[icycle]

I need a good budget minded 5.1 speaker setup for a newly built addition 18x20 room with a vaulted ceiling (11' peak, ~3000 cu ft total volume) keeping in mind that this is not the planned home theater room, so not looking to spend more than $1k on speakers. I realize this is not enough to fill the room with reference sound, but I want to save the good stuff for the home theater room. The front LR and surrounds will be wall mounted; speaker wire is already in the wall. Thus, size is a concern. The room will be used for TV/movie viewing and audio at (usually) family friendly volume levels. The home theater room itself will be directly below this room, so acoustic insulation/isolation will be in order to separate the 2 spaces. I'm not yet shopping for that room.


From reading many threads here, I think I've narrowed it a bit:

1. Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 SE (x5) ( http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html ) plus a sub (Hsu, Outlaw, etc...best value within budget)
2. Hsu Value 2 5.1 package (4x HB-1 MK2, 1x HC-1 MK2, 1x STF-2 -- http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/value2pkg.html )
3. NHT Super Zero 2.1 (x5) plus a sub (Hsu, Outlaw, etc...best value within budget), or just their complete package for $800 ( http://www.nhthifi.com/bookshelf-speakers-subwoofer-Super-Surround-5-1?sc=12&category=5060 )

Also searching for a budget receiver to pair with above speaker setup + separate outside zone with 2 Klipsch KHO-7 via this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1469512/in-search-of-budget-minded-receiver-to-do-5-1-in-one-room-2-outdoor-speakers


Thanks in advance for any pointers!

 

[shadyJ]

From those I would go with the Hsus, however I would want a more powerful sub for a room of that size, and I'm not talking about chasing after reference sound either. You might think about the Klipsch RW-12d if it is still on sale, or the Premier Acoustic PA-150. On the other hand, depending on your family, you may want to stick with down-firing subs, as the woofer is far less likely to get destroyed by children, if you have any, so maybe a STF2 isn't such a bad idea.

 

[Dan Hitchman]

The trouble I see is the budget vs. the size of the room you need to fill. The HSU HB-1's can be used in a pretty large room, but the sub will be puny in comparison (it might get "swallowed up" so to speak).


The Klipsch RW-12d looks like it's only $280 with promo code until 4/24 at Newegg!!! Better than the STF-2 in a somewhat larger room.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882780078


Here are some side clamping wall mounts for the HB-1's:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X9O8SI/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p147_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1G0AJM68TV5Y3X4E18QP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[ack_bk]

I agree, Hsu speakers within the Klipsch sub if it still on sale.

 

[icycle]

Thanks everyone. I placed the order for the Klipsch sub from Newegg to get that choice out of the way, great deal and thanks for the tip!


I didn't realize the Hsu HB-1 dimensions--after looking at such a sea of different speakers I thought they were smaller. I need to figure out how a 15" tall speaker will look mounted on the wall...but it'd definitely be too big for the rears.


That said, between the other options what has the best chance of success in this room size?


Thanks

 

[Dan Hitchman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by icycle  /t/1469565/in-search-of-budget-minded-5-1-speaker-setup-in-new-great-room#post_23240309


Thanks everyone. I placed the order for the Klipsch sub from Newegg to get that choice out of the way, great deal and thanks for the tip!


I didn't realize the Hsu HB-1 dimensions--after looking at such a sea of different speakers I thought they were smaller. I need to figure out how a 15" tall speaker will look mounted on the wall...but it'd definitely be too big for the rears.


That said, between the other options what has the best chance of success in this room size?


Thanks

Since this is a secondary system and you're seemingly worried about looks besides keeping a stricter budget... go ahead with the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 SE's all the way around and ask Ascend about which Omni wall mount model they use. You'll have to purchase them somewhere else. They're supposedly out of stock.


You'll still be happy with the performance.

