2.1 - 3.1 for ~ $800 help (1 Viewer)

[tiekwando]

Hi Everyone,
I have a thread over on the beginners forum, but since my question is a little more specific i wanted to see what people would say. Big picture I have about $1000 to spend on a receiver, speaker and subs. I will use it 90% with a tv and 10% music. the viewing area is small, but there is no wall between the living room and the kitchen with the total area being less than 2700 cubic ft. Oh and I don't have room for tower speakers just fyi.
After hearing everyone on the other thread I am thinking of starting with a 2.1 or 3.1 system and getting a receiver from accessories4less for around $200. Which brings me to my questions. First I guess is the sub, after reading reviews I think I have found 4 subs that could work,
1) HSU VF2 MK4 ~ 550 - the most expensive by far, but has the lowest hz and seems to get amazing reviews
2) Lava LSP12 ~ 340 - again seems to get pretty good reviews for its price
3) BIC PL-200 ~ 340 (or VK-12 is there a difference between these 2?) same as Lava, but different
4) BIC America F12 ~ 200 - the cheapest by far, consistently recommended, but also the lowest RMS and highest HZ
Then that leaves me with speakers and a budget of anywhere from 250 to 600 for 2 or 3 speakers (its not a hard cap, but a preferred cap if that make sense)-
On the lower budget end the BIC DV series looked good, so a pair of 62si and a 62clrs or possibly a 5.0 energy take classic system which both would be around $250
Mid budget my friend really likes emotiva, but they are all 4 ohm speakers, i figure if i am only running a 2.1 system most receivers may be able to handle 2 of them (assuming volume is left relatively fine). They are on sale currently so I can get a pair of bookshelf speakers for 350 or two LCRs for 400-550
Upperish budget (so 600 for 2-3 speakers) I have absolutely no idea! Anyways thanks in advance for all of your help you all have been extremely helpful so far!

 

[Robert_J]

they are all 4 ohm speakers, i figure if i am only running a 2.1 system most receivers may be able to handle 2 of them

Only if the receiver is designed to drive a 4 ohm load. Or in the case if my Pioneer VSX-1014, it was thoroughly tested by people and shown to be stable into a 4 ohm load even though published specs said it would not.

BIC America F12 ~ 200 - the cheapest by far, consistently recommended, but also the lowest RMS and highest HZ

Ignore the wattage. At the $200 price point, one of the best subs you can buy.

HSU VF2 MK4 ~ 550 - the most expensive by far, but has the lowest hz and seems to get amazing reviews

Dr. Hsu can design a sub. Also, don't forget the Epik Legend at $499 - http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html . But I would recommend spending less on the sub and more on the speakers.

On the lower budget end the BIC DV series looked good, so a pair of 62si and a 62clrs or possibly a 5.0 energy take classic system which both would be around $250

Sam really likes the BIC speakers. I'd love to hear them. If I wasn't finishing up my DIY speakers, I'd give these a shot.

 

[schan1269]

I like the BIC DV62 because of the "everyday pricetag"...
$110.
The Jamo lighting deal today for $99 was a better deal...(I didn't partake, cause I don't like speakers that small)
The BIC DV62 is, essentially, the same speaker as the V62.
The BIC V62 goes all the way back to the 80s. With a "continuous lineup" for 30+ years, there must be something right with it. And yes, I'm biased cause I have the V830 and V820.
And "about speakers that small"...
I'm the proud owner of Synergistic S72(each the size of a kitchen refrigerator), Dahlquist DQ10(talk about speakers that take over a room) and DCM TF600(another speaker that needs room to work).
However, I do have a pair of Polk Mini-Monitor(4" woofers) that run off a Panasonic SA-EN17...connected to a computer...
Also have a pair of Polk S8(bigger than either the Jamo S602 or the BIC DV62) that are my "next smallest".
In some set-ups I do have "small speakers" for height or width...mainly from where I had to put them.

 

[tiekwando]

Hmm, well I have been looking around and think I may start with a BIC system
so pair of 62si and a 62clrs along with a BIC F12 sub. $415 shipped from amazon and if I decide I don't like the sound (for some reason or another) then I can return them through amazon (i have always had a good response returning things to them). Plus then I can tell if I need/want more bass, better mids etc. etc or if I am happy with what I have got.
Now I just need to get a receiver, probably going to post this on the receiver sub-forum, but seeing as I don't have any non-HDMI connections, no iphone/pad for airplay and there are two spots were I would like to be able to listen to the TV a Denon 1612 for $200 shipped from accessories4less seems like a decent buy.
Thanks for your help.
*edit - seems i cant start a new topic yet, or something similar to that, so any comments here would be great.

 

[Robert_J]

Make sure your receiver has an auto calibration system. Pioneer has the MCACC. Other manufacturers use different names.
Ping a moderator and they will give you the ability to start new threads. Rarely does a new member take the time to start threads in the appropriate sub forums.