Apartment Theater System

With bookshelf speakers, you should start with a sub now, and add a center later, and then surrounds. I don't know what your budget is, but here's one option:
- Cambridge S30s ($219 @ Amazon.com)
- SVS SB12-NSD ($649, shipped) or SB-1000 ($499, shipped)

Since it is a apartment and you probably won't be staying there for years and years I would look @ a HTIB. When you move in a more permanent house just move the HTIB into your bedroom then purchase a better system. Anyways here is a couple that isn't priced too bad.
http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productlanding.aspx?catid=hometheatersystems(denonna)&catalog=denonna_us

The S30s are very nice budget speakers. They're probably the king of their price range. The F12 would be a good budget subwoofer choice as well, especially if most of usage is for movies.

+1

Originally Posted by postrokfan

The S30s are very nice budget speakers. They're probably the king of their price range.

+2

Also look at the JBL 150P subwoofer - for a tight budget
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882665157
Edited by zieglj01 - 1/19/13 at 4:15pm

Hands down, my choice the Cambridge

http://www.wwstereo.com/deals/warehouse-sale?Brand=Energy

http://www.wwstereo.com/Home-Audio/Receivers/Home-Theater-Receivers

http://www.wwstereo.com/Home-Audio/Speakers/Subwoofers
Some really good sales right now...excellent to deal with.
$199 @WWS for the JBL sub mentioned above...maybe they would price match, they should

Not a big fan of Bic subs - however, your call

So what is your total budget?

For one on a tight budget and mainly home theater - the Bic can float your boat.

I also, prefer subs that will also be good for music - the Bic based on many reviews, tends to be
weak in the music area.

The Cambridge bass is tight and controlled. It all comes down to you and your preference/choice.

I think this would be a good start. That JBL sub zieglj01 mentioned might be better but I'm not familiar with it so I can't comment. There's a good budget subwoofer thread in the subwoofers forum for other ideas as well as comments on the F12. What price are you seeing for the F12? That would be an important consideration as well.

The Denon 1613 IMO is better than the Onkyo. 1613 has Airplay and Audyssey
http://www.wwstereo.com/Home-Audio/Receivers/Home-Theater-Receivers/AVR-1613
The one post I had on the Denon site it mentions the 1613 in the package but then again in the next it mentions the 1513.... Maybe call Denon and because of the mixed up paragraphs they will honor the 1613 along with the Boston speaker package
http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productdetail.aspx?catid=hometheatersystems(denonna)&catalog=denonna_us&pid=dht1513ba(denonna)
Newegg has the 1613 for $50 less...
Edited by Browninggold - 1/19/13 at 6:42pm

JBL 150P sub review
http://www.avhub.com.au/images/stories/australian-hifi/reviews/2011-05_to_12/2011-11/jbl_sub150p_subwoofer_review_lores.pdf

If you're gonna be in an apartment, you should probably skip the sub for now. Years ago I lived in a NYC apartment for a few years and one of our neighbors had a sub. Everyone hated him.

Don't get me wrong, I love bass (let it drop) and have a sub of my own - just not in an apartment building.

BTW, for around $199 you might check out the Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 350s. Newegg has them on sale right now, for another day or so - for $199/pair. These were $499/pair speakers but since they are discontinued they are likely just trying to close them out. For another $79 you can get the 450s.

I just ordered a set of the 350s. Won't have them until Wed. but they are very well regarded and even have 8" passive radiators to help get a little extra low end bass. I don't think you'll really get the advertised 26hz out of them, but they are another option.

No place has them for audition purposes (discontinued) so you'd be getting them 'blind' - but if you geek out and spend a couple days researching like I have, you may come to the same conclusion that for $199 free shipping and no tax, they would be hard to beat.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882325059

Good luck!

fwiw,i agree with boondongle that a sub in an apartment could get you the talk of the building or evicted in a short time especially in an older builing where the walls and floors where not to well insulated. i would check first with your landlord and see what they say. that being said i would look into a pair of towers to give you more bass

Do you have a headache yet btm88? if your going no sub just towers take a hard look at the pioneer tower. My son has them in his bedroom and using for his projector setup without a sub...I have to say they play down low. Sometimes I think maybe I spent too much on my 3 Klipsch RF7IIs across the front paired with my SVPB13 Ultra. My sons setup rumbles the house. These are his speakers http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers/SP-FS51-LR. He does have the center horizontal that goes with these speakers. We purchased at BestBuy and they were not much at all. I believe there are a owners thread on this forum for these speakers.
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1278774/pioneers-speaker-genius-hits-low-price-point
Edited by Browninggold - 1/20/13 at 7:09am

fwiw, looking at the pictures posted,if this is going to be a simular set up in your apartment, just a few things to remember. if using bookself speakers make sure the height between the shelves will be adaquit and ear level when sitting down for best sound and wide enough for port to breath. you will need a few inches from back of speaker to wall unless you go with sealed or front ported speakers

I started out with the Home Theatre bug around 25 years ago. First purchase was a Zenith Home theatre in a Box (HTIB). After a few upgrades and 25 thousand dollars later I have a setup I will not be upgrading ever. I would just start out for around $500 look at my first post about the HTIB from denon and gradually upgrade your system. The HTIB I mentioned the bookshelfs will neatly tuck away in the shelving you have pictured.

I would through out the def tech sm350/450s. New egg has them for around or even under 200/pr and especially if you are think no sub, those speakers hit pretty low for a bookshelf. Also, sealed, so you they can be wall mounted or place flush against a wall. Really good speaker, listening to it as I type!