[Nicole102487]

Hi guy's! Im new here

and was looking to buy my husband a 5.1 speaker setup for Valentines day and was wanting your guy's opinions. Now I dont want anything to expensive or anything very big. We are limited on space so smaller systems would be best. Ones that blend in well with decor.


Here are a couple set ups that I really like and are in my price range. I found all these online for under $700 with most being under $650


Energy Take Classic 5.1

Energy RC-Micro

Mirage MX 5.1

Definitive Technology 600

Infinity TSS-800

Infinity TSS-1200


Would you guys recommend any of these or should I look at a different set?

 

[TL5]

A friend of mine bought the Energy Classic 5.1 system - I think it's awesome for the money!

 

[rick240]

The weakest points in all of those systems is the subwoofer.


A PA-120 or an F12 are the standard

 

[Menasor]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18105155


Hi guy's! Im new here

and was looking to buy my husband a 5.1 speaker setup for Valentines day and was wanting your guy's opinions. Now I dont want anything to expensive or anything very big. We are limited on space so smaller systems would be best. Ones that blend in well with decor.


Here are a couple set ups that I really like and are in my price range. I found all these online for under $700 with most being under $650


Energy Take Classic 5.1

Energy RC-Micro

Mirage MX 5.1

Definitive Technology 600

Infinity TSS-800

Infinity TSS-1200


Would you guys recommend any of these or should I look at a different set?

Hey that's a really nice thing you're doing for your husband. He's a lucky guy.

Out of all those, I would personally go with the RC-Micros. Those would provide very refined sound for their size

 

[Todd Lee]

I've heard good things about the Energy Take packages. If I were shopping for myself, I'd look at the following:


Energy Take 5 pack (5.0, so no subwoofer) I'd look at getting an HSU STF-2 sub.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882269004
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html


or


I'd look at getting the Performance 2 setup from HSU.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance2.html



Both of these setups can be had for less than $600, depending on HSU's shipping rates to your location. Newegg ships for free.


I haven't heard any of these speakers, but based on word of mouth for the Energy's, you and your husband will enjoy them. HSU makes a great product, they have an excellent reputation as well. I have swapped emails with HSU, their customer service is top notch too!


Good luck!


Edit: I agree with rick240, the pa-120 or BIC F-12 would be nice choices as well for the sub.

 

[topr]

2- Polk TSI100's for mains

1-Polk TSI CS10 center channel

2- Polk OWM3 surrounds


This setup has slightly bigger drivers, a little fuller sound with smoother highs from the silk dome tweeters and if you get the setup at Crutchfield you qualify for a free subwoofer...that makes the setup about the same price as what you're looking at. If your budget allows you can move up one notch to the TSI200's and the CS20 center. On the smaller satellite packages the Take system is great choice and it can found for under 500.00. I have seen the 5 speakers without a sub for less than 300.00 Good luck.

 

[Nicole102487]

I'm not sure, BUT I think my husband once was talking about Energy speakers. I'm not 100% sure though.


I found this set up from various online retailers for about $550 would this be better then what I have listed above?


Energy CB10 pair

Energy CC10

Energy CB5 pair

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18105856


I'm not sure, BUT I think my husband once was talking about Energy speakers. I'm not 100% sure though.


I found this set up from various online retailers for about $550 would this be better then what I have listed above?


Energy CB10 pair

Energy CC10

Energy CB5 pair

I haven't heard those but on paper think they are better than the others (which I have heard).


If you are open to bookshelf speakers an interesting option might be Energy's high end line RC-10s. These are available in black from vanns for 55% off: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search


A center that works with them would be the RC Mini - this is where the budget gets a little rougher and maybe you could only buy the front three plus a subwoofer while remaining in your budget.


If I were your guy, this is what I'd want, sure he may have to buy the surrounds on his own but they are less important anyway.


Regardless, nice present, YOU ROCK!


Ron

 

[Nicole102487]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RonaldoCombs /forum/post/18105911


I haven't heard those but on paper think they are better than the others (which I have heard).


If you are open to bookshelf speakers an interesting option might be Energy's high end line RC-10s. These are available in black from vanns for 55% off: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search


A center that works with them would be the RC Mini - this is where the budget gets a little rougher and maybe you could only buy the front three plus a subwoofer while remaining in your budget.


If I were your guy, this is what I'd want, sure he may have to buy the surrounds on his own but they are less important anyway.


Regardless, nice present, YOU ROCK!


