[RedhawkSP]

Looking for a good 2.1 system for less than $200 since I will be adding surrounds and a center speaker later. Can anybody recommend something or get me going in the right direction. I just bought a Pioneer 919 receiver that will hook into a Panasonic BD-35 Blu Ray player and HD DirecTV box. Looking for something that will mostly sound good for movies and TV watching.


Thanks ahead.

 

[afrogt]

Go used!


you can't expect a GOOD 2.1 system for $200! A decent sub cost at least that much.

 

[amicusterrae]

Check out Harmanaudio's Ebay store, where you can get good deals on Infinity speakers.

Afrogt's right. You can get a good pair of monitor or tower speakers under $200, but a sub, too--unlikely. And, what you could get probably won't be satisfying in the long term. Take a look at the Dayton subs at Partsexpress.com. I'm not aware of how you could effectively spend less on a quality sub. Maybe you could get a Primus sub from Harmanaudio for less.

 

[RedhawkSP]

Looking that route too. But have no idea what to look for. I just want something that sounds good for a small room. Thinking of going with a pair of either Jamo E 660s or Polk Monitor 50s and then add a sub later.

 

[Johnsteph10]

Start saving up.

 

[ousooner2]

Hey, I started with that much also and expected to get a decent 2.0 or something. You'll learn, like I did, that it will take a lot more than that for you to be happy. I figure if your here and asking for advice, then you must care about your equipment. That being said, you should start saving more like Johnsteph said. Your not going to find anything worthwhile at $200 for a 2.1. Not even a 2.0. Unless you find some CRAZY! deal on something then your missing the mark by quite a bit. If your impatient like me then it's going to be really hard to save and piece things together but I'm soo glad I didn't give in and buy crappy things or buy a HTIB. I started with buying a Yamaha 663, then Energy C-500's and then the C-C100, then the C-100's with stands, and later I'll get a sub. I only wanted to spend like $500 on everything but that budget is loong gone and honestly, when you piece things together and take your time and appreciate what you've done....it makes the budget not really stand out like you thought it would.



PS- If none of this pertains to you and budget means everything.....I'd suggest you leave this site b/c ITS BAAAAAD!!!! if you want to keep a budget hahaa.

 

[VectorLabs]

If you really need a pair of fronts for $200 look into a pair of Energy RC-Mini which vanns has on sale for $200. As far as sub goes start saving up because a good sub for $200 does not exist.

 

[alphaiii]

Hmmm...as others have said...that budget won't get you much if you need both speakers and a sub.


I'd say your best bet is to save a little more...if you can double that budget you have alot more options.


If the budget is very tight...I'd recommend this:


tSC ASW-8 $100
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/ASW...er-P61C17.aspx


Energy C-100 $100 + SH (probably around $20 in shipping)
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100


If you absolutely cannot swing the extra $$ for the C-100, the Energy C-50 is another option:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...variation=PCHE
http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/..._84__0_0_0_-1/


The problem in going with the Energy speakers is that it won't leave you alot of time to buy the matching center (C-C50 or C-C100)....the C-series is on closeout and won't be around for long. The cherry C-C50 is marked way quite a bit right now...
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...&variation=CHE
http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/..._84__0_0_0_-1/



Also, the ASW-8 is a decent subwoofer, and offers alot or performance for it's low price tag...BUT, it's a small sub that doesn't have alot of low end extension.... Some would find it sufficient, just don't expect room shaking bass from such a small inexpensive subwoofer.

 

[alphaiii]

Another option...


A user (Matt34) at Audioholics forum is selling his Infinity Beta-20 bookshelves for $45 apiece.


A pair of those with the ASW-8 is within budget. That user had a ASW-8 listed for $65, but it wasn't listed last I check....so not sure if he sold or decided to keep.


As was suggested already...check the Harman Audio ebay store... You could get a pair of refurb Beta-20 or Primus 152/162 to fit in your budget if you have a little patience.

 

[s44]

Is the Fry's Primus 362 sale still on? That's a very good $200 option. 2.1? Forget about it... though maybe if you room is really small.

 

[batpig]

if you accept the fact that you may spend a little more in the long run by selling when you upgrade, you can start off with a cheap 2.1 and grab an inexpensive 8-inch sub + a pair of bookshelf speakers.


