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Speakers for home theater

K

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Hey guys,

I've done some browsing in this forum but I'm still confused about speakers and don't know where to start. I'm looking for some speakers to go with my new 50" Panasonic ST30 plasma.

Ideally my budget would be $200-$300. I want something decent but don't need anything super fancy. Whether or not that price range includes the sub depends on what the best bang for the buck is. I really don't want to spend more on the audio than the TV. If this price range really isn't worth it I can upgrade, but I'd prefer not to.

I'm guessing that surround sound isn't worth it in this price range? I'm not a fan of setting up surround in the room my TV is in either. I don't have a receiver yet but will be getting one.

What should I be looking at?
 
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save your money. 2-300 is a waste of time unless you are willing to cruise craig's list or garage sales for old audio gears people no longer want. But I don't think you have the knowledge to make the right decision so basically forget it.
 
Energy Take Classic 5.1 is a nice budget system with a decent sub for $400 shipped. Look very nice with piano black finish. Currently out of stock on Newegg, but you can get it Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic.../dp/B001202C44

For the receiver, checkout Onkyo refurbs at accessories4less.com, some pretty nice ones in the $150-200 range. See if you can grab one with Audyssey room calibration to make setup easier.

This Energy + Onkyo system will likely to beat most home theater in a box systems out there.
 
If it's your first surround sound set up and you never had it, it's WELL worth it (even