Stereo Speakers for Zone 2 or A/B Setup with no Subwoofer option (1 Viewer)

[warren50]

I have a Pioneer VSX-1019AH receiver for my home theater setup. My setup is unique in that my TV sits on one wall and my projector displays on another wall 90 degrees from the TV wall. I use the A/B speaker option on my receiver and run the "A" speakers with surround and my sub for watching movies on the projector primarily. This allows me to switch to the B speakers for stereo for TV. The problem is that I don't get the option of having a sub on the "B" speakers. Right now I have 2 crappy speakers that came with an old all in one surround setup and get practically no low end at all. I need some advice choosing speakers that will give me a nice wide range of sound from lows to highs for a fuller sound on my "B" setup. I need to stay under $300 bucks for the pair.
I'm considering these options, but any advice would help.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Polk+Audio+-+5-1/4%22+Bookshelf+Speakers+(Pair)+-+Black/8825444.p?id=1207352527254&skuId=8825444#tab=specifications
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch+-+Icon+5-1/4%22+2-Way+Bookshelf+Speakers+(Pair)/2138167.p?id=1218310759891&skuId=2138167
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Bose%26%23174%3B+-+301%26%23174%3B+Series+V+Direct/Reflecting%26%23174%3B+Speaker+System+-+Black/4746449.p?id=1051806235077&skuId=4746449
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Bose%26%23174%3B+-+201%26%23174%3B+Series+V+Direct/Reflecting%26%23174%3B+Speaker+System+-+Black/4746225.p?id=1051806234629&skuId=4746225
Thanks

 

[schan1269]

Anything but Blose(spelled that way on purpose).
You could add in a crossover and create your own 2.1...But you would no longer be able to power Zone 2 from the AVR...

 

[Jim Mcc]

How strange. Do you have to move/turn your seating every time you switch from TV watching to projector watching, and vice versa?
Sam, isn't there a way to use a switch of some sort to make it work? In other words, to switch between TV and projector?

 

[gene c]

You could get a powered subwoofer and use the high level (speaker wire) inputs which would allow you to use the subwoofer internal crossover.
http://www.parts-express.com/images/products/hires/300-628_hii.jpg
You have to assemble these yourself (they also come assembled at a higher price) but they will out-perform anything you would get at BB for twice the price.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-640
You could also get a pair of tower speakers with side-firing woofers or powered side-firing woofers. I have a pair of Infinity IL50's circa 2005 with 250 watt amps and a 10" woofer. Not as good as a "real" subwoofer but not bad either. Mine were $225 on CL.
http://houston.craigslist.org/ele/3506915336.html

 

[schan1269]

^^^
I always forget that subwoofers exist with speaker terminals...(been doing HT so long with .1, you tend to forget)...
@ Jim...
That depends on his room/budget etc. He "could" get a whole bunch of 2-way speaker switches and double up on his surround sound...
Imagine that...TV is "speaker A" and projector is "speaker B" times...how ever many speakers he's got.
I am curious...why two walls? Why not have the projection screen come down in front of the TV, the way 99.9999999999999999999% of everyone else would have done it?

 

[schan1269]

By the way, I've designed home theaters that were shared between two rooms(typically a patio off the room).
Then when "the other" one was put into use the speaker switches would switch(real fun when both were on at the same time). That would work in this room...but....

 

[Jim Mcc]

I'm still waiting to hear what he does with his seating.

 

[gene c]

I'm still waiting to hear what he does with his seating.

Sherlock Gene says "swivel rocker". I have one. It allows me to look out the side window during commercials (and the gory scenes on CSI, Bones, etc.) .

 

[schan1269]

Sherlock Gene says "swivel rocker". I have one. It allows me to look out the side window during commercials (and the gory scenes on CSI, Bones, etc.) .

Wuss...
Edit:
Speaking of Sherlock Gene...I have a great joke involving Irene...

 

[warren50]

How strange. Do you have to move/turn your seating every time you switch from TV watching to projector watching, and vice versa?
Sam, isn't there a way to use a switch of some sort to make it work? In other words, to switch between TV and projector?

My living room is an odd shape, with half walls that open into other rooms. Anyway the setup is out necessity. I would much rather not have to do it this way. My couch faces the TV and then I have 2 chairs that face the projector screen. It actually works out pretty well. The 5.1 faces the 2 chairs and the stereo speakers face the couch.
The receiver is the switch, A/B. The problem is the switch I would need would have to physically rotate the speakers to the other seating position .

 

[warren50]

You could get a powered subwoofer and use the high level (speaker wire) inputs which would allow you to use the subwoofer internal crossover.
http://www.parts-express.com/images/products/hires/300-628_hii.jpg
You have to assemble these yourself (they also come assembled at a higher price) but they will out-perform anything you would get at BB for twice the price.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-640
You could also get a pair of tower speakers with side-firing woofers or powered side-firing woofers. I have a pair of Infinity IL50's circa 2005 with 250 watt amps and a 10" woofer. Not as good as a "real" subwoofer but not bad either. Mine were $225 on CL.
http://houston.craigslist.org/ele/3506915336.html

I think this is exactly the answer I needed! I just bought a powered subwoofer yesterday. I'm using the RCA line in inputs for the surround speakers for my projector so that leaves the high level inputs free for the stereo speakers on the TV. I'm going to wire this up tomorrow. Thanks!
That Dayton build it yourself kit looks nice too. I'm not sure I can handle the soldering for the crossover though.

 

[warren50]

Anything but Blose(spelled that way on purpose).
You could add in a crossover and create your own 2.1...But you would no longer be able to power Zone 2 from the AVR...

I still need a decent, smaller set of bookshelf speakers though. I'll take your advice and stay away from Bose. I've read that Polk can be a good value, you get more than you would expect for the price. What do you think?
Once again thanks for the info on the powered sub. If that works you really saved the day.

 

[schan1269]

If you want a pair of speakers your grandkids will be giving to their grandkids someday...
http://www.zuaudio.com/#omen-bookshelf-loudspeaker.php
Copy/paste from the owners manual...
"Life expectancy 100 years; cabinet, and drivers, including the Zu 10.3” [260mm] drivers; even in direct sunlight "

 

[gene c]

I think this is exactly the answer I needed! I just bought a powered subwoofer yesterday. I'm using the RCA line in inputs for the surround speakers for my projector so that leaves the high level inputs free for the stereo speakers on the TV. I'm going to wire this up tomorrow. Thanks!
That Dayton build it yourself kit looks nice too. I'm not sure I can handle the soldering for the crossover though.

Hooking up both high level and low level inputs at the same time sounds very risky to me. Not sure I would advise doing that. Definently do some research before proceeding.