John_Klimek

Speaker recommendations for around $600? (need all five speakers)

I'd like to get a receiver and speakers (front, rear, and center only, no subwoofer) for around $1000. After doing some research it looks like the Pioneer 1015 for $400 is a really good deal so thats probably the receiver I'm going to get... (please feel free to comment further on the receiver!)

So after buying the receiver I need to buy speakers. For now I only want the main five speakers (front, rear, and center) and no subwoofer. I'm hoping I can get a good setup with those five speakers for $600.

The sound system will rarely be used for music and will most often be used for movies and video games (eg. X-BOX Dolby Digital 5.1). We will also be watching a good amount of standard definition TV.

Anybody have any recommendations for me?

KenLeBlanc

You might be able to find some Athena's on Clearance as the new line is coming out. You could possibly get the AS-F2's for mains, C1 for center and B1's, B2's or R1's for rears.

Mark Dill

Since you are mainly using this for HT and video games, bass is going to be important for you. So this is going to be tough, staying under $600, and getting good quality speakers with a lot of bass. Start with Swan 2.1's for the mains, for $300. They are probably the best speaker you are going to find for under $500/pair. Then if you really need to stay under $600, you'll need to go cheap for your surrounds and center. Personally, I prefer running without a center channel. (especially compared to a cheap one - your mains are good, so use those) Your system will sound fine without a center, especially if you don't have a huge room. So pick up some cheap surrounds (JBL E10?) for about $100. Then get a Dayton sub for $130. Add cables and you will be just under $600. Or if you can spend $750, get 2 pairs of Swan 2.1's and the Dayton sub. This would be ideal for you, IMO.

VinhT

A nice retail option is the Infinity Primus line available at Circuit City. Two pairs of 150's and a C25 comes to $540. Leaves a bit of change leftover for tax or speaker stands if you need them.

Vinh Tran

Don Scott

You could go with this JBL Northridge setup from Etronics.com. They have 30% of their remaining JBLs. Note this setup is in BEECH colour only:

2 pairs of E30's ($297.76)
1 EC25 ($119)

That's a total of $416.78 before shipping. The E30's extend to 50hz so you will get some decent bass since you will not be using a sub.
Here's a link to the site, good luck!
http://www.etronics.com/mysearchcat....id=4152&store=

Leigh_M

I think the Athena option listed above would be a great choice. I've seen the F2's for $399 shipped.

I also think a sub would make a big difference. I would considering picking up the Onkyo 602 refurbished for $250 and use the money saved to put toward the dayton sub.

Stephen Hopkins

BillyHC

I currently own a pair of Athena F2's (400) and the Point 5's (200) for a total of 7 speakers at exactly $600. The point5's come with 4 bookshelves and one center, so you can easily just go with that and a AS-400 for sub and stay under $600 with a 5.1 set up.

works great with my yamaha receiver and pb12-ultra for a sub to get a 7.1 set up

Three flanged ports for delving infrasonic cries, Seven phase settings to quake the halls of stone,
Nine gain settings to aggressively pressurize, One twelve inch driver in its dark prism home.
In a black textured box where the deep bass lie.

One Sub to rumble them all. One Sub to shake them.
One Sub to humble them all, and in the darkness break them.
In a black textured box where the deep bass lie.

John_Klimek

Thanks for all of the recommendations!

It seems like most people are recommending the Paradigm Atoms (or perhaps Titans). The problem is that a lot of people are also recommending several other brands (Onix Rockets, JBL, Athena, Swan 2.1s).

Do any retail stores (eg. Circuit City or Best Buy) carry any of these brands? I know Best Buy sells Athena, but they are only available online (at least in my area). I'd say I'm mostly interested in hearing Paradigm Atoms/Titans, Swan 2.1s, and Rocket RS150s...

Stephen Hopkins