Small compact 5.1 system for under $500

Originally Posted by m_vanmeter

an EMP set recently added to the "on sale" column
http://store.audioholics.com/product...ab8edba3aaaa82

Originally Posted by MLKstudios

Energy Take Classic 5.1 is a popular system in that price range.

Originally Posted by ack_bk

I think this is an amazing deal for the money. EMP is the sister company of RBH Sound which makes higher end speakers that are not sold to the public unless through a dealer (typically a higher end HT installer). The speakers referenced here are clones to the RBH 5TK bookshelf speaker which is a very nice sounding speaker. I would definitely consider these speakers over the Polk speakers mentioned, but I have not heard the Energy Take speakers so cannot comment.

Originally Posted by i40hawk

I am building a system for a family friend. Currently they have two large, ancient Bose towers. They recently redid their living room and they don't want the huge towers any more. They want a good sounding 5.1 system, that will fit in conveniently placed bookshelves. Their budget is about $500 dollars. I am looking at the Polk RM20 or RM85, plus PSW10 or the RM705 system. Which of these would you choose, or any new suggestions? Thanks

Originally Posted by jigri

I am looking for a similar 5.1 speaker/sub setup in a 18x10 living room around the same $500 price point (+/- $200) which maintains flexibility for future 7.1 expansion in a larger room. Which option (or others) would folks recommend given that I will be pairing with the following

New Panasonic G10 series plasma
Xbox 360
Probably a Panasonic DMP-BD60 Bluray
Comcast HD box

40% TV watching, 25% gaming, 20% movies, 15% music; really want to get the best HT experience possible out of this setup, ergonomically need to not have towers or very large boxes


My current thoughts:

1. Energy Take Classic 5.1 ($400)
2. EMP HTP-351 5.1 ($489)
3. 2 Energy C-100s as fronts ($110), 2 Energy C-50 as rears ($100), 1 Energy C-C50 center ($80), Energy S8.3 subwoofer ($180); Total $470
4. Others?

Thanks in advance for everyone's help! Please feel free to throw in your AV receiver ($200-$400 range, refurbed from quality source is fine) thoughts to pair with this kind of setup too, although I will post in that forum for specific advice.