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Any better suggestions for 5.1 setup (in-ceiling rears) for around $500

post #1 of 14
12/31/12 at 9:02am
Thread Starter 
My budget can't go much over $500... I'm looking for bookshelf size fronts, a center channel, in-ceiling rears (the only aesthetic and wife approved option), and a small sub (preferrably less than 12" wide to fit in the only "approved" space!). I'm planning to purchase a Denon AVR-1913 or AVR-2113CI to also run two outdoor speakers but those are outside of this budget. Here's what I'm thinking:

Polk: TSI-200's for front LR
Polk: CS10 for CC
Polk: RC80i for rear (would consider RC65i but the larger holes would actually help fish the wires that need to go outside)

This puts me just over $500 at Amazon and Polk has a promotion for a free PSW111 sub if you spend over $499. I see mixed reviews on this sub but haven't found any other options in my price range that include a fairly compact sub.

This is for a living room setup in a house with an open floor plan. The living room is 14' wide x approx. 18' long but the total area is about 40' long and has 9' ceilings. I don't need to shake the house but want decent sound quality 50% music / 50% movies.

I'm open to suggestions!!! Thanks!
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post #2 of 14
12/31/12 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 
I've been doing more research today and see another option might be the BIC Formula FH6-LCR for all three fronts or as just the center with Formula FH-65B as left and rights. BIC makes in-ceiling as well and I could use the Formula F12 sub... but this puts me up to $700. Any thoughts on the Polks??? I haven't been able to configure anything else close to that price point.
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post #3 of 14
12/31/12 at 2:37pm
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic-Theater-System-Black/dp/B001202C44


Then inexpensive Inceiling you can find as rears.

Then your left with an extra pair of bookshelves.



These sound awesome check reviews.
I like Marantz
The latest denons lower line seem flimsy.

Yamaha seems really solid lately too.







theaudioguy.ca
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post #4 of 14
12/31/12 at 3:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the response... I dig further but since I'll be using the system around 50% for music will the Energy's 3" woofers compare with the dual 5'1/4" woofers on the TSI200's?
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post #5 of 14
12/31/12 at 6:12pm

Probably not the polks will sound fuller
not by much though.
Energy sub seems better
Can you not hear them first?
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post #6 of 14
12/31/12 at 6:13pm
Crazy how nice they sound though
For such little money.
For ht I'd go with the energys
Music tough call
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post #7 of 14
1/1/13 at 8:05am
Thread Starter 
Alright VM844.... you've convinced me to take a longer look at the Energy Take Classics.... smile.gif I see this setup for $299 @ Newegg... maybe I'll try this and hold off on the rear in-ceiling speakers so I can upgrade the receiver. The only thing I'm challenged with is the size of the sub. Are there any good options if I bought the 5.0 system and purchased a compact sub?
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post #8 of 14
1/2/13 at 1:57pm
Great ,
You don't have spend much on a receiver ..
Marantz Yamaha
Nrg 1403 Marantz
673
Or 573 Yama



There's a sub on eBay with free shipping from they're high end line.
Connoisor


Just type in search
Energy sub 8

Energys just need one screw to nicely mount on a wall.

Then you'll see it for $218 free shipping buy it now.

I'd jump quickly .....


theaudioguy.ca
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post #9 of 14
1/2/13 at 2:30pm
I think I saw them for $100 off today on new egg .
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post #10 of 14
1/2/13 at 2:39pm
I suggest that you consider the Martin-Logan MLT 2 system, with the addition of the Polk PSW505 subwoofer. You should be able to do that for around $500-550.

The PSW111 is pretty much worthless, which is why you can get it for free...lol. I also think the Energy Take Classic system is totally worthless, and a huge ripoff.

If you want an actual SUBwoofer, it needs at least a 12-inch driver, with adequate power to drive it. Smaller ones just thump and huff and do not produce any real bass.
Edited by commsysman - 1/2/13 at 2:54pm
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post #11 of 14
1/2/13 at 2:45pm
A 3-inch WOOFER????

ROFL

The MINMUM size for something to truly be called a "woofer" is probably around 5 to 6 inches in diameter, and that is with the loading of a properly designed enclosure.

3 inches is the size of the speaker in a cheap clock radio.

It takes a lot of chutzpah to call a 3-inch speaker a "woofer"!!!

It is absurd; that's even too small for a decent midrange speaker, let alone a woofer!

(I also think everything about the Energy Take Classic system is underpowered and absurd...)

Quote:
Originally Posted by prskier17 View Post

Thanks for the response... I dig further but since I'll be using the system around 50% for music will the Energy's 3" woofers compare with the dual 5'1/4" woofers on the TSI200's?

Edited by commsysman - 1/2/13 at 2:52pm
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post #12 of 14
1/2/13 at 2:48pm
My klipsch RCX-4 has 4" woofers and it has fantastic midrange performance, not lacking at all.
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post #13 of 14
1/2/13 at 3:02pm
I don't doubt that at all. There is nothing wrong with a 4-inch midrange, IF it is well-engineered and constructed.

My Gallo Acoustics CL-3 speakers have high-quality bass down to below 40 Hz, and they do it with only 5 1/4 inch drivers.

BUT....

--there are two of them, not one (a lot more total cone area), per speaker.

--the drivers are $200 long-throw low-mass carbon-fiber drivers with exceptionally large voice coils and magnets to drive them at high power levels.

--the enclosure uses a patented transmission-line loading system using special (expensive) materials.

These drivers have very little in common with the kind of cheap 5-inch drivers you get in a $100 speaker.

Quote:
Originally Posted by blake18 View Post

My klipsch RCX-4 has 4" woofers and it has fantastic midrange performance, not lacking at all.

Edited by commsysman - 1/2/13 at 3:12pm
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post #14 of 14
1/2/13 at 3:15pm
Quote:
My budget can't go much over $500... This is for a living room setup in a house with an open floor plan. The living room is 14' wide x approx. 18' long but the total area is about 40' long and has 9' ceilings. I don't need to shake the house but want decent sound quality 50% music / 50% movies.
I'm open to suggestions!!!
That is a huge area for any modest system to fill with sound - and especially for a budget- to moderately-priced sub to pressurize - but here's my suggestion:
- a pair of bookshelf speakers for ~$200, such as these Polk Monitor 40s; and
- an SVS PB-1000 ($499, shipped).

Later on, add a center speaker, and then surrounds.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › Any better suggestions for 5.1 setup (in-ceiling rears) for around $500