Need smallish speakers for next to Plasma screen (1 Viewer)

[David Benkert]

Hello,

I have just purchased a Plasma display (Panny 42") and am looking for some small speakers to put with it (wall mounted).

This will be used in a bedroom (approx 12 x 14) and most likely with an Onkyo SR600 receiver.

The plasma will probably stick out about 4" and I do not want the speakers much further than that.

I also don't have much room for a sub so I am not sure how that will effect things. I might be able to find a place for it.

I was looking at Cerwin Vega AV-635 (I think) and they sounded OK, but I wasn't sure if there were better choices for around the same price ($300 for 5.1).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
David

 

[David Benkert]

Now that I have looked around some more, how would the JBL NSP1 II work out do you think?

The center sticks out a bit further than desired, but I think I could put it above the plasma so I don't hit it when I walk by. The satellites should be fine I think.

Any thoughts?

 

[KeithR]

I am using NHT SuperZeros...they are discontinued, and I picked up five for 350 from OneCall. Great speaker for 70 bucks apiece...
btw, I own a Panny 42" as well

 

[EricHaas]

Yeah, JBL NSP1 is likely your best bet, given your price and size limitations. I considered recommending Paradigm Atoms, but a bit too much on the depth dimension. Also considered Energy Take 5.2, but still larger than the JBLs and pricier. You could do better sonically, but the JBLs fir your needs.

 

[RenoV]

Have you looked at the Acoustic Research Phantom Series speakers?

 

[David Benkert]

I just looked at the AR Phantoms on-line and they look very nice, but I am not sure about the price.

How do the 5.2 series sound w/o a subwoofer? I know I will need to listen to them myself, but I would like opinions too of possible.

Thanks for the ideas so far!

David

 

[Luke_Y]

David, have you considered quality in wall speakers?

 

[LowellG]

The JBL S-36's are supposed to have excellent sound quality. They are inexpensive 3-way speakers and are only 5" thick.

 

[Camp]

Pardon my comment if it offends (it's not my intention):
You can afford a large plasma in your bedroom and you're worried about the price of the AR Phantom speakers?
Don't get me wrong, I'm totally jealous but you've obviously got the fundage to do this right.

 

[David Benkert]

No offense taken Camp - I was actually thinking this myself after writing some of this stuff.
It was actually hard getting approval for the plasma so I didn't want to over do it
I am also concerned about size and I guess I was just wondering if there were really good smallish speakers for a very good price. Is that too much to ask
Overall, they will probably be used mostly for tv (Dish and HD) and some DVD. I would say 50/50 of each.

 

[David Benkert]

Luke_Y - I thought of them, but don't really want to mess up the walls that much.

I am assuming the wall needs to be cut somewhat for these, correct?

 

[David Benkert]

Does anyone have the S-36's? How do they sound w/o a subwoofer? What is a good center to go with them?

How do they compare with the Phantoms?

 

[Camp]

It was actually hard getting approval for the plasma so I didn't want to over do it

Gotcha.
Have you considered Gallo micro speakers? http://www.roundsound.com/home.htm
They're not flat but they are very small and sound pretty good for itty bitty sub/sats.

 

[Steve_Tk]

Bose??

 

[Ralph Summa]

Take a look at the Boston Acoustic Bravos. You can buy them individually for about $200 each and they can be mounted several ways. pretty good sound too.

Ralph

 

[James Bergeron]

STOP! B&W makes speakers designed just for what you are doing! Check their website. Hard to believe nobody mentioned them yet. They may be higher prices than what you want, but I think that is because they assume (like someone else did here), if you can afford plasma you can afford the matching speakers!

 

[David Benkert]

Oy Oy Headache! All these decisions!
Anyway, thank you everyone for all the ideas so far. I have looked through all of these on-line, but have only been able to listen to the JBL S-36II speakers.
So now I have, based on looks, wall mounting capability, space restrictions, and budget (which has increased a little), narrowed it down to these:
- JBL S36II R/L/C and N24II Rears (is this OK to mix?) ($550 for all and wife approved
- Boston Acoustic Bravo series (price and where?)
- B&W VM1 R/L/C and LM1 Rears ($900 for all)
I have mentioned prices I found or have been quoted. If anyone knows of better prices, please let me know where to check.
Any opinions on the best of these? Again, I might not be able to use a sub. Which raises another question - if I got a narrower sub (like the Sony's), can it be laid on it's side? I could put it under the bed then.
Thanks again everyone!
David

 

[Jeff_Fitz]

David:
First let me congratulate you on convincing your wife that a plasma screen in the bedroom is money well spent. I bow to your superior powers of persuasion.
Based on your requirements, I think the Mission FS2AV would fit very nicely. The satellites are a unique flat-panel design based on NXT technology and, get this, they are less than 2 inches thick. Sound is generated by a membrane that vibrates over its entire surface area. The system comes with a unique pie-shaped subwoofer that fits nicely into a corner, and even includes sticky flatwire for hooking everything up.
I have read a few reviews on this system and they basically go like this: "This lifestyle system is a looker and does a great job with home theater. The flat panel technology makes speaker placement much less of an issue as each speaker's sweet spot is quite large. The FS2AV does a good job with music, but it is not up to audiophile requirements." That said, what satellite system is up to audiophile requirements.
Denon is the representative for Mission in North America. Here is the description from their website: "• Compact NXT Flat Panel technology speakers • Speakers can be vertically mounted, horizontally mounted, placed in corners, along ceiling/walls, on shelves, on TV monitor • Integrated powered subwoofer incorporates bass management, connections to five NXT flat panel speakers • Subwoofer can be corner or floor/wall sited • Flat-wire (supplied, includes backing adhesive) can be placed directly on walls, corners, along floor, under carpet, to connect the NXT flat panel speakers to the integrated subwoofer/controller • Compatible with Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and DTS A/V receivers and amplifiers • Dimensions(hxwxd): Panels - 12.4" x 5.3" x 1.7"; Subwoofer - 19.7" x 13.8" x 10" "
If you want to see a brochure click HERE.
I believe the MSRP on this system is $999 US, but I suspect you could do better at your local Denon/Mission dealer. I occasionally see them on Ebay as well.
I hope you find this useful,
Jeff
P.S. - If you want some more ideas in the $500 to $1000 US range check out this Buyers Guide

 

[David Benkert]

Jeff,

Thanks for the nice words, but my persuasion skills really aren't that great. It is my wife's and my 10 year anniversary this year and I had already bought her a nice anniversary band. This was my anniversary gift.

She also said she got a headache when she watched tv at the funny angle that we have our current tv. I then said "hey, we could put a plasma on wall in front of us" and here we are (ok, it wasn't THAT easy, but I did say it.)

Those speakers are really cool. I will have to see if I can find a dealer in the Chicagoland area. Is the sub powered or do I have to run all the speakers through it? I could not quite tell from the pictures.

Thanks for the idea!

David

 

[LowellG]

This person, "Thomas P". is selling this 7 speaker setup in the H/W for sale board. He can even ship now, unlike the add said. Just search for Polk on the H/W for sale board.
Here is the add:

"Polk RM 7500 speaker package. 7 speakers include center, and 6 front/surrounds. 150 watts, black lacquer. I bought them new in August of 2001. They are like new. $499.00 o.b.o. I would prefer to do business with someone in Southern California because I broke my shoulder while biking and cannot lift to pack and ship. "

I think he will even include the stands if you read his add.