Right now I'm using Fluance SHX-TB (I could be wrong about that model #, it was really popular on the hot deals forum when I bought it a couple years ago, for like $250). My receiver is a Harman/Kardon AVR 635.
When buying the Fluance, I knew pretty much nothing about audio (and still don't). All the reviews I read about the Fluance though raved about the speakers. They said they had amazing bass and sound quality for the price. They spoke of giving demonstrations to friends who guessed that the speakers cost over $1,000. I'm kind of wondering now if those weren't writen by someone working for them, like undercover advertising. Anyways, my speaker setup isn't so great, and particularly I'm lacking in the bass (don't have a sub), and center channel strength.
When I moved up to the AVR 635, and ran through the auto-calibration, the center channel was adjusted louder in comparison to the other channels, than I seemed to be able to set with the Onky 302 I used to use. But I still feel like the sound from the center channel could have more oomf, as much of a movie's soundtrack goes through that channel.
I would like a little more bass. I live in an apartment though, so I don't need major bass, just enough to put emphasis on the lower frequencies during movies.
Also important are the appearance of the speakers, and their size. The fluance look pretty nice after you take the speaker grills off. Especially the front channels, they have a nice modern/minimalist look to them-- very aesthetically pleasing. Consider in addition to appearance, that smaller and lighter is better, something that fits in a smaller apartment, and also wont be a burden next time I move.
I'm willing to spend around $1,200 right now. I'm open to getting a higher quality center + sub, and upgrade the front and rear channels later. Sound quality when listening to music (using spidf mostly, from xbox/cable/mp3 player) is very important to me, as well as good sound quality and positioning when watching 5.1 movies.
UPDATE: Following advice from people here, and some research of my own, I purchased speakers and a sub. My system now looks like this:
Receiver: Harman/Kardon AVR 635
Fronts: Axiom M22Ti's (with overpriced 16" stands)
Center: Axiom VP150
Surrounds: Axiom QS-8's
Sub: SVS PB10
When buying the Fluance, I knew pretty much nothing about audio (and still don't). All the reviews I read about the Fluance though raved about the speakers. They said they had amazing bass and sound quality for the price. They spoke of giving demonstrations to friends who guessed that the speakers cost over $1,000. I'm kind of wondering now if those weren't writen by someone working for them, like undercover advertising. Anyways, my speaker setup isn't so great, and particularly I'm lacking in the bass (don't have a sub), and center channel strength.
When I moved up to the AVR 635, and ran through the auto-calibration, the center channel was adjusted louder in comparison to the other channels, than I seemed to be able to set with the Onky 302 I used to use. But I still feel like the sound from the center channel could have more oomf, as much of a movie's soundtrack goes through that channel.
I would like a little more bass. I live in an apartment though, so I don't need major bass, just enough to put emphasis on the lower frequencies during movies.
Also important are the appearance of the speakers, and their size. The fluance look pretty nice after you take the speaker grills off. Especially the front channels, they have a nice modern/minimalist look to them-- very aesthetically pleasing. Consider in addition to appearance, that smaller and lighter is better, something that fits in a smaller apartment, and also wont be a burden next time I move.
I'm willing to spend around $1,200 right now. I'm open to getting a higher quality center + sub, and upgrade the front and rear channels later. Sound quality when listening to music (using spidf mostly, from xbox/cable/mp3 player) is very important to me, as well as good sound quality and positioning when watching 5.1 movies.
UPDATE: Following advice from people here, and some research of my own, I purchased speakers and a sub. My system now looks like this:
Receiver: Harman/Kardon AVR 635
Fronts: Axiom M22Ti's (with overpriced 16" stands)
Center: Axiom VP150
Surrounds: Axiom QS-8's
Sub: SVS PB10
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