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HT for Christmas...HELP

post #1 of 16
11/26/12 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 
Ok so I've decided to get a home theater system for my husband. I'm definitely on a budget, I know I know, sorry guys. I've got it down to these three speaker systems that are on sale for cyber monday at Newegg....

the Definitive Technology ProCinema 60 5.1 for $200 bucks

the Polk 6750 for 169.00

the Energy Take 5 for 129...with a separate active sub

or

the Onkyo 3500 for 239.00

We don't have a receiver yet either but thats my christmas present to myself unless the Onkyo system will be a decent entry level system until we can get more financially stable.

the room is 12x12
obviously my speaker budget is 250....so open to suggestions but DO NOT go over budget please no matter how much you feel the need to lol
will be used for music, video games, movies

Thanks!
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post #2 of 16
11/26/12 at 11:22am
Check out the speaker system from Monoprice. It is very very similar to the Energy Take system your are looking at, but this one includes the powered Subwoofer. It is also under the $250 mark.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090601&p_id=9774&seq=1&format=2

The Energy Take speakers would be my pick, but you will be hard pressed finding a decent sub for under $100. The super affordable and highly rated 150W sub from monoprice is still $105 ( http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=9723&seq=1&format=2 ). so it might be in your best interest to find a bundle that includes an Active subwoofer with it already, for budget sake.
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post #3 of 16
11/26/12 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
I have actually been eyeballing the monoprice system for a while, but figured with the DT system being 50% off retail and the amazing reviews, thought the sound quality might be a bit higher. My budget = budget sound... FOR NOW. He'll be happy with anything but bang for the buck. I don't need the loudest, most thunderous bass, just a system that is beautifully balanced. The crisper, more precise the sound, the better.
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post #4 of 16
11/26/12 at 1:35pm
fwiw, you'll get better sound from
2 pairs of pioneer sp-bs21 $100 newegg
pioneer sp-c21 center $ 50 newegg
dayton audio sub 1200 $98 parts express
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post #5 of 16
11/26/12 at 3:54pm
One difficulty with the Pioneer speakers is their very low sensitivity.

This makes them a very poor match for low-powered budget receivers.

The Martin-Logan MLT-2 system is sometimes found for under $300, and its front speakers and subwoofer are MUCH MUCH better than the Take series, or almost anything else for under $500 IMO.

If you have an absolute budget limit, that is that. On the other hand, it is false economy to buy something that ends up being almost worthless to you...and must be replaced soon thereafter.

I see post after post bemoaning the too-small speakers of the Take series and similar systems with teensy front speakers; they just don't cut it. No satisfaction there.

The Polk 6750 would certainly be my choice if I absolutely could not afford the MLT-2, and $169 is a great deal on it.
Edited by commsysman - 11/26/12 at 4:05pm
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post #6 of 16
11/26/12 at 6:04pm
fwiw, the pioneer speakers with their low sensitivity will get very loud even with the lowest budget reciever. especially in a 12x12 room and i'm sure they wont distort as easy as the small satalite speakers in those htib when pushed to high volumes.
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post #7 of 16
11/26/12 at 7:37pm
I auditioned the pioneer towers a yr ago and found them to sound less good than my SLS Q line gold satellite speakers. They had better bass, but not nearly as good in the mid and high range. Also not as good sounding as my Polk monitor 40s,IMHO. A/b comparison for both!
The Martin Logan mlt2 5.1 has been as low as 239.00 from new egg, but I haven't heard that system.
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post #8 of 16
11/26/12 at 7:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

fwiw, the pioneer speakers with their low sensitivity will get very loud even with the lowest budget reciever. especially in a 12x12 room and i'm sure they wont distort as easy as the small satalite speakers in those htib when pushed to high volumes.
That is true -
Also, they do not have a boosted midrange or high range - so they will not have
a somewhat artificial sound quality, like a lot of budget speakers out there.
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post #9 of 16
11/26/12 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk View Post

I auditioned the pioneer towers a yr ago and found them to sound less good than my SLS Q line gold satellite speakers. They had better bass, but not nearly as good in the mid and high range. Also not as good sounding as my Polk monitor 40s,IMHO. A/b comparison for both!
The Martin Logan mlt2 5.1 has been as low as 239.00 from new egg, but I haven't heard that system.

what?! were those pioneers defective or what?
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post #10 of 16
11/26/12 at 9:33pm
I would give a look at these Definitive Technology 5.1 speaker set up on sale for $199.99 at www.newegg.com. I'm sure it will sound decent for your room size. Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882325104

For receiver, I would suggest buying a refurbished one from www.accessories4less.com. I would suggest Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo and Pioneer.

