2.1 Setup - $1k or close to it - Update

[AgaBoogaBoo]

If I want a nice 2.1 setup, pretty much just for music, and have about $1k to spend, what would you reccomend?

This would be for the speakers, sub, and receiver all.

Update: I'm thinking of spending right around $1500 on this now and I'll probably go for a 2.0 setup although this will be going in a pretty long room since I'm going to be moving my room into the basement so a sub might be nice for that much space.

How is this deal? http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1662275&enterthread=y

I'm thinking of picking up that receiver and then finding some local shop that sells the speakers and maybe even buying from them if it doesn't cost too much more than online. With that receiver, I'd like to spend around $1000 on the speakers. I don't have dimensions of the room but I'll try getting those, it's a pretty long room though. I'm not in any hurry and didn't honestly plan to purchase this till the end of the year, but the $500 HK receiver looks like an awesome deal and I may just have to jump on that.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Unless jello or ken checks OT, you're better off asking in GH or Peripherals - or better yet at a site dedicated to hi-fi audio.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

whoa, hook me up with some cash dude :thumbsup:

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: OREOSpeedwagon
whoa, hook me up with some cash dude :thumbsup:

lol, drive up to carmel and I might have quarters in my car, we can eat oreos together!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay
Unless jello or ken checks OT, you're better off asking in GH or Peripherals - or better yet at a site dedicated to hi-fi audio.

Ah, I should have done that in the first place, thanks!

 

[sygyzy]

Nah, leave it here. There are some really helpful members here that I am sure will chime in for you.

 

[UncleWai]

I am going to pimp the speakers I own.Von Schweikert VR-1

They have ungodly soundstage for bookshelfs. I can point you to some impressions from other people if you want to look into it.

My general advice is to put the bulk of the money on the speakers, because it's painfully tough to resale a pair of speakers.

You should hold out on the subwoofer, with $1000 as a budget, you will spread the money too thin to get any decent stuff.

 

[apac]

Klipsch! Such great musical speakers. I agree with UncleWai, you should get a receiver + mains and spend $500 on the subwoofer alone later. Buy yourself a nice receiver and get a pair of RF-35s (you can get them used cheaper than the $1000/pair retail price).

 

[Excelsior]

Easy, IMO.

Receiver: HK 3480.

Note, you can also find this receiver for much less on ebay, where HK has their own store.

Sub: Dayton 12" subwoofer.

That leaves you roughly 580 for the two mains..more than enough .

When it comes to the mains would you rather have bookshelf or floorstanding speakers?

The m3ti or m22ti would be nice.

These if you'd like to spend a bit less.

Or some Paradigm Titans, or these,, or these.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay
Unless jello or ken checks OT, you're better off asking in GH or Peripherals - or better yet at a site dedicated to hi-fi audio.

Oh, but I do

AgaBoogaBoo, check out AVSforum :thumbsup: (hometheaterforum too)

I think OT gets better HT responses than the more "computer focused" areas.

Well, for $1000....

You'd want to spend most of that on speakers I'd think.

There are a lot of great internet direct speaker companies out there that get you great bang for your buck.

I went with Onix Rockets, but I think a 2.1 system would be difficult for $1000 from them. A 2.0 set with Rocket 550 MkIIs (normally $999/pair, now $699/pair) and a nice stereo receiver would do the trick but leave a bit to be desired on the low end.
Oh wow, I might have to make an upgrade to 7.1 for my birthday because the 250MKIIs are on sale for $499 now.

So, some bookshelf speakers like the 250mkIIs, Ascend Acoustics 340s or 170s, Axiom M22ti, Swan 2.1/4.1, etc. would be good options to look at for a pair of bookshelf speakers.

Adding in a sub like the HSU STF-1 would take up a good portion of the rest of your budget. If you wanted to get something cheaper, there's a nice budget sub from partsexpress on sale now for $99 + shipping (I have a thread in hot deals), also there's a 12" version for a little more.

With the rest, maybe a refurb stereo receiver from Onkyo/HK/Denon/etc.
The ebay seller Harmanaudio is where I got my receiver before my current one. I think stereo receivers go for under $200 from them.

Anyway, you have tons of options open to you.
Maybe even skip the sub for now and get some really nice stereo speakers and receiver and then add a sub later on if you want to build the system up over time.

 

[Excelsior]

lol, your post is quite similar to mine.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Excelsior, I think we got some nice overlap hehe

EDIT: and again

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Excelsior, I think we got some nice overlap hehe

EDIT: and again

:thumbsup:

Now if only I had the money to spend on all this stuff I research.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Excelsior, I think we got some nice overlap hehe

EDIT: and again

:thumbsup:

Now if only I had the money to spend on all this stuff I research.

My gf has been bugging me about what she should get me since I have 1 week until I turn 22...

