"Budget" 5.1 speaker systems (~$600)

[erwos]

So, let's say I have a upper-mid-range receiver with amp'd outputs, like the AVR-2308CI/AVR-888. I want to put some speakers on this thing for 5.1 surround sound. The room these would go in is not terribly large. Source material would primarily be DVD, HD-DVD/BR-D, HDTV, and video games (DPLII and DD-5.1).

From what I understand, if I were to spend about $600 on the system, I would want to spend $200 on the front stereo channel speakers, $200 on the center and rear ($70 or so a piece?), and $200 on the sub. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what speakers and subs I should be looking at?

 

[PurdueRy]

It may sound boring now...but start out 2.1. Then buy a center channel. Then throw in some cheap surrounds when you have the cash. Decent 2.1 is much better than budget 5.1.

Some things to consider:
Axiom M3Ti/Axiom M22
AV123 x-ls encore
Dayton subs
Parts Express speaker kits

 

[LS21]

dollar for dollar, how would the Parts Xpress kits compare to AV123 models? i like the idea of building ones own speakers (even though its not truly building per se)

 

[vi edit]

Polk R50's front: $120 (for the pair)
http://shop1.outpost.com/produ...sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Polk CSR Center: $80
http://shop1.outpost.com/produ...sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Best Buy Insignia for rears: $75 pair
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1138085354138

Dayton Hsu Research Sub Clone: $295
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-392

That's a little under your budget but leaves room for shipping costs and misc other items.

 

[erwos]

The problem is that I'm not really going to be able to upgrade this much further for a long time - my wife is simply not going to go for a $1000-$1500 speaker system, even spaced out over time. So, while I get what you're saying, and generally agree, I'm going to stick with 5.1. At least I didn't whine for 7.1!

I was looking at the sticky, and I'm leaning towards an AV123 x-sub and three Insignia B2111 for the center and rears, but I'm not sure what's good in the $150-$200 range for the front stereo speakers, or whether I want floor-standing or monitor speakers (I prefer floor-standing, but am flexible).

EDIT: yikes, lot of responses. I liked the Polk R50s as well, but wasn't sure how they would sound considering their crazy low price. I'll need to leave a few bucks for the mounting hardware for the rears, but that's not really something you guys need to worry about.

 

[vi edit]

One thing to keep in mind is that shipping can bump up the costs on things by 30% depending on the item.

I was looking at ordering an X-CS center from AV123 and the speaker was only $139. But shipping was another $40 bucks. YIKES!

The new Encore line went up about $50 in price over the previous years X-LS so some of the value there is starting to wear more thin. So you are looking at a minimum of $300 a pair plus probably another $60 in shipping.

 

[vi edit]

I'm not a fan of the AV123 X-Sub. I think you are much better going with something from Parts Express for the price. If you factor in the free shipping that PE includes, you have some great value in their products.

The X-Sub is probably going to cost you $250 or more after shipping. And it only gets to 28hz and the 8" speaker in there just can't compete with the bigger 10" & 12" offerings from other brands.

 

[vi edit]

For $250 this Bic sub really packs a punch too.

Only issue is that you said it was a small room. Some of the 12" beasts will be hard to place because of size and may be too much for the room size (I know...blasphemy).

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: LS21
dollar for dollar, how would the Parts Xpress kits compare to AV123 models? i like the idea of building ones own speakers (even though its not truly building per se)

They will likely be a bit better than AV123's offering dollar for dollar. You're still paying a premium...but it isn't very significant if you count the individual costs of the drivers, cabinets, electronics ETC.

If you have any desire to do a bit of DIY(although most of the work is done for you) then I would recommend trying it out. It will teach you a bit about the design of speakers in the process and maybe can lead to designing your own should you wish to.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Only issue is that you said it was a small room. Some of the 12" beasts will be hard to place because of size and may be too much for the room size (I know...blasphemy).

I didn't really mean it was a small room - just that it's not one of these cavernous halls that you find in some newer modern homes.

