[furby076]

I am replacing my 12 year old bose accoustimass system and saw these. What do you guys think of them?


I have not decided on a receiver yet, but maybe a denon one?


I am really really new into this line so could use help. Some information:


1) This will mainly be used for movies, tv, ps3 and xbox (i really don't listen to music at home much)

2) the configuration of the room will be unknown, as i am moving. It will be for a living room

3) The tv is a toshiba regza 46 inch


Any help is appreciated


EDIT: Just in general, i am looking for a new system (receiver/speakers). My budget is 1000-1600, but i would like to keep it as reasonable as possible. Meaning, just because I can spend 1600 doesn't mean I want to.

 

[batpig]

the big thing to understand is that a "micro" system is intended to be SMALL, but it is not going to sound BIG in a large room. Since you had a Bose AM and are now looking at the RC-Micro, it seems like you prefer tiny speakers that blend into the decor? Nothing wrong with that, but just know that you aren't going to able to push a system like that to huge volumes in a decent-sized room. They are meant to sound really good FOR THE SIZE at moderate volumes in a small-to-medium room.


So, first thing you need to do is establish your expectations for performance, get a general sense of how big the room will be, and how big of speakers you can manage. If you can step up from the tiny sub/sat systems to even a small bookshelf speaker setup, you will see big gains in sound quality.


Is your budget ($1000-1600) for just the speakers? Or speakers + receiver?

 

[furby076]

Thanks for your help bat-pig.


My budget is 1000-1600 all in. I will be able to reuse my hdmi cables, i will buy a "roll" of 16 gauge wire, and get banana plugs (I am weird about the wires in the back looking good, even if i won't see them). I will buy stands for rear speakers


Really I am open, but I would prefer things to be smaller the better. I did look at onkyo ht-s9100THX, but i don't know if that's good for me. A friend suggested I go the 5.1 route as it will reduce the clutter and make setup easier.


Unfortunately i won't know the size of the room in advance (i haven't found my new place to move yet) but it will be a 'regular' sized living room.

My expectations are to make movies sound great, make my video games come to life (letting my fiancee' develop shell-shock from me playing call of duty MW2 wouldn't be out of line)

. I just don't want HUGE (my brother had huge years ago...takes too much space, and I don't like the aesthetics it creates).


Thank you!

 

[batpig]



Quote:
it will be a 'regular' sized living room.... My expectations are to make movies sound great, make my video games come to life

then you need to go with at least small bookshelf speakers, and make sure to get a proper subwoofer to "fill in" the low end. You don't have to have HUGE speakers but to get a real exciting HT experience you NEED speakers that are large enough to move some air.


Forget about that Onkyo HTIB garbage

and 5.1 is plenty for starters.


Here's an example setup that would fit your budget:


$350-ish on a receiver: Denon AVR 1610, Pio 919

$350-ish on a subwoofer: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

$360 -- two pairs of Energy CB-5 bookshelf speakers (front L/R and surround L/R)

$200 -- Energy CC-5 center channel


$1300-ish total at msrp, you can probably call up Vann's and get a package deal on the 5 speakers for $100 off or so to bring the cost down even more. That package should dominate any Onkyo HTIB setup by a mile and fill up a medium-sized room with ease.


Just an example, there are comparable packages from other manufacturers (Infinity, Polk, Klipsch, etc) not to mention all the great internet-direct brands.

 

[furby076]

batpig


Thank you for this information! I will review it tonight (not that I know much). But so far I was able to price this (just from google, including vann's for about 1000). Add two stands, wires, plugs and I should be good to go!


Also the receiver has JUST the right amount of HDMI input (xbox, ps3 and cable). As long as I don't need to expand (I can't think that i would right now) i should be good!


Again, thank you!

 

[furby076]

BTW - is this THX certified? I was told to look for that, not too sure about it. Obviously I would like to enjoy all of the formats for the PS3 bluray sound outputs.


Thanks!

 

[batpig]

forget about that, it's mostly a marketing buzzword and you aren't going to get a fully "THX certified" setup for your budget. You don't need THX certification to enjoy full surround sound from Blu-rays in a living room HT.

 

[afrogt]

I don't think any of my receivers or speakers have been THX certified. But they sound very good and perform well. I wouldn't let the thx qualification hinder you. I don't think any Energy speakers have been THX cert. But mainly that means Energy didn't want to bother with the extra cost. I have no doubt my RC-10s would qualify.


Seriously doubt micro satellties would qualify anyway. I think THX speakers need to play down to 80hz and the micros certainly can't do it.

 

[furby076]

What do you guys also think about this:

Dayton C1500K 15" Powered Subwoofer Kit

5.0 SBS-01 surround system


Combine those two with the Denon avr 1610.


My friend said the Dayton kit is pretty mind-numbingly easy to setup. I would be sending about $150 more.

 

[afrogt]

For a similar price you can get the eD A2-350 sub and not have to worry about building it. The eD is a 72lb beast!

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=407

 

[furby076]

Wow 72lbs, that seems like a big device. I am not sure what the dayton weights (haven't found the weight, only size).

 

[Menasor]



Quote:
Originally Posted by furby076 /forum/post/18238901


Wow 72lbs, that seems like a big device. I am not sure what the dayton weights (haven't found the weight, only size).

Yup. You get a lot of sub for $350

 

[furby076]

So out of these two subs which do you guys think is better? I think based on the look of the sub itself the ED would be my choice. Are they fairly comparable in terms of performance?
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=407

or

Dayton C1500K 15" Powered Subwoofer Kit