Alphaii's suggestions above are good -- watch ebay as there are a bunch of Energy ESW-8 subs floating around (I guess leftovers from all those Take Classic setups, because they are almost all "ESW-8HG" which is the "high gloss" version of the ESW-8) and you can snag one probably for $70-80. Or check out your local craigslist and see if someone is selling a reasonable subwoofer for under 100 bucks.


then, grab a pair of $100 bookshelves like the Energy C-100, or some polks, infinity's, etc. You can move the bookshelves to surrounds when you upgrade the front 2 speakers in the future. If you decide to upgrade the sub later you may eat a 20-30 dollar loss but at least you will have had a subwoofer in the meantime, consider it a "rental" fee

used is a great idea -- what city do you live in Redhawk? we can scan your local craigslist for you...

 

[RedhawkSP]

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I think you are right, that I need to stay away from here or I will end up buying way more than I currently want or need.


Right now I'm leaning towards the Polk R50s for 69.99 and 18 for shipping. So for two of them it would come to about $175. I could then save up for a decent sub and center speaker. Then when I want to upgrade to 5.1, I could move the R50s to the back and get higher quality front speakers.

 

[afrogt]

The Jamo E660 for $69 each isn't a bad way to go provided you do get a sub later. For small towers they don't play deep into the lower frequencies, but blended with a good sub they sound very nice.


If you upgrade later I'd suggest E680s for the fronts.

 

[ousooner2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RedhawkSP /forum/post/16830186


Thanks for all of the advice guys. I think you are right, that I need to stay away from here or I will end up buying way more than I currently want or need.


Right now I'm leaning towards the Polk R50s for 69.99 and 18 for shipping. So for two of them it would come to about $175. I could then save up for a decent sub and center speaker. Then when I want to upgrade to 5.1, I could move the R50s to the back and get higher quality front speakers.

Not trying to be mean...just helpful....but I'd rather listen to the TV speakers than the R50's. Especially when spending $175 for them. I think right now your best bet is to go keep saving. Also, go listen if you haven't already and see what sounds suite you. Good luck

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RedhawkSP /forum/post/16830186


Thanks for all of the advice guys. I think you are right, that I need to stay away from here or I will end up buying way more than I currently want or need.


Right now I'm leaning towards the Polk R50s for 69.99 and 18 for shipping. So for two of them it would come to about $175. I could then save up for a decent sub and center speaker. Then when I want to upgrade to 5.1, I could move the R50s to the back and get higher quality front speakers.

Sounds like a smart decision. And your right later on you can step into the rti or lsi series of Polk speakers. I do recommend getting the CS2 center vs the CS1 center. Also, stay away from Polk subs.


You can definitely find a decent sub in the $190-230 price range ala the BIC F12, or PA-120. But if you really want some extension and output plan on spending between $350-500.


Also OP, try messing with your AVR and whatever speakers you buy for a "phantom" center mode (ie 2.0 vs 3.0) with the absence of a center speaker.

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ousooner2 /forum/post/16831134


Not trying to be mean...just helpful....but I'd rather listen to the TV speakers than the R50's. Especially when spending $175 for them. I think right now your best bet is to go keep saving. Also, go listen if you haven't already and see what sounds suite you. Good luck

You would rather listen to the TV speakers than the R50's on an AVR

 

[seagul]

Man an OU SOONER would make a comment like that. GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!


I used to have the R50'sa few years back and I thought they sounded pretty good. In fact that's how it all began.

 

[VectorLabs]

IMO a pair of Energy RC-Mini would be a lot better than a pair of R50. Then you could add the RC-Mini CC for $130 on sale at vanns. Once you have funds to do a major upgrade the RC-Mini setup could be moved somewhere else.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

 

[seagul]

I recommend these. Nothing will compare under $300

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ustics-CBM-170
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....945&/Epos-ELS3
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ond-9.1-cherry
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-X2-Alexandria


And this one even has a sub and split shipping

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....t-lrsse-+-sw10

 

[Poochymama]

About the best you can get for that price would be two infinity beta 20s off ebay(extremely discounted) and a dayton sub 100 though it may come out to be slightly more than 200.