help out a home audio/theater newbie

[pen^2]

KLH 525
Acoustic Research C225PS

both above are $100 apiece at 800.com... which one do you think sounds better? while we are at it, could you explain to me what cables i should buy for 5.1 and how to hook them up? thanx!

well as far as the receiver goes, i got a pioneer vsx453 coming this way... would that do? for fronts i have opal50s, which are mediocre to decent from what i hear. i wonder if i could use my midiland s2 4100 for the rear channel... oh well LMK

 

[pen^2]

ugh!

 

[Raspewtin]

I bought some KLH speakers from 800.com (100 or 200 bucks for 5 + sub). I'd say they were a great value. However, I'd pick the Acoustic Research one. Since you have different fronts, though, it really depends which matchs best tonally with your front and your rear speakers. I've heard the Energy Take 5 as a good entry levl system. I'm saving for this, which I think will be a great value (for the asking price)

 

[IamDavid]

Go with the KLH.

 

[Tripleshot]

Jim will be posting up another review of home theater rig from Creative labs using cambridge soundworks 5.1. I saw it and heard it at comdex. 3 bills complete, street price. Worth a read when he posts it. He is reviewing it now.

 

[pen^2]

ok... so thats a vote apiece for each... i'd like to see some more input!

 

[bcterps]

To be honest, I wouldnt buy any speakers at all until I've at least listened to them first. There are so many different brands of speakers out there I'd go into a good stereo store (not best buy/circuit city) to see what options are available for your price range.

In a 5.1 setup, there are many things to consider. First of all, your front three speakers (center, left and right) should be sonically similar. Since the majority of sound comes from these three speakers, its important that they compliment each other. If you just buy a pair of speakers for your L and R and then buy another random speaker as for your center channel without testing it out, chances are they arent going to sound well together.

For your rear speakers, you got a couple of choices, either normal direct firing speakers or dipole speakers. There are arguments for both, I wont get into them, but the difference between the two is that dipole speakers use opposite firing speakers to create an indirect source of sound as opposed to the direct firing speakers.

In terms of cabling, you need speaker wire for your 5 speakers (left, right, center, 2 surrounds) and you'll need a subwoofer cable that should go to your LFE output on your receiver. Experiment with subwoofer placement, it can totally change the whole listening experience.

Ok, thats my second home theater rant for today, time to sleep

--Ben

 

[pen^2]

benchiu, your input is greatly appreciated... ever heard of opal 50's by any chance? from the user comments on its siblings (opal80/90) at audioreview, i gathered it has decent overall sound with good highs, bit lacking bass (bookshelf setup, duh) and last but not least, slightly 'protruded' soundstage for mids...

at the moment i am leaning towards the AR...
how do turn this into a poll? (yeah, and i am a golden member... what a shame :disgust

 

[AndrewR]

You have to start a new thread to do a poll. Wish that feature could change.

I should be setting up a home theater system shortly -- buying Harman Kardon HKTS10 speakers, Onkyo receiver (not sure which yet), and just bought a Panasonic DVD player. I'm trying to save as much money as possible while getting the best quality. My neighbors are going to hate me. Heh.

Once you decide, let us know how it goes.

 

[pen^2]

andrewR, i am not an audio buff but i keep hearing good things about sherwood... with the 800.com discounts/MS passport you could get a 100w per channel DTS receiver for $130 + s/h!

 

[Ponyboy25]

For my rear speakers, I got Infinity QPS-1 (quadrapoles). I paid $169 from Netmarket.com. For my fronts, I got a pair of Jamo Classic 6's real cheap($) from a home theater installer a while back. He tests them out, then sells them really cheap in 'like new' condition with the full warranty because he's a licensed reseller. Maybe you could talk to some independent sellers around your house, I'm sure they've always go deals on stuff to move out so they can test newer equipment.

 

[pmark]

If you are willing to spend a little more money and in my opinion it will be worth it, look into Paradigm. I have the Mini Monitors as my two fronts and the matching center, the CC-350.

As benchiu said whatever you get, make sure that the front three speakers are of a matching set! You don't want to notice any differences when the sound pans from right to left which you probility will if the speakers aren't matching.

The Mini Monitors run around $300 but Paradigm has lower models that I think you can get for aroun $100 a pair. Anyway you look at it, Paradigms give you a lot for your money.

Oh and always listen to the speakers before you buy then!

 

[Farbio]

pmark has the right idea on paradigm. they are an excellent value in speakers, we have a pair of atoms set up as our surround speakers and they are so great. they don't have the much in the bass department, but their resolution on mids and highs can not be beaten for the price. they are around $90/each so definitely look into those, esp if you're looking for a sub as well, they would make incredible fronts w/ a equally matched center channel. or for just a lil more, like i told andrewR, look at b&w, the dm302 can be had for right around 250, sometimes less and i would definitely put those as my best value in speakers for someone looking for high end audio at very reasonable prices.

and like benchiu said, go listen to your speakers before you buy them. they make the biggest difference in the your system, so hear them b/f you buy them!