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Replacing the Cinemate II with a Quality 2.1 to eventually update to 3.1/5.1

post #1 of 11
2/6/13 at 9:11am
Thread Starter 
My first post here guys, so take it easy on me. smile.gif

This forum is chock full of great information, but with so many options, this new hobby might be overwhelming smile.gif

I'm getting rid of the Cinemate II that I bought cheap ($250) when I was living in an apartment. It sounded good (to me at least) at the time, now it sounds muddy and underpowered. Now I own a home with a living room that's around 12' wide by 18' long and need some more oooomph in my setup with a bidget of about $500

My usage for this system would be primarily music, with the occasional blu-ray and general TV use. That's why I'm planning on sticking with a 2.1/3.1 setup for the time being. I listen to primarily metal, with rock, country and rap generally thrown in. I'm not looking for anything crazy, just something that will sound good at low to mid volumes.

I've been beating around the bush on an Onkyo NR series receiver (414 or a 509) or a Yamaha RX-V series (373BL or V471). I know the Onkyos have been having reliability issues so I'm leaning towards a Yamaha for more power and heard they're more reliable.

As for speakers, I was thinking about some Polk Monitor 45B's mated with a Polk PSW10. I see, for the same price as the 45B's, I can get some DefTech SM 350. The DefTech's seem to be a decent speaker in this forum, as are the Cambridge Audio s30's.

I'm wanting to stick with bookshelf speakers do to price and space, but I also am not opposed to buying some Polk Monitor 65T for $150/each right now. I'd most likely skimp on a sub if I got the Monitor 65T's or the DefTech SM 350.

If a subwoofer is recommended, I know the PSW10 isn't well liked around here smile.gif, so any other recommendations are always welcomed.

I guess what my question is, what would be the best bang for my buck? Like I said, music first, then blu-rays/gaming, then TV.
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post #2 of 11
2/6/13 at 9:28am
I like Denon receivers I've owned a couple. A Denon 3808CI AND A100. Both out of your range right now but Denons reliability is top notch IMO. Take a look at these http://www.wwstereo.com/Home-Audio/Receivers/Home-Theater-Receivers
The 1613 has Airplay which streams wireless music through your sound system with compatible devices. I use a iPad and iPod with mine. I've dealt with Worldwide Stereo with a lot of my purchases and everything went great. They give out great deals every once in a while so keep your eyes open. I always deal with a salesman named Ira...good guy. As far as speakers I would definitely give Pioneer towers a look. My son has those in his room and sound great even WO a sub. Energy is another good brand.
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post #3 of 11
2/6/13 at 11:15am
"The DefTech's seem to be a decent speaker in this forum, as are the Cambridge Audio s30's"

While I haven't heard the CA s30s, they seem to be highly regard 'round here! I do, however, own the Polk M40 (older sibling to the 45T) and I have the Def Tech SM450 and I can tell you, the Def Tech is a better speaker and it is not even close. The Polk, in my room, had muffled base and was abit shrill at the high end compared to the SM450. For essentially 200/pr, the Def tech hit low as well as any speaker in its price range and really sound good. Those bad boys will get loud and have good balance. The only issue with the Def Tech is that the center speakers (LCR2002, I think)..isn't very available. So if you need a traditional horizontal center, it might be a challenge getting one (mine are part of a 2.1 bedroom set up, so not an issue).
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post #4 of 11
2/6/13 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
That's one thing I noticed, if I want to add a 'matching' center speaker, the DefTech ones are pretty pricey.

I may just end up getting the 350's, a sub, and a receiver that can give me a virtual surround in my 2.1 environment. It even sounds like I might not even need a sub with these anyway. If you don't mind me asking, what sub are you using with the 350's?
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post #5 of 11
2/6/13 at 1:21pm
I'm in your exact shoes. I got the s30 and denon 1613. Gonna wait a while to buy a sub since I'm still living in an Apt. Ill let you know how everything sounds once I get it all set up. How are u placing your speakers? Stands?
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post #6 of 11
2/6/13 at 1:48pm
Another option in the good speaker for the buck category is the Infinity Primus p163. Been a couple years since I heard that speaker, but Fry's often has then on sale for 50-60 bucks per speaker. IMHO, not as good a speaker as the Def Techs...
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post #7 of 11
2/6/13 at 1:50pm
Unless you can't spend $200 on a subwoofer I wouldn't bother with the PSW10 The PSW505 for $190 is a huge step up over the PSW10

And you can probably pick up Polk Monitor 35b's for $110 when on sale. Plus when you add a center channel it will be afoordable. And then you buy bigger Polk Monitor's to the front and use the 35's as surrounds... If you can real with the cherry look of the Polk Monitors you can get them for $110.

When building a system you might want to consider how much it will cost to add on to your speakers, like the cost of the center channel. Def Tech's are not cheap when you want to build a complete matching set-up in the future you need to think about that
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post #8 of 11
2/6/13 at 1:59pm
out of stock now, but this summer you could pick up this center channel for just under 200 dollars from New Egg. Or just buy another pair of SM 450/350 and use on as a center. A really good speaker, especially at 200/pr. (the SM450 list at $599.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1J70M02970
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post #9 of 11
2/6/13 at 2:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdids247 View Post


I may just end up getting the 350's, a sub, and a receiver that can give me a virtual surround in my 2.1 environment. It even sounds like I might not even need a sub with these anyway.

While they do have some bass - what makes you think that they do not need a sub.
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post #10 of 11
2/6/13 at 2:48pm
For music, the SM450 don't need a sub. for Hometheater, they definately will benefit from a sub
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post #11 of 11
2/7/13 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all of the recommendations everyone! I'm definitely at a crossroads on all my options and this helps clear the fog a bit.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › Replacing the Cinemate II with a Quality 2.1 to eventually update to 3.1/5.1