5.1 system on a $1,000 budget (1 Viewer)

[Arcadiy Kantor]

I'm looking for a new set of speakers to replace some woeful 1995-vintage Onkyos. For a budget of $1,000, I'm looking to get a complete 5.1 system (receiver excluded).

First off, some preliminary info:
- The speakers will be driven by a Pioneer 1014TX receiver.
- The use of the speakers will be roughly 75% home theater/25% music.
- The room these will go into is diagrammed at elepsis[.]org/temp/htRoom.png
- For a variety of reasons, the front speakers must be floor-standing.

The systems I've found so far that seem to meet the requirements are a JBL package from B&H Photo and Video (2xE90, EC35 center, E250P sub, 2xE10 surrounds) and Athena speakers from Audio Advisor (2xAS-F2, C1 center, 2xB2 surrounds and ~$250 left for a sub).

I have three questions:
(1) What other speakers should I consider?
(2) Which, between the JBL and the Athena, would you recommend?
(3) How would you spend $1,000 on speakers?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[EricCrane]

I was just looking at that jbl package. Seems like a good deal. But I would implore you to listen to as many speakers as you can.

Answers:
(1) Athena, Klipsch, Ascend, axiom, Energy, Polk, BIC
(2) I would recommend the JBL because that is what sounded better to me. You should buy whatever sounds better to you

(3) If I have to get everything at once I would go with the jbl package.

You might also want to go with the gradual upgrade path.

 

[MikeLi]

Gradual upgrade path would be best and you would not have to upgrade things every few years and be out what you have already spent. Been there done that and have thrown money away hand over foot. For speakers get the best you can say for the front three and add things as money permits. Dont buy a small sub just to have a sub. Wait until you have say $600-$1000 for one and do it once and be done with it. I wish someone could have coached me this way in the beginning as like I said I wasted a lot of money to finally get a system that is great for me now.

I have an SVS PB12+ Ultra, took the place actually of dual subs from a brick and mortor store and were main streamed named subs with lots of power but no compairison to the SVS... Not even close and I paid twice for them what I did the SVS.

I also now have Onix Rocket =(av123.com) speakers all around for the HT room and again they are great. But what is most important for you is what sounds good to you. I am not pluggin my wares as everyone needs to listen for themselves. Try the usual on line speaker places.. Best bang for the buck like AV123, Ascend, Axiom and post on their forums for someone close to you to audition. You will not be dissapointed and will probably save a fortune.
This is just my opionion as I know the B/M stores have great speakers as well. We just don't have very many around here that carry much besides Paradigm and NHT...
Good Luck

 

[SethH]

Also add the B&W 600 series to your list of things to listen to.

 

[Arcadiy Kantor]

Thanks for all the responses! I'll definitely have to try and listen to all the brands mentioned here. I've been doing more research, and am now inclined to think more about some downgrades in the speakers in exchange for springing for the SVS PB10-ISD. What do you think about this option? And in general, given $1000, how would you spend it?

 

[KenLeBlanc]

Go to the casino, walk to the roulette table and put all your money on Black. Imagine what you could get with $2000 ?

 

[Alex Prosak]

If you're willing to go internet direct, AV123 is running a couple of sales right now. You could either get the ELT system for $799 (normally $1199), all you need for 5.1 and a fantastic little system. I installed one in the conference room at my previous job. They also have the RSC 100II center and RS 150's on sale, you could pick up the center and 2 pairs of 150's for $600, leaving you with $400 for the sub. Add in their ULW-10, a Hsu or Ascend and you'll be good to go.

 

[John Garcia]

If you take a look at www.ascendacoustics.com and go to the system advisor, you can put together a nice little package for just a hair above your price. 5 CBM-170s will run you ~$750, add sub to taste/price and you are all set.

They offer HSU subs, but at the $450 price point, the SVS PB-10 is tough to beat.


Can you also imagine what $0 will buy you?

 

[KenLeBlanc]

I didn't think I needed the sarcastic smilie after my post.

 

[Gordon Moore]

A)
Flaunce
http://www.fluance.com/fluan5speaks.html $259.99 with 750 towards a really nice SVS http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb12_isd_v.htm

Good bang for the buck that will allow you a full set and net you a good return on sale.

Or seperate with a little more bang and still money to burn to buy a better sub...
http://www.fluance.com/fluanhigthre.html 300 /pr
and
http://www.fluance.com/fluanbipsurs.html 100/pr
and
http://www.fluance.com/fluancemv670c.html 70 x 2

and leaves around $400 towards a sub and you get 6.1 to boot!
http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb10_isd.htm


Or
AV123 solution as suggested

look into Axiom Audio

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m3ti_main.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4_main.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/vp150_main.html

Course that would leave no budget for a sub right now...might be a little of beyond budget.

These are just ideas anyways... Something else to think about.

B) Hard to say until you fire them up at home...both are good.

c) Answered in A...I'd look around and price out several options.