First Timer Questions - Please help me decide! Thanks

I would like to have better sound in my living room and my primary purpose is to listen to music (progressive house mostly) through my laptop/mp3 player and a little television. I am not interested in a 5 or 7 speaker setup, and do not plan on using a subwoofer (probably inviting a lot of complaints in my apartment building anyway). I have a very limited budget, but have found some options that I would like to ask someone knowledgeable.

1) If I go for a small amp such as http://www.amazon.com/LP-2020A-Lepai-Tripath-Class-T-Amplifier/dp/B0049P6OTI/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header , will it run any of the bookshelf speakers listed below at a good volume level? Also, between the ones listed below, any recommendations and why?
- Pioneer SP-BS41
- Polk Audio Monitor30 Series II 2 way bookshelf speakers
- Polk Audio Monitor40 Series II 2 way bookshelf speakers

Total cost of setup above is $25+[$85 - $150] = $110 - $175

2) In terms of sound, will there be a big difference if I instead decide to go with
- Energy EF-500
- Pioneer SP-FS51
- Polk Audio Monitor50 Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Which do you recommend and why?
Will these speakers need a more powerful amp/receiver than the one I posted from amazon? If yes, how about something basic like a Pioneer VSX-521-K? I have found a used one for less than $100 on craigslist.

Total cost of setup above is $75+[$100-$160] = $175 - $235

Thanks for your time:)

How much difference will I hear if I try to run the Pioneer SP-FS51 through the amazon linked amp (Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply) instead of a Pioneer vsx521? For reference, my living room is about 18 x 11.

Random question: Any opinion on a used pair of Polk Audio RTA 8T (15-20 years old) for $150 instead of the Pioneer FS51 or Polk Monitor 50?

Thanks for the reply. I doubt I will have the expertise to judge on the quality of the older Polk speakers, so its perhaps better I stick to new. The trouble is, if I get the floor standing speakers from Polk or Pioneer, I dont think I can figure out which cheap receiver would fit the bill so that the speakers sound good and the receiver doesnt get too hot. The Pioneer vsx 521 I found on craigslist is sold.

IF I go for the smaller amp from amazon, which one of the smaller speaker setups from the list I posted do you recommend?

No comments on which bookshelf is best? I am moving from laptop speakers (ugh, i know) to a new setup, so thought PERHAPS just a bookshelf style pair and the cheaper Lepai Tripath could be enough? Any comments? I hear that the Pioneer BS41's are a really good option in that category, currently selling for $85.

Thanks for showing some alternatives, but the first link takes me to a speaker setup that is at least $250 for both speakers, so a bit out of my budget.

Looks like I will buy either the Pioneer FS51 or the Polk Monitor 50's today since the newegg deal expires tonight. While they are shipped, look for a cheap deal on a good beginner receiver?
Seems like this has been the unanimous suggestion when comparing the floor standing speakers with the book shelf ones from the lists I have provided.

You raise a good point, I hadnt thought about how I will place my speakers. I dont have any stands, or for that matter, any shelving around the tv area for bookshelf speakers. Keeping them on the floor will probably negatively impact their performance? If so, should look into the floor standing speakers..

What about the BS41's?

Ordered the Pioneer SP-FS51 for $120 shipped:) Below are the specs:
Power Rating
130 W (Max.)
Frequency Response
45 Hz-20 kHz
Nominal Impedance
6 Ohms
Sensitivity
87 dB (2.83 V)

When looking at ANY receiver to pair with these for a 2.0 setup, what are the minimum specs I should be looking into to get good output from these speakers? The only other thing to note is that I would like to connect my TV to these speakers as well.

Thanks

Honestly, as low as possible? Looking into refurbished and used receivers (craigslist).

Wanted to know minimum specs so that I can automatically exclude a few that I find. I have no brand preference, as long as it provides good power to the Pioneers so that they perform as intended. Also, would want something that I can use for a TV hookup (hdmi would be nice?) with perhaps an xbox as well.

Would like to stay under $250 total, so that leaves only $130 for the receiver. I realize this isnt a lot, but I did find a Pioneer vsx 521 from last year for $75 (now sold), so hoping there are other good deals to be had. Any particular models I can focus on in the refurbished or used market?

As I previously mentioned, I recently bought a pair of Pioneer SP-FS51 floor speakers. I would like to create a 2.0 setup without a woofer, mostly for music (progressive house), some television and a little xbox gaming. I do use a mac/ipod touch so airplay is in consideration, but since my understanding of airplay is that it only works through itunes, I'm not sure how much value I will receive from it. Overall, I would like to purchase a receiver that can provide good, clean power to these speakers.

My receiver budget is simply "the lower, the better", so am posting my research below for suggestions. I definitely would NOT like to spend $300 on this, but wanted to post all my research here.

If possible, please recommend the best under $150, the best under $200 and the best under $250 with the highlight of each best pick over the other top pick that falls under the cheaper category. This way, I will be able to exactly see what value I will receive by spending more.

Lastly, all refurbs carry a 1 year manufacturer warranty.

• LP-2020A+ Lepai Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier - $25
• Onkyo HT-RC330 refurb - $110
• Onkyo TX-SR309 refurb - $129
• Denon AVR-391 refurb - $131
• Denon AVR-1312 refurb - $140
• Denon AVR-1513 refurb - $169
• Onkyo TX-SR313 refurb - $170
• Denon AVR-1612 refurb - $175
• Pioneer VSX-522-K - $180
• Yamaha RX-V371BL - $190
• Onkyo HT-R590 refurb - $190
• Onkyo TX-SR313 - $195
• Onkyo HT-RC430 - $198
• Denon AVR-1312 - $200
• Onkyo TX-SR309 - $200
• Onkyo TX-NR509 refurb - $210
• Onkyo HT-RC260 refurb - $240
• Onkyo TX-NR414 refurb - $240
• Onkyo HT-RC360 refurb - $250
• Denon AVR-1613 refurb - $250
• Denon AVR-791 refurb - $250
• Denon AVR-1513 - $250
• Yamaha RX-V373 - $250
• Marantz Sr4003 refurb - $260
• Marantz NR1402 Slimline refurb - $260
• Onkyo TX-NR509 - $260
• Onkyo TX-NR515 refurb - $260
• Denon AVR-1712 refurb - $260
• Harman Kardon AVR 1565 - $265
• Marantz Sr5002 refurb - $270
• Onkyo TX-SR608 refurb - $270
• Onkyo TX-NR414 - $270
• Denon AVR-1713 refurb - $280
• Yamaha RX-V571BL - $297
• Onkyo HT-RC360 - $298
• Pioneer VSX-1022-K - $279
• Harman Kardon AVR 700 - $300
• Denon AVR-1912 refurb - $306
• Denon AVR-1613 - $320

Thank you for your time and feedback!
Edited by slique12 - 10/9/12 at 6:30pm

Thanks for your reply.

I was basically trying to see if there were any options under $150 to which someone said "that would be really good for my needs". Such as Onkyo HT-RC330, Onkyo TX-SR309, Denon AVR-391 or Denon AVR-1312.

If I do end up spending between $150 and $200, then the Denon 1612 is definitely one of the top 2-3 picks. Because I have not heard any of the models I have listed, I was hoping someone could sort of break down the list by price ranges, and kind of give a run down of what to expect in each price range so I could make an educated decision.

This is way more confusing than I had anticipated.

Bump.

Ok, so what do I need for a pair of Pioneer FS51 speakers and a receiver such as a Denon 1612?

8 banana plugs? How are the ones below?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

Wire? What gauge? 16? The minimum length I find is 50 feet. Is this good?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2749&seq=1&format=2