Wanted: budget 5.1 speaker set suggestions

[Rustang351c]

I've ordered a denon avr-1707

I'm replacing a Yamaha receiver & Infinity sm152's I've had years & years.
This is mainly for music & tv as I'm not watching many surround dvd's yet, but would like to keep these speakers after I am.

My first thought was a 'polk' setup. I've heard they are 'warmer' than other brands and now that I'm older I like to listen at more moderate levels.
CSi5, RTi6, rm101, velodyne vx-10 = $905

Audioholics recommends an all 'AV123' x series system. $780

I read about 'monitor audio' bronze r series. Even better, warmer, then the polks. I was finally able to find a retailer near me in Atlanta.
BR2, BR LCR, BR w10 = $1150

The sales person at the A/V installation shop that priced the monitor audio stuff said if I went main stream, to get 'JBL' or 'Boston Acoutics' instead of Polk. He said with Polk you are paying more for the name.
JBL: balboa, arena 6-1/2", cntrl1extreme, sub12 = $505

so now I am throughly confused, lol
I know it's best to listen in person, but many of these aren't local to me.
I don't mind spending more if it's noticeably better. I tend to hold on to it a while.
Thanks for any experience with this.

Russ

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What is your actual budget, size of your room and do you watch more movies or listen to music (%).

I've ordered a denon avr-1707

I'm replacing a Yamaha receiver & Infinity sm152's I've had years & years.
This is mainly for music & tv as I'm not watching many surround dvd's yet, but would like to keep these speakers after I am.

My first thought was a 'polk' setup. I've heard they are 'warmer' than other brands and now that I'm older I like to listen at more moderate levels.
CSi5, RTi6, rm101, velodyne vx-10 = $905

Audioholics recommends an all 'AV123' x series system. $780

I read about 'monitor audio' bronze r series. Even better, warmer, then the polks. I was finally able to find a retailer near me in Atlanta.
BR2, BR LCR, BR w10 = $1150

The sales person at the A/V installation shop that priced the monitor audio stuff said if I went main stream, to get 'JBL' or 'Boston Acoutics' instead of Polk. He said with Polk you are paying more for the name.
JBL: balboa, arena 6-1/2", cntrl1extreme, sub12 = $505

so now I am throughly confused, lol
I know it's best to listen in person, but many of these aren't local to me.
I don't mind spending more if it's noticeably better. I tend to hold on to it a while.
Thanks for any experience with this.

Russ

 

[Adam]

Rustang351c, welcome to the forum!

Yeah, so many choices. It can get confusing...and frustrating. I can't speak much to the brands that you mentioned. The only one that I'm familiar with is Polk. They do have a warm sound, but I found that not to my taste after listening for a while, so I didn't buy that brand.

One company that I recommend is Aperion Audio, and I do it for four reasons: (1) they offer a 30-day no risk trial period, and they'll pay shipping both ways if you return them, (2) I've heard them and like them, and I've read good reviews from other customers, (3) they seem to be really well-built speakers, and (4) they are reasonably priced (a 5.1 system starts at $799 delivered). Audioholics just released a review of one of their systems today.

Good luck with your shopping!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That is one fine system.

Rustang351c, welcome to the forum!

Yeah, so many choices. It can get confusing...and frustrating. I can't speak much to the brands that you mentioned. The only one that I'm familiar with is Polk. They do have a warm sound, but I found that not to my taste after listening for a while, so I didn't buy that brand.

One company that I recommend is Aperion Audio, and I do it for four reasons: (1) they offer a 30-day no risk trial period, and they'll pay shipping both ways if you return them, (2) I've heard them and like them, and I've read good reviews from other customers, (3) they seem to be really well-built speakers, and (4) they are reasonably priced (a 5.1 system starts at $799 delivered). Audioholics just released a review of one of their systems today.

Good luck with your shopping!

 

[Rustang351c]

$1200 max
approx 20'x24' room
HD component cable box 45%, CD's/ipod 35%, xbox360 15%, DVD's 5%

I'll probably watch movies and tv boxed set series' more once more are in blueray/dts

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The 1200 is for speakers only?

