AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › Which under $500 5.1 speaker setup? Klipsch HD Theater 1000 OR JBL CS6100 OR Energy Take Classic 5.1 (or Energy Take 5.0 with better Sub) or Martin Logan ML-2 ?
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Which under $500 5.1 speaker setup? Klipsch HD Theater 1000 OR JBL CS6100 OR Energy Take Classic...

post #1 of 16
6/25/12 at 11:23am
Thread Starter 
Hi guys,

I've recently got married and I'm trying to set up a modest home theater system for my new apartment. This is my first post here and I am in desperate need for some insightful opinion on this. I've already bought the Panasonic Viera 50GT50 50" Plasma HDTV and a Denon AVR-2312CI from Amazon. I'm a budding audiophile who is trying to set his foot with the medium to low end stuff first.

I saw the JBL CS6100BG 5.1 speakers for $399 on Amazon and bought them on a hunch when I saw their good reviews and an original asking price of around $1100. Plus they had a 10" sub. I have received them already but haven't set them up yet. But I'm already confused with my purchase as I've seen the Klipsch HD Theater 1000 and also the Martin Logan ML-2 5.1 setups for around the same price. Plus, I had originally thought of buying the Energy Take Classic 5.1 setup seeing the gazillions of good reviews especially on CNet and Amazon. I had planned to buy the Energy Take Classic 5.0 instead with a better Sub.

Now that I have bought the JBLs I am really confused about my purchase as I don't see them in any prominent discussions for under $500 speaker sets anywhere. The other speakers have bigger/better reviews.

PLEASE PLEASE help me with this hair-splitting confusion !

Query 1: Which speaker set under $500 (discounted) should I get for my Denon AVR-2312CI. I need them mostly for movies but also for music.

Query 2: Is it really worth sending the JBL CS6100 back to get any others ?

Query 3: Which spearkers under $500 (discounted) normally go better with the Denon receiver (which I guess is considered on the softer side) ?

THANKS A LOT !smile.gif

- Ankur
Edited by ankydoodle - 6/25/12 at 12:00pm
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 16
6/25/12 at 6:13pm
i dont know anything about those jbls you bought but if i were you id buy this

pioneer fs51 towers $130 with coupon code EMCNDHJ83

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117403

pioneer c21 for $50 with coupon code EMCNDHJ82

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117404

for rears pioneer bs41 for $100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406

energy s10.3 subwoofer for $189

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269026

total $469 all from newegg (though if you l ive in california you will be charged tax)

maybe others can chime in with better recommendations
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post #3 of 16
6/25/12 at 7:13pm
That Pioneer/Energy setup would simply crush the JBL's.
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post #4 of 16
6/25/12 at 7:54pm
I agree. The small satellite system can't compare to that setup at all.
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post #5 of 16
6/26/12 at 1:21am
Thread Starter 
Thanks "Bradymartin" ! I had considered the Pioneers before as they also had very good reviews and they fell in the sweet spot of my budget range. The only problem is their large size profile for my apartment and also the fact that I have a wife who is not willing to cram big (and not so good looking) speakers into our medium sized living room.

So considering the other choices I have in the sub-$500 range (or roundabouts), what do you guys think about the Energy Take Classic 5.0 satellite speakers with the Energy S10.3 sub OR Martin Logan MLT-2 speakers with some other sub OR Klipsch HD Theater 1000 with the included sub ? Is the JBL CS6100 (which I already bought ) set any good? I really need to get to some decision pretty quick as I might need to return them.

I really really appreciate any insight !

Thanks a TON !

-Ankur
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post #6 of 16
6/26/12 at 3:12am
I would recommend the Def Tech 800 or 600 series. Amazing sound, and it's near that pricepoint you want. I too have a Denon and I too was much like you a while back.

Once it's set up, you will absolutely love the sound. I watch a ton of Blu-Rays, but I also use it for Movies and regular 5.1 TV. The Denon is of course amazing as well. The interface is cumbersome imo, but the sound more than makes up for it.
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post #7 of 16
6/26/12 at 8:12am
Take a peek at:

Mirage Nanosats (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_653NANO51B/Mirage-Nanosat-5-1-Compact-Home-Theater-Speaker-System.html?tp=184) and I think there's a $20 off coupon they post every once in a while.

