Dad Wants In The HT Club. $1500 To Spend On Speakers. Need Help. (1 Viewer)

[Greg Haynes]

Need some help. Dad called and wants a speaker package with a budget of $1500 for 5 speakers and sub. I got him to buy a Denon 2803 receiver and I now need to find him speakers to mate with the Denon. He has a fairly large room at about 400 sq ft and will be using the speakers primarily for movies but would like to occasionally listen to classical music.
He's not a critical listener but would like the sound to feel present in the room and not straining. So I'm having a hard time trying to put together a nice system for him that I know he will enjoy.

Has anyone recently put together a system similiar in price? He's looking to buy this very soon even today if I can find him a great price. What's been popular and has had a general positive review.

Other related equipment he owns:
Mits 65413 (Nice TV he just bought)
Sony N700 DVD

 

[Roger Q]

SVS or Hsu should definitely be on your short list as far as subwoofers are concerned.

 

[Marty M]

I would recommend that you audition Paradigm speakers. The Performance or Monitor series would fit into his budget. For around $1,000 you should be able to get 4 Mini-Monitors and a CC-370 center channel. That would leave you with $500 for a decent sub.

Let us know what you decide. It's fun spending other people's money, isn't it. I have friends that have asked me for recommendations.

 

[John Garcia]

At that price point, I'd start with Axiom, but definitley check out the rest as well:

www.axiomaudio.com

www.paradigm.ca

www.av123.com

www.ascendacoustics.com

I'm putting together a Paradigm Monitor series system for a friend, and we just hit $1800 for a 7.1 system (not including sub), so a 5.1 system could be done for around $1500.

 

[MarcUR]

you get pick up a Klipsch or PSB setup for $1500. For Klipsch check out the RF 15s, RB-15s, RC-25 and a RW-10. For PSB, check out the 4Ts, 8C, 1Bs and Subsonic 5i. I found two authorized online dealers who can do those packages for under $1500. E-mail me at [email protected] if interested.

 

[Jason.Soko]

Well considering it is always the same four recommendations around here I might as well chime in and make a bid for the PSB line.

 

[BobAlbano]

I would check out the offerings from Ascend as well as AV123 in this price range. They both will outperform anything that you will find in a B&M store at anything near their price point. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Bill Polley]

I own SVS and Axioms and I would not trade them, but if I had a budget of $1500 my first choice would be these and this . Fantastic sound priced right at your budget point.

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

4 Swan Diva 2.1s and a C3 combined with an Adire Rava would be tough to beat for $1500. You'd have to go with the black cherry finish, but they should come off the price a little if you buy all 5 speakers at once, atleast enough to cover shipping. The HSU STF-2 would also be another good sub choice, but I don't think it can hang with the Rava.

Check out the Swan's from www.theaudioinsider.com and the Rava from www.adireaudio.com

 

[John Robert]

If Dad wants to go the Brick and Mortar route, you can get Athena AS-F2's with center, sub and surrounds for $1400.

I have also heard the PSB Image system mentioned earlier and it is very nice...

 

[Shane Martin]

Energy makes some very nice speakers for that price but I wouldn't buy their subwoofer. I'd go with an HSU, Adire or SVS offering.

 

[Bill Polley]

I take my last post back! Axiom has their M22tis back at their outlet store. You can pick up 5 of them for $900 shipped. See them here and combine them with an SVS 25-31PCI for $549 + shipping. Right at your budget point and definitely an astonishing speaker setup.

Actually, if you buy 5 and ask Amie nicely, she will probably give you another 5% system discount (she did for me!) getting you down to $855 shipped for the Axioms.

 

[CurtisSC]

I like Bill's suggestions.

Another scenario:

For Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's and CMT-340c center channel. That comes to $882 shipped. Then at a Hsu Research STF-3 for $599.

A lot of good scenarios out there. Take your Dad out to listen to stuff at your local shops.

Latest review of the CBM-170:
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/ascend_cbm170.htm