I had a Yamaha RX867 (similar to RX-A800) with Energy speakers. Thought it was a nice combo. If you go bookshelf you will probably want a sub. Another thing to think about is going used (here, Audiogon, Craigslist). I have been using a phantom center (no center channel, make sure to configure your Yammie to not have one) recently and really haven't missed the center. Keeping in mind my primary listening is right in the middle.
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5.1 setup for under $500?
I picked up a Yamaha RX-A730 Receiver and now I need some speakers. I want to keep it simple, no need to go crazy because I'm in an apartment..
The room is about 11ftx16ft and very open. TV and sofa are 11ft apart.
I'm going to order a blu-ray player, probably the Sony 6200.
We have a cheap Sony boxed home theater setup that is being replaced. Lets say my speaker budget is under $500, what is recommended? We love to watch movies, and I'm a baseball junkie.
Thanks.
I picked up a Yamaha RX-A730 Receiver and now I need some speakers. I want to keep it simple, no need to go crazy because I'm in an apartment..
The room is about 11ftx16ft and very open. TV and sofa are 11ft apart.
I'm going to order a blu-ray player, probably the Sony 6200.
We have a cheap Sony boxed home theater setup that is being replaced. Lets say my speaker budget is under $500, what is recommended? We love to watch movies, and I'm a baseball junkie.
Thanks.
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
Is there a size limit on your speakers? Can you have towers, bookshelf or satellites?
It seems to me that many would recommend the Pioneers. Either the floor standing or bookshelf speakers and the center channel. On sale that would cost $223. That would give you $275 for a subwoofer. The pl-200 could be had for that amount. That would be a very nice system. And then worry about surrounds later.
Thanks for all the replies.. No size limit...
Right now I have 2 satellite speakers on the side of the sofa, a center unit, sub and two floor standing / tower speakers..
I can do the same or different..
Right now I have 2 satellite speakers on the side of the sofa, a center unit, sub and two floor standing / tower speakers..
I can do the same or different..
Well for a $500 price limit your options are going to be limited. Based on what others have said around here, the Pioneers would be the way to go
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyc eng /t/1519484/5-1-setup-for-under-500#post_24399629
Thanks for all the replies.. No size limit...
Right now I have 2 satellite speakers on the side of the sofa, a center unit, sub and two floor standing / tower speakers..
I can do the same or different..
Well for a $500 price limit your options are going to be limited. Based on what others have said around here, the Pioneers would be the way to go
This Pioneer setup?
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Home-Theater-Systems/Speaker-Packages/SP-PK52FS
What if I went a little higher, would the consensus still be, Pioneer?
This Pioneer setup?
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Home-Theater-Systems/Speaker-Packages/SP-PK52FS
What if I went a little higher, would the consensus still be, Pioneer?
**********
@nyc eng, with a budget of $500 for 5 speakers and a sub, I suggest you are unlikely to get a paricularly satisfying level of audio performance. Also, although it's a good unit, you have overspent on the Yamaha RX-A730 in comparison to your speaker budget. For a balanced HT audio spend, a general guideline would be to spend around 20-25% of the budget on electronics, with the balance split fairly evenly between speakers and sub(s).
All is not lost! There are strategies to address this if you're interested. The first is an increased budget (naturally), possibly through holding off and saving up some more. The second is an adjunct and that is to build your setup over time as funds become available. The idea is that you don't need to go straight to a 5.1 setup and spread your budget thin. Instead, spend it on a higher quality 2.1 system initially and build your system over time. In 12 to 18 months you'll end up with a far more satisfying surround sound setup.
A quality bookshelf/sub combo will keep you satisfied for months until you've saved for the next speaker purchase. The idea is to pick a "family" of speakers you like and just purchase say the mid-sized bookshelf of the range to use as mains. Later, the matching centre channel speaker can be added. In the meantime, your AVR can be configured to redirect the centre channel signal to the mains and you get a "phantom" centre effect. The next move is the surround speakers. Here you have the option of getting larger bookshelves or floorstanding towers for the mains and re-purposing your bookshelves to surround duty or simply buying matching surround speakers.
I have to dash off now, so I have to cut this short of some recommendations at the moment. If you're interested in pursuing this idea, I'll return with some recommendations for expandable 2.1 setups.
