Best 5.1 combination under 400.

This Pioneer series on special at Newegg is an excellent bargain for the price, better than the Sony or Dayton speakers. There are promo codes that bring the towers, center, and bookshelves for the surrounds down to $270 for the set. Avoid the Pioneer SW-8 sub though. I recommend waiting until you can afford a BIC F12.

Also, be sure to match your front L/R & center with the same speaker brand/series.

The Dayton's are not real good - you can search North, South, East and West, and you
will not find much treble with these speakers - and they are somewhat thin sounding >
Look at that dip in the frequency response, starting around 4khz
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blog/2011/07/06/world-s-cheapest-speaker?page=0,3

I have owned the Newegg Pioneers and some Dayton clones, the Pioneers are all around
better speakers.

I would check with Tigerdirect.com and look at the better and improved BS22 Pioneer
speakers for $99 and the new C22 center, then save up for some surround speakers.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=pioneer+speakers
Edited by zieglj01 - 9/3/12 at 9:44am

The sensitivity has nothing to do with what sounds better, it just means one plays louder than the other at the same volume level. They sound better than the Dayton because they use better drivers and crossovers and are built better.

The Pioneers are a bargain for $270. Then add an inexpensive subwoofer for $130 or so. The Dayton subs are decent for the price.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-629

i got newegg sale prices for two 51s, one c21 and two bs21s all for $220 (plus tax since i live in cali)

got the bic f12 with promo code for $166

total = $386 plus tax

i am very happy with this setup

i assume you quoted the surrounds as the 41s?

out of curiosity what if he went with two 21s instead, saving $50 and putting that towards a bic f12

That probably would be a better move if it enabled him to get the Bic F12 over a lesser subwoofer.

Agreed.

But if he can afford to get the BIC F12 (or better), or hold off to get the subwoofer, seems worth it to go with the 41s.