***Now Hotter $230 Shipping Now**** JBL NSP-1 5-Piece Northridge Series Home Theater 5 Speaker set

[gotincon]

I am building a budget home theater and these speakers come highly rated (taking into account their price, its not like you would expect them to compete with a $5000 dollar set)

If you buy jbl's 12" sub (PB12) to go with them (another good budget choice) and a 5.1 receiver, your set.

The best deal right now is at Buy.com for 250$ and free shipping. The best deal I found on the sub is etronics.com, and will also be buying a denon 1802 reciever from there as well to complete my setup.


Essentially, after much research, I came up with this system on my own, but it happened to match perfectly the recomendations from Cheap Home Theater.


Now 229.95 at buy.com Anyone who purchased earlier at $250 can request a price match through buy.com.

 

[durracell]

Very good post... I just did about the same thing. If you want to save a little, you could go with the Sony sawm40 subwoofer (<$200 and available at BB). I have had one of these for over a year and it's quite good. I think that they can also be stuffed with polyfill to get them to perform a little better.

I'm going to be using Amex Blue "best value guarantee" to pricematch the nsp-1 to buy.com ($250) and the avr-1802 to Crazy Eddie ($337.95). The avr-1602 is nearly as good for $264.95 (you just lose the front preouts, a couple of connections, and 10w/channel). I bought the Denon at my local Good Guys and the speakers at BB. I wanted to use goodguys.com to save on tax for a better pricematch, but they always seem to be OOS.

So, now that I have this budget setup I have to say that it sounds quite good. One day I might add a couple of nice floorstanding speakers and use them on the "B" speaker setting on the receiver.

Also check out this link!

 

[durracell]

I just did a search on the Sony sub and it's only $129 at inetshopping.com.

 

[Snyder81]

I personally have a home theater that I built around the JBL Studio Series, which is JBL's more expensive product line. I have listened to both the Northwood and Studio Series, and for $250, this is a great deal for some outstanding home theater speakers. My only concern would be that the small speakers would not "fill the room" while being used as front speakers. If that is problem, invest in some JBL tower speakers for the fronts. But as far as surrounds and center channels go, these are great speakers. And the free shipping is great too. If you are looking to build an affordable home theater, or you have limited space for speakers, this is a fantastic setup for the price. Like mentioned above, make sure you pick up a subwoofer too.

 

[NICKel]

For all of us who blew all our money on Hp 567's and LCD monitors how do these systems rate for the Financially challenged (keep in mind that $250 is too high for right now...)

OPTION 1
AudioSource,System 100 $99.99
PDF specs here...

OPTION 2
HDT 5.1 $149.00

OPTION 3
KLH HTA-9005 Five-Piece Surround Speaker System


Any thoughts please?

 

[ganesha]

I just told my Dad to get these speakers since my family just gave him an Onkyo TX-DS595 for his birthday. I would get the speakers from buy.com and get the subwoofer from J&R since they have free shipping on JBL products and they easily pricematch to just about anybody.

The Onkyo is just about the same as that Denon and was only $370 shipped from www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com. J&R did quote me $365 shipped but they were out of stock at the time.

 

[gotincon]

<< I personally have a home theater that I built around the JBL Studio Series, which is JBL's more expensive product line. I have listened to both the Northwood and Studio Series, and for $250, this is a great deal for some outstanding home theater speakers. My only concern would be that the small speakers would not "fill the room" while being used as front speakers. If that is problem, invest in some JBL tower speakers for the fronts. But as far as surrounds and center channels go, these are great speakers. And the free shipping is great too. If you are looking to build an affordable home theater, or you have limited space for speakers, this is a fantastic setup for the price. Like mentioned above, make sure you pick up a subwoofer too. >>




Good point, I forgot to mention these are going in my 1 bedroom apartment, so space is tight. Which for once, is a good thing as I can get away with the smaller speakers.


I know many people had great things to say about replacing 2 of the N24's for N38's for the front, and leaving the rest the same if you have a bigger room.

 

[NotAClue]

Thanks gotincon,
just picked up the NSP-1 set.

The Sony sub is out of stock.