@nyc eng, with a budget of $500 for 5 speakers and a sub, I suggest you are unlikely to get a paricularly satisfying level of audio performance. Also, although it's a good unit, you have overspent on the Yamaha RX-A730 in comparison to your speaker budget. For a balanced HT audio spend, a general guideline would be to spend around 20-25% of the budget on electronics, with the balance split fairly evenly between speakers and sub(s).
All is not lost! There are strategies to address this if you're interested. The first is an increased budget (naturally), possibly through holding off and saving up some more. The second is an adjunct and that is to build your setup over time as funds become available. The idea is that you don't need to go straight to a 5.1 setup and spread your budget thin. Instead, spend it on a higher quality 2.1 system initially and build your system over time. In 12 to 18 months you'll end up with a far more satisfying surround sound setup.
A quality bookshelf/sub combo will keep you satisfied for months until you've saved for the next speaker purchase. The idea is to pick a "family" of speakers you like and just purchase say the mid-sized bookshelf of the range to use as mains. Later, the matching centre channel speaker can be added. In the meantime, your AVR can be configured to redirect the centre channel signal to the mains and you get a "phantom" centre effect. The next move is the surround speakers. Here you have the option of getting larger bookshelves or floorstanding towers for the mains and re-purposing your bookshelves to surround duty or simply buying matching surround speakers.
I have to dash off now, so I have to cut this short of some recommendations at the moment. If you're interested in pursuing this idea, I'll return with some recommendations for expandable 2.1 setups.
This is a whole new world for me so if my philosophy in buying speakers is completely out of whack, I'm fine with making adjustments, I just need some guidance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GIEGAR /t/1519484/5-1-setup-for-under-500#post_24400441
@nyc eng , with a budget of $500 for 5 speakers and a sub, I suggest you are unlikely to get a paricularly satisfying level of audio performance. Also, although it's a good unit, you have overspent on the Yamaha RX-A730 in comparison to your speaker budget. For a balanced HT audio spend, a general guideline would be to spend around 20-25% of the budget on electronics, with the balance split fairly evenly between speakers and sub(s).
All is not lost! There are strategies to address this if you're interested. The first is an increased budget (naturally), possibly through holding off and saving up some more. The second is an adjunct and that is to build your setup over time as funds become available. The idea is that you don't need to go straight to a 5.1 setup and spread your budget thin. Instead, spend it on a higher quality 2.1 system initially and build your system over time. In 12 to 18 months you'll end up with a far more satisfying surround sound setup.
A quality bookshelf/sub combo will keep you satisfied for months until you've saved for the next speaker purchase. The idea is to pick a "family" of speakers you like and just purchase say the mid-sized bookshelf of the range to use as mains. Later, the matching centre channel speaker can be added. In the meantime, your AVR can be configured to redirect the centre channel signal to the mains and you get a "phantom" centre effect. The next move is the surround speakers. Here you have the option of getting larger bookshelves or floorstanding towers for the mains and re-purposing your bookshelves to surround duty or simply buying matching surround speakers.
I have to dash off now, so I have to cut this short of some recommendations at the moment. If you're interested in pursuing this idea, I'll return with some recommendations for expandable 2.1 setups.
Once you get the pioneer speakers, your money would be best spent on a better sub. I would recommend the Pioneer speakers, then bump your budget for the SVS PB1000 subwoofer for $499. The sub will by far be the weakest link in a $500 5.1 setup, as that is the price point that a true 20Hz capable home theater sub starts at.
As someone else suggested, you might even be better served stepping up to a quality set of $300/pair bookshelf speakers, a matching center, and a decent entry level sub like I mentioned.
$300/pair price range gets you a boatload of very good quality bookshelf speaker options. To me, this is a great value price point, as you are at the point where you have to spend a lot more to get minor performance improvements.
Once you get the pioneer speakers, your money would be best spent on a better sub. I would recommend the Pioneer speakers, then bump your budget for the SVS PB1000 subwoofer for $499. The sub will by far be the weakest link in a $500 5.1 setup, as that is the price point that a true 20Hz capable home theater sub starts at.
As someone else suggested, you might even be better served stepping up to a quality set of $300/pair bookshelf speakers, a matching center, and a decent entry level sub like I mentioned.
