[dthomp16]


I am looking at putting together a surround sound set up for my room. Originally I had a HTib LG set BH6730 purchased and a Yamaha RX 375 AVR. I was planning on hooking up my PS3, XBOX360, Blu Ray and a future source (XBOX 1, PS4?) to the AVR. After discovering the lg speakers (3 ohm and a passive sub) would not work with my system, I have decided to move the LG to a different room and set up the surround sound with higher quality equipment. The following is what I am looking at and debating between. Please give me some feedback:

Subwoofer Option 1 –Dayton Audio SUB-1200 ($130)  http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

Subwoofer Option 2 – Polk PSW10 ($100)  http://www.polkaudio.com/products/psw10

 

Front Speaker Option 1 – HTD Level TWO Bookshelf ($200)  http://www.htd.com/Products/bookshelf-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers?gclid=CIX8gbjAybwCFVBk7AodCwcAag

Front Speakers Option 2 - Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair ($80)  http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair--300-652

 

Center Speaker Option 1 – HTD Level TWO Center Channel ($130)   http://www.htd.com/Products/center-channel-speakers/Level-TWO-Center-Channel-Speaker

Center Speaker Option 2 – HTD Flat Panel Speaker ($149)   http://www.htd.com/Products/center-channel-speakers/flat-panel-speaker

 

Rear Speakers - Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair ($80)  http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-b652-6-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair--300-652

 

Does anyone see any problems or bad choices that stand out? Good options I am not looking at? I would like to try to keep the cost as close to or under $500 as possible. You guys have helped save me from potentially blowing up my Yamaha AVR once and I want to make sure I don't do anything stupid again.

 

Thanks for looking!

 

[brian6751]

You'll want to keep your front three of the same make and model family. The Dayton's as surrounds would be fine. That Dayton sub looks to be a great value. I ordered two today

Check out the Andrew Jones Pioneer towers and center for your front. I have the series two and the sound great.

 

[brian6751]

I have never heard the Htd stuff but it seems to get good reviews. I would still take the AJ pioneer towers personally. After you count stands needed for those Htd bookshelfs they will be about the same price.

 

[buzzy_]

 Klipsch Sub-12, $200 at Amazon

 

[cel4145]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dthomp16  /t/1518046/5-1-speaker-set-up-at-around-a-500-budget#post_24363185


Subwoofer Option 1 –Dayton Audio SUB-1200 ($130)  http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629


Subwoofer Option 2 – Polk PSW10 ($100)  http://www.polkaudio.com/products/psw10

Of these two subs, the Dayton would definitely be my choice.


In addition to the speakers you are considering, look into the Andrew Jones Pioneer speakers that brian6751 suggested. Here is a review: http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/pioneer-sp-pk52fs/pioneer-sp-pk52fs-introduction . And there is an owner/discussion thread on AVS as well.

 

[sdg4vfx]



Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145  /t/1518046/5-1-speaker-set-up-at-around-a-500-budget#post_24364548


Of these two subs, the Dayton would definitely be my choice. ...

+1

 

[dthomp16]



Quote:
Originally Posted by brian6751  /t/1518046/5-1-speaker-set-up-at-around-a-500-budget#post_24363774


I have never heard the Htd stuff but it seems to get good reviews. I would still take the AJ pioneer towers personally. After you count stands needed for those Htd bookshelfs they will be about the same price.

Thanks for the recommendation of the AJ towers. I have done a bit of research and along with the links provided, have decided that I will go with your suggestion as they seem to have been universally highly regarded. I am assuming based on everything I have read, I should go with the AJ series center as well. I will round out my set up with the Dayton B652 for the surround and the Dayton sub. I plan on purchasing in about a month or two (have another little one due in March and want to wait on everything to settle just a bit). 

 

I'll keep an eye out for deals. Speaking of, what is the big difference between the 51 series and 52 series AJ towers? I passed on the NewEgg deal ($100/pair) for the 51 series as I hadn't enough time to do any research on them.

 

Thanks again for the help!

 

[zieglj01]

This is an interesting thread - I do know the difference between the Pioneers

and the Level Two speakers.


The Level Two speakers will have better detail and definition.


However, for a tight budget - the phase (2) Pioneer is fine - I would skip the

phase (1) series. If you go with Pioneer, match it with the Pioneer center.


Enjoy the adventure

 

[dthomp16]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1518046/5-1-speaker-set-up-at-around-a-500-budget#post_24371937


This is an interesting thread - I do know the difference between the Pioneers

and the Level Two speakers.


The Level Two speakers will have better detail and definition.


However, for a tight budget - the phase (2) Pioneer is fine - I would skip the

phase (1) series. If you go with Pioneer, match it with the Pioneer center.


Enjoy the adventure

Lol. You seem to have more opinions on the issue than you are letting on. In seems that you think the HTD a speakers are a higher quality? Since budget wise they are a tad more expensive than the AJ series, I would be better to go with them. It's hard to find people that have experience with that brand so please give me all opinions you have on this. Like I mentioned I still have a little bit before purchasing so my options are still open.

 

[dthomp16]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dthomp16  /t/1518046/5-1-speaker-set-up-at-around-a-500-budget#post_24373769


Lol. You seem to have more opinions on the issue than you are letting on. In seems that you think the HTD a speakers are a higher quality? Since budget wise they are a tad more expensive than the AJ series, I would be better to go with them. It's hard to find people that have experience with that brand so please give me all opinions you have on this. Like I mentioned I still have a little bit before purchasing so my options are still open.

A tad less expensive** .. AT series seem to be 130 per tower while the HRD is only 200 per pair.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dthomp16  /t/1518046/5-1-speaker-set-up-at-around-a-500-budget#post_24373769


Lol. You seem to have more opinions on the issue than you are letting on. In seems that you think the HTD a speakers are a higher quality? Since budget wise they are a tad more expensive than the AJ series, I would be better to go with them. It's hard to find people that have experience with that brand so please give me all opinions you have on this. Like I mentioned I still have a little bit before purchasing so my options are still open.

I have owned speakers from HTD and Pioneer >>


The HTD have more detail and definition in the midrange and treble, and

have a more balanced sound compared to phase (2) Pioneer.


The phase (2) Pioneer, are more open with more definition in the midrange

and treble compared to the phase (1) Pioneer speakers.


Your call

 

[mcb345]


I was in the exact same situation about 4 years ago. I had a $500 budget give or take for a 5.1 system. I wanted something that wouldnt' take up a large amount of space and that I could easily move around. After a lot of research I went with the Mirage Nanosat 5.0 system and bought the Mirage Prestige S8 subwoofer. I bought all of this on sale for 50% off from vanns.com at the time and spent exactly $500 which was a steal. The 360 degree sound from the speakers is really impressive if you read in to them.

 

I'm going to sound like a salesman here but I spent a great deal of time researching and chose the Mirage sub over any Dayton or Polk sub that was comparable and have no regrets (these were the only 3 brands I was seriously considering). The Mirage subs have a lot more power built in (800w max) and easily fills my apartment when set to maybe 20% volume and should easily be able to fill a large living room in the future. The actual speakers too are great and excel best at movies. If you listen to music more often on your system the Nanosat speakers may not be ideal but if you're looking for an excellent compact system for TV and movies I highly recommend looking for anything from Mirage. Regardless, check out the Mirage subwoofers (maybe used?) and you'll be very happy with your purchase. I have been happy for years and the only addition I'd like to make is adding a Mirage center channel to bring a little more depth to the system. Overall great quality speakers though.

 

Here's a good deal for an all-in-one Mirage system with better satellite speakers than mine for $529. It comes with smaller 6.5" sub but with 200w RMS and 800w max it will deliver a serious punch.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=764983&Q=&is=REG&A=details

 

[buzzy_]

^- The MX are much smaller than the Nanosat, which IMO is already too small a speaker for front speakers.


Unfortunately very little of the Mirage stuff is still available. I'd go another direction.

 

[Brock104]


Sorry for the delayed response, but thought I would add my opinion to the discussion as well. I have the Dayton sub and surrounds that you are looking at and have paired them with the Andrew Jones FLC that have been suggested. I love the setup and think that the speakers sound awesome!

 

I used the Polk sub with a prior setup and it sounded good. However, once I got the Dayton adjusted just right it blew the Polk sub out of the water. Anyway, another +1 to the AJ Pioneer FLC speakers and the Dayton sub and surround.