If done for ~$400 complete, that would be awesome !!

 

[durracell]

I listened to the Denon and the Onkyo and I think the Denon is a little better. You get a little more power, the front preouts, it's cheaper, etc. The only drawback to the Denon is the cruddy remote.

I think that the n24's should do fine in a medium size room for home theater. I think the real advantage to adding the towers would be for listening to stereo music.

Here's a nice site on the jbl's.

 

[DorkBoy]

Nice deal for Great speakers.
I just got rid of mine and still have some N8's to sell off.

 

[gotincon]

<< I listened to the Denon and the Onkyo and I think the Denon is a little better. You get a little more power, the front preouts, it's cheaper, etc. The only drawback to the Denon is the cruddy remote.

I think that the n24's should do fine in a medium size room for home theater. I think the real advantage to adding the towers would be for listening to stereo music.

Here's a nice site on the jbl's. >>



Even better is if you get a receiver with Dolby Pro Logic II, it converts stereo source to 5.1 and supposedly does it really well. Ive heard good things about it, so thats something to think about if you also like to listen to stereo music sources....etc


Thanks for the personal info on the denon vs. onkyo. I will definitely get a denon, I can live with the remote. Hell, after this, it will be the 8th remote on my coffe table....lol

Thing is, almost all the remotes offer the ability to control each other, but I find it easier to just use the one remote that was made for its own thing.

 

[yellowperil]

They also have the N-Center sold separately for $99.95 shipped. I really want this but don't have the money for matching mains. How bad would it sound if I used it in my current setup anyway (Kenwood HTB-503 HTIB)? I am having trouble hearing dialogue with the included center speaker.

 

[hunt3r]

I just bought the N26's Northbridges, (2 way w/ 6" cone) to replace some old Pioneer towers and O my.... they sound beautiful. I was really worried about going down to a bookshelf style even though I already had a seperate sub, but they sound way better.

FYI, I have a med to lrg living room with about 15' deep listiening depth and these have NO problem filling the room. So I am sure these smaller ones can fill a small to med room.

I added these N26's to exsisting sml jbl rears, a jbl center, and a jbl 12" sub. While I was at it I upgraded from an ol Pioneer pro-logic to a new Pioneer 810 7.1 digital reciever.

I am very impressed with the quality of the JBL northbridge series.

 

[azri]

I bought this JBL NSP-1 a week ago. Till now buy.com hasn't sent but they keep inform me they're still working on my order. You can find a coupon $10.00 off Electronics from deal site that make the deal even sweeter.

For reciever, I bought the Onkyo 595. Make sure you have enough Digital input. I believe Denon AVR-1602 only has one coax and one optical. I have optical out from my XBOX, optical out from my Panny DVD player ( RV-31 or RP-56 only has one optical out ), one coaxial out from my Explorer 2000 digital cable.
Need to worry about Video-Switching capability but since my Wega has tons of Video input, I have less to worry.


Subwoofer, I'll buy the Sony SAWM40. Good subwoofer for money. Sears will pricematch internet price but with the shipping cost.

 

[gotincon]

Sweet! I was just quoted a great price for the Denon 1802 reciever from Phil S. at 6ave.com. (reason for only a quote and not buy is they are out of stock, and he didn't believe in charging me before it is able to be shipped, wow. Integrity wasn't an afterthought for him, much better than many online stores.) A huge thank you to him. Much less than the price listed on their website. Not the best deal on the net, as etronics has it for 340 + shipping, but I will only pay a little more and got it at 6ave which is a denon authorized dealer, so I get my warranty. This is a big deal as you see here on the denon site.

Wish I would have talked to phil first on some other things.

If your thinking of any receiver, I suggest you give these guys a call, Phil is someone I will be doing business with again.

Bryon

 

[NorCalSci]

From what I've heard, the NSP1 system is a GREAT value--wonderful sound, low price. It was on my shortlist until I pulled the trigger on a Cambridge Soundworks deal a couple of days ago.

Another great deal for an entry level compact system with wonderful sound is the Onkyo 494 + Harman Kardon HKTS5 combo at Circuit City (WEB ONLY, but pick up in store if you want) right now for $599 (after $100 MIR). This includes by the best receiver you can buy for less than $450 (Onkyo 494) and a complete set of speakers with subwoofer. Doing the math, you get the receiver for $300 and the six speakers for $300.

