[cornbean7077]


I I just joined the forums around here after stalking the site a bit, so hello everyone! Anyways, I'm a newbie with all this stuff, which speakers to buy, recievers, amps, etc. so I would just like some help in choosing some good, quality speakers and receiver for a great home theater system. I will be using the system for about 60% movies and 40% music. My room is about 17' x 14'. I don't have a preference between floor standing or bookshelf speakers, but I have heard floorstandings are better in some aspects, and bookshelfs are in some as well. I've been looking at the RTIA series from Polk Audio, and just wanted to see if there are any other speakers I should be looking at before I buy. I actually demoed those in a local Fry's and they sounded terrific, (coming from a HTIB lol). And whether or not I need to purchase an amp or not. It just sort of gets overwhelming since I'm new and everything. If you have any questions you need to ask, ask away! Any help will be greatly appreciated, and look forward to reading your responses on this topic. Thanks!! 

 

 

[shadyJ]

The Polk Rtis are not bad, I think the RTi 9s are pretty good. Fry's has some very good sales on those occasionally if you aren't in any hurry to get your setup. They wouldn't by my first choice at their MSRP though. I would get some punchy bookshelf speakers and some good subs instead. The big advantage of floor standing speakers is bass extension, how deep they dig. However, since you will likely be crossing that bass region over to a subwoofer, they don't have any real advantage over bookshelf speakers, at least if you intend to get a subwoofer.


However, right now at Fry's they have a crazy good deal on the Infinity Primus p363 tower speakers, $107 each, hell, at that price, get some to use as surround speakers too! Honestly that is my first choice at that price, very good speakers at a killer deal. Combine those with a Infinity Primus c351 center speaker , and you have a terrific 5.0 for $800. Don't wait too long though, that Primus deal at Fry's end on the 13th.


For the receiver, I would reserve about $500 for one, I would probably go for the best Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, or Pioneer you can afford within $500. Supposedly the Sony DN840 is a pretty good AVR for $500 as well. The Denon E400 doesn't look bad either. Honestly, if it were me, i would look for a used deal. I think if you shop smart on AVRs, you can get a good one that will last.


For a subwoofer, I would go for a Hsu VTF2 mk4 or a Rythmik LV12r . The Reaction BPS 212 Turbo looks like it could be very good too, although it is brand new and not much is known about its performance. The specs certainly look promising.


If you miss the Primus sale or decide you would rather go with bookshelf speakers, some bookshelf speakers to look at within your budget are the HTD Level Threes , Hsu speakers , or Ascend CBM s, but there are lots of other good brands too. You could also make it simple and just get a 5.1 package from Hsu or a Ascend/Rythmik. If you need wall mounts for your bookshelf speakers, the very best value by a long shot is the Videosecu side-clamping mounts . For speaker wire, subwoofer cable, and HDMI cable, you can get fair deals on that stuff at monoprice.com . If you have a medium to long run for speaker cable, just get a roll of 14 or 12 AWG cable for whatever length you need, and a bit extra too.

 

[GIEGAR]

Hi @cornbean7077 , welcome to posting on AVS!


You might find this post (link) from last week useful. It's in response to a similar scenario to yours and seemed to strike a chord with a few fellas. Your budget is a bit more so that may open up a few more speaker options for you. Have a read and get back to us with what you think of the idea.

 

[Trace79]

If I were you I'd go with SVS for the sub. Get the pb-1000 for $500. Its a great sub and should take care of your movie and music needs. Plus, if you get the upgrade bug like most of us do when you come across a bit of extra cash, you can upgrade to a bigger model in a years time if you chose to do so.

The ascend 340-SE for your fronts and the 200 surrounds will put you at around $1250 for five speakers and good speakers to from what a lot say on this board.


That leaves you with a few hundred to get a decent avr from accessories4less that is a lot cheaper than listing price. Those speakers will be easy to drive too because of their high sensitivity rating so you won't need much juice.


Right there is a great system wayyy better than a htib for $2000

.

 

[cornbean7077]


Thanks for the replies guys! I will have a look at them whenever I get back from church later today. I don't have the money at the moment, so I can't hop onto certain deals right now, but I will still consider them. Oh, and for the receiver, I was thinking of the Denon X-2000 incase I want to upgrade to 7.1 one later down the road. Is that an okay receiver? Thanks again 

 

 

[cornbean7077]


And I've been reading into bipolar/dipolar speakers for the surrounds. Would those be better, or does it not really matter? I think I will only have a few foot to put them behind me, and I read bipole/dipoles are better in that regard. Unless I totally misunderstood them lol. 

 

[cel4145]



Quote:
Originally Posted by GIEGAR  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24458593


Hi @cornbean7077 , welcome to posting on AVS!


