[trooper11]

Im in the process of researching upgrades for my entry level setup. My reciever died and now im going to be replacing it and the speakers it used (5.1). I havent decided on a budget for the reciever, but my first thoughts was 400-500.


Im not quite sure if i should pick my reciever first and then the speakers or vice versa, but i decided to start by narrowing down the speaker options.


Im open to either a 5.1 or 7.1 setup. Ive been using 5.1 for years and if it comes down to a high quality 5.1 versus mid grade 7.1, id settle for the 5.1 and just upgrade later. I play a fair mix of movies and music, so id like a good quality balance between the two. Im looking to spend 450-550 if possible on the set.


The room this is going in really isnt ideal for home theater use. Its a living room that is connected to a dining room and kitchen, so not exactly the closed off environemnt youd want, but it will have to work for the short term. The area is about 18x18. Any info will be appreciated.

 

[karlsaudio]

So you want to spend about $1,100 for the whole package? Yes, you would be more happy with a 5.1 set up at that price.

 

[trooper11]

yeah, thats what i thought, which is fine.

 

[crazyrob425]

Pioneer vsx-1019ah-k or Onkyo tx-s607 reciever




Jamo S 406 HCS 1 5.0 set w/Bic America f12 subwoofer or v1020

or

Polk Monitor 40s + Polk CS1 + Polk Monitor 30s + subwoofer of choice

 

[calnbs]

If $1,100 is your budget, you are better of buying a refurbished receiver in the $300-350 range from Harman Audio/ebay, accessories4less, or shoponkyo and use the rest for speaker and subwoofer.

 

[karlsaudio]

While not what I or most others consider audiophile grade speakers, I picked up a used pair of Infinity SL50s. These are two way towers with 8 inch mid and two 8 inch passive radiators each. They do sound pretty good. I paid $140 for the pair. I also got two pair of Polk Monitor 40s from Newegg.com for $149 a pair.

Going used and checking places like Newegg will net you most bang for the buck.

Just be patient and keep looking. Something will pop up that you want.

 

[cornhulio]

Use your current speakers until you can afford something besides more entry level speakers. Start venturing out and listening to some Paradigm, Energy RC-70, Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, B&W, PSB, etc. Some are only sold via the internet but you can listen to them in person if you find some used ones on CL.

 

[EuroCarFan]



Quote:
Originally Posted by cornhulio /forum/post/18257410


Use your current speakers until you can afford something besides more entry level speakers. Start venturing out and listening to some Paradigm, Energy RC-70, Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, B&W, PSB, etc. Some are only sold via the internet but you can listen to them in person if you find some used ones on CL.

I second finding a 2009 model receiver that originally sold for $500-600 that now sells for $300-400. If you are in a large enough city Craiglist can be a goldmine for quality used speakers at less than half MSRP.

 

[mbyrnes]



Quote:
Originally Posted by cornhulio /forum/post/18257410


Use your current speakers until you can afford something besides more entry level speakers. Start venturing out and listening to some Paradigm, Energy RC-70, Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, B&W, PSB, etc. Some are only sold via the internet but you can listen to them in person if you find some used ones on CL.

He can also find owners through ID websites that are more than open to letting you listen in their homes. Big cities usually have multiple owners who would let him check out their stuff.

 

[trooper11]

thanks for the info guys.


i wouldnt mind waiting on the speakers and saving up for something more appropriate. Ill just look into the receiver for now, something in that 400-500 range (or a 2009 model as some suggested)



as a rule of thumb, what is a reasonable budget for speakers i should shoot for in 5.1 or 7.1 arrangements? now of course i should qualify reasonable as something mid range.


if for some reason i just cant wait, i could always just buy pieces, like just the fronts and center, then the rears and surrounds later i guess.

 

[trooper11]

from a quick look at available receivers from last years releases, im thinking about these:


Onkyo TX-SR607 - $400 new/$340 refurb


Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K - $485 new



Any other good choices from last years releases in that range?


As far as refurbs go, is it wise to go for the extended warranty accessories4less offer or is that just a waste?

 

[calnbs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by trooper11 /forum/post/18264105


from a quick look at available receivers from last years releases, im thinking about these:


Onkyo TX-SR607 - $400 new/$340 refurb


Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K - $485 new



Any other good choices from last years releases in that range?


As far as refurbs go, is it wise to go for the extended warranty accessories4less offer or is that just a waste?

If the price range is really close to a refurbished, stick with the new one. I don't know how WARRANTECH warranty are now but I remember they had really bad reviews when I bought my Marantz from A4less that I just skipped it with a little prayer.


Take a look at the PSB Image at Saturdayaudio. PSB have some very good reviews.

 

[taylor34]

HK 354 as a receiver--refurbs on ebay are around $250 and will probably destroy anything else in that price range.

 

[trooper11]

i noticed that pioneer has its 2010 models up for pre-order at Amazon.


The Pioneer VSX-1020-K or VSX-920-K look like they would make great choices and give me access to hdmi 1.4, ethernet, 3D, etc, even if i wont be using those things immediately


what do you guys think of waiting for one of those instead of buying a higher end model from last year?

 

[RonaldoCombs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by trooper11 /forum/post/18281538


i noticed that pioneer has its 2010 models up for pre-order at Amazon.


The Pioneer VSX-1020-K or VSX-920-K look like they would make great choices and give me access to hdmi 1.4, ethernet, 3D, etc, even if i wont be using those things immediately


what do you guys think of waiting for one of those instead of buying a higher end model from last year?

When it comes to electronics I'm a big fan of last years model.


Ron

 

[diamonddelts]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RonaldoCombs /forum/post/18281581


When it comes to electronics I'm a big fan of last years model.


Ron

I agree. I would rather have yesterday's flagship product rather the mid level crap offered by today's manufacturers for the same price range.

 

[trooper11]

Im ressurecting my thread here to get some further advice. Ive been waiting it out, doing some research. Im focusing on choosing speakers right now as ive narrowed down my reciever picks well enough.


After look at complete 5.1 systems and individual speakers, i think im going to aim for getting individual speakers, starting with two bookshelf types and a center, then adding a new sub and the surrounds later when i have the money.



So for those fronts, ive narrowed it down to these and id like to hear from anyone that owns these or has an opinion on which would be a better fit. If you have suggestions for parts i havent listed, by all means share them, there are many brands that im sure i havent looked at hard enough.



------

BIC America DV62si Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)

+

BIC America DV-62CLRS 6-Inch 2-Way Center Channel Speaker

------



------

Boston Acoustics CS26B Classic Series Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)

+

Boston Acoustics CS225CB Classic Series Center Channel Speaker

------


------

Klipsch B-2 Synergy Bookshelf Loudspeaker (Pair)

+

Klipsch Synergy C-1 Center Channel Speaker

------




So from those you can get an idea of the price range im looking at for the two fronts and center: 250-400



Now im willing to entertain higher priced speakers, but id say my top would be $500 for the 3. Basically, these ive listed have been reviewed well and ive seen them all talked of well around here. There is certainly a wide range of differences though, size and weight being the big differences. So any help would be appreciated.



As for the sub, Ive narrowed that down as well even though im probably going to have to wait on it, id still like to see what you guys think:



Premier Acoustic PA-120 Titanium Subwoofer


Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered


BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt Front Firing Powered



These subs all fall in the $200-$300 price range.


Thanks for the input.

 

[trooper11]

also, something i didnt even consider until i read a bit about it. Should i worry about getting dipole surrounds versus monopole? I know im starting with just getting the fronts, but im still looking at surround options.