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5.1 speaker suggestions for media room

2326 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by cdy2179, Feb 16, 2010

yarddawg7

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2010

Hey all, I'm trying to complete my setup for my home theater room. The room is 16.5' wide x 16' deep and 8' tall ceiling (with a slope up in the middle). So far, I bought an Optoma HD80 projector and a Denon AVR-1910 receiver. Now, I'm needing speaker suggestions. I have less then $1000 left to spend so I'd hopefully I can get the most bang for my buck. I was looking at the Klipsch HD 500, but thought I'd check here before I did anything. I also wonder if it's better to get the 5 speakers and subwoofer seperately. Any suggestions? Thanks.

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m_vanmeter

· #2 · Feb 11, 2010

your subwoofer can be from any decent manufacturer you like.

Klipsch HD500 set is on the "very small" side for a room that size. 2.5" drivers in the speakers and an 8" subwoofer just are not going to create much of a soundfield in your 16x16.5' room.

Is the criteria "budget" or must the speakers be "small" for esthetic's ? Bookshelf vs. towers vs. in-wall vs. small satellites ??? Let us know your requirements here.

yarddawg7

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 11, 2010

The front of the room was prewired for the front 3 speakers (I believe about 5' off the ground). The size of the speakers isn't really a big deal just as long as they don't call attention to themselves next to the big 120" screen.

Thanks for the headsup on the subwoofer. I thought it was 10" but I see now that it's only 8".

raistline

· #4 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by yarddawg7 /forum/post/18111893

Hey all, I'm trying to complete my setup for my home theater room. The room is 16.5' wide x 16' deep and 8' tall ceiling (with a slope up in the middle). So far, I bought an Optoma HD80 projector and a Denon AVR-1910 receiver. Now, I'm needing speaker suggestions. I have less then $1000 left to spend so I'd hopefully I can get the most bang for my buck. I was looking at the Klipsch HD 500, but thought I'd check here before I did anything. I also wonder if it's better to get the 5 speakers and subwoofer seperately. Any suggestions? Thanks.

If you want the most bang for your buck, I would stay away from getting the Klipsch setup. Klipsch speakers are good, I really like them in fact, but they are not a good solution for those on a tight budget like yourself.

If you like the sound of the Klipsch speakers I suggest going with the Bic Acoustech line. They have a similar sound with their horn loaded dome tweeters. Another option is HSU, they are a bit more expensive but offer a little bit better sound.

You will be better of gong with 5 speakers and then getting a sub.

My personal recommendation would be to get a sub and your front 3. Then when you can save up for it, get the rear 2. If you must have all 5, spend half of your thousand on a Sub, Then the majority of the rest on the front 3 and get a cheap set of speakers for your rears.

Here is a couple suggestions for your just short of $1000 budget.

Sub: ED A3-250 Sub $400 (on sale)
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...b001d06ec44533

Front 2 (bookshelf): HSU HB-1 MK2 $150ea.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

Center: HSU HC-1 MK2 $240
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hc-1.html

Rears: Save up and buy any horn loaded rears later.

Option 2:

Sub: ED A3-250 Sub $400 (on sale)
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...b001d06ec44533

Front 2(Floor Standing): Bic Acoustech PL-76 $399 (Best Offer usually accepted for $350)
http://www.sounddistributors.com/buy...at_name=Search

Center: Bic Acoustech PL-26 $159 (Best Offer usually accepted for $140) http://www.sounddistributors.com/buy...at_name=Search

I know both of these hit the $900 mark, but with these choices there is no shipping or tax.

These are recommended under the premise that you like the horn loaded tweeters used in Klipsch. There are many more that we can suggest if you don't need the horn loaded tweeters.

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yarddawg7

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 11, 2010

Wow... thanks for all that info! I'll have to read about them tonight.

I was only going with the Klipsch based on research and reviews, so I'm not biased towards them one way or another. I trust everyone's opinions on here much more, especially since the feedback I'm getting is based on my specific room size and needs. So no, horn loaded tweeters are not a must. I just want the best quality sound for movies and some sports that will go in this media room with this budget.

marlin29311

· #6 · Feb 12, 2010

Paradigm Cinema 90.

mphfrom77

· #7 · Feb 12, 2010

But I have been doing a lot of research because I am building someone a very small system.

