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Looking for TV/Blu-Ray Sound - Can't go 5.1

post #1 of 65
2/12/13 at 6:25am
Thread Starter 
Hey Gang,

As I'm now settled in my new house, I'm now starting to deal with the reality of not having any sound worth a damn. I'm currently listening through my TV's speakers (blech).

I do not have the ability to run rear speakers in my L/R, due entirely to my not wanting to drill through my hardwood floors to run speaker cables. So I'm looking for a decent 2.1 type setup to get the most of what I can.

I was seriously thinking of a Bose Cinemate type solution, but than I figured maybe I can eek something out of what I have w/ decent 2.1 speakers?

I currently own a Denon AVR-591.

What would you guys do? And can my Denon be configured as a 2.1 type system or am I going to end up w/ a hack job and muddy sound?

Thanks !
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post #2 of 65
2/12/13 at 7:12am
Thread Starter 
Would the Cambridge S30s with a decent sub do the trick here?

Do I need a center channel to make the sound decent or can my Denon do a decent job making sound w/ a 2.1?
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post #3 of 65
2/12/13 at 8:14am
I have a Denon 591 as my bedroom receiver and it can be configured as anything from 2.0 to 5.1. So yes it will easily do 2.1.

What's your budget for speakers and a sub? I'm pretty confident you can do much better than a bose cinemate 2.1 for the same money.

Cambridge s30 and a decent sub would be a great option!
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post #4 of 65
2/12/13 at 8:16am
If you already have a Denon 591 how are you using it now? What speakers?
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post #5 of 65
2/12/13 at 8:28am
I would suggest something like the HSU STF-2 to go along with the Cambridge S30. They are well reviewed and that sub would pair nicely with them. I am just assuming a budget of around $500 seeing as you mentioned the Bose Cinemate.
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post #6 of 65
2/12/13 at 12:28pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry I didn't respond sooner - subscribe didn't actually alert me.

My budget is around the Cinemate number since that's what I was considering. I'm currently not using any speakers save what's in the TV (and my ears are bleeding with the muddy sound).

If I go Cambridge S30, what's a 'decent' sub? I saw the Polk PSW505 (older model?) on Amazon for a cheap $240. Too much? Good price? Eh?

Crutchfield tried to sell me the SurroundBar 400 w/ 'free' sub for 700+. I wasn't sure about the SurroundBar.
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post #7 of 65
2/12/13 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

If I go Cambridge S30, what's a 'decent' sub?

JBL Studio 150P subwoofer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882665157

http://www.avhub.com.au/images/stories/australian-hifi/reviews/2011-05_to_12/2011-11/jbl_sub150p_subwoofer_review_lores.pdf
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post #8 of 65
2/12/13 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

JBL Studio 150P subwoofer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882665157

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

Even cheaper than the Polk. Nice. For $150 what am I missing here?
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post #9 of 65
2/12/13 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
Is the PA-10W better than the 150P?
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post #10 of 65
2/12/13 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
Looks like I've gotten this far based on what I've read here:

2 front speakers: Cambridge S30s or Def Tech SM450s
Sub: Polk PSW505, PA-10W, or the recently suggested JBL Sub150P

????
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post #11 of 65
2/12/13 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

Even cheaper than the Polk. Nice. For $150 what am I missing here?
A good deal - and a good review, with good measurements - some more expensive subs
can not stand up to them measurements.

Your choice/option and decision.
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post #12 of 65
2/12/13 at 2:17pm
The Polk PSW505 is a huge RIP OFF!!! It is only worth getting when the price is below $200 it was selling for $190 shipped a couple days ago

Those S30's or SM450's with an HSU STF-2 would be an amazing set-up

Also the Klipsch RW-12d for $300 from newegg will literally knock your socks off there is no better subwoofer for $300
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post #13 of 65
2/12/13 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 
Okay so scratch that Polk off the list ....
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post #14 of 65
2/12/13 at 2:35pm
I own the Def Tech SM 350 and the 450s and those are really good speakers for the dime. I could barely tell the difference between the two, so if these are what you want, check New Egg and see what the best deal is at the time (recenlty, New Egg had the SM350 for 170/pr). Anyway, really good speaker that hit low pretty well, is crisp and clear at the high end and has good midrange. I have heard nothing but good thing about the CA S30, so sounds like you cannot go worng with either choice. I own the Klipsch Synergy 10 inch sub and if your room ismedium sized like mine (17x20 foot-ish), that sub will more than do. I got mine for 170 dollars.
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post #15 of 65
2/12/13 at 3:40pm
Thread Starter 
I'm sold on the SM 450s. Leaning towards that JBL sub mentioned earlier. I can't believe how cheap it is !
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post #16 of 65
2/12/13 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
Is my sound level going to be appreciably better by going to a pair of S30s with a S50 in the middle? Again, noting my AVR-591 can do either 2.1 or 3.1?
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post #17 of 65
2/12/13 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

Is my sound level going to be appreciably better by going to a pair of S30s with a S50 in the middle? Again, noting my AVR-591 can do either 2.1 or 3.1?
3.1 would give you a better simulated surround experience
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post #18 of 65
2/12/13 at 5:42pm
You can post in the sub forum regarding that choice. The BIC F12 is highly regarded at under $200. And the Klipsch is supposed to be a good value during the periodic sales at newegg.
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post #19 of 65
2/12/13 at 8:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

Even cheaper than the Polk. Nice. For $150 what am I missing here?

