Urgent 2.1 Setup Help Needed!

[Sumstuf]

Hey guys, my dad just brought home the Bose CineMate 2, and the horror on my face when he saw it.. omg. I need a good 2.1 setup so my dad can return this sob. I have a few speakers in mind. Below is a list of speakers and subwoofers on sale at Best Buy Canada and Futureshop. It is a long list but it shows only all the speakers and subwoofer that is on sale.

Best Buy Speakers

Klipsch Icon Tower Speakers (VF-36) - Pair $699 save 560
Klipsch Synergy Tower Speakers (F2) - Black - Pair $399 save 400

Futureshop Speakers

Klipsch Reference IV 3-Way Tower Speaker (RF82) - Single $399 save 300
Klipsch Tower Speaker (RF62) - Single $399 save 160
Polk Audio Floor Standing Speaker (RTI10) - Black - Single $250 save 250
Polk Audio Floor Standing Speaker (RTIA5) - Black - Single $340 save 170
Polk Audio Floor Standing Speaker (RTIA7) - Black - Single $450 save 180


Best Buy Subwoofers

JBL 10" 300 Watt Subwoofer (ES150P) $339 save 110
Klipsch 10" 450 Watts Subwoofer (SW-450) $450 save 200
Klipsch 8" 350 Watts Subwoofer (SW-350) - Black $350 save 150

Futureshop Subwoofers

Klipsch 10" Subwoofer (RPW-10) $400 save 100
Polk Audio 12" Powered Subwoofer (PSW125) - Black $350 save 90


We just recently bought a Samsung UN55B8000 (pretty nice) and I just picked up a Yamaha 6260B for $450 saved 250. Honestly my receiver can handle so much juice. Why Bose? Help me send it back to Best Buy Canada!

My budget is around $800. Most of the speakers are out of stock on Best Buy Canada and Futureshop, so, please still recommend them because I can look somewhere else like Visions, Crutchfield, Gibby's. Most of the sale is til December 31st or today is the last day. So, prices will be different tommorow. Just recommend me any awesome 2.1 speaker setup with a budget around $800. By the way my living room is huge (I can't measure it now because my dad is watching tv). There is no way those 2 little Bose speakers are going to fill the whole room. Just no way! The Bose was $600 after 100 saved, so basicly, return it plus a little more cash for a great a 2.1 setup.

I already bought all my cables and stuff from Monoprice too. Just waiting on the speakers to finish my HT. Help me out!!!

I will update this list with Visions, Crutchfield, and Gibby's speaker and subwoofer deals tomorrow as today is the last day of their sales. Starting tomorrow they might have new deals on speakers, so, I can update them first thing in the morning when they put it up.

I just talked to my dad after finishing this post. Seriously, I gave him some small talk about buying better speakers in the same price range, if not, a little bit more money. I told him if he was happy with Bose (he hasn't tried it yet cause can't return open box items) then that would be best. But I am confident we could get some kickass speakers for just a little more. So he is willing to change them just need some professional advice and that is it!!!

I'm looking towards the Klipsch Icon Tower Speakers (VF-36) - Pair. There is only 20 left with any solid advice and we can pull the trigger!!!

 

[Wannabubble]

First thing, here is some reading you could give to your dad

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

I would say go for the RF-82's, but maybe I'm a little biased.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Have you and your dad had a chance to listen to any of those? If so, did you like any better than the others?

Most of my typical recommendations don't apply because the prices/return policies are different for Canada. Sorry about that.

 

[JerryLove]

It depends on your listening tastes, and the actual room size, and what changes in Canada.

If you are listening to music, I don't recommend a mono sub. I'd recommend good bookshelves (Behringer 2030p $133USD/pair), a pair of subs (say Dayton 12" $300USD/pair), an external crossover (Behringer CX $70USD), and an external amp to power the speakers (since you'll have to use the pre-out on your receiver... I'm assuming you have one).

If that's not an option for some reason (such as a lack of a pre-out on the receiver): I recommend getting towers that can do LF with reasonable authority. Sounds above your crossover may have problems with destructive interference when stereo LF is combined to monoaural.

