[JMak00]

Have been rocking a JVC TH-BA1 soundbar for the last couple years. It's been a while since I had a 5.1 component set up and having come into a few extra bucks (it really is just a few) am wanting to build up a new component HT.

I just bought a refurbed Denon AVR-X1100W from accessoriesforless for $250. Wanted the integrated wifi and bluetooth and looks like many here have given this receiver and this line of receivers many positive reviews/considerations.

So, the speakers...my initial thought was to go for the Monoprice Premium set for just under $200. Then, I started searching craigslist for used speakers that are in good shape. I cam across the Energy Take 5 Classic with a sub for about $200. I'm thinking okay, these could work, too.

Issue: I'm feeling like these speakers won't do well with simply listening to music...I wanted the bluetooth to connect by iPod or Android devices and stream music. My primary use will be sports, movies, and the kid's xbox, though, with the bluetooth, more music will be listened to. Hence, I've got tower speakers on the mind.

Trolling craigslist I have come across Polk Audio R-50s for $150 and Paradigm Atom Series3 bookshelf speakers and CC 150 center channel for another $100. Though I am concerned about the loss of matching across the front, this fits within my budget and gets me my towers.

I am dying to get my hands on this Denon and just dying some more to get a full-sounding home movie experience, again. I'd appreciate any advice, tips, input you might have to offer - Will I be left wanting with wither the Monoprice system or the Energy system? Will the Polk towers and Paradigm pieces - will these mix and match well together?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Dan Hitchman]

Have been rocking a JVC TH-BA1 soundbar for the last couple years. It's been a while since I had a 5.1 component set up and having come into a few extra bucks (it really is just a few) am wanting to build up a new component HT.

I just bought a refurbed Denon AVR-X1100W from accessoriesforless for $250. Wanted the integrated wifi and bluetooth and looks like many here have given this receiver and this line of receivers many positive reviews/considerations.

So, the speakers...my initial thought was to go for the Monoprice Premium set for just under $200. Then, I started searching craigslist for used speakers that are in good shape. I cam across the Energy Take 5 Classic with a sub for about $200. I'm thinking okay, these could work, too.

Issue: I'm feeling like these speakers won't do well with simply listening to music...I wanted the bluetooth to connect by iPod or Android devices and stream music. My primary use will be sports, movies, and the kid's xbox, though, with the bluetooth, more music will be listened to. Hence, I've got tower speakers on the mind.

Trolling craigslist I have come across Polk Audio R-50s for $150 and Paradigm Atom Series3 bookshelf speakers and CC 150 center channel for another $100. Though I am concerned about the loss of matching across the front, this fits within my budget and gets me my towers.

I am dying to get my hands on this Denon and just dying some more to get a full-sounding home movie experience, again. I'd appreciate any advice, tips, input you might have to offer - Will I be left wanting with wither the Monoprice system or the Energy system? Will the Polk towers and Paradigm pieces - will these mix and match well together?

Thanks in advance for your input!

From my experience it would be a poor use of resources to get everything at once on such a slim budget. You'll regret it later. I would definitely start with a pair of decent budget speakers and then work towards building a system a little at a time. Off the top of my head, I would possibly look at a pair of Infinity Primus P363 at $167 each on Amazon (they're authorized). Then get a PC351 center and some P163 bookshelves for the surrounds. Then add a sub from SVS, HSU, Rhythmik or something like that.

Another couple of options with more refinement for the money: HSU Research HB-1 MK2 bookshelf ($159 each + shipping) and Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE bookshelf ($358 a pair + shipping).

 

[JMak00]

Appreciate the response, Dan. The options you listed look really good, though, for now, out of my range.

I am wondering if starting with the Polk R-50 towers is a good choice and then pairing with a Polk CS10? Or maybe a Polk CS1?

And then follow-up with a sub (like a Dayton 1200 or Polk PSW10)?

Or, and I just found these, the $250 Fluance 5.0 set with a Dayton or Polk sub?

 

[Dan Hitchman]

Appreciate the response, Dan. The options you listed look really good, though, for now, out of my range.

I am wondering if starting with the Polk R-50 towers is a good choice and then pairing with a Polk CS10?

And then follow-up with a sub (like a Dayton 1200 or Polk PSW10)?

Or, and I just found these, the $250 Fluance 5.0 set with a Dayton or Polk sub?

I haven't been happy with Polk speakers in quite some time. Their original LSi series many years ago was probably their last really good line for the money. They've been cheapened greatly.

Unfortunately, the price of the Fluance speakers (5 speakers for $250) pretty much tells you all you need to know about their overall quality. Too good to be true.

