Good/Small bookshelf speakers

post #1 of 11

1/18/13 at 4:03pm

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Current setup

Yamaha VX571
Polk Monitor 30ii front
Polk CS1 Center
Sony B1000 surround
Sony HTIB sub

Large room, but we typically use it for dialogue centered movies (with soundtrack). Not terribly interested in feeling subwoofer, but like rich sound. Fronts are bookshelf b/c we only have room for speakers with 11.5" total height. What would the best use of money be (Figure max $200.) New fronts, move the 30's to the back or new sub? I wouldn't want a sub with a bigger total width than 12"

Thanks so much

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post #2 of 11

1/18/13 at 4:41pm

Jay1
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An HTiB sub is a complete joke... I would pick this guy up

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882665157

A little bigger then you want, but a nice smooth response to below 30hz, and decent output capability makes this a very good value.

New mains would be the next consideration

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post #3 of 11

1/18/13 at 5:04pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay1

An HTiB sub is a complete joke... I would pick this guy up

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882665157

A little bigger then you want, but a nice smooth response to below 30hz, and decent output capability makes this a very good value.

New mains would be the next consideration

It looks like a great value but the same bookshelfs that cramp my fronts make a sub bigger than 12" nearly impossible unless it was wireless

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post #4 of 11

1/18/13 at 6:02pm

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Well if you were to get new speakers you'd need a new center too unless you stay with Polk Monitors. You're not going to get all 3 speakers for $200.

I would suggest the HTD Level TWO speakers but they're 11 7/8" tall. So you'll have the same problem.
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers

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post #5 of 11

1/18/13 at 6:06pm

Jay1
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That's a really tough size for your budget, as you're only going to find crap that small under $200 frankly... If you up your budget a little you can get a sub with some decent slam that will fit in your 12" gap

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=304-012

(9.8" wide)

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post #6 of 11

1/18/13 at 6:08pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by afrogt

Well if you were to get new speakers you'd need a new center too unless you stay with Polk Monitors.

I saw there are now Monitor 35s but I have no idea if they are an improvement

Quote:

Originally Posted by afrogt

You're not going to get all 3 speakers for $200.

I would suggest the HTD Level TWO speakers but they're 11 7/8" tall. So you'll have the same problem.
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers

I could live with going piecemeal - front and then waiting a month for the center, but the 11.5" is a pretty hard limit (and replacing the shelves would not fly with the boss)

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post #7 of 11

1/18/13 at 6:22pm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by crcostel

Current setup

Yamaha VX571
Polk Monitor 30ii front
Polk CS1 Center
Sony B1000 surround
Sony HTIB sub

Large room, but we typically use it for dialogue centered movies (with soundtrack). Not terribly interested in feeling subwoofer, but like rich sound. Fronts are bookshelf b/c we only have room for speakers with 11.5" total height. What would the best use of money be (Figure max $200.) New fronts, move the 30's to the back or new sub? I wouldn't want a sub with a bigger total width than 12"

Thanks so much

Save up some more money. You're not going to get any meaningful or even noticeable improvement for $200 unless you get one of the "better" $200 subs like the Bic F-12, or Polk 505 or Energy 10.3 or similar.

And if those won't fit, well, again keep saving until you can purchase something that will make a difference.

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post #8 of 11

1/18/13 at 7:50pm

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