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What are the best 7.1 speakers for around $2,500

post #1 of 12
9/29/12 at 11:23pm
Thread Starter 
I need some really good, powerful 7.1 speakers for around that price. Something that wont disapoint. Thank you for any help.

1. Size of the Room - medium sized theatre room
2. Main use? Movies - mainly action
3. Can you have tower and bookshelf speakers, any size limitations - no size limitations
4. What receiver do you have - denon avr 1912
Edited by Razorxyz - 9/29/12 at 11:47pm
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post #2 of 12
9/29/12 at 11:34pm
Why dont you help us out a little first.

1. Size of the Room
2. Main use? Movies, Music, Gaming? If music, what type of music?
3. Can you have tower and bookshelf speakers, any size limitations?
4. What receiver do you have?
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post #3 of 12
9/29/12 at 11:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Why dont you help us out a little first.
1. Size of the Room
2. Main use? Movies, Music, Gaming? If music, what type of music?
3. Can you have tower and bookshelf speakers, any size limitations?
4. What receiver do you have?
Fixed
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post #4 of 12
9/30/12 at 1:50am
I don't own Polk speakers but I know a few on these boards like them for their value vs. output. You could easily get a Polk TSi system for around $1600 and put the rest into a good sub. Front L/R = TSi500, Center = CS20, Surround = TSi200, Surround Back = TSi100 or a bit more for in-wall, like RC65i. I have Definitive Technology but a decent 7.1 setup from them is going to cost several thousand.
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post #5 of 12
9/30/12 at 3:51am
Here are some suggestions:
2 X EMP Tek E55Ti towers: $800
EMP Tek E56Ci Center speaker: $450
2 X EMP Tek E5Bi bookshelf speakers: $250
Hsu VTF15h subwoofer: $1018

Total cost: $2518 delivered
That would be a killer system at just a hair over your budget.

Alternatively:
2 X Infinity Primus P363 tower speakers: $400
Infinity Primus c351 center speaker: $200
2 X Infinity Primus p163 Bookshelf speaker: $172
2 X Power Sound Audio XV15 subs ($1600 shipped)

Total cost: $2372 delivered
great system with monster bass and under budget

another alternative:
2 X Klipsch RB61 Bookshelf speakers: $550
Klipsch RC62 II Center speaker: $550
2 X Klipsch Synergy B-20 Bookshelf speaker: $279
Rythmik FV15 subwoofer: $1124 not including shipping

Total cost: $2503 except for shipping on the subwoofer, which will likely be an additional $100 to $150
Just a bit over budget with shipping but very crisp and powerful bookshelf speakers and razor sharp sub

Yet another choice:
2 X Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Bookshelf speakers: $376
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 Center speaker: $324
2 X Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 Bookshelf speakers: $318
2 X Hsu VTF3 mk4 subwoofers: ($1516 shipped)

Total cost: $2534 delivered
Again just a hair over your budget but extreme deep bass subs (solid 16 hz) plus + highly regarded speakers = terrific setup

And one more choice:
3 X Chase Pro 10 Monitors: $1035
2 X Klipsch Synergy B-20 Bookshelf speaker: $279
CraigSUB VS-18.1 subwoofer + Dayton Amp: $1240 shipped

Total cost: $2554 delivered
Just slightly over budget. This would easily be the most powerful system, but the thing is accommodating the center might be a problem depending on your display setup, and the sub is pretty scary looking. This setup would get you closest to commercial theater dynamics.

Remember you also have to buy accessories like cabling and mounts, if you don't have them already. Get your speaker cable and HDMI cable at monoprice.com (save your money, do not buy them at a retail store!), and the bookshelf speakers mounts you will want are the AM40 Pinpoint side-clamping mounts. Seriously, if you need mounts, get those, they will save you a big headache.
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post #6 of 12
9/30/12 at 5:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ View Post