That's just a really good bargain. I think it would be an excellent choice unless your room is very large, in which case you should look for a higher output 12" sub. If I had to choose between a pair of the SM450 (2.1) or the S30s/S50 (3.1) to fill out the set with the JBL sub, I'd go with the 3.1 setup. Then you can always add an extra pair of speakers later for surrounds.

BTW: if you pull the shoe molding off, you can run speaker wire behind it for wiring surrounds.
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post #20 of 65
2/12/13 at 9:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

Is my sound level going to be appreciably better by going to a pair of S30s with a S50 in the middle?

That would be a real nice way to start - the Cambridge is not a wimp, and is good.

However, if you have enough height - I would buy another pair of the S30, and use one
as a center channel and have a spare - and skip the regular center, only $30 difference.
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post #21 of 65
2/13/13 at 3:30am
Thread Starter 
My room is quite large: 20x13 with another 8 feet of open walk/hallway behind the couch and a open kitchen to the right. Maybe that Klipsch RW-12D for 300 from Newegg might be better or will that JBL still carry the room?
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post #22 of 65
2/13/13 at 6:44am
Thread Starter 
The JBL SUB150P is on sale right now for 150. The Klipsch RW-12d is 2x the price w/ NewEgg's Promo.

Is the Klipsch the better performer by 2x? The JBL has a nicer warranty, that's for sure. That Polk PSW505 is right in between them in price, but it seems the enthusiast doesn't care for them very much and that JBL looks to outperform it.
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post #23 of 65
2/13/13 at 8:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

The JBL SUB150P is on sale right now for 150. The Klipsch RW-12d is 2x the price w/ NewEgg's Promo.

Is the Klipsch the better performer by 2x? The JBL has a nicer warranty, that's for sure. That Polk PSW505 is right in between them in price, but it seems the enthusiast doesn't care for them very much and that JBL looks to outperform it.
The Klipsch RW-12d is FAR superior in its ability. Yes its better times 2.
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post #24 of 65
2/13/13 at 8:45am
F
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425 View Post

The Klipsch RW-12d is FAR superior in its ability. Yes its better times 2.

FYI, the $299 newegg deal ends today, but seems to go on sale once a month.
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post #25 of 65
2/13/13 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

My room is quite large: 20x13 with another 8 feet of open walk/hallway behind the couch and a open kitchen to the right.

The JBL SUB150P is on sale right now for 150. The Klipsch RW-12d is 2x the price w/ NewEgg's Promo.

Is the Klipsch the better performer by 2x? The JBL has a nicer warranty, that's for sure. That Polk PSW505 is right in between them in price, but it seems the enthusiast doesn't care for them very much and that JBL looks to outperform it.

Do not judge performace by price - however based on your size room, the Klipsch would
be the better option.

However another solid option with a good price, is the Cadence CSX12
http://www.cadencesound.com/products/CSX12-Mark-II.html

Here is the review
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/review-cadence-csx-12-mark-ii-subwoofer?page=0,2
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post #26 of 65
2/13/13 at 9:00am
Thread Starter 
Would I need less punch if the room and surrounding area is all hardwood flooring? Just wondering; don't want to pay for boom I don't need, and we can't crank it anyway since my 5 & 7 year old will be sleeping upstairs.

I'm basically looking for solid sound with a fair price and excellent reliability. Not audiophile sound. I wouldn't know it if I heard it.
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post #27 of 65
2/13/13 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
What say you guys about this system?
Cambridge S30s F/R
Cambridge S50 C
Bic F12 sub

????
Edited by s1njin - 2/13/13 at 12:34pm
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post #28 of 65
2/13/13 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

I can get the BIC PL-200 for cheaper then the RD-12. Makes it easier to swallow.

What say you guys about this system?
Cambridge S30s F/R
Cambridge S50 C
Bic F12 sub

????

PL200 or F12?

When I was looking last week PL200 was $280, only $20 less than rw-12D. The f12 was like $190 but is pretty much the same as the BIC H100 from what I could tell. Although the H100 is selling for like $240. (I heard some stud was selling one gently used for $175 in the classified section though)
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post #29 of 65
2/13/13 at 1:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by s1njin View Post

What say you guys about this system?
Cambridge S30s F/R
Cambridge S50 C
Bic F12 sub

????
Not a bad place to start off which should keep you happy for awhile.

If you are interested here is a test of the Bic Subwoofers(1 Bic F12 and 2 Bic v1220's) and here is a test of a Pair of Klipsch RW-12d's
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post #30 of 65
2/14/13 at 8:25am
Thread Starter 
I couldn't get the RW-12D for the 300 since I would have also had to pay tax.

Now only down to whether the sub should be a Bic f12 or a Bic PL-200. Not sure if the difference is worth the extra 100 bucks. ???
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