

Oh, and a Kuro + three towers, and nothing else can look pretty slick if you ask me. Wires might want to be run thru walls for maximum aesthetics, if you don't have a rug, etc, or something easier...

-jostenmeat

 

[hummer5]

It is wall mounted. I will keep that in mind and start hunting.

thanks.

 

[dronezero]

I see that you have a PS3. One thing to keep in mind with videogames is that they use surround sound differently than movies do. It will play the same sounds through the surround speakers that it plays through the mains depending on how you turn your character in the game. So this will affect your speaker buying. Whereas if you were just watching movies you can skimp on the surround speakers a little, if you play a significant number of games you are going to want surround speakers that are pretty good and if at all possible that are identical to your mains.

So one system that would that would fit your budget and would satisfy this criteria is the below:

Mains: era Design 4 - $700
Center: era Design 4 LCR - $600
Surrounds: era Design 4 - $700

Total: $2000

Of course if you don't actually play many videogames you would be better off putting more money into the mains.

 

[mazersteven]

I think he is going with the AV123 Rocket system. Not sure, but from his PM to me. I think that's the direction he is going.

 

[Davemcc]

Mains: era Design 4 - $700
Center: era Design 4 LCR - $600
Surrounds: era Design 4 - $700

Total: $2000

I was thinking the same thing until the OP said he wanted towers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I heartily recommend three identical towers up front.

Now that's what I'm talking about.

I also love the idea of getting 5 identical towers all around.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It is wall mounted. I will keep that in mind and start hunting.

thanks.

How high is it mounted (distance from floor to bottom of TV)?

Because Five Rocket RS450 Mid-Tower Loudspeakers (37.3" high) = $1,750 + FREE shipping:

http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,28/category_id,19/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/