Best front/center/surround for $500? (1 Viewer)

[Madmax18]

Indulge me. Please.

 

[Madmax18]

A fair amount of views, but no help. Hmm. How about this? If I have $1000 to spend on my entire 5.1 speaker setup (sub included), how would you recommend I spend it. Seriously, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Robert_J]

There is no best answer. That's why you aren't getting any replies. That's like someone asking "I have up to $100,000 to spend on a vehicle. What should I get?" There are thousands of answers.

To narrow things down, what speakers have you already auditioned? How large is your room? How much power do you have available?

-Robert

 

[Madmax18]

Totally agree and understand the subjective nature of the issue. I guess I'm just looking for opinions more than anything as I'm not a seasoned audiophile. My room will be roughly 20 ft. wide by 15 ft. deep. My receiver which I'm also torn over will more than likely deliver in the neighborhood of 100 watts per channel. Unfortunately I've only "auditioned" lower end speakers as the big box stores. With a plan to spend 50% of my entire speaker budget on the sub alone makes me feel very limited as to the quality of front/center/surround that can be had for around $500. For that reason, I have yet to visit a specialty AV retailer.

Thoughts or advice?

 

[David Willow]

How about this for a starting place - SVSound - Complete Systems - $999 for everything.

 

[Martino]

The SVS recommendation above is a solid system, but you won’t be able to audition it before you by it (unless someone here has a system they will let you come over and check out…)

I’ll try to help you give us a better idea of what you are looking for…and you may get some more help…

One other choice you failed to mention what receiver you will be using – the receiver/speaker pairing makes a difference.

You mentioned auditioning some lower end speakers at a big box store, and were not impressed with them – it would help to know what you tried out and why you didn’t like them. That would give us an idea of what kind of sound you were looking for.

Do you want speakers with stands, or mounted on the walls, or in the walls?

What kind of video source are you going to be using? (The speakers do not need to be shielded if placed next to a screen from a projector for instance…)

How hard is the $1000.00 budget (needs to be $1000.00 delivered and setup or in the ball park?)

Is there a different budget for speaker stands, wall brackets and cables, or are these items included in the $1000.00?

 

[Martino]

I had a friend give me a $1000.00 budget - and he had to have floor standing speakers in his system.

I found 3 systems for him to look at - and I'll include them here to give you and idea. Each has some unique qualities and depends on personal taste. I also included the SVS system mentioned above in case he was not fixed on getting tower speakers for the fronts...

He ended up going with the HTD level two system with the Dark Cherry finish - and is very happy he did. Here is the e-mail he sent me after he got his system up and running:

"Just wanted to let you know that we went with the Denon AVR-1908 Receiver and the HTD Level Two Speakers. We are very pleased with the appearance; the dark cherry finish is very attractive and goes well with the furniture, and the system sound great."


Here is what I came up with for him...(No use letting good research go to waist)....




HTD Level Two System - HTD Level TWO Speakers

Level Two Tower Fronts - $399.00 pair
Bookshelf Rear speakers - $179.00 pair
Center Channel - $119.00
Level Two powered Sub - $299.00

System Cost: $996.00


Full towers, powered subs, - more defuse rear channels:
Home Speakers Direct

System Cost: $899.00


If you like ribbon tweeters instead - Cost - 799.00 entire system

Home Speakers Direct


You can check out the entire posts here - along with other suggestions in the $1000.00 range:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...rstanders.html

 

[Madmax18]

I guess I'm like the majority in that I prefer clean, smooth sound with deep, but tight bass. I know it's totally an apples to oranges comparison, but back in the day I was a big car audio enthusiast and absolutely loved the Boston Acoustics 6.1 ProAudio component set I had for my fronts. With clean amplification, the were exceptional in my book. Obviously sound is totally subjective, but perhaps that will give you an idea as to my personal tastes in terms of the type of sounds and quality of product I prefer. I guess I'm also one you you could classify as someone who leans a little in the direction of brighter speakers when it comes to the highs. That is, if my definition of "bright" is on par with the general industry definition. The highs in those Boston separated mentioned above we ear-piercing, but beautifully clear.

Here are some other particulars that may help narrow in on a set that will work nicely for my needs and wants.

1) My HT system will be used 99% for Video/TV and just 1% for music
2) Will more than likely be driven by the Onkyo TX-SR705
3) The Panasonic TH-50PZ800U plasma will be my display
4) Dimensions of my room (in basement) are roughly 20 wide by 15 deep
5) front/center will be used in bookshelf fashion but not with stands
6) Rears will be wall mounted