What 5.1 Speakers/Sub for < $500?

[Viking Cue]

Hello Audioholics!

I am needing 5.1 speakers/sub for < $500. The speakers will be shelf mounted about a foot from the front and back walls. I want these to be able to play loud and fill my 17' x 24' room. The sub doesn't have to rattle the roof, but I do want the speakers to play good and loud. I assume buying used would get me more performance for the money. So what speakers/sub should I be looking at for < $500? Are there any bargains out there? My receiver is a 70wpc Denon AVR1801.

Viking Cue

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=cinemate_surround_index

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=am6_surround_index

 

[jimfitz]

You're not going to get much for $500. I would see what you can find on Ebay.

 

[avaserfi]

I haven't heard it but for the money you are looking to spend I would check out the HTiB reviews on audioholics.com. One that got a great reivew was this one:http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/htib/samsung-ht-tq85-home-theater-in-a-box-review

it seems to be found in your pricerange.

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

 

[mazersteven]

Forget the sub for now

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

 

[avaserfi]

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

Isn't that setup rated for rooms smaller than the one that the OP posted by almost half? This is taking a guess and saying the room only has 8 foot ceilings. I am not sure since I haven't heard the speakers before. I just wanted to make sure .

Forget the sub for now

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

I do like the idea of slowly upgrading, but if that is the case I would say get the fronts with the initial investment and then get surrounds etc...if the OP is up to it.

 

[Davemcc]

I have the Hsu and also had the Samsung. I don't really recommend either. I gave the Samsung away and I'm only using the center and 2 surrounds from the Hsu in a small bedroom with Athena mains.

This is the system AH most highly recommended, but the link to the AH review is gone.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6376628&type=product&id=1077624907950

 

[zumbo]

$109.88 a pair with free shipping. On the same page, a pair with the center for $211.88 with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-DV62si-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00006JPDI/ref=sr_1_1/105-2512040-5351637?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1188083655&sr=1-1

$176.87 for the sub with free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-V1020-Down-Firing-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B0000Y2WY8/ref=sr_1_26/105-2512040-5351637?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1188084081&sr=1-26

$498.63 total shipped! All items are sold by Amazon. They have an excellent return policy.

Athena system mentioned by Davemcc for a better price. The BIC system is far better. (IMO)
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATMICRA6

 

[jinjuku]

17X24 room, you want it loud, and your trying to keep it under $500?

I don't know what your idea of loud is, but I don't know how you are going to do it given your budget. As the other poster noted the BIC DV62si and 62-CLRS would be a start. I wouldn't get the BIC sub, I would get the Parts Express Sub 120. It's currently $148 shipped for a 12" sub with 120watt amp.

I think the iron triangle of business is at play here: you can have it: Done Right/Done Quick/Done Cheap. Pick two.

 

[zumbo]

Sweet! Now there is a little left for speaker wire. Or, a twelve pack. A twelve pack will make any system sound better.

 

[Viking Cue]

Wow, thanks for all the help. The B.I.C. speakers and the Parts Express sub seem like the best < $500 choice for new speakers. I guess by loud I mean the louder the better so long as they still sound good. Now if only I could find used B.I.C. speakers for even less, I could get an even bigger sub and rattle the roof.

 

[zumbo]

Refurbished:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00006JPDI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_olp_1/105-2512040-5351637?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1188090942&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00009WBYL/ref=dp_olp_2/105-2512040-5351637?ie=UTF8&qid=1188090942&sr=1-3

Probably cost more after shipping charges, and you would be giving up that great Amazon return policy.

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers/flat-panel-speakers/middy-compact-speaker

 

[dpz]

You could also try some combination of these radiient speakers and a sub, or the first set and no sub to start:



radiient.com/Products/Loudspeakers

 

[Seth=L]

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=cinemate_surround_index

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=am6_surround_index

LOL, WUT?

Bose.

 

[Seth=L]

The BIC Venturi/parts express subwoofer combo is the best so far on this thread, IMO.

 

[mazersteven]

The BIC Venturi/parts express subwoofer combo is the best so far on this thread, IMO.

I'm hearing this system can be had for just over $500.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/cerwin-vega-cvhd

 

[abefroeman]

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=cinemate_surround_index

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=am6_surround_index

ROFL........

 

[abboudc]

How about:

3 pairs of these ($99/pair used):
Advent Heritage 400 Speakers

A sub ($190):
Athena 4100 Sub

And you got yourself a decent 6.1 system if you don't mind using a tower as a center. This is of course if you can deal with the towers...just noticed you wanted to mount them.

At this price though, you'd be much better off starting with a 2.1 system and adding to it later. Something like a pair of Onix X-LS with a Hsu STF1 would be a start, and you could add another pair of X-LS and X-CS later to round it out.