Please note: these problems generally do not exist in HT, as that's generally mixed for mono LF.

You may want to consider good used gear as well. There's a pair of Onix 750's near me on Craigslist for $400 (as an example: obviously that doesn't help you). That's a $1300 pair of towers. I get most of my stuff used.

 

[Sumstuf]

I haven't tried listening to any of these speakers in stores. I think most of the stock is gone and Best Buy and Futureshop probably sold the floor models to make extra bucks. I can probably find these in regular stores privately owned. I would give them a listen but the time constraints I have is that these sales are finishing soon. Especially here in Canada, even sale prices are expensive compared to the states. Right now it is pure Boxing Week prices but they might have more sales for the new year.

The bose is going back to the store (I'm happy about that). I'd prefer two floor standing speakers for music, movie, and gaming, and a great sub. So, I guess I have to look around to hear the difference between all these speakers. I hope I can grab one at a cheap price still, since this is probably the best time to spend because of the sales everywhere.

Thank you for all the advices, and anymore would be awesome!

Edit: I can't seem to edit my first post. So after some research, I don't want anyone reading my long post, I figured this has turned into a choosing the best 2.1 setup based on 1.3k budget and from the sales list from Best Buy and Futureshop.

 

[deedubb]

Where do you live? There must be some independent audio stores around. I'd go to some of those and audition some good speakers. Personally, I would not buy speakers at FS or BB in Canada. The stuff they carry is mediocre at best. Don't get suckered into buying something just because price looks attractive. You'll regret it in the end. You can always talk them down in price at an independent. Go have a listen to some Canadian speakers like PSB or Paradigm which are priced reasonably.

 

[Sumstuf]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I should stay away from Best Buy and Futureshop for now.

 

[Adam]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I should stay away from Best Buy and Futureshop for now.

There's nothing wrong with those stores, IMO, or the speakers that they sell. Some people really like them, and if you and your dad are in that group, then don't stay away from them just because of what other people think.

However, going out and listening to different brands and lines of speakers is a good idea if you haven't already. I was pretty set on buying Polk when I was buying speakers about ten years ago, but then decided against them after listening to a number of other brands. I happen to like NHT better. However, those weren't the Polks that you are looking at, nor do you and I necessarily have the same preferences for sound.

 

[deedubb]

There's nothing wrong with those stores, IMO, or the speakers that they sell.

Fair enough, but what is offered at Best Buy in the US is far different from what we can get in Canada. We don't have the Magnolia line. I would not buy any speakers at BB here and the only speakers I would consider from FS are the Energy line. They used to carry the Veritas but I haven't seen them there in quite some time now. IMO, for the money, you can do better elsewhere.

 

[Adam]

Fair enough, but what is offered at Best Buy in the US is far different from what we can get in Canada. We don't have the Magnolia line. I would not buy any speakers at BB here and the only speakers I would consider from FS are the Energy line. They used to carry the Veritas but I haven't seen them there in quite some time now. IMO, for the money, you can do better elsewhere.

Also fair enough. I wouldn't buy any speakers from Best Buy in the US, either, but that's because they don't carry anything that I like. I was just saying that the speakers that they sell aren't inherently worthless (and I know that you weren't saying that, either) - it just depends on if someone likes them or not. I completely agree that shopping around is a wise decision.

 

[rethomps]

I also live in Canada. 2001 Audio Video is doing good deals on PSB speakers. In my opionon a much better speaker for the price...

 

[Boerd]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I should stay away from Best Buy and Futureshop for now.

The only good thing at BB is the Magnolia stuff - if your BB doesn't have it stay away from it... (my 2c)
From your initial post I'd choose Klipsch (RF-82's) - I know a few guys happy with it.
Also Axiom (isn't that a Canadian company???) and Emotiva at this price point are very competitive. PSB is good too. You'll have to audition them - it is best for you.

 

[pzaur]

How about Axiom Audio (as mentioned above)? These will possibly outperform anything in the stores for the same price range.

Of course, haven't heard 'em...ever.

(I'd look hard and long at the Polks RTi series)

-pat


























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