Best home theater speakers for < $300??

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

Nearly all modern crap movies, yes.

ZV

 

[mdrollas]

Logitech Z680? Can be had for around 200. I am no auidophile, but the sound is awesome. My friend has it and I think it is great.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: jpeyton
nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

Nearly all modern crap movies, yes.

ZV

99% of all American movies are encoded for surround, crap or not.

Do a blind listening test of a $300 2.1 setup versus a $300 5.1 setup, for a modern movie like Spiderman 2 or LOTR, and the 5.1 will win out EVERY time.

Unless you subscribe to the Bose 3.2.1 school of surround.

 

[jpeyton]

Another glowing review, and positive user reviews too.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: hevnsnt

Originally posted by: jpeyton
http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html

Awesome speakers and in your price range.. Do your research, they get great reviews!

I have them in my living room and love em.

<starting trouble>

You are the same guy that thinks Bose is the elite/ultimate speaker company don't you.

</starting trouble>

I guess my biggest problem with your statement is clarifying how they are awesome. Everyone has different ears. I find it very difficult to believe that this setup has any good qualities other than price. I expect choppy dialogue, no low end, very low sensitivity rating, coloring of the sound to ridiculous proportions, etc... I just don't want this guy to have to be down the road again in a few years looking for another upgrade. Go big now and enjoy.

Can you elitist sound pricks back off a little? You guys get a hardon for banana plugs and 4-way binding posts, while the rest of us just want a set of speakers to enjoy a movie with while sitting next to our women (you remember what those are, right?).

The worst thing about your post is that you state "everyone has different ears", but you insist on giving your professional opinion about speakers that you have not tried. These speakers have had nothing but solid reviews and are an excellent value for the money.

heat23 can get a pair of $300 fronts for now like you suggested, but I assure you that watching movies on those cheaper $200 (or $250 for the upgraded set) Fluance surround sets will be more enjoyable for nearly all movies, because nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

I insist on giving my professional opinion because he was a good sounding 5 or 6 speakers for under $300 and I am telling him that you can get 5 or 6 speakers (like the ones you suggested) but they really are not going to be good performers.

I deeply disagree with your last statement. It would be a much more enjoyable speakers to have GREAT sounding speakers in 2 channel than crap-sound being flung from all sides of the room with the speaks you suggested. Also, surround is used sparingly in movies, with the impacting dialogue coming from the front. So to get the biggest impact out of movies, the fronts should be a nice set... and thus my opinion he spend the money on a nice 2 channel setup. Sit down

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: hevnsnt

Originally posted by: jpeyton
http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html

Awesome speakers and in your price range.. Do your research, they get great reviews!

I have them in my living room and love em.

<starting trouble>

You are the same guy that thinks Bose is the elite/ultimate speaker company don't you.

</starting trouble>

I guess my biggest problem with your statement is clarifying how they are awesome. Everyone has different ears. I find it very difficult to believe that this setup has any good qualities other than price. I expect choppy dialogue, no low end, very low sensitivity rating, coloring of the sound to ridiculous proportions, etc... I just don't want this guy to have to be down the road again in a few years looking for another upgrade. Go big now and enjoy.

Can you elitist sound pricks back off a little? You guys get a hardon for banana plugs and 4-way binding posts, while the rest of us just want a set of speakers to enjoy a movie with while sitting next to our women (you remember what those are, right?).

The worst thing about your post is that you state "everyone has different ears", but you insist on giving your professional opinion about speakers that you have not tried. These speakers have had nothing but solid reviews and are an excellent value for the money.

heat23 can get a pair of $300 fronts for now like you suggested, but I assure you that watching movies on those cheaper $200 (or $250 for the upgraded set) Fluance surround sets will be more enjoyable for nearly all movies, because nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

Relax, alright? Everyone has their own opinion, you don't need to start namecalling.

You're right, the Fluance speakers are an excellent value for the money. But the fact is that those speakers are $250 for five speakers. I spent months shopping and researching for my home theater speakers, and I can assure you that as the price of speakers goes up, the quality definitely follows. I don't claim to be a huge audiophile, but I have listened to well over 100 sets of speakers and I can tell you with absolute certainty that a $250 set of 5 speakers will not hold a candle to a well-made pair of speakers.

Another thing, what happens when heat23 comes into more money or a house, and he wants to upgrade his home theater? Going the way lancestorm and I suggested, his well-made bookshelf pair and move to the rears, and he can invest in good fronts. Going your way, well, he has five...nice...paperweights...