$300/pair price range gets you a boatload of very good quality bookshelf speaker options. To me, this is a great value price point, as you are at the point where you have to spend a lot more to get minor performance improvements.
I agree with what nyc eng is saying, but here is a different strategy you can take...
First, can you return that reciever? makes no sense to have a 600 dollar + reciever powering 500 dollar speakers. If you can return the reciever, you can get a perfectly good, more entry level reciever for 300 or under. That would put another 300 into your speaker budget, and at around 800 dollars, you have a large number of options open to you that are not there at 500 dollars.
If not, I would advice you spend the entire 500 dollars on a really good set of bookshelves speakers/center. Run 2.0 or 3.0 for awhile, then upgrade #1 would be a good sub and upgrade #3 can be surrounds, or better fronts and move the first set to the rear.
Or buy used and try to get the best 5.1 set used you can. Otherwise, your only options are HTIBs and cheaper sets of speakers!
First, can you return that reciever? makes no sense to have a 600 dollar + reciever powering 500 dollar speakers. If you can return the reciever, you can get a perfectly good, more entry level reciever for 300 or under. That would put another 300 into your speaker budget, and at around 800 dollars, you have a large number of options open to you that are not there at 500 dollars.
If not, I would advice you spend the entire 500 dollars on a really good set of bookshelves speakers/center. Run 2.0 or 3.0 for awhile, then upgrade #1 would be a good sub and upgrade #3 can be surrounds, or better fronts and move the first set to the rear.
Or buy used and try to get the best 5.1 set used you can. Otherwise, your only options are HTIBs and cheaper sets of speakers!
I don't want to return the receiver, I'm fine with stepping up the budget, I just have no idea how much more.
What should I be looking at? When I bought the receiver I asked about speakers and the guy recommended Monitor.
I'd prefer the bookshelf speakers since the space isn't huge.
I don't want to return the receiver, I'm fine with stepping up the budget, I just have no idea how much more.
What should I be looking at? When I bought the receiver I asked about speakers and the guy recommended Monitor.
I'd prefer the bookshelf speakers since the space isn't huge.
You have a mid level receiver and the budget for entry/poor speakers (if you buy newor get the full 5.1). A great receiver won't make crappy speakers sound good...
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Conversely, great speakers can still sound good even with an entry level receiver. Plus, the technology is changing fast in electronic and not so fast in speakers! So, 5 years from now, your speakers will still sound the same, but your AVR might not be usable...(just ask anyone who bought a non HDMI receiver 5 years ago)!
As Gieger reccomends, it is often suggested that no more than 20-25% be spent on the AVR...so 2-3 time the cost of your AVR in speakers is a good budget to star with.
For a front stage, the Ascend Acoustic CMT340s are great (don't own them, but have listened to them a lot) and with the matching center, that will be just under 1000 bills. If that is out of range, the AA 170s are the little brother to the 340 (single woofer versus two). Focal, Wharfdale, Cambridge Audio, Kef, Def Tech, EMPtek all have speakers that would fit into a "slightly expanded" budget.
Subs, well as mention, the SVS Pb1000 might be the best 500 dollar or less sub you can find. It will ship to your house for around 499.00...
As Gieger reccomends, it is often suggested that no more than 20-25% be spent on the AVR...so 2-3 time the cost of your AVR in speakers is a good budget to star with.
For a front stage, the Ascend Acoustic CMT340s are great (don't own them, but have listened to them a lot) and with the matching center, that will be just under 1000 bills. If that is out of range, the AA 170s are the little brother to the 340 (single woofer versus two). Focal, Wharfdale, Cambridge Audio, Kef, Def Tech, EMPtek all have speakers that would fit into a "slightly expanded" budget.
Subs, well as mention, the SVS Pb1000 might be the best 500 dollar or less sub you can find. It will ship to your house for around 499.00...
I agree with Eli and Giegar; you are likely better off saving for a great "pair" of fronts now, and then getting the matching center in the months to come. The subwoofer recommendation is excellent as well.
Another option is the Polk RTiA series of speakers. They are relatively affordable and I have read multiple good reviews on them. I am actually considering them for my upgrade as well. I have looked extensively at the Ascend Acoustics and Wharfdales... I have not heard them but they are highly regarded here on the forums, but it seems to me they that might require a little more power to reach "full" potential. Maybe someone might have a more knowledgeable opinion on that subject. The Polk's will perform well with the lower powered AVR like the Yamaha you have already purchased.