You might find this post (link) from last week useful. It's in response to a similar scenario to yours and seemed to strike a chord with a few fellas. Your budget is a bit more so that may open up a few more speaker options for you. Have a read and get back to us with what you think of the idea.

+1


GIEGAR's other post covers a lot of good options

Quote:
Originally Posted by cornbean7077  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24458830


And I've been reading into bipolar/dipolar speakers for the surrounds. Would those be better, or does it not really matter? I think I will only have a few foot to put them behind me, and I read bipole/dipoles are better in that regard. Unless I totally misunderstood them lol. 

Bipole/dipole vs direct radiating is somewhat a personal choice, although some would be better for some placement options. I use bipoles because I like the more diffuse sound. There is a discussion of placement options in the 2nd half of this tutorial: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=66471

 

[cornbean7077]

Alright thanks. I'll read into it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zieglj01]

The Denon receiver is fine


You can always start 3.1 and then add on later - also, do not over spend for surrounds.


Will you have room to use a bookshelf, as a vertical center?

 

[cornbean7077]

I can make room for one I think

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cornbean7077]


So I may go with zieglj01's advance and get quality speakers now, and then add on later. Anyone here that have heard the Sierra-1s? I read they are very good speakers, and I can just listen to music for the time being, so I won't need to have multiple speakers right away. Any thoughts on this scenario?

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by cornbean7077  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24461740


So I may go with zieglj01's advance and get quality speakers now, and then add on later. Anyone here that have heard the Sierra-1s? I read they are very good speakers, and I can just listen to music for the time being, so I won't need to have multiple speakers right away. Any thoughts on this scenario?

I have not listened to the Ascend Sierra, however the word is positive and the designer/company

is respected. They are a nice option


I am going to throw a curveball, I own them and they are really nice/good - and have some rich

sound, and high resolution - the imaging and soundstage is real good - they are solid for music

and home theater,

MB Quart Vera VS05B bookshelf speakers - they did list in 2004/2005 for $2,500 a pair.

MB Quart is moving them out
http://shop.mbquart.com/p/vs05bm-pair-maple-finish?pp=24


This is the center
http://shop.mbquart.com/p/vs1cm-maple-finish?pp=24


Sound and Vision and Soundstage, gave the Vera line good reviews


Your call and enjoy the search

 

[cornbean7077]


Thanks, I'll look into them! 

 

[pb903369]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24461880



I have not listened to the Ascend Sierra, however the word is positive and the designer/company

is respected. They are a nice option


I am going to throw a curveball, I own them and they are really nice/good - and have some rich

sound, and high resolution - the imaging and soundstage is real good - they are solid for music

and home theater,

MB Quart Vera VS05B bookshelf speakers - they did list in 2004/2005 for $2,500 a pair.

MB Quart is moving them out
http://shop.mbquart.com/p/vs05bm-pair-maple-finish?pp=24


This is the center
http://shop.mbquart.com/p/vs1cm-maple-finish?pp=24


Sound and Vision and Soundstage, gave the Vera line good reviews


Your call and enjoy the search

 do you have the dimensions for the mbquarts? I was trying to find them on their site. Also, how do you like them vs the JBL S530s and the Boston E60s? Thanks.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by cornbean7077  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24461885


Thanks, I'll look into them! 

One thing to note, the bookshelf and center are about the same price - so if you can do vertical center,

then buying another pair of bookshelf speakers is the way to go.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by pb903369  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24461940


 do you have the dimensions for the mbquarts? I was trying to find them on their site. Also, how do you like them vs the JBL S530s and the Boston E60s? Thanks.

They are 15" H x 9" W x 11-1/2 D and weigh 26 lbs each


I rate them higher and prefer them over, the Boston E60 (list $1200) and

JBL 530 (list $689)


The MB Quart are for real.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gohnyanzhan  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24462324


I will have a look at them whenever I get back from church later today.

Here is my subjective take on the MB Quart speakers.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/89820-mb-quart-vs05be-bookshelf-speakers-my-take-impressions.html

 

[tdogroeder]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24462452


Here is my subjective take on the MB Quart speakers.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/89820-mb-quart-vs05be-bookshelf-speakers-my-take-impressions.html

I read it and it's a very good review, thanks for the write up! I might just order these instead of going with the sierra-2's or phil's route.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tdogroeder  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24463487


I read it and it's a very good review, thanks for the write up! I might just order these instead of going with the sierra-2's or phil's route.

Your welcome - enjoy the adventure

 

[cel4145]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1521656/a-good-starter-home-theater-system-under-2000#post_24462452


Here is my subjective take on the MB Quart speakers.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/89820-mb-quart-vs05be-bookshelf-speakers-my-take-impressions.html

Nice review! And I know how much work you put into trying to find that next upgrade to your setup, so congratulations for that as well