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New member Username: RevratPost Number: 1 Registered: Jan-07 | We are setting up our home theater and audio and would love some advice on speakers. So far we have: Denon AVR-3805 receiver Sharp LC-40c45u 45" LCD TV PS3 that will double as DVD player we now want to add speakers and would love suggestions. Unfortunately, we only can spend around $500 - $600 at this time, but are not adverse to either buying used or starting with a few pieces and adding later. System will be used both for theater, but also for audio (jazz, classical, rock, etc.), so music listening is definitely just as high a priority. probably will use ipod as source, although still investigating how well that works (currently have CD player connected). the room is about 13x20, TV will be mounted on one long wall, sofa is on the other, so viewing distance is about 11 feet. guess that's the relevent facts. thanks in advance for any suggestions. |
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Bronze Member Username: HodedofomeTX USA Post Number: 11 Registered: Dec-06 | I am assuming you are going with 5.1 sound and not going 7.1, but let everyone know because that will definitely affect the budget. If you needed a full set now these are great speakers for the price: http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/products/ob_product_detail.aspx?ID=CHTFRSGV&sid =563s418l And then for a sub you could go BIC H-100 , HSU STF-1 or 2 http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/ or SVS PB10-NSD http://svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfmhttp://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=1062&sc=32 http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=1062&sc=32 Personally I would rate those 3 subs in order of SVS being the best, then HSU then the BIC. SVS has a B-Stock section to check out https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=12 If you want something more and will just buy a few speakers now, then you could buy the 3 front speakers along with a sub and that would hold you over for a while until you could afford the surrounds. In that case there's Athena B1.2 http://www.amazon.com/Athena-AS-B1-2-Audition-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0009WRV1A AV123's X-Series http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55 And some of the Polk lower-end speakers. I'm sure there's a bunch more out there, and if you want used speakers that opens up all kinds of possibilities if you can find a good deal. |
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New member Username: DalecCA Post Number: 3 Registered: Jan-07 | Lisa - I would suggest you look into Aperion Audio and some of their speakers. A lot of speaker regardless of size and type for the money, plus they offer a 30 day free trial with shipping paid both ways. They also offer a 10 year warranty with a trade up program if you decide later to go to higher level speakers. I recently added several of their speakers to my system (with the Denon 4306 receiver) and they sound fantastic. Reviews on the net and at Cnet.com are all very high so it's worth a good check, plus you could have a good start and add as time goes by. https://www.ecoustics.com/latest/aperion http://www.aperionaudio.com Good luck with your shopping. Dale |
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Bronze Member Username: HodedofomeTX USA Post Number: 27 Registered: Dec-06 | I too would throw in another recommendation for the Aperions, I haven't met someone disappointed in them yet! |
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Silver Member Username: MccambleyBREEZY POINT, NY USA Post Number: 335 Registered: Jun-05 | You have some really nice stuff already. I would want to continue in that direction and only buy front left and rights for now and stop. You said your budget was $400-500 bit for a little more money you could get a pair of Paradigm Studio 20's and be on your way to a nice system. |
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Gold Member Username: HawkHighlands Ranch, CO USA Post Number: 1053 Registered: Dec-03 | Lisa: I have an almost identical sized room, so I can appreciate what you need. However, how high are your ceilings? It makes a difference. Your room is large enough that little mini-speakers simply will not sound good--I know because I tried. It is basic physics that five small speaker simply cannot fill a large room (regardless of what Bose claims in their infomercials). I like the fact that you are flexible about the speaker purchase. It makes good sense and will allow you to end up with a great system, and not just an ok system.. First, that is a lovely TV, and you have a good, reasonably powerful receiver. You should have speakers that are commesurate with the rest of your HT system, so getting five small satellite speakers in your large room is not going to sound quite right. I would suggest that you consider getting just a pair of really nice, full range speakers for the time being, along with the matching center channel speaker. Now, with your Denon, you will need something that has a pretty forward sound, and that has good definition as the Denon is a bit on the dry, reserved side. A speaker that is forward sounding will balance the overall sound to where it needs to be. I would recommend a couple of very nice tower speakers that have received great reviews, but have been recently discontinued, so you can get them for a great price on a closeout. See them here: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATHASF2%2E2 Now, these are only $400/pair, and you can get the matching center channel speaker for $150, so you are well within your budget. The advantage of these towers is that they will produce sound across the entire audio range, so they will sound as realistic as it can get. Here is the center channel speaker that matches: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATHASC1%2E2 One of the really nice things about this dealer is that you can purchase the speakers and have a 30 day in home trial. Then, if you aren't fully satisfied, simply send them back and get a full refund. With these three speakers, you have 90% of a full system, and most importantly, the three speakers are "voice-matched", so that you will have a seamless soundfield across the front. It is only important that the three front speakers be voice-matched, so later on you can get your surround speakers and you will have some flexibility in choosing surrounds. In my case, I have a room that is identically sized to yours and with the same layout (HT is along a long wall), so I went with a pair of in-wall speakers for my surrounds and they are everything I need in a surround speaker. Surrounds only provide secondary information, so voice matching is simply not critical. Likewise, almost any good subwoofer will blend with these speakers, and it can be purchased later on, as well. Since you would be waiting on a subwoofer, having full range towers will allow your system to sound good even without a sub. Later, when you can add a sub, it will merely sound better and not like something is missing, which is what you would have with small satellites. I strongly recommend the Hsu Research STF-1 as a great subwoofer that you can get factory direct for only $299. Dr. Hsu is THE MAN when it comes to subs, as a designer of many different higher end companies' subs. He has his own company where he sells very high value subs at reasonable prices. Here is their website: http://www.hsuresearch.com/ Good luck! |
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New member Username: PreposterouspresumptionPost Number: 1 Registered: Jan-07 | Crutchfield.com has a markdown on the Infinity Primus line. The entire 5.0 line can be purchased for $470 (delivered). These include: Infinity Primus 250 - Fronts ($249.99/pair) Infinity Primus 150 - Surrounds ($119.98/pair) Infinity Primus PC25 - Center ($99.99/each) I would also add the Hsu STF-1, currently on sale for $269 delivered. Overall, this would make a great matched system that will outperform any HTIB. |