Here are some suggestions:
2 X EMP Tek E55Ti towers: $800
EMP Tek E56Ci Center speaker: $450
2 X EMP Tek E5Bi bookshelf speakers: $250
Hsu VTF15h subwoofer: $1018
Total cost: $2518 delivered
That would be a killer system at just a hair over your budget.
Alternatively:
2 X Infinity Primus P363 tower speakers: $400
Infinity Primus c351 center speaker: $200
2 X Infinity Primus p163 Bookshelf speaker: $172
2 X Power Sound Audio XV15 subs ($1600 shipped)
Total cost: $2372 delivered
great system with monster bass and under budget
another alternative:
2 X Klipsch RB61 Bookshelf speakers: $550
Klipsch RC62 II Center speaker: $550
2 X Klipsch Synergy B-20 Bookshelf speaker: $279
Rythmik FV15 subwoofer: $1124 not including shipping
Total cost: $2503 except for shipping on the subwoofer, which will likely be an additional $100 to $150
Just a bit over budget with shipping but very crisp and powerful bookshelf speakers and razor sharp sub
Yet another choice:
2 X Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Bookshelf speakers: $376
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 Center speaker: $324
2 X Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 Bookshelf speakers: $318
2 X Hsu VTF3 mk4 subwoofers: ($1516 shipped)
Total cost: $2534 delivered
Again just a hair over your budget but extreme deep bass subs (solid 16 hz) plus + highly regarded speakers = terrific setup
And one more choice:
3 X Chase Pro 10 Monitors: $1035
2 X Klipsch Synergy B-20 Bookshelf speaker: $279
CraigSUB VS-18.1 subwoofer + Dayton Amp: $1240 shipped
Total cost: $2554 delivered
Just slightly over budget. This would easily be the most powerful system, but the thing is accommodating the center might be a problem depending on your display setup, and the sub is pretty scary looking. This setup would get you closest to commercial theater dynamics.
Remember you also have to buy accessories like cabling and mounts, if you don't have them already. Get your speaker cable and HDMI cable at monoprice.com (save your money, do not buy them at a retail store!), and the bookshelf speakers mounts you will want are the AM40 Pinpoint side-clamping mounts. Seriously, if you need mounts, get those, they will save you a big headache.

These are all great recommendations. Just consider the first two have tower speakers in front instead of bookshelfs. If you purchase an all bookshelf system, you may want to consider speaker stands for the left and right front channels. If you go with Ascend, I would also get the Rythimik since it would cost less and you get %5 discount from Ascend. You may also want to consider the Mirage 2 x OMD-15, 1 x OMD-C1, and 4 x OMD-5 which are stunning and about $1,700, leaving you $800 for a decent sub. For a medium size room, an $800 sub should be just fine. Mirage are available at vanns.com.
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post #7 of 12
9/30/12 at 7:05am
fwiw imo for dedicated theater room i would look at the chase home theater speakers first. but i just might have to wait as chase has new speakers and sub coming out near the end of oct. the m1's which are actually cheaper than the sho-10's. says in their forum might have 5 m1's and new sub at $1495+ship.
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post #8 of 12
9/30/12 at 7:31am
A used older Klipsch RF7 setup would be a good deal. I sold my RF7's, RC7 and RS7's for $1500.
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post #9 of 12
10/1/12 at 2:04am
Thread Starter 
Thank you to everyone's help. After taking all your suggestions into consideration and doing some research, this is what I might go for:

2x Polk Audio TSi200
1x Polk DSW PRO 550WI Subwoofer
1x Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Channel Speaker
2x Polk Audio RTI A9
2x Polk Audio TSi100

However for the RTI A9's, would I need a power amplifier as I heard they require a lot of juice? And if so I would need to upgrade my receiver (which I am willing to do) as it does not have a pre amp out. What amplifier and av reciever would you guys reccommend. Sorry for being a bother but I would just like to make sure I am doing things right and to the best of value as well. I can spend $400-$500 on a new reciever (needs to have 3d pass through) and any reasonable amount for a power amp. Once again thank you.
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post #10 of 12
10/1/12 at 1:56pm
I would not go with the polks. For the money you are spending you can get better speakers. I would go with Paradigm Monitor Series. You could get Paradigm Monitor 9's for fronts or 7's which will cost a few hundred less, Center 3, and two Surround 1's, and a Rythmic FV12 for your sub. This would be about $2,590. You may need to find a dealer that will cut you a good deal. I got my Paradigm Monitor 9's, Center 3, and two Surround 1's, and Rythmic FV12 for $2,590 out the door. I also own a pair of Monitor 60's which are very close to the Polk speakers you are looking at. The Polks are not even on the same planet in terms of quality. The Paradigms have grill covers with magnets, better cabinet build, the sound is extremely clear where the Polks are harsh and distorted when you turn them up. The gril covers on the Polks are cheap and break easy. I own a pair for my gaming system and only paid $260 shipped and they are worth it for what I spent. You have a nice budget so I would look into the Paradigm monitor line.
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post #11 of 12
10/1/12 at 3:19pm
The Polk subwoofer is an awful value. The Rti speakers are pretty good, but the Tsi and Monitor lines from Polk aren't, in my opinion. The Rti need a receiver that can carry a 4 ohm load if not a separate amplifier. That, to me, represents a poor value on such a modest budget. However I do like the Rti sound from what little I have heard from them.
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post #12 of 12
10/1/12 at 9:08pm
Agreed. Stay away from the Polk subs. The HSU, Power Sound, Chase, and Rythmik subs already listed will make for an awesome HT experience. The Polk sub you are looking at would be meh in comparison. Pick any of those other subs to match with the speakers you decide on.

Finally, if you want all one brand (no need to match the sub, though), get the HSU Hybrid 15 7.1 package.
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