What system do I want?

[Rangerbob86]

I am looking to purchase a new home audio system. It will be used only to listen to an iPod/laptop, as well as possibly audio from the TV. Audio is my main priority, as I would rarely use the system for movies or anything like that... occasionally using it with music channels on tv would be nice if its a possibility. I think I am looking for 2 speakers, a subwoofer, and a receiver. I am trying to spend $500 or less but if I have to go over by a little than I will save a little longer, as I am trying to get something nice. I am looking for sound quality, as well as a system that is capable of getting loud without losing quality. Any starting points would be great! Thanks!

 

[Pyrrho]

At your price point, I would forget about a subwoofer, and just get a receiver or integrated amplifier and a pair of speakers. Otherwise, everything will be too cheap to be very good. If loud is what you want, look at speakers with horns, like Klipsch.

I recommend that you spend about $100 on the receiver and $400 on the speakers, as the speakers will impact the sound far more than the receiver. And if you are willing to spend more, spend the more on better speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay, this is the system you want:

1) Jamo A79 10" 450Watts Subwoofer (retail for $700), you pay $200 (free s/h)

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/549635206/jamo-a70-sub?s_c=site_search

2) NHT SuperZero 2.0 $99 ea x 2 = $198 (fre s/h)

http://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-0-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B0049FA1TM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305135788&sr=1-1

3) Pioneer VSX-520-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver for $178.54 (free s/h)

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-520-K-Home-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0039XQKXQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305135866&sr=1-5

Total = $576.54

So the total retail of this system is $1,150, and you pay $576.54

As Pyrrho indicated, speakers are the MOST IMPORTANT part of your home theater. These NHT SuperZero speakers are really accurate and they sound great.

Here is the Stereophile review of the NHT SuperZero:
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/804

 

[Pyrrho]

Okay, this is the system you want:

1) Jamo A79 10" 450Watts Subwoofer (retail for $700), you pay $200 (free s/h)

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/549635206/jamo-a70-sub?s_c=site_search

2) NHT SuperZero 2.0 $99 ea x 2 = $198 (fre s/h)

http://www.amazon.com/NHT-SuperZero-2-0-Monitor-Speaker/dp/B0049FA1TM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305135788&sr=1-1

3) Pioneer VSX-520-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver for $178.54 (free s/h)

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-520-K-Home-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0039XQKXQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305135866&sr=1-5

Total = $576.54

So the total retail of this system is $1,150, and you pay $576.54

As Pyrrho indicated, speakers are the MOST IMPORTANT part of your home theater. These NHT SuperZero speakers are really accurate and they sound great.

Here is the Stereophile review of the NHT SuperZero:
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/804

I don't think that will fit in with what Rangerbob86 claims to want:

... I am looking for sound quality, as well as a system that is capable of getting loud without losing quality. ...

If we look at the review to which you have provided a link:

The SuperZeros aren't perfect. Although they can play impressively loud for their size, they don't perform miracles—drive them hard and the sound becomes edgy and hard, as can only be expected from speakers tiny enough to juggle.​

http://www.stereophile.com/content/nht-superzero-loudspeaker-sw2-subwoofer-page-3


We can also infer much the same thing from the claimed specifications:

Sensitivity - 86dB

...

Power Handling: 75W​

http://www.nhthifi.com/Bookshelf-speaker-SuperZero-2-0

Those speakers are not going to play very loud, relative to many other speakers one could buy with the $500.

 

[bikemig]

I am looking to purchase a new home audio system. It will be used only to listen to an iPod/laptop, as well as possibly audio from the TV. Audio is my main priority, as I would rarely use the system for movies or anything like that... occasionally using it with music channels on tv would be nice if its a possibility. I think I am looking for 2 speakers, a subwoofer, and a receiver. I am trying to spend $500 or less but if I have to go over by a little than I will save a little longer, as I am trying to get something nice. I am looking for sound quality, as well as a system that is capable of getting loud without losing quality. Any starting points would be great! Thanks!