Ascend Acoustics', FWIW, budget line has been a favorite of quite a few forum members just starting out with a proper surround system (they're good for music and movies). You could start with the CBM bookshelves I mentioned and then grab a pair of CMT-340 SE monitors for the front later. I would possibly try a third CMT-340 SE as a vertical center speaker for excellent timbre matching and proper imaging that you can't quite get in a horizontal speaker. IMHO. Their HTM-200 SE mini bookshelves would work perfectly for mounted overheads or heights in a Dolby Atmos/DTS:X configuration later on.

 

[NODES]

I would look for a set of Polk Monitor floor standers, they can be had for cheap new as well. Skip the Polk Sub and go for the Dayton.

 

[dsrussell]

If you are coming back to separates, then do it right the first time. Do listen to Dan Hitchman suggestion about getting the best front stage you can for your budget. I've auditioned the Hsu HB-1 Mk2 and thought it was a good value, even including their shipping charge it's a pretty good value. But I understand getting 5 speakers is over your budget, so get two or two and a center channel if you can swing it. Ascends are also well respected.

If you are willing to get what I consider one of the best low cost speakers available today, then look at the EMP Tek R5Bi's. You can buy three (use one as your center channel as I do) for $337.50 shipped. Later, you can pick up a pair of their E3b's for $125 for the pair for the rears, but I'd get the Dayton SUB-1200 first.

$225 / pair (includes shipping) EMP Tek R5Bi bookshelf speaker (formally E5Bi): http://emptek.com/r5bi.php (I own these)
Andrew Robinson review: http://hometheaterreview.com/emp-tek-e5bi-bookshelf-speaker-reviewed/

-----

Other speakers you might consider:

$165 / pair (shipping extra) Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy bookshelf speakers: http://philharmonicaudio.com/ and http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

or their towers:

$275 / pair (shipping extra) Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy tower speakers: http://philharmonicaudio.com/ and http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

From HTD, you might consider these:

$219 - $249 / pair (? shipping) HTD Level TWO bookshelf speaker: http://www.htd.com/Products/bookshelf-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers

$319 - $349 / pair (? shipping) HTD Level THREE bookshelf speaker: http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers

Just take a look at these suggestions and what you'd need to fill out your 5.1 system in the near future.

 

[Dan Hitchman]

If you are coming back to separates, then do it right the first time. Do listen to Dan Hitchman suggestion about getting the best front stage you can for your budget. I've auditioned the Hsu HB-1 Mk2 and thought it was a good value, even including their shipping charge it's a pretty good value. But I understand getting 5 speakers is over your budget, so get two or two and a center channel if you can swing it. Ascends are also well respected.

If you are willing to get what I consider one of the best low cost speakers available today, then look at the EMP Tek R5Bi's. You can buy three (use one as your center channel as I do) for $337.50 shipped. Later, you can pick up a pair of their E3b's for $125 for the pair for the rears, but I'd get the Dayton SUB-1200 first.

$225 / pair (includes shipping) EMP Tek R5Bi bookshelf speaker (formally E5Bi): http://emptek.com/r5bi.php (I own these)
Andrew Robinson review: http://hometheaterreview.com/emp-tek-e5bi-bookshelf-speaker-reviewed/

-----

Other speakers you might consider:

$165 / pair (shipping extra) Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy bookshelf speakers: http://philharmonicaudio.com/ and http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

or their towers:

$275 / pair (shipping extra) Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy tower speakers: http://philharmonicaudio.com/ and http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

From HTD, you might consider these:

$219 - $249 / pair (? shipping) HTD Level TWO bookshelf speaker: http://www.htd.com/Products/bookshelf-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers

$319 - $349 / pair (? shipping) HTD Level THREE bookshelf speaker: http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers

Just take a look at these suggestions and what you'd need to fill out your 5.1 system in the near future.

Good choices to look at as well!

 

[JMak00]

Appreciate the both of you providing such good responses so quickly. I can probably extend myself to $350 at the moment. Here's the thing...buyer's impulse. I can't control it, lol. I've got the itch and I need to scratch it.

The Denon will be here by Thursday. I am having a vasectomy on April 17th. So, I'd like to have at least the Denon with fronts, center, and sub connected for my two days of "rest".

Right now, I'm leaning toward the Infinity Primus P363 @ $100 each at Fry's, but that center channel...damn that's expensive! And then grab that Dayton sub when it hits $100.

Though, I am seeing the Polk Monitor 60s at about $100 each at Amazon now; paired with a CS1 for about $60; and a Dayton sub and it would appear I am in good shape. Down the road then, I could throw in for Monitor 70s to have up front and move the 60s to the rear.