I agree with Eli and Giegar; you are likely better off saving for a great "pair" of fronts now, and then getting the matching center in the months to come. The subwoofer recommendation is excellent as well.
Another option is the Polk RTiA series of speakers. They are relatively affordable and I have read multiple good reviews on them. I am actually considering them for my upgrade as well. I have looked extensively at the Ascend Acoustics and Wharfdales... I have not heard them but they are highly regarded here on the forums, but it seems to me they that might require a little more power to reach "full" potential. Maybe someone might have a more knowledgeable opinion on that subject. The Polk's will perform well with the lower powered AVR like the Yamaha you have already purchased.
Why not get the a.j. Pioneer speakers fr cen and surr and get a Dayton audio 12" sub? Or last time I checked frys still had the infinity primus floor standing speakers on sale for 107/pc
Polk even has the RTi-series the pervious generation of the RTi-A's which are really just a cosmetic upgrade over the RTi-series to my ears when I did a head to head of the RTi A1's vs my RTi4's. Check out Polk Audio's offical ebay store they got some great dealsQuote:
Originally Posted by jhughy2010 /t/1519484/5-1-setup-for-under-500#post_24402446
Another option is the Polk RTiA series of speakers. They are relatively affordable and I have read multiple good reviews on them. I am actually considering them for my upgrade as well. I have looked extensively at the Ascend Acoustics and Wharfdales... I have not heard them but they are highly regarded here on the forums, but it seems to me they that might require a little more power to reach "full" potential. Maybe someone might have a more knowledgeable opinion on that subject. The Polk's will perform well with the lower powered AVR like the Yamaha you have already purchased.
That's a good setup, and the sub recommended by Audioholics in their review of the Pioneer speakers .
Quote:
Originally Posted by bear123 /t/1519484/5-1-setup-for-under-500#post_24401134
Once you get the pioneer speakers, your money would be best spent on a better sub. I would recommend the Pioneer speakers, then bump your budget for the SVS PB1000 subwoofer for $499. The sub will by far be the weakest link in a $500 5.1 setup, as that is the price point that a true 20Hz capable home theater sub starts at.
That's a good setup, and the sub recommended by Audioholics in their review of the Pioneer speakers .
Infinity p363 is such a great value, i would go with that. Stomps over the competition in this price range, but that is just my opinion. I love my p363 so much, I think i may eventually go higher up in the same line. Hope to get some revels some day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PS3forlife /t/1519484/5-1-setup-for-under-500#post_24402473
Why not get the a.j. Pioneer speakers fr cen and surr and get a Dayton audio 12" sub? Or last time I checked frys still had the infinity primus floor standing speakers on sale for 107/pc
Infinity p363 is such a great value, i would go with that. Stomps over the competition in this price range, but that is just my opinion. I love my p363 so much, I think i may eventually go higher up in the same line. Hope to get some revels some day.
Once again, I just want to thank everyone for their input.
It looks like I am narrowed down to HSU, Polks, and Ascend Acoustic... Once I get a chance I'll spend some more time and hopefully pull the trigger on something.
Once again, I just want to thank everyone for their input.
It looks like I am narrowed down to HSU, Polks, and Ascend Acoustic... Once I get a chance I'll spend some more time and hopefully pull the trigger on something.
Does anyone have any experience with NHT's? Anybody read an horrific or negative reviews on them?
Have you thought about the NHT's at all? I've been going back and forth between a few different models/brands but keep finding myself marveling over the NHT's. I like how easy they look like they'd be to mount. Also, they have a sealed design which fascinates me. They can be had for a reasonable price supposedly from a gentlemen here on AVS who is an authorized dealer.Quote:
Originally Posted by nyc eng /t/1519484/5-1-setup-for-under-500#post_24418613
Once again, I just want to thank everyone for their input.
It looks like I am narrowed down to HSU, Polks, and Ascend Acoustic... Once I get a chance I'll spend some more time and hopefully pull the trigger on something.
Does anyone have any experience with NHT's? Anybody read an horrific or negative reviews on them?
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
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