$1200 max
approx 20'x24' room
HD component cable box 45%, CD's/ipod 35%, xbox360 15%, DVD's 5%

I'll probably watch movies and tv boxed set series' more once more are in blueray/dts

 

[Rustang351c]

yeah, and thats the max

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Do you have to have the sub included in this price. Assuming you have 12 ft ceilings the sub is going to be your biggest constraint.

yeah, and thats the max

 

[Rustang351c]

oops, left that dimension out. 9' ceiling

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That's a good size room so is the sub included in the 1200?

oops, left that dimension out. 9' ceiling

 

[j_garcia]

Not sure where you are getting this info about the speakers, but Polks are not warm and Monitor Audio Bronze are not warmer than them. The X-series speakers are a bit on the warm side and are excellent for the price. I have not heard the Aperions. That is a pretty large room, so take that into consideration with your main speakers as well as the sub.

 

[Rustang351c]

yes. include the sub. The room may be a little smaller than that, 18x22x9

oh, I thought warm just meant the opposite of harsh or brassy.
I want a full sounding, easy listening, accurate speaker as opposed to maximum volume.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is difficult to properly do a room that size with that budget. The compromise is going to have to go somewhere. Since a large part of your listening will be TV/movies I would recommend the 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers with PB12-NSD from SVS for $1149. The AV123 package system would also be in the same ballpark. I would say the Aperion set up may have an advantage with music but not with movies.

yes. include the sub. The room may be a little smaller than that, 18x22x9

oh, I thought warm just meant the opposite of harsh or brassy.
I want a full sounding, easy listening, accurate speaker as opposed to maximum volume.

 

[Soundman]

"yes. include the sub. The room may be a little smaller than that, 18x22x9"


Personally, I think it will be tough to fill that room with $1200. That's over 3500 cu ft. You may want to consider getting your main speakers first and then adding a sub later. I wouldn't skimp on the sub considering you have a fairly large space to fill, IMO.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is never a bad idea to slowly build a system with the proper gear and I would always go this route if possible. It is up to you; if you are looking for a pretty good system that will run you 1200 bucks and then be done with it, then you have a few suggestions. If you want a really nice system spend the 1200 on just the 2 main speakers and the AVR and build from there.

"yes. include the sub. The room may be a little smaller than that, 18x22x9"


Personally, I think it will be tough to fill that room with $1200. That's over 3500 cu ft. You may want to consider getting your main speakers first and then adding a sub later. I wouldn't skimp on the sub considering you have a fairly large space to fill, IMO.

 

[j_garcia]

I had a PB-10 in a room that was just a bit larger than that and it did fairly well; a 12" sub like the PB-12 would be a better choice but within your budget, the PB-10 is still going to impress most people.

I've heard the SVS package with the PB-10 in a 14x19x10 room and it did very well and even with just the SBS-01s for mains and surrounds, it had no problem filling that room. These speakers are on the warmer side.

You are correct in what warm refers to, and what I am saying is Polk and Monitor audio are not warm sounding speakers. I would consider them both a bit brighter, but not harsh.

 

[Rustang351c]

I thought my living room was pretty average. I can check back with exact measurements but I thought those were right.

Warmer speakers still have a full range of sound right? The SVS speakers are smaller but warmer?

The Aperion recommendation tool gives bookshelf fronts & backs with 6" drivers for music; 5" frts & bks + a center for movies. SVS drivers are even smaller. Is that a rule in general? Go with larger fronts and backs for music (and it's just as good for movies) but smaller speakers if it's mainly a movie system?

I kind of like the av123's just because they're larger. 6.5" drivers. av123 is a warmer fuller sound than polk/monitor audio? What sub & rear's would you use if you got 2 x-ls's & a x-cx? That would leave $850+/-

 

[rnatalli]

I want a full sounding, easy listening, accurate speaker as opposed to maximum volume.

Based on this statement, I'd say you should take a look at Ascend Acoustics. $1,200 will get you a good set. That said, try to audition as many as possible and let your ear decide.

 

[j_garcia]

For the SVS - I'd go 3 SCS-01s up front with SBS-01s out back. The SBS-01s have decent bass for their size, but a bit more output can be had with SCSs due to slightly higher sensitivity.

For X-series, the X-CS center and either X-LSs front and rear or 3 X-CSs up front and X-LSs rear. The X-LSs have good bass though they are fairly large for a bookshelf; X-CSs even larger.

The Ascends are also very good speakers. I consider them neutral, not too warm, not too bright and very accurate sounding.

With any of these setups, I'd look at a sub from either SVS or HSU Research.

 

[mazersteven]

Yeah, so many choices. It can get confusing...and frustrating. I can't speak much to the brands that you mentioned. The only one that I'm familiar with is Polk. They do have a warm sound, but I found that not to my taste after listening for a while, so I didn't buy that brand.

Polk Audio has a few different speaker series, so how can you make that claim?