3.1 system, need help

[alexander33]

Hello to all. (New registration) (First time posting)

Please help. I am looking to achieve better sound from my TV. (42” Panasonic Plasma) this TV is in a regular sized bed room.

I cannot run wires for surround sound so I am thinking two speakers’ floor standing or bookshelf, whatever is recommended. A center channel speaker, A receiver and a subwoofer.

Moderately priced

I am Open to any suggestions and recommendations.
Are there any speakers that give somewhat of a surround sound?

Will 2 front speakers and a center channel speaker provide any effects, ambiance, the soundtrack, etc. of surround sound . I am not expecting true surround sound from 3 speakers. Maybe just a semblance, similar to surround sound.

I am hoping for the best setup that can be found for a good price. (need help)


I am hoping to get about 3 recommendations for each:

2 front speakers:
A center channel speaker
A sub-woofer
A receiver
My budget is around $800.00 a little more if needed.
I am ok with refurbished product.

I will appreciate all recommendations, suggestions, advice.

Thank You, alexander
.

[gar655]

In a small room with a limited budget I'd skip the center. Any decent pair of speakers image well enough to anchor the voices to the TV no problem.

As for surround effects from 2 or 3 front speakers depending on what AVR you get they almost all have some type of surround DSP for doing just that. Their effectiveness is likely to not be very good and IME it messes with the front sound stage too much. But that was my AVR maybe a newer, better one would be different.

My preference (since I own some) is the NHT SuperZero II at $100 each, find a refurb or discounted AVR for about $200. Best Buy used to have the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 for $199 new and $169 open box and it was a killer deal.

So that's $400 or $500 if you use 3 speakers across the front leaving you $300-$400 for a sub.

For that go to the AVS subwoofer forum and search the budget subwoofer thread.

[Meghan54]

Originally Posted by gar655

In a small room with a limited budget I'd skip the center. Any decent pair of speakers image well enough to anchor the voices to the TV no problem.

That's what I found myself. Have a very smallish room with our main TV and have set up a pair of Mission M71 bookshelf speakers as mains, a Mission center channel speaker and a Polk sub. Found myself not using the center speaker as the two bookshelf speakers image quite nicely on their own, making the center pointless.

[Childs]

Originally Posted by gar655

My preference (since I own some) is the NHT SuperZero II at $100 each, find a refurb or discounted AVR for about $200. Best Buy used to have the Harman Kardon AVR 1700 for $199 new and $169 open box and it was a killer deal.

This deal started up again on Sunday. I use this receiver for my PC, and its pretty good. I use it with Polk bookshelves, and it sounds great. And Harman Headphone sounds great with headphones.

You should be able to get decent bookshelf speakers for $50-$100. I actually bought a pair of R150s and T15s for $50 pair on two separate sales, and a pair of Monitor 30s for $90. I like to buy stuff. Anyways, just a pair should be good, but you could always add a sub later. I would skip the center channel, but at $250-$300 for a 2.0 with receiver, you can always add it later if you want it and still be well under your budget.

[SyndromeOCZ]

I've got a Marantz NR1401 and some Wharfedale Evo2-10 speakers. With these speakers they image well enough that I don't need a center channel. I picked my subwoofer up for $20 on craigslist, 8" ported 100 watts. I spent $460 on the speakers, and $400 on the receiver when it was first released.

You can pick up the updated version of my receiver for $290. Marantz NR1402

[alexander33]

Hello,
I see the Wharfedale Evo2-10 speakers on sale.
Are you pleased with them? alexander

[SyndromeOCZ]

I'm very pleased with them. I've listened to many other speakers ranging from 2k(B&W 805S) for a set down to $200 for a set. I would say the Evo2-10's are the best sounding for the money. I've never regretted my purchase.

And may I ask where you are seeing these speakers for sale?

[alexander33]

I am finding the WHARFEDALE speakers on sale at MUSIC DIRECT.
Brand: WHARFEDALE
Category: Audio Equipment, Speakers, Towers, Wharfedale EVO Speakers. Availability: Ships 1/17/2013*
Was $1,200 a Pair, Now Only $480!..ALEXANDER33

[Oyeve]

Couldnt you get a fairly decent sound-bar for 800 bucks?

[SyndromeOCZ]

Yeah those 2-20 models are the same as mine except they are floor standing models, mine are bookshelf. I would go for them, they do have a 30 day return on them. They have a 5 year warranty as well.