Naturally RS250s would be too much for a solo gift, but this may be too good to pass up.

Of course having RS550s all the way around would be pretty sweet....

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Excelsior, I think we got some nice overlap hehe

EDIT: and again

:thumbsup:

Now if only I had the money to spend on all this stuff I research.

My gf has been bugging me about what she should get me since I have 1 week until I turn 22...

Naturally RS250s would be too much for a solo gift, but this may be too good to pass up.

Of course having RS550s all the way around would be pretty sweet....

No kidding...so..if I ever make my way up there, I am checking your system out.

 

[Apex]

For music, go 2.0 with speakers with good extension. Subs are very hard to integrate well.

My suggestion:

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=16.1

and a receiver of your choice. Those speakers are very very impressive.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Apex
For music, go 2.0 with speakers with good extension. Subs are very hard to integrate well.

My suggestion:

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=16.1

and a receiver of your choice. Those speakers are very very impressive.

Wow, why are those b-stocks half price?

Lots of Onix/rocket love tonight :heart:

Excelsior, you're welcome to come over and check them out :thumbsup:

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Apex
For music, go 2.0 with speakers with good extension. Subs are very hard to integrate well.

My suggestion:

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=16.1

and a receiver of your choice. Those speakers are very very impressive.

Wow, why are those b-stocks half price?

Lots of rocket love tonight :heart:

Excelsior, you're welcome to come over and check them out :thumbsup:

:beer:

 

[pack1]

For a dedicated music setup I would skip the sub and go for a nice pair of floorstanders. All good choices for speakers already recommended, I would add Infinity, NHT and Kef (might be too expensive) to the list. For amps I would recommend a integrated for your budget, something like the Azur 640A. That way you get much better performance than a receiver for the same price. That amp specifically got rave reviews from a lot of the high end audio magazines. Or you could go with something from Marantz, my favorite for price/performance. Also check out audiogon.com if you dont mind used, I picked up a nice Parasound two channel amp for $250 in mint condition. Think about it, amps are just left in component racks so there should be not much wear n tear if the previous owner took care of it. Going used can get you a really nice system without breaking the bank.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'm happy with my Polk RT28 bookshelves but they're several model years ago now.

I'd probably just get an Onkyo TX-SR602B reciever from jr.com ($250 refurb, $350 new), onecall.com or locally. Nice sound, and surround if you ever need it.

(crutchfield.com prices)
-either-
$380 pair of Polk RTi6 bookshelf speakers (without a sub)
-or-
$200 pair of Polk Monitor 30 bookshelf
$350 Polk Audio PSW12 12" sub

If you order the speakers from Crutchfield you can always change your mind after you listen at home, for example switching to the Monitor 40 or RTi6

 

[pack1]

Was browsing around, one of the auctions ended already but just to give you an idea. Just a little under $1k:

Preamp
Amp
Speakers

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Easy, IMO.

Receiver: HK 3480.

Note, you can also find this receiver for much less on ebay, where HK has their own store.

Sub: Dayton 12" subwoofer.

That leaves you roughly 580 for the two mains..more than enough .

When it comes to the mains would you rather have bookshelf or floorstanding speakers?

The m3ti or m22ti would be nice.

These if you'd like to spend a bit less.

Or some Paradigm Titans, or these,, or these.

I would prefer floorstanding and I think for the area that would be best, I might want to keep these speakers on the sides of my desk, it's an L shaped desk

Sorry if others asked questions or something, I'll get to them, kind of busy at the same time, planning some things

 

[DaveSimmons]

Having owned both, I'd pick Polk over Infinity. But best is if you can listen in advanced and/or can return without a restocking fee. That way you can hear for yourself and decide if the midrange is weak, highs are too dull or bright, etc.

 

[pack1]

DaveSimmons - Ive heard Polk is great for the price but come to think of it I wouldnt pick up either. I just tried to come up with a setup that would fit his budget. Infinity used to have a respected reputation but really its only when you go up to their higher end stuff. I havent listened to Infinity's recent offerings but I remember reading that the Alpha and Entras were not that great and that only until the Primus came out did they make up for it. Based on reviews alone I would rather try out the Axioms or Ascend Acoustics in home because of the nice return policy.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Easy, IMO.

Receiver: HK 3480.

Note, you can also find this receiver for much less on ebay, where HK has their own store.

Sub: Dayton 12" subwoofer.

That leaves you roughly 580 for the two mains..more than enough .

When it comes to the mains would you rather have bookshelf or floorstanding speakers?

The m3ti or m22ti would be nice.

These if you'd like to spend a bit less.

Or some Paradigm Titans, or these,, or these.

I would prefer floorstanding and I think for the area that would be best, I might want to keep these speakers on the sides of my desk, it's an L shaped desk

Sorry if others asked questions or something, I'll get to them, kind of busy at the same time, planning some things

Then I recommend these.