Denon AVR-1612 5.1 for $189.99 (not networked)
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1612/DENON-AVR-1612-5.1-Channel-A/V-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

Denon AVR-1712 7.1 for $269.99 (not networked)
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1712/DENON-AVR-1712-7.1-A/V-Surround-Receiver/1.html

These are networked AVR's and some are brand new from www.newegg.com

ONKYO TX-NR414 5.1 avr at $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120195

Pioneer VSX-822-K 5.1 $249.99 on sale
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117409

Pioneer VSX-1022-K 7.1 $249.99 on sale
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117410

and there are others.
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post #11 of 16
11/26/12 at 11:04pm
I see post after post bemoaning the too-small speakers of the Take series and similar systems with teensy front speakers; they just don't cut it.
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post #12 of 16
11/26/12 at 11:05pm
they wont distort as easy as the small satalite speakers in those htib when pushed to high volumes.zy
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post #13 of 16
11/27/12 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 
I don't need loud, just a nice balance that sounds better than TV speakers. Again, I know on a budget that my sound quality will be no where near perfect, but best quality for the buck. I'll definitely take a look at the MLTs and compare w/ the DTs. I appreciate the reference to the accessories4less refurb receivers. This is, as a reminder, a start up home theater. It will be upgraded later on with a reasonable budget, but for now this is what I have to work with.

Again thank you SO MUCH for all the input guys. I guess everyone has their own opinion on what they believe sounds best according to their preference... me i believe in highs accenting mids. As far as bass goes... clean, clear, and adding a bottom to overall sound, not overpowering and drowning the rest out.
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post #14 of 16
11/27/12 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SYKOgirl85 View Post

I don't need loud, just a nice balance that sounds better than TV speakers. Again, I know on a budget that my sound quality will be no where near perfect, but best quality for the buck. I'll definitely take a look at the MLTs and compare w/ the DTs. I appreciate the reference to the accessories4less refurb receivers. This is, as a reminder, a start up home theater. It will be upgraded later on with a reasonable budget, but for now this is what I have to work with.
Again thank you SO MUCH for all the input guys. I guess everyone has their own opinion on what they believe sounds best according to their preference... me i believe in highs accenting mids. As far as bass goes... clean, clear, and adding a bottom to overall sound, not overpowering and drowning the rest out.

I know what you mean. I started with a HTIB HT-9100THX, and it got addicting since, but now I pretty much know what I want to achieve. There are a lot of budget home audio equipment that sound good out there. Remember we can recommend audio equipment, but it is up to you to get what you want. If you are not happy with what you buy, you will be looking for something else sooner rather than later.

I usually advised people to buy the best 3.1 set up they can get and build from there. Surround speakers aren't as important as the front 3 and your sub. Those are the speakers that do the most work / sound.
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post #15 of 16
11/27/12 at 12:32pm
Jamo A102 200W 5.1 Home Cinema Speaker System (Black) set up is on sale for $200 with cupon code: NEEDMORE

Here's the link:
http://www.wwstereo.com/Jamo/A102HCS6BL
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post #16 of 16
12/27/12 at 1:31pm
Thread Starter 
Just wanted to do a little update on this thread and inform everyone of the decisions that were made. I ended up going with the Definitive Technology ProCinema 60.6 for 200.00 and a refurb Denon AVR 1312 Receiver from Accessories4less (thank you guys soooo much for that website recommendation) for right around 100 bux. It sounds spectacular even if I didn't order enough speaker cable and the surrounds aren't in the proper position yet lol. Thanks again for all the help! He loves the system especially when watching the dark knight rises (he's a batman fanatic).

To everyone out there thats looking for an entry level system, this is a great choice IMO. I love the blended highs and mids, the clean bass, and how Futurama even comes to life through this system lol.
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