Finally, I might recommend the HiFi.com store at EBAY. This is where they sell/auction off all their excess inventory and refurbs at very nice prices.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

<< For all of us who blew all our money on Hp 567's and LCD monitors how do these systems rate for the Financially challenged (keep in mind that $250 is too high for right now...)

OPTION 1
AudioSource,System 100 $99.99
PDF specs here...

OPTION 2
HDT 5.1 $149.00

OPTION 3
KLH HTA-9005 Five-Piece Surround Speaker System


Any thoughts please? >>



Sorry, I've not heard any of them personally, but the AudioSource system seems to be out of your price range. The $99 dollar price was on ebay and one person found them at Costco. Actual selling price new looks to be more like $250 or so. That HTD option 2 set looks realling interesting. I'm looking for a budget set-up and since it includes a subwoofer that that price it's an incredible bargain. They even offer a 30 day home trial and will eat the shipping costs and restocking fee if you send the system back. The system also gets pretty decent reviews. Anyone ever do business with those guys before?

 

[Jdog]

HTD is very highly regarded. Go see here for details.

 

[gotincon]

I can't wait to actually hear all this together. Going to be nice

I have the JBL NSP-1 set, the PB12 subwoofer, and a Denon 1802. Should be a really great setup from what I hear from everyone else.


I spent 920$ total after shipping. All of this because I caught another hot deal about a month ago, with the 30" 16:9 Samsung TV i got for a flat 700 at costco. Damn if anandtech hot deals hasn't made me spend 1620 dollars. Oh wait, I also bought the 128 Mb memory stick for 60 because I saw it here. So lets make it an even 1700 because of hot deals in the past 2 months. I'm flat broke. I won't be alowing myself back here for another 6 months.......lol

 

[NICKel]

Jdog... Can you check your link to HTD? I get nuthin. Thanks.

 

[debitcredit]

It was kind-of cool to see this post, being that I just recently purchased speakers that almost match this set-up. What I got was the JBL NSP-1 set, along with the JBL 10 (rather than 12) subwoofer. Did a little AMEX Blue pricematching -- and ended up getting the NSP-1s for $249 and the JBL 10 for $188. Being that I have a pretty small living room, I decided that I could save a little and go for the smaller sub-woofer.

For those who are going for this...or a similar set-up...well, it sounds GREAT! I've had it hooked up for about two weeks and I've got no complaints. The surround sound is pretty cool with DVDs -- and the system is powerful enough for listening to music as well. Granted, it's no $5000 set -- however, I'd be kidding myself to think that my ears are discerning enough to merit purchasing such a set...plus, to afford a $5000 set would require me to give up food, heat, water, and electricity (and without electricity, what good is a $5000 set of speakers?) for the rest of the year!

Thanks for the great post -- and, for those who decide to get a similar set-up, enjoy!

 

[gotincon]

he meant hometheaterdirect


While yes, the level 3's are very highly regarded, they were much more. I believe the JBL's are much better than there level 1's, I only wish there was alot of info out on the level 2's, which is a direct match up.


CheapHomeTheater is doing a review currently on the level 2's, but I didnt want to wait.

 

[Jdog]

Sorry, I fixed the link, although it is to hometheaterforum, not HTD. Just so you know, I have (and am very happily pleased with) the NSP1s. After listening to speakers that cost $1000-$1440 I really couldn't justify the price difference. The only ones I'd buy instead of the NSP1 were the Swans Divas, but at nearly $2400 for a set of five speakers, I couldn't afford it this year.

 

[Naeb]

I have a question for you guys that have purchased the NSP1's . . . Does the set come with wall mounting brackets?

Thanks!

 

[MemnochtheDevil]

Yes, the NSP-1 comes with four wall mounting brackets. I mounted my rears that way in my old apartment and they held up to lots of abuse (loud music). I love mine, this is a great budget system with the sony sub. Check out the Home theater forum link above to get advice on seting them up correctly.

Mem