If want you want is to have great sounding music out of your laptop, the Audioengine A-5s are great powered speakers at $325. Add a dac to the chain (since your source is a computer) and you will be very pleased with the results. You could use the HRT musicstreamer II which costs $150; the total cost would be under $500. You can always add the sub later. I use the Audioengines with a Squeezebox Touch and the SQ is very, very good. I'd recommend the Touch over the musicstreamer but it would put you over your budget. Oh yeah, you said you wanted to be able to use them with your TV sometimes. The A-5s have two inputs so you can connect your TV via the headphone out to the A-5s and use the other input for your laptop/dac.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't think that will fit in with what Rangerbob86 claims to want:

The SuperZeros aren't perfect. Although they can play impressively loud for their size, they don't perform miracles—drive them hard and the sound becomes edgy and hard, as can only be expected from speakers tiny enough to juggle.​

Those speakers are not going to play very loud, relative to many other speakers one could buy with the $500.

I'm not basing my statement on some specs or what some reviewers said.

I've lived with the SuperZero + SW2P for 10 yrs and I know how loud they can play with good sound quality.

I guess the only variable I don't know is how LOUD he wants. My definition of loud is 90dBA. Unless his definition of loud is 100dBA, The SuperZero can play it.

Keeping the budget close to $500 for 2.1 speakers with both great accuracy and great dynamics + AV Receiver is tough.

 

[Rangerbob86]

Thanks for all the replies...I'm looking into all of the options that were suggested to me.

I understand that I'm not going to get top of the line gear on this budget, but I am just looking for a good balance of sound quality and price. Just to give an idea...I am currently running my laptop into a mixer, which is connected to 2 behringer b212a active PA speakers. The speakers are listed as having 400 watts, and being 125 dB @ 1 m. These are currently more than loud enough (I've never had them past 75% but usual listening is around 30-50%). I know these aren't the best speakers, but I think they sound pretty good for how inexpensive they were. So I'm really looking for something that sound as good/better than these, but can also get up to volumes that will shake the room when needed for parties.

I'm have to get rid of those speakers though which is why I need something else. I'd go with a similar setup but there were a number of things I really did not like about active speakers such as being very noisy during silence and random pops and crackles.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What do you recommend, Pyrrho?

The receiver is going to be close to $150, and the subwoofer is going to be around $200. That leaves you with no more than $200 for 2 speakers, and that's already stretching the $500 budget a little.

 

[bikemig]

Thanks for all the replies...I'm looking into all of the options that were suggested to me.

I understand that I'm not going to get top of the line gear on this budget, but I am just looking for a good balance of sound quality and price. Just to give an idea...I am currently running my laptop into a mixer, which is connected to 2 behringer b212a active PA speakers. The speakers are listed as having 400 watts, and being 125 dB @ 1 m. These are currently more than loud enough (I've never had them past 75% but usual listening is around 30-50%). I know these aren't the best speakers, but I think they sound pretty good for how inexpensive they were. So I'm really looking for something that sound as good/better than these, but can also get up to volumes that will shake the room when needed for parties.

I'm have to get rid of those speakers though which is why I need something else. I'd go with a similar setup but there were a number of things I really did not like about active speakers such as being very noisy during silence and random pops and crackles.

I don't think the probs you had are common to all powered speakers.
The Audioengine A-5s are not noisy when nothing is playing; they're dead quiet. I've never heard a pop or crackle with them either.

 

[SocyFisher]

Your price range is doable. But here is my advice, check out first how the system sounds at a local dealer or store before making a decision. You should make sure you can return the system in a reasonable time if it doesn't fit your listen needs or doesn't give you the best satisfaction once you try it out at home.

 

[puckhead]

How big is the room this system will be in? That will help in determining which speakers might or might not be loud enough.

Where in the room can you place your speakers (close to wall, how far out from wall, etc.), and if you get one, where could you put the subwoofer (corner, beside your listening seat, etc.)?

 

[GranteedEV]

I recommend a pair of these guys:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR2328P/

NO receiver necessesary, high SQ,and the 8" driver should give you plenty of output.