Help building a 5.1 Home theater (1 Viewer)

[HA3AP]

Looking to build a home theater.
Already bought a projector - Benq W1100
Budget for the speakers + receiver is $1,000 - $1,500 Looking to get the best bang for the buck.
Here's what I came up with so far:
Reciever: Yamaha RX-A710 - $500
Speakers: http://www.2001audiovideo.com/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=5504 - 550$
Total is 1050$ + 13% tax = $1187
How good is this setup? Is there anything better I can get for the money.

 

[Robert_J]

Welcome Nazar. I ask that you update your location with at least Canada. The 13% tax and the store locator tab on your link were two clues to your location.
Based on your location, some things are more plentiful than here in the US. Paradigm Speakers for one. I also suggest that you use the top end of your budget so you get the best performance.
Finally, how large is your room? Goals?

 

[Al.Anderson]

I really like the Yamaha 710. I purchased a 671 about a month ago and have been very impressed. I would have gone with the 710 but no one had it in stock (and I was impatient). I will say that the primary reason for going with the 710 is the networking features. If you're not planning on using networking you can easily drop down to the 471 (5.1) or 571 (7.1) and put the money toward better speakers.
I've never heard them, but PSB has a good name among audio hobbyists. They are expensive though, and you are looking at a lower end model with a sub. I'd split the purchase into speakers and a sub. For the sub I recommend Hsu (from personal experience) or SVS (based on repeated recommendations on the forum). For speakers, it's always best to listen to them. There's no such thing as a "best" speaker, just one that sounds best to you. Two good Canadian companies that produce nice neutral speakers are Paradigms and Axiom. I have Axioms (M22s and M3s on different systems) and highly recommend them). I'd go M22, VP100, QS4.
As an aside, I agree with Robert that moving to the $1500 range will put you in much better category with the speakers. Since speakers last a *long* time, and the technology changes extremely slowly, it's a worthwhile expenditure. Receivers on the other hand become obsolete very quickly, so only purchase what you think you'll need in the near future. A general guideline would be to split your funds about 70/30 for speakers/receiver.

 

[Steve Tannehill]

Nazar, welcome to HTF! It looks like we are well underway to answering your questions. Do you have a blu-ray player yet? I was just wondering if that needed to be part of your budget.

 

[HA3AP]

Thanks for the replies, I'd appreciate if someone can choose the best system for the budget. (IE: List the links to different parts)
Im Located in Canada, Toronto.
The build will mostly be used for movies and music. I don't have the dimensions of the room but its relatively big (Its in the basement)
Ive been doing my research for the speakers here are some packages that I found, so Id like to know if it will be best bang for the budget.
This set is on the top of my budget: http://www.energy-speakers.com/home-theater-systems/?sku=CB-10-5.1
Although this would be ideal: http://www.energy-speakers.com/home-theater-systems/?sku=1009856
I still think that going with yamaha 710 is a safe bet.
I do have an HTPC for blu-ray playback, also have a projector the Benq W1100
therefore the 1000-1500$ Is a budget for 5.1 speakers + Reciever.
Thanks again, let me know if this setup works or if there is a better setup that will fit the budget.

 

[HA3AP]

Maybe these: http://axiomaudio.com/epicmidi125.html#

 

[Al.Anderson]

You seem to go for the package deals. More often than not you can do better by purchasing the sub separately.
I really like Axiom, I really do. But, (1) I think their subs are too expensive, and (2) I wouldn't recommend an M2 for a main.
I recommend:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html ($500)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/vp100.html ($275)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4.html ($460)
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html ($350)
(You didn't say how big your room is, so I went with the STF-2. If it's a small room you can get away with the STF-1.)
~ $1500. But I think they'll give you a discount if you buy the 5 speakers from them.

 

[HA3AP]

Thanks for the replies: The last setup looks awesome but is a bit on the far side of my budget. Ive got the room size measured up so maybe this will help in selecting the best solution.
Room dimentions:
Length = 375 inch
width = 151 inch
Height = 90 inches
Distance from screen to seating area = 167 inches.
Hope this helps, and thanks a lot for the help really appreciate it!

 

[HA3AP]

You seem to go for the package deals. More often than not you can do better by purchasing the sub separately.
I really like Axiom, I really do. But, (1) I think their subs are too expensive, and (2) I wouldn't recommend an M2 for a main.
I recommend:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html ($500)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/vp100.html ($275)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4.html ($460)
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html ($350)
(You didn't say how big your room is, so I went with the STF-2. If it's a small room you can get away with the STF-1.)
~ $1500. But I think they'll give you a discount if you buy the 5 speakers from them.

How would your suggested setup compare to this one:
Polk Audio Monitor II CS2 (Center) - $119
Polk Audio Monitor II 70 (L & R) - $300
Polk Audio Monitor II 30 (Surrounds) - $79
BIC F12 Sub - $180
I understand that its a lot cheaper, thats why Im asking.

 

[HA3AP]

Also how would this compare:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544231343/jamo-s606hcs3?v_c=Nextag&gdftrk=gdfV22976_a_7c2123_a_7c6582_a_7c544231343
This is extremely cheap ~ 400$ for a 5.0

 

[Al.Anderson]

To honest, I just don't have a warm feeling about Polks. I think I heard them a few times and found them lifeless. But that was just a few times, and it was 5-6 years back at this point, so my opinion is really unjustified at this point - but it sticks with me. Jamo had a good rep and then suddenly fell off the enthusist recommended list. I don't know why, maybe it was shifting fad, maybe they changed their manufacturing (if I remember correctly, all of a sudden about a year back they were always available at a discount).
Bit both Polk and Jamo have been around and are reputable. The main thing is to make sure the seller has a decent return policy in case you don't like how they sound. Vann's has the standard 30 day policy, so that's good.
BIC has received a fair amount of positive reviews as a good reasonably priced sub, so I wouldn't hesitate to go that route.

 

[John Garcia]

Looking at that Jamo setup, I'd probably just go with that because it IS a good deal. The Polks below the RTiA line aren't worth it even at discounted pricing IMO, and the ones listed won't stack up well compared to those Axioms.

 

[HA3AP]

How would this setup work:
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RF-42II-Theater-Bundle-FREE-Acoustech/dp/B005F6OFTQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=aht&srs=2529739011&ie=UTF8&qid=1334280419&sr=1-5
Im also considering the Paradigm monitor atom let me know what you guys think...

 

[Al.Anderson]

Klipsch are decent speaker, but they use a horn tweeter. Some people like them, some don't. (When they don't it's usually described as being too "harsh".) So once again, listen first if possible; and if you can't, make sure they have a reasonable return policy.