 

[icycle]

Thanks Dan and others for the feedback. Regarding the mounts, it looks like AA has them, but they're pricey ($182 for 4 shipped). I'm looking at B-Tech mounts now, seems I can get them from amazon UK and have them shipped to the US for much less. Looking at the two models below. Each support dual point mounting, just not sure of the spacing of the HTM-200 SE mount holes.


($63 for 4 shipped) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002LK2DIE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A186AO9HIA45J

($74 for 4 shipped) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008KLLL8Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE


I'll call AA tomorrow and talk options with them.

 

[icycle]

Also, looking at the measurements, there really isn't that big a difference between the AA HTM-200 and the Hsu HB-1 besides the extra 4" in height. I guess since the HB-1 is rear ported, I'd have to make sure it had enough clearance in the rear, whereas I could get the HTM as close as I wanted (2.8" on the closest mount).


I think though that the smaller speaker and ability to rear mount (hidden) will increase the WAF of the AA package.


thanks again

 

[Dan Hitchman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by icycle  /t/1469565/in-search-of-budget-minded-5-1-speaker-setup-in-new-great-room#post_23242821


Thanks Dan and others for the feedback. Regarding the mounts, it looks like AA has them, but they're pricey ($182 for 4 shipped). I'm looking at B-Tech mounts now, seems I can get them from amazon UK and have them shipped to the US for much less. Looking at the two models below. Each support dual point mounting, just not sure of the spacing of the HTM-200 SE mount holes.


($63 for 4 shipped) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002LK2DIE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A186AO9HIA45J

($74 for 4 shipped) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008KLLL8Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE


I'll call AA tomorrow and talk options with them.

Good luck! Also ask AA about the Pinpoint AM30 mounts. Pretty cheap too.

 

[Dan Hitchman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by icycle  /t/1469565/in-search-of-budget-minded-5-1-speaker-setup-in-new-great-room#post_23242922


Also, looking at the measurements, there really isn't that big a difference between the AA HTM-200 and the Hsu HB-1 besides the extra 4" in height. I guess since the HB-1 is rear ported, I'd have to make sure it had enough clearance in the rear, whereas I could get the HTM as close as I wanted (2.8" on the closest mount).


I think though that the smaller speaker and ability to rear mount (hidden) will increase the WAF of the AA package.


thanks again

The WAF must be taken into consideration or... there could be hell to pay later!

In the theater room... not so much. That's the man cave.

What are your preliminary plans for the main theater?

 

[icycle]

Update on this thread:

• ordered the HTM-200's; considered going with their "B stock" but WAF considerations came up again
• they are, in fact, out of mounts like you said above. They didn't have any specific recommendations. They suggested Pinpoints, but the AM30s don't support the weight of the speaker and the other Pinpoints with double mount capability don't fit the hole spread (2.25") of the HTMs. From what I can see, the narrowest the Pinpoints go is 2.5", so drilling would be needed.
• I ordered the B-Tech BT332s from amazon.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/B-Tech-BT332-Cinema-Speaker-Mounts/dp/tech-data/B002LK2DIE/ref=de_a_smtd
• Still need to pick a receiver...prob going with the one I mention here: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1469512/in-search-of-budget-minded-receiver-to-do-5-1-in-one-room-2-outdoor-speakers#post_23240332

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Hitchman  /t/1469565/in-search-of-budget-minded-5-1-speaker-setup-in-new-great-room#post_23242948


What are your preliminary plans for the main theater?

None yet, but this guy: http://www.avsforum.com/t/794089/jamis-theater-thread is a good friend of mine and has offered some good advice so far (including starting a thread on avsforum when ready to get feedback). I'm afraid that the upstairs room will be so comfortable and sound great as is and I won't have motivation to do the basement theater...heh heh.


thanks again for the recommendations!

 

[Dan Hitchman]

That Denon receiver isn't bad for the money. Since it's for a secondary system, go with that.


I've noticed that some HTM-200 owners have had good luck using the VideoSecu clamping mount I had a link to above.