Ron

IF I went this route could the Energy CB5 pair be used as surround speakers if using these Energy RC-10s and Energy RC Mini?

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18105925


IF I went this route could the Energy CB5 pair be used as surround speakers if using these Energy RC-10s and Energy RC Mini?

I haven't heard CB5s but am pretty confident they would work well as surrounds in that setup.


A lot of people have different BRANDS as surrounds and are happy, the front three matching are the most important.


Ron

 

[Nicole102487]

I may be being a bit picky here but the Energy RC-10s don't match with the Energy RC-Mini. One has a wood grainy look while the other has a smooth gloss look. I would prefer all the speakers to match. Maybe its just a woman thing?

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18105946


I may be being a bit picky here but the Energy RC-10s don't match with the Energy RC-Mini. One has a wood grainy look while the other has a smooth gloss look. I would prefer all the speakers to match. Maybe its just a woman thing?

I'm picky about that stuff too. Let me ask you this: where is the center channel going to be placed? With the grill on will you notice?


Ron

 

[Nicole102487]

It will have to sit on top on our Entertainment Center so the gloss black would be visible on the sides. Im also not sure if those are in my budget

They look HUGE

Even though these are a gift for him I still want something that blends in well and looks good at the same time. He wanted the BIG floor speakers but it just wont work in our area.


Does Vanns negotiate any on their prices? I wonder if I could talk them down a little on any of their speakers?

 

[ickysmits]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18105984


It will have to sit on top on our Entertainment Center so the gloss black would be visible on the sides. Im also not sure if those are in my budget

They look HUGE

Even though these are a gift for him I still want something that blends in well and looks good at the same time. He wanted the BIG floor speakers but it just wont work in our area.


Does Vanns negotiate any on their prices? I wonder if I could talk them down a little on any of their speakers?

WAF in action…this is dangerous territory guys...

This started out sweet but now that I know what he really wants...

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18105984


It will have to sit on top on our Entertainment Center so the gloss black would be visible on the sides. Im also not sure if those are in my budget

They look HUGE

Even though these are a gift for him I still want something that blends in well and looks good at the same time. He wanted the BIG floor speakers but it just wont work in our area.


Does Vanns negotiate any on their prices? I wonder if I could talk them down a little on any of their speakers?

The speakers you mentioned prior to my suggestion are all good. For me a gloss black center would be an acceptable compromise but I understand your POV (really).


One thing though, they aren't huge! less than 2" taller than the CB10s you brought up.


I have no direct experience with Vanns but based on what I have read suspect you could charm your way into a better price on the RC Mini Center in black - esp. b/c it is $100 less in cherry.


Ron

 

[Nicole102487]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ickysmits /forum/post/18105995


WAF in actionthis is dangerous territory guys...

This started out sweet but now that I know what he really wants...

What does that mean? My husband even agreed that it would be foolish to buy the floor speakers cause we really just don't have the room for them. That and he also did not want to spend that much money.

 

[Nicole102487]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RonaldoCombs /forum/post/18106002


The speakers you mentioned prior to my suggestion are all good. For me a gloss black center would be an acceptable compromise but I understand your POV (really).


One thing though, they aren't huge! less than 2" taller than the CB10s you brought up.


I have no direct experience with Vanns but based on what I have read suspect you could charm your way into a better price on the RC Mini Center in black - esp. b/c it is $100 less in cherry.


Ron

Looking at the dimensions I guess you are right. The website pictures just made them look a lot larger then the other I suppose.


Whats funny is I was hoping to come here and get a really simple and straight forward answer BUT now I'm even more confused then when I started LOL

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18106011


Looking at the dimensions I guess you are right. The website pictures just made them look a lot larger then the other I suppose.


Whats funny is I was hoping to come here and get a really simple and straight forward answer BUT now I'm even more confused then when I started LOL

If the finish with the RCs works he will be really happy, promise! For budget pick the CBs as surrounds and they'd be good.


Let him pick the sub, that leaves some fun for him!


Ron

 

[Nicole102487]

Would the CC10 Center go well with the RC-10s? I ask because the both have the wood grain finish.

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicole102487 /forum/post/18106050


Would the CC10 Center go well with the RC-10s? I ask because the both have the wood grain finish.

I don't know but in my experience a lesser center was frustrating.


How important is music to you? If it's not very then maybe get the less expensive energy bookshelf speakers. If it is important you might be surprised how good looking the glossier center with the wood grain RC-10s becomes.


You came in from jump with better ideas than most, pretty sure you will make a good decision.


Ron