Oh, and I remember what women are. I go home everyday to a girlfriend of 3 years. I'm pretty sure that most people who have hobbies can divide their time amongst different pursuits. It's not like, "Ooh, I'm an audiophile, I can't think about anything else!"

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: jpeyton
nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

Nearly all modern crap movies, yes.

ZV

99% of all American movies are, crap or not.

Casablanca: Mono. The Maltese Falcon: Mono. Marx Brothers films: Mono. The Big Sleep: Mono. Sunset Boulevard: Mono. Bringing Up Baby: Mono. Citizen Cane: Mono. Double Indemnity: Mono

Seeing a trend here? The modern movies, which are largely crap, are indeed recorded in surround. But the old movies, the ones worth watching, are usually in mono or stereo at best. Only modern movies are encoded in surround and, like it or not, modern movies do not even come close to being "99%" of even the American movie output.

ZV

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Another glowing review, and positive user reviews too.

Yes because when I want the best reviews in the industry I personally trust Steve Guttenberg from CNET. Give me a break!

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: jpeyton
nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

Nearly all modern crap movies, yes.

ZV

99% of all American movies are, crap or not.

Having 5.1 audio available doesn't obligate you to use it. There's also a 2.x track available, how do you think everyone with no DD/DTS decoding is able to watch DVD's?

Surrounds are definitely a must for a full blown theater system, but they are NOT worth blowing any significant portion of your tight budget on.

For the vast majority of movies out there I could disconnect my rears &amp; viewers wouldn't notice the difference. Surrounds add an immersive feel but are not in any way essential.

Good 2.0/2.1 is always preferable to crappy 5.1.

Viper GTS

 

[isasir]

Ascend Acoustics They actually have gone up in price since I bought 'em (was $299 + Free Shipping, now is $340).

A near perfect review tho' on audioreview.

Yes they're just fronts and bookshelves, but they sound amazing. I personally think you can buy a pair of rears for under $100, and you have 4 outta 5 speakers right there for a good price.

I love my Ascends tho'.

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: mdrollas
Logitech Z680? Can be had for around 200. I am no auidophile, but the sound is awesome. My friend has it and I think it is great.

They are good speakers, but underpowered for anything but a small theater. I have these for my PC in my bedroom, and they work great, but my big complaint is that the sub is far too large for the speaker set. Even at the lowest level, it overpowers the other five speakers, resulting in a very unbalanced, bassy sound. It's great fun for games, but not so good for movies.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: jpeyton
nearly ALL movies are encoded for surround.

Nearly all modern crap movies, yes.

ZV

99% of all American movies are, crap or not.

Casablanca: Mono. The Maltese Falcon: Mono. Marx Brothers films: Mono. The Big Sleep: Mono. Sunset Boulevard: Mono. Bringing Up Baby: Mono. Citizen Cane: Mono. Double Indemnity: Mono

Seeing a trend here? The modern movies, which are largely crap, are indeed recorded in surround. But the old movies, the ones worth watching, are usually in mono or stereo at best. Only modern movies are encoded in surround and, like it or not, modern movies do not even come close to being "99%" of even the American movie output.

ZV

hahaha - A Fish Called Wanda is in mono too I guess the truly great movies don't live on their soundtrack...

 

[DingDingDao]

heat are you still reading this thread? Sorry it turned into a semi-flame war. Whatever you choose, enjoy :beer:

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Another glowing review, and positive user reviews too.

Yes because when I want the best reviews in the industry I personally trust Steve Guttenberg from CNET. Give me a break!

Give US a break. Out of all of the helpful replies in this thread, YOU are the only one that had to be a prick. Grow up and STFU.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
hahaha - A Fish Called Wanda is in mono too I guess the truly great movies don't live on their soundtrack...

IIRC Monty Python is also non-surround, only Stereo. (Though they include a mono track on the DVD's as a "special bonus for those with older equipment!" )

I appreciate the draw of a nice 5.1 setup, but I completely agree with Viper. Concentrate on the mains first. $300 doesn't even buy that great of a pair of mains. The Venturis I mentioned are nice, but the DV5312's sit in the $600-$700 range without the integrated amplifiers and jump to over $1,100 if ordered with the built-in amps. I really like them, but I can't aford them. Not even close.

So I make do with my old pair of BIC Venturis from the 1970's and the Marantz receiver. Decent sound.

ZV

 

[DingDingDao]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Another glowing review, and positive user reviews too.

Yes because when I want the best reviews in the industry I personally trust Steve Guttenberg from CNET. Give me a break!