Though, I am reading more and more about that Fluance system and it looks pretty good.

 

[JMak00]

The options you listed look really good, though, for now, out of my range.

How about the Daytons?
Dayton Audio T652 Dual 6-1/2" 2-Way Tower Speaker Pair - $118
Dayton Audio CCS-33B 3-Way Center Channel Speaker - $57
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2-Inch 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair - $38
Dayton 1200 Subwoofer - $148

$370 total

 

[JMak00]

I am wondering when the Andrew Jones speaker set is coming back? IIRC:

Front: Pioneer FS52 - $120 for a pair
Center: Pioneer CS22- $50
Rear: Pioneer BS22- $60 for a pair

And then add the Dayton sub....

 

[JMak00]

I am still wondering how the Monoprice Premium and the Energy Take 5 Classic measure up to these sets with real towers?

 

[momswgn]

Another vote for the A. Jones speakers. 1st. gen are cheaper if you can find them on sale, newegg?

 

[JMak00]

Another vote for the A. Jones speakers. 1st. gen are cheaper if you can find them on sale, newegg?

How can I tell if they are 1st gen? TIA!

Edit - I suppose these are them...

Edit - Found the 1st gens - is $290 for Fronts; Center; and Rears a good price?

 

[achohan]

I haven't been happy with Polk speakers in quite some time. Their original LSi series many years ago was probably their last really good line for the money. They've been cheapened greatly.

Unfortunately, the price of the Fluance speakers (5 speakers for $250) pretty much tells you all you need to know about their overall quality. Too good to be true.

Ascend Acoustics', FWIW, budget line has been a favorite of quite a few forum members just starting out with a proper surround system (they're good for music and movies). You could start with the CBM bookshelves I mentioned and then grab a pair of CMT-340 SE monitors for the front later. I would possibly try a third CMT-340 SE as a vertical center speaker for excellent timbre matching and proper imaging that you can't quite get in a horizontal speaker. IMHO. Their HTM-200 SE mini bookshelves would work perfectly for mounted overheads or heights in a Dolby Atmos/DTS:X configuration later on.

I just got the following setup ready with following prices and I can tell you Fluance Speakers are not bad at all! I have been pretty impressed with it so far so I won't judge them by only looking at the price.

1. Sony STR-DN850: $340+tax
2. Fluance AVHTB: 173+tax
3. Precision Acoustics HD12S 150watt 12 incches: 140 + tax

I am very happy with the setup, sound is crystal clear and sub is more than enough for my needs. I also tried energy take classics side by side but preferred fluance with sub over take classics. Take classics were also more expensive.

 

[Dan Hitchman]

You can also scratch your itch too hard and get a rash.

I still think you should step back and just get a pair of higher quality budget speakers. Those EMP R5Bi bookshelves would be a great place to start. Only $225 for the pair, then save up for their R55Ti towers, and a matching center channel. That would be a pretty sweet setup coming from a soundbar.

Building a little at a time is sage advice, but only you can choose to take it or not.

 

[JMak00]

Achohan, how did you score the Fluance for 173? Lookslike a great deal and happy to see youre enjoying them.

 

[JMak00]

So many choices now that Ive included buying used or refurbed.

But still, any insight into:
Is fluance a worthy choice?
Are the 1st gen andrew jones a worthy option or is the 2nd gen that much better?

TIA

 

[achohan]

Achohan, how did you score the Fluance for 173? Lookslike a great deal and happy to see youre enjoying them.

Bestbuy Canada had 30% off on all speakers one week back for 12 hours, so I ended up getting 30% off on Fluance AVHTB for 173+tax. Also I got this subwoofer for 140+tax (http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=f4058554c46827585826f3a3fdb779baen02) Back when I bought it, it was on sale for 199 and I got further 30% off.

 

[achohan]

So many choices now that Ive included buying used or refurbed.

But still, any insight into:
Is fluance a worthy choice?
Are the 1st gen andrew jones a worthy option or is the 2nd gen that much better?

TIA

Fluance is really worthy choice for the price they are offered at! There is nothing else you can buy around that price except energy take classic. I preferred Fluance over energy take classic. Other route is to take time and buy fronts first, then surround and rear speakers.

 

[JMak00]

Fluance is really worthy choice for the price they are offered at! There is nothing else you can buy around that price except energy take classic. I preferred Fluance over energy take classic. Other route is to take time and buy fronts first, then surround and rear speakers.

What a deal on the fluance set!

Im torn right now between the fluance and the andrew jones 1st gen.