With regards to the speaker kits, how difficult is assembly? For reference, I'm a computer scientist and my wife is a mechanical engineer. (I suppose if there's electrical stuff to be done, I can haul over my father or father-in-law - both are electrical engineers.)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Only issue is that you said it was a small room. Some of the 12" beasts will be hard to place because of size and may be too much for the room size (I know...blasphemy).

I didn't really mean it was a small room - just that it's not one of these cavernous halls that you find in some newer modern homes.

With regards to the speaker kits, how difficult is assembly? For reference, I'm a computer scientist and my wife is a mechanical engineer. (I suppose if there's electrical stuff to be done, I can haul over my father or father-in-law - both are electrical engineers.)

If you have even a basic understanding of tools then its rather easy. All the cuts are done for you. All that you need to do is solder together the components, screw in the woofers, place the damping material, and your ready to go.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-640

A couple pairs of these would be great for stereo and surround speakers. I would then either buy another pair and use it in 6.1 or buy a standard center channel. You should be left with more than $200 for a sub.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-640

A couple pairs of these would be great for stereo and surround speakers. I would then either buy another pair and use it in 6.1 or buy a standard center channel. You should be left with more than $200 for a sub.

How much concern should be placed on the efficiency of the speakers? These are rated at 85db. If you are using a lower powered amp/receiver won't these be pretty quiet compared to a set that's a more sensitive 89 or 90db?

 

[erwos]

I'm guessing we're not talking about precision soldering here, right? If it's just basic stuff, I can make my wife do it.

Three pairs at $390 total would indeed leave me a good $200 for a sub. I guess that I could build from a kit for that, too, although it looks like that might go out of my budget by $60 or so.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-640

A couple pairs of these would be great for stereo and surround speakers. I would then either buy another pair and use it in 6.1 or buy a standard center channel. You should be left with more than $200 for a sub.

How much concern should be placed on the efficiency of the speakers? These are rated at 85db. If you are using a lower powered amp/receiver won't these be pretty quiet compared to a set that's a more sensitive 89 or 90db?

First, he's in a small room, so I doubt loudness is going to be a problem. Turn your receiver up 3-4 dB and that's the difference in volume between these speakers and higher sensitivity ones. This could be for multiple reasons including the drivers used or just trying to get a flatter response. Any decent receiver will get these more than loud enough for most people's taste. He has or is getting a Denon 2308 which is quite the quality receiver. I am sure it will be capable of supplying the power needed to drive these to VERY loud volumes.

I might be concerned if someone tried to run these off a Sonic T-amp or something similar however.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: erwos
I'm guessing we're not talking about precision soldering here, right? If it's just basic stuff, I can make my wife do it.

Three pairs at $390 total would indeed leave me a good $200 for a sub. I guess that I could build from a kit for that, too, although it looks like that might go out of my budget by $60 or so.

VERY basic. These components are very large. All that is required is to solder the leads together to make good contact. Even a person new to soldering could handle this with a little practice.

I should mention that these are the unshielded version. If you still have a CRT you will want to grab the shielded kits.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: erwos
I'm guessing we're not talking about precision soldering here, right? If it's just basic stuff, I can make my wife do it.

Three pairs at $390 total would indeed leave me a good $200 for a sub. I guess that I could build from a kit for that, too, although it looks like that might go out of my budget by $60 or so.

For a $140 this should sufficiently rumble the room.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-635

 

[erwos]

Thanks for the advice, folks. I think I have a much better understanding of what kind of parts I should be buying when I execute my order.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: erwos
I'm guessing we're not talking about precision soldering here, right? If it's just basic stuff, I can make my wife do it.

Three pairs at $390 total would indeed leave me a good $200 for a sub. I guess that I could build from a kit for that, too, although it looks like that might go out of my budget by $60 or so.

For a $140 this should sufficiently rumble the room.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-635

I've got the 12" Dayton myself and boy that little guy packs a punch. My friends came over one time when I first got it and they said it was the first time they ever heard bass while playing Super Smash Brothers.