Give US a break. Out of all of the helpful replies in this thread, YOU are the only one that had to be a prick. Grow up and STFU.

I will reiterate my last comment. We should all STFU with the flaming and try and help heat23 out. Seriously, when's the last time someone posted a thread asking for advice and had it not turn into some stupid flamewar? Lancestorm has his opinion on the matter; I happen to agree with him. jpeyton has his opinion, and he's entitled to it.

Oh, and Lancestorm's last point is valid. CNET's reviews are highly suspect. I have seen on numerous occasions, researching cameras, printers, monitors, TVs, and cell phones, where their review is directly contradicted by no less than 3 other reviews from reputable magazines/websites.

heat, I suggest you try to find a good home theater shop in your area with a listening room, where you can listen to audio for a movie (or even better, bring a DVD of your own). Listen to the soundtrack in both an inexpensive 5.1 set and a more expensive 2.1 set, and let that be your guide. We can all argue till the cows come home, but your ears are going to tell you everything you need to know.

Oh, and AVSforum has a wealth of information on this subject.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Another glowing review, and positive user reviews too.

Yes because when I want the best reviews in the industry I personally trust Steve Guttenberg from CNET. Give me a break!

Give US a break. Out of all of the helpful replies in this thread, YOU are the only one that had to be a prick. Grow up and STFU.

Sorry if my accurate information makes me seem like a prick. It wasn't something that I was trying to do...but I'm very adament on my feelings on audio systems. I was helpful in saying that IMHO he would be better at a 2.0 system. You are trying to validate your specific system, but I'm calling you out on it as B.S. . Anyways I agree with Ding in that you should go and listen if you can. Find something that works for your ears. But seriously consider our advice of investing in a nice pair of fronts and not the paperweights that are being suggested. Your ears will likely thank you . wUrd. good luck!

 

[heat23]

Thanks for all the great information guys, but I could live without the flaming
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but please dont overstep your bounds and insult someone elses opinion. Just politely agree or disagree

 

[lancestorm]

Lastly. Heat, I disagree with Ding on bringing your favorite movie. Bring some favorite MUSIC. Yes, I know this system is for movies but any system that can play excellent music will play excellent home theater. The reasoning is simple. A lot of the sounds in hollywood films are artificial. We don't know exactly what they should sound like. But we DO know what a guitar from an acoustical recording (for example) sounds like. If the speaker can replicate that and bring enjoyment and warmness to your ears, they'll make exceptional home theater speakers for you.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: DingDingDao
Oh, and AVSforum has a wealth of information on this subject.

AVS Forum is actually where I first learned about Fluance. A lot of people on that forum like Fluance's price to performance ratio.

 

[GasX]

Fluance = utter garbage

try Home Theater Direct

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: lancestorm
You are the same guy that thinks Bose is the elite/ultimate speaker company don't you.

Originally posted by: lancestorm
Sorry if my accurate information makes me seem like a prick. It wasn't something that I was trying to do..

I think it was something you were trying to do.. but whatever.. apology accepted.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Fluance = utter garbage

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=403432&amp;perpage=20&amp;highlight=fluance&amp;pagenumber=1

http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_125771_4282crx.aspx

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Fluance_AV_HTB_5_Speaker_system/4505-6467_16-20984105.html

http://reviews.iwon.com/pscAudioReview/Fluance,AV-BP2/PRD_142845_2742crx.aspx

http://shopping.yahoo.com/merchrating/user_rv.html?merchant_id=1012467

 

[jcwagers]

Well, I tried to do a search for some Onkyo speakers but it seems they are getting harder to find except for Onkyo's site and the HTIB stuff. You already have a receiver so you might check out this link and see if it's something you'd be interested in. You could always sell the extra receiver if you have a buddy that is in need of one. I got the info off of Pricegrabber and there were over 800 reviews on the site so I'm guessing it's a reputable site. I like my Onkyo speakers so I thought I'd give 'em a good plug in your thread.

Link

*edit* Actually, I think you can get a better deal off of Onkyo's site! You can get a 6.1 set for $279.

Link

 

[Slick5150]

I'll just chime in here and say that I've heard the Fluance 5 speaker setup. Other than the fact that it doesn't have a ton of bass (its not bad, but...) it really sounds good. And I said that before I knew how much they cost. If I was looking for inexpensive speakers, I'd go that route in a heartbeat.

You may also want to check Hsu Research's Ventriloquist VT-12 setup. With a subwoofer it will be a little more than you were looking to spend, but it gets some pretty awesome reviews.

hsuresearch.com