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Best LCR Setup for a $1K Budget: Opinions Please!

post #1 of 53
1/23/12 at 11:16am
Thread Starter 
Since my last thread was hijacked and brought way off track, I decided to create a new thread solely looking for advice from you experts.

I am looking for a new LCR setup to pair with my current 5.1 setup. My system consists of the following:
  • LG 60" Plasma
  • Pioneer VSX-1021-K
  • Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus
  • Energy Take Classic Speakers

Habits will break down as the following:

40% Movies
40% Gaming
10% Television
10% Music

I understand that whatever i choose is going to be a big jump in quality and performance from the Energy Take Speakers. Looking to get the best bang for the buck with a $1K budget. I am willing to go slightly over if necessary.

What are your thoughts and recommendations for a setup based on my needs? I have been eying a few of the following:

Chase Home Theater: SHO-10's
PSB Image B6 + PSB Image C4 Center
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE

As always, I appreciate the time and feedback from each and every one of you. Thanks so much for your help
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post #2 of 53
1/23/12 at 11:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeycannoli View Post

Since my last thread was hijacked and brought way off track, I decided to create a new thread solely looking for advice from you experts.

I am looking for a new LCR setup to pair with my current 5.1 setup. My system consists of the following:
  • LG 60" Plasma
  • Pioneer VSX-1021-K
  • Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus
  • Energy Take Classic Speakers

Habits will break down as the following:

40% Movies
40% Gaming
10% Television
10% Music

I understand that whatever i choose is going to be a big jump in quality and performance from the Energy Take Speakers. Looking to get the best bang for the buck with a $1K budget. I am willing to go slightly over if necessary.

What are your thoughts and recommendations for a setup based on my needs? I have been eying a few of the following:

Chase Home Theater: SHO-10's
PSB Image B6 + PSB Image C4 Center
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE

As always, I appreciate the time and feedback from each and every one of you. Thanks so much for your help

Not to add more to your list at this late stage in the game, but I had a similar budget and looked at the Aperion Verus grand and Boston Acoustics VS series, fwiw (verus grand $1050 B-stock; Boston's were $850 from Vann's)
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post #3 of 53
1/23/12 at 11:45am
they sure are not pretty but the sho-10 if you want some beef.
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post #4 of 53
1/23/12 at 11:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

they sure are not pretty but the sho-10 if you want some beef.

Agreed. Really think they are the ugliest of the lot but i hear many good things about their performance.
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post #5 of 53
1/23/12 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by madhuski View Post

Not to add more to your list at this late stage in the game, but I had a similar budget and looked at the Aperion Verus grand and Boston Acoustics VS series, fwiw (verus grand $1050 B-stock; Boston's were $850 from Vann's)

Did you end up getting either of these? Opinions?
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post #6 of 53
1/23/12 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeycannoli View Post

Did you end up getting either of these? Opinions?

Did you see this? REVIEW: Def tech v. SVS v. Aperion v. Boston VS
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post #7 of 53
1/23/12 at 12:12pm
Maybe take a look at Emotiva X-ref speakers

http://emotiva.com/xref_speakers.shtm

Or RSL (getting great reviews)

http://rslspeakers.com/
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post #8 of 53
1/23/12 at 12:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Did you see this? REVIEW: Def tech v. SVS v. Aperion v. Boston VS

Thanks for sharing his review!
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post #9 of 53
1/23/12 at 1:10pm
Glad to

Since you are interested in Ascend Acoustics speakers, you might like this recent review, too, of the Sierras (a little out of your budget) and a few other brands: My comparisons: Energy Veritas v5.1, Polk LSi7's, B&W 685B's, and Ascend Sierra-1's
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post #10 of 53
1/23/12 at 1:13pm
Maybe 3 of these
http://emotiva.com/erm62.shtm
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post #11 of 53
1/23/12 at 1:13pm
Buy.com (wwstereo) has the JBL 180 setup for $499....that is a steal.
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post #12 of 53
1/23/12 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KidHorn View Post

Maybe 3 of these
http://emotiva.com/erm62.shtm

Is the Pioneer 1021 a good receiver for driving 4 ohm speakers?
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post #13 of 53
1/23/12 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post


Is the Pioneer 1021 a good receiver for driving 4 ohm speakers?

No, not at all. I don't even think Pioneer recommends using the 1021 with 4 ohm loads.
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post #14 of 53
1/23/12 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Is the Pioneer 1021 a good receiver for driving 4 ohm speakers?

Not reccomended for 4 ohms
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post #15 of 53
1/24/12 at 7:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Glad to

Since you are interested in Ascend Acoustics speakers, you might like this recent review, too, of the Sierras (a little out of your budget) and a few other brands: My comparisons: Energy Veritas v5.1, Polk LSi7's, B&W 685B's, and Ascend Sierra-1's

Do you feel the Sierra 1's are a little overkill if i mainly use my setup for HT? Better yet, can my Pioneer VSX-1021-K handle them?
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post #16 of 53
1/24/12 at 8:26am
What about a pair of kef Q300s with either the q600c or 200c. From accessories4less. Great speakers if you havent yet heard them.
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post #17 of 53
1/24/12 at 10:32am
Although they seem to be hit or miss at the moment, you could look into the new eD cinema series speakers. You can get (3) ed[C]6 with the upgraded compresion driver and upgraded finish for under 1K with the 15% discount for getting all three at once. I have really been thinking about these, but have not pulled the trigger basically because it seems some folks are having a hard time getting eD to ship their orders.
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post #18 of 53
1/24/12 at 10:58am
With mostly movies and gaming, how about some Klipsch RB-61s and matching center. They ar typicaly not idea for music but, you don't seem too concerned about that. This would fit into your budget nicely!
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post #19 of 53
1/24/12 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by karlsaudio View Post

With mostly movies and gaming, how about some Klipsch RB-61s and matching center. They ar typicaly not idea for music but, you don't seem too concerned about that. This would fit into your budget nicely!

That is why I listed the eD's. With his listening habits it would be advisable to go with a high efficiency speakers to get the dynamics that movies and games thrive off of. Good call although I would highly suggest listening to them first as they seem to be the type of speaker you either love or hate.
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post #20 of 53
1/24/12 at 11:34am
don't get me wrong there are some good choices here on some speakers but i think i could see myself sitting infront of 3- 10" woofer and compression tweeter speakers and that outlaw sub cranked watching and feeling a gun blast or bomb go off in front of me.the sho -10's for me. thats just my 2 cents.
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post #21 of 53
1/24/12 at 1:52pm
Ok,

What size is your room and what kind of 'sound' do you like? Do you want 'smooth' sound? 'in your face' sound? Wide dynamic range capability?

Give an example of a set of speakers you've heard before and what it was about the sound that you enjoyed. The room size and the distance your listening position is from the speakers is also important.
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post #22 of 53
1/24/12 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by benzjas View Post

What about a pair of kef Q300s with either the q600c or 200c. From accessories4less. Great speakers if you havent yet heard them.

+1 great sounding little speakers, I'm very happy with the 600c center as well
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post #23 of 53
1/24/12 at 10:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeycannoli View Post

Do you feel the Sierra 1's are a little overkill if i mainly use my setup for HT? Better yet, can my Pioneer VSX-1021-K handle them?

If you think you might want to get into music listening, then maybe not. But the Polks and Veritas are in your price range, and that post helps to show that Ascend does make very good speakers.

Not sure what you mean by "handle?"
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post #24 of 53
1/25/12 at 5:10am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

If you think you might want to get into music listening, then maybe not. But the Polks and Veritas are in your price range, and that post helps to show that Ascend does make very good speakers.

Not sure what you mean by "handle?"

Sorry for the confusion. Basically asking if the Pioneer has enough juice to power these speakers?
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post #25 of 53
1/25/12 at 6:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeycannoli View Post

Sorry for the confusion. Basically asking if the Pioneer has enough juice to power these speakers?

The Pioneer will handle pretty much any 8 ohm speaker. Some speakers, because of speaker sensitivity level, will get louder than others.
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post #26 of 53
1/25/12 at 7:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeycannoli View Post

Sorry for the confusion. Basically asking if the Pioneer has enough juice to power these speakers?

In a small and medium room the Pioneer will be fine - in large rooms
at real high volumes, depending on speakers - you may need more.
The Pioneer can handle 6 ohms - Pioneer does not reccomend 4 ohms.

Is your room 12X12 ?

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 46.1 watts
1% distortion at 56.7 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 44.5 watts
1% distortion at 53.7 watts
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post #27 of 53
1/25/12 at 7:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

The Pioneer will handle pretty much any 8 ohm speaker. Some speakers, because of speaker sensitivity level, will get louder than others.

Great! Thanks for the info as always

Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

In a small and medium room the Pioneer will be fine - in large rooms
at real high volumes, depending on speakers - you may need more.
The Pioneer can handle 6 ohms - Pioneer does not reccomend 4 ohms.

Is your room 12X12 ?

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 46.1 watts
1% distortion at 56.7 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 44.5 watts
1% distortion at 53.7 watts

Yes, the room is a 12x12.
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post #28 of 53
1/25/12 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeycannoli View Post


Yes, the room is a 12x12.

Some people may put the SHO-10's in a small room - however,
weigh this out before you buy - they will get louder than many
towers and will throw a huge stage - they may or may not, be
for you.
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post #29 of 53
1/25/12 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Some people may put the SHO-10's in a small room - however,
weigh this out before you buy - they will get louder than many
towers and will throw a huge stage - they may or may not, be
for you.

there i go assuming again. i seen you had 60" tv and sizable sub and pictured a larger rm.should of asked first. the sho-10 might be overkill in a 12x12 rm. but i love to find out.
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post #30 of 53
1/25/12 at 8:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

there i go assuming again. i seen you had 60" tv and sizable sub and pictured a larger rm.should of asked first. the sho-10 might be overkill in a 12x12 rm. but i love to find out.

The stuff is currently in a bedroom but will be going into a slightly larger room in the coming months when i move.
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