+1 on the Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882325049). A wee bit over your limit, but highly regarded. Shop around.
Edited by MarlinFan - 6/26/12 at 8:27am
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post #8 of 16
6/26/12 at 9:41am
Take Classic 268
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Take-Classic-Pack-Theater/dp/B0021L9BME/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340728884&sr=1-2&keywords=energy+speakers


Bic F12 - 200
http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M
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post #9 of 16
6/26/12 at 10:32am
Have you considered starting off with less and then adding on? Energy RC-10s are $220 pair shipped at Vanns.com, which is an awesome deal. Then get the RC-LCR center. Save toward your sub next and finally your surrounds.
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post #10 of 16
6/26/12 at 11:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Have you considered starting off with less and then adding on? Energy RC-10s are $220 pair shipped at Vanns.com, which is an awesome deal. Then get the RC-LCR center. Save toward your sub next and finally your surrounds.

+1 - Excellent suggestion.
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post #11 of 16
6/27/12 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 
Tyfighter, I've heard the Def Tec Pro 600s in Best Buy and they are amazing but almost double my sweet price point. I hope I 'll love my Denon as well as soon as I find speakers for them :-(

MarlinFan, I don't have a good feeling about the Mirage Nanosats. They are a little too small for my liking.

Del Cosmos, Will the Bic 12 go well with the Energy Take 5s ? I saw a guy saying in its review that the Bics work better with speakers that go down to about 80 Hz. Is this right ?

Cel4145, I just want a complete (more than) decent 5.1 setup upfront. I will sell and buy new ones once I get into a bigger apartment or house. But the speakers you mentioned look great !

Should I return my JBL CS6100's already ? As of now I think the Energy Take 5.0 with a bigger sub is a good bet both price and sound wise. Please help. How are the Klipsch Theater HD 1000's or the Klipsch Qunitet 5s with a decent subwoofer?
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post #12 of 16
6/27/12 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ankydoodle View Post

Tyfighter, I've heard the Def Tec Pro 600s in Best Buy and they are amazing but almost double my sweet price point. I hope I 'll love my Denon as well as soon as I find speakers for them :-(

My vote is still for the Pioneer set-up > however, if you like the Definitive -
their is a Definitive 60 package here, a real good price.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882325104
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post #13 of 16
6/29/12 at 12:22pm
I just recently auditioned several sets including some under $500 (the Energy Take5.1, Pioneer SP series, DefTech 60, Energy Micro, etc.). Personally I thought the Pioneer was a big standout.

Pioneer SP series:
SP-FS31-LR pair $199 (newegg)
SP-BS21-LR pair $99 (newegg)
SP-C21 $84 (amazon)
SW-8 #125 (amazon)

Tower Fronts System = $509
Bookshelf Fronts System = $409

The other systems all had a thinner, "satellite" sound to my ear. But I'm new to this, you should definitely get some the more experienced members' opinions on this.

(Was thinking you could upgrade the sub later, or spend $60 extra and get the Energy S10.3 sub which consistently gets excellent "great sound for the price" comments here in the forums.)
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post #14 of 16
7/9/12 at 12:31am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. I have finally decided to return or sell the unopened box of the JBL CS6100 5.1 speakers and buy the Pioneer FS51 floor standing speakers for the front, Pioneer BS41 bookshelf speakers for the surrounds and the Pioneer c21 center speaker as well. Thanks especially to BradyMartin !

Which subwoofer would you guys recommend around $200 now ?
I've heard good words about Polk Audio PSW10 and PSW505 and also Energy s10.3 and Bic America F12 in my price range.
Please give your valuable suggestions.

Another thing, what's the best place to sell my brand new JBL CS6100s ???
Craigslist is not seeing any offers :-( ! That sucks considering I reside in the heart of Silicon Valley in San Jose, CA.
Any suggestions ?

Appreciate all your help !

-Ankur
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post #15 of 16
7/9/12 at 6:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ankydoodle View Post

I've heard good words about Polk Audio PSW10 and PSW505 and also Energy s10.3 and Bic America F12 in my price range.

For HT I would probably rate them in the following order...

Energy S10.3
BIC F12
Polk PSW505

Personally, I wouldn't consider the PSW10. I don't think it's well suited for HT.
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post #16 of 16
7/9/12 at 7:28am
You might want to try those jbls out. I have had them for a few years in a room that is about 17x20. For the price they are actually really good. A great starter set. Since it sounds like you dont want tower speakers, I Can't imagine you are going to get any other satellite system that is just a night and day difference better than what you already have.

Never mind I see that u are going with towers.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › Which under $500 5.1 speaker setup? Klipsch HD Theater 1000 OR JBL CS6100 OR Energy Take Classic 5.1 (or Energy Take 5.0 with better Sub) or Martin Logan ML-2 ?