[AV_Starter]

I am requesting advice on a new mini home theater speaker system.


I am not a fan of the HTIB's but have come to realize that my room (and WAF) do not allow the bookshelf speaker's either.


Please provide your advice based on the following inputs:

- Small sized speakers

- 10' H x 13' B x 16' L Living room opening into the kitchen

- Wall mount preferred

- Budget of $700 (with another $300 - $400 for AVR)

- Clarity (dialogue and music) comes as the top priority

- Sensitivity / Freq response comes in as second priority

- Bass (thump and low freq) blending is third priority


From the research I have done, the choices are as mentioned below (not in any particular order):


HSU Performance 2:
http://hsuresearch.com/products/performance2.html


Klipsch Quintet SL:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=wzozsppcw2n7


JBL CONTROL NOW

Could not find a reseller !!!


Polk Blackstone TL250 / TL 2600 (with Sub)

TL250:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-TL2...2891982&sr=1-2

TL2600:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-TL2...2891982&sr=1-1


Polk Blackstone TL350:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-TL350-5-0...2892069&sr=1-2


However I haven't been able to audition "apples to apples" in any of the AV stores near to my area and am solely depending on the advices being provided here.

 

[AV_Starter]

Hi AVS Forum !!!


Any suggestions ?

 

[stran69]

See if you can find a set of kef eggs used

 

[AV_Starter]

Thank You stran69.


I am not allowed to post URL's yet. (EDIT: Allowed now)


I did a search and came up with the KEF KHT1005.2GB 5.1 Subwoofer Satellite System with KUBE-1 (Gloss Black) in Amazon for $382.xx
http://www.amazon.com/KEF-KHT1005-2G...pr_product_top


Do you have or heard these ?

 

[Elihawk]

Just be advised about one thing (which you likely already know, but...)...I have yet to see a freq response plot on a set of "satelite" speakers that can hold a candle to speakers with 4 inch drivers or bigger. You won't get full range sound with 2 or 3 inch drivers...

 

[AV_Starter]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk /forum/post/20801490


Just be advised about one thing (which you likely already know, but...)...I have yet to see a freq response plot on a set of "satelite" speakers that can hold a candle to speakers with 4 inch drivers or bigger. You won't get full range sound with 2 or 3 inch drivers...

Thx Elihawk.


So, does this mean that none of the choices given above will give me a decent sound as compared to a bookshelf ?


If that is the case, I am willing to pick up this fight with .... and try and push for "good looking" bookshelf speakers.


Any suggestions ?

 

[stran69]

I have a different ver of the kef but for small setups I liked the most I now have kef q900 which are floor standers as my mains with eggs as surrounds

 

[Elihawk]

I think you can get decent freq response from satelites, but not good. I will defer to experts in this group... but I have yet to see a freq resp from small satellites that didn't have gaps and usually not very flat.

Maybe a good compromise...some decent size bookshelves (with matching center) for the front L-C-R and then some wireless surround satellite for the rear. That way, no wires running to the back of the room and small speakers in the back..

 

[AV_Starter]

Thanks for the suggestion Elihawk. This might become the strongest point in the pending argument with ....


Any suggestions for the "bookshelf" L-C-R and the wireless surround ?


From some other threads I see :

Polk Audio Monitor 40 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1vs8q7xi1ndj5

and

Polk Audio CS1 Series II : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1am5atnmi06jr

as the suggestions. Do you think these will be good enough ? Are these wall mountable ?

 

[Elihawk]

I was going to suggest the Polks...great price, although I have not heard them. People on this forum say the Polks are a very good speaker for the dollar.

Wall mountable? Not sure how the Polk M40s, but technically, anything is wall mountable with the right hardware. How about these...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ALAQLAKJ574UN

 

[AV_Starter]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk /forum/post/20801644


I was going to suggest the Polks...great price, although I have not heard them. People on this forum say the Polks are a very good speaker for the dollar.

Wall mountable? Not sure how the Polk M40s, but technically, anything is wall mountable with the right hardware. How about these...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ALAQLAKJ574UN

Wow!...I think you just ruled out the WAF. I am sure she is going to appreciate the looks (although I am not so sure about my wallet - $400 a piece is substantially more than what I had in mind - Does not mean that I am ruling this out).


Are you suggesting these for L / R as well as for CC ?

 

[warpdrive]

If you are going to consider those Definitive Technology speakers, you might as well consider these guys http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20024736-47.html ($1750 for the set incl the sub) from same guy who founded Polk and Def Tech.


The clarity of these speakers is beyond most satellite or other wall mountable systems due to the advanced tweeter.


So what is your budget exactly?

 

[zieglj01]

For a tight budget with good sound and wall mountable - NHT

Good with voices and music.
http://www.nhthifi.com/bookshelf-spe...&category=3830
http://www.nhthifi.com/

 

[AV_Starter]



Quote:
Originally Posted by warpdrive /forum/post/20802084


If you are going to consider those Definitive Technology speakers, you might as well consider these guys http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20024736-47.html ($1750 for the set incl the sub) from same guy who founded Polk and Def Tech.


The clarity of these speakers is beyond most satellite or other wall mountable systems due to the advanced tweeter.


So what is your budget exactly?

I am looking at $1000 to $1100 for the total experience ( 5.1 + AVR)


EDIT: So leaving ~ $300 for the AVR, I am looking at $700 to $800 bucks for the 5.1 speaker system

 

[zieglj01]

The Monitor Audio Radius 225, is also real good and wall mountable
http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picture...s_closeout.htm
http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/suppo...rch_highlight1


And I would look at Martin Logan - the word through the grapevine, is that

Paradigm had a hand in the design. Also sold at Newegg
http://www.amazon.com/MartinLogan-ML.../dp/B0049P2000

 

[Elihawk]

There is an excellent option...the Monitor Radius speaker looks very good (haven't heard them), is half the price of the Def Tech. Get a three for L-C-R and either wait with surrounds or get some cheaper ones to start with an upgrade later...I would budget for a sub woofer pretty soon, if watching movies is a priority.

 

[AV_Starter]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk /forum/post/20802334


There is an excellent option...the Monitor Radius speaker looks very good (haven't heard them), is half the price of the Def Tech. Get a three for L-C-R and either wait with surrounds or get some cheaper ones to start with an upgrade later...I would budget for a sub woofer pretty soon, if watching movies is a priority.

Thanks zieglj01 and Elihawk.


Has anyone heard the MA Radius 225's ?


What Sub should I pair up these with ? The Radius 720 states that it has a "paper cone" woofer (...Bose like ???)

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by AV_Starter /forum/post/20802621


Thanks zieglj01 and Elihawk.


Has anyone heard the MA Radius 225's ?


What Sub should I pair up these with ? The Radius 720 states that it has a "paper cone" woofer (...Bose like ???)

I like the Radius better than NHT


A paper woofer, does not mean bad sound.


I would look at the Emotiva Ultra 12
http://emotiva.com/ultra_sub12.shtm


And the HSU
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html

 

[AV_Starter]

OK. I apologize that I made a general assumption about paper woofers, without having much background.


Since you are suggesting the HSU VTF-1 as the Sub, I was wondering if i should also look at the Ventriloquist VT-12 as a "complete" solution from HSU ?

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by AV_Starter /forum/post/20803086


OK. I apologize that I made a general assumption about paper woofers, without having much background.


Since you are suggesting the HSU VTF-1 as the Sub, I was wondering if i should also look at the Ventriloquist VT-12 as a "complete" solution from HSU ?

The speakers/sats, do not need to be the same brand as the subwoofer.

Your choice - however, I prefer that the woofers in the speakers, be at

least 4" or larger.