Finally bit the bullet and bought a pair of Polk R30s

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
So I bit the bullet and finally ordered a pair of the R30s.

Now comes the part where I put the rest of the pieces together.

I'm looking for a decent receiver and a decent subwoofer to go alone with the R30s. For now, these speakers are just going to wind up going into my room in the fall at the fraternity house. Bass is not an issue (we'll probably be using these for parties in my room and on my floor). The price point I'm looking for on the receiver is about $150, and I'm looking to spend maybe $150-199 on a sub.

So any suggestions? I'm really a speaker n00b.

EDIT: Changed price range for the sub.

EDIT 2: If you have recommendations that go $50-$75 above my price limits, make them. I may be able to cut down spending on other things and add what I would've spent on them to my sub/receiver purchase.
 

EngenZerO

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2001
5,099
2
0
Originally posted by: BigJ
So I bit the bullet and finally ordered a pair of the R30s.

Now comes the part where I put the rest of the pieces together.

I'm looking for a decent receiver and a decent subwoofer to go alone with the R30s. For now, these speakers are just going to wind up going into my room in the fall at the fraternity house. Bass is not an issue (we'll probably be using these for parties in my room and on my floor). The price point I'm looking for on the receiver is about $150, and I'm looking to spend maybe $100-$125 on a sub.

So any suggestions? I'm really a speaker n00b.

uhm... not really with that budget... i would just go say find the cheapest stuff and go for it...
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: EngenZerO
uhm... not really with that budget... i would just go say find the cheapest stuff and go for it...

Even though the Polks were really cheap (only $105 shipped), from what I hear and read, they're pretty damn good for the money. I'm trying to find some other gems out there.
 

deftron

Lifer
Nov 17, 2000
10,868
1
0
Get a digital receiver (not sure if thats the term, but they are super thin / digital amp)

Best bang for the buck on the low end




 

EngenZerO

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2001
5,099
2
0
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EngenZerO
uhm... not really with that budget... i would just go say find the cheapest stuff and go for it...

Even though the Polks were really cheap (only $105 shipped), from what I hear and read, they're pretty damn good for the money. I'm trying to find some other gems out there.

i would say the panasonic recievers are on the low end of the price scale but they are still out of your budget... they have gotten some praise on avsfourms...

subwoofer... honestly... i believe there are really no good subwoofers that can be got in that range... unless your want a very boomy sub... something with a flat response will be hard almost impossible to find... maybe the sony ones you see around... sa-wm500 or sa-wx700
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: EngenZerO
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: EngenZerO
uhm... not really with that budget... i would just go say find the cheapest stuff and go for it...

Even though the Polks were really cheap (only $105 shipped), from what I hear and read, they're pretty damn good for the money. I'm trying to find some other gems out there.

i would say the panasonic recievers are on the low end of the price scale but they are still out of your budget... they have gotten some praise on avsfourms...

subwoofer... honestly... i believe there are really no good subwoofers that can be got in that range... unless your want a very boomy sub... something with a flat response will be hard almost impossible to find... maybe the sony ones you see around... sa-wm500 or sa-wx700

Something I forgot to add. I'm really not going to be using the system for movies the majority of time, it's going to be mainly oriented towards adding some bass to music. So if that jogs anything in your brain as far as recommendations go, let me know.
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Yeah, in that price point I would look at a refurb Onkyo 503. I would really hold off on a sub myself....
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Yeah, in that price point I would look at a refurb Onkyo 503. I would really hold off on a sub myself....

At what price point would I be looking at for a sub that's adequate to add some decent bass for music?
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
For the receiver, I'm looking at the Onkyo 503 Refurb vs. the Panasonic Panny SAXR55. What do you guys think?
 

venk

Banned
Dec 10, 2000
7,449
1
0
HK sells refurbs on ebay (along with full warrentys) so you may want to check them out.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: venk
HK sells refurbs on ebay (along with full warrentys) so you may want to check them out.

Which HK model would be comparable to the Onkyo 503? And would it be better/worse in your opinion at the price point?
 

Nohr

Diamond Member
Jan 6, 2001
7,302
32
101
www.flickr.com
Originally posted by: BigJ
For the receiver, I'm looking at the Onkyo 503 Refurb vs. the Panasonic Panny SAXR55. What do you guys think?
I've got the Panny myself and I'm happy with it. I don't think you could go wrong with either choice though, I hear good things about both.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
All right, after some research, I decided to go with the following:

Onkyo 503 Refurb
AV123 X-Sub

Little bit more than I wanted to spend, but I think it'll be worth it.

What do you guys think?
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: BigJ
All right, after some research, I decided to go with the following:

Onkyo 503 Refurb
AV123 X-Sub

Little bit more than I wanted to spend, but I think it'll be worth it.

What do you guys think?

About the XR55...if you can still find one, then by all means, get it. I have one in the living room and it is pretty nice. The Onkyo is a fine receiver too though. Either will suit you fine.

The X-Sub is a good choice.
 

EngenZerO

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2001
5,099
2
0
Originally posted by: BigJ
All right, after some research, I decided to go with the following:

Onkyo 503 Refurb
AV123 X-Sub

Little bit more than I wanted to spend, but I think it'll be worth it.

What do you guys think?

save up for an svs. go with the onkyo...
 

mooseracing

Golden Member
Mar 9, 2006
1,711
0
0
i wouldn't buy the cheap chit, you will regret it later when you want to really jam. Visit the local pawn shops in larger cities. I picked up a Denon AVR 3600 for 300 bucks, in perfect condition, the thing is a monster and weighs around 60 lbs. Has tons of inputs on the back which is a huge plus as i have about 10 things connected. I would also watch ebay for them. Onkyo is kinda weird in teh quality control. I have one receiver that dies everymonth, and another that has run 24/7 its whole life without an issue, and gets used alot harder. Just don't skimp
 

Subbaculcha

Member
Aug 23, 2004
130
0
71
The x-sub from av123 is probably your best bet. Also look at their b-stock section as they have the Rocket ELT-1 SW-10 for $175.
Since you're mostly listening to music i'd skip the reciever and look for a used 2-channel integrated amp at www.audiogon.com (NAD, Rotel, Cambridge Audio).
 

NanoStuff

Banned
Mar 23, 2006
2,981
1
0
Originally posted by: mooseracing
i wouldn't buy the cheap chit
Well, the R30s are already 'cheap chit' in themselves. So it wouldn't make much sense to pair them up with a high quality amplifier... unless you have reason to think the speakers will be upgraded in the near future.

The T-amp is a fine choice if you're not looking for lots of power. Inexpensive so it's a good financial match, and it does sound good.
 

wyvrn

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
10,074
0
0
For the receiver, you can find an Onkyo for around $189 thats 80 watts a channel and gives good clean sound. That's what I use for my media room (don't remember model number).
 

timswim78

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2003
4,330
1
81
I bought an Onkyo receiver for $40 on craigslist, perhaps you can check there.

It sounds fantastic with my R15's. Some of my musician friends have complimented the way that the setup sounds. I also have a powered BIC subwoofer.