But if I were building myself a system (I really have never had one), I would be researching this 5.1 system to see if all the speakers would work well together. I'm not saying I would pull the plug, but this is how far along I would be in the research process.

Fronts (L, C, & R)'s- all BIC Formula FH6-LCR all-channel speaker.
http://www.bicamerica.com/showpage.p...pe=6&spkrID=83

Sub- BIC F12.
http://www.bicamerica.com/showpage.p...pe=8&spkrID=84

Rears (if they would match up. not sure though?) (BIC)Acoustech Platinum Series PL-66
http://www.bicamerica.com/showpage.p...pe=7&spkrID=96

.

The rears can be bought here- http://www.sounddistributors.com/buy...round+Speakers

.

The fronts and sub can be bought here- http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/s.cgi...031&s_mfg=W030

I think that would bring the whole 5.1 system to an even $700

What do you guys think?

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mphfrom77

· #8 · Feb 13, 2010

You might want to look at the Energy speakers thread. Lately there has been a lot of respect shown for the RC-10 (especially at this price per pair... http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...05/energy-rc10 ).

m_vanmeter

· #9 · Feb 15, 2010

as it seems you are leaning towards on-wall speakers, these Energy speakers might be a consideration http://www.wwstereo.com/website/ecom...&brd=84&cat=20

yarddawg7

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 16, 2010

I'm glad you mentioned those. I was looking at those last night, researching and reading reviews. I bet those would sound great with the BIC America Sub. However, if you think I can find affordable in-wall speakers for the front 3, I might look at doing that as well. Everything I've come across seem to blow much budget though.

yarddawg7

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 16, 2010

Also, is there a big difference between the BIC F-12 and Venturi V1220 (down firing)?

raistline

· #12 · Feb 16, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by yarddawg7 /forum/post/18146089

Also, is there a big difference between the BIC F-12 and Venturi V1220 (down firing)?

I still honestly think you should spend almost half of your speaker budget on the subwoofer. You will not be sorry if you do this.

There are many great Internet Direct brands out there that will help you.

HSU, SVS, Ed, and even some online only Velodynes.

If you are looking into BIC though, you will be better off getting the H-100 or the PL-200 as they are better solutions then the F-12 for movies.

yarddawg7

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 16, 2010

I haven't given up on your Elemental Designs suggestion yet. I was just looking into the BIC America suggestion that mphfrom77 gave me. I noticed that they make a downfiring sub like you suggested so I was wondering what the difference was.

raistline

· #14 · Feb 16, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by yarddawg7 /forum/post/18146448

I haven't given up on your Elemental Designs suggestion yet. I was just looking into the BIC America suggestion that mphfrom77 gave me. I noticed that they make a downfiring sub like you suggested so I was wondering what the difference was.

There is not a huge difference between downfiring and forward firing subs. The main differences are that down firing subs are more likely to have reverb on hardwood floors and less likely to cause extra vibrations due to air being pushed directly towards an object.

Low frequencies are omnidirectional and are easily amplified through walls and floors. If you have carpeted floors and don't have nearby end tables that the forward firing sub would push air at, you generally won't hear a big difference, if any between the two.

cdy2179

· #15 · Feb 16, 2010

This sub would be hard to beat for the price or even double the price. Dayton is very well known in the DIY community for their drivers and Subwoofer Amps. This would allow you to put more money in your loudspeakers without having to skimp on your sub.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-635

AV123 also has a sale going on on their ELT systems a 5.1 system for $999. It comes with a MFW15 sub.. this sub retails for $599 and gets down into the teens... very very nice system with a bad to the bone sub.

Lindon

· #16 · Feb 16, 2010

We were planning to buy the Vizio WSS-1A speaker system to add to our Vizio SV470XVT LCD tv , but the system is no longer available. The WSS-1A system consisted of a wireless sub-woofer and 2 rear speakers. What would be a good system to buy to replace the WSS-1A that would utilize the 3 speakers in the tv?

cdy2179

· #17 · Feb 16, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindon /forum/post/18146822

We were planning to buy the Vizio WSS-1A speaker system to add to our Vizio SV470XVT LCD tv , but the system is no longer available. The WSS-1A system consisted of a wireless sub-woofer and 2 rear speakers. What would be a good system to buy to replace the WSS-1A that would utilize the 3 speakers in the tv?

You need to start your own thread to ask this question.. it's not a good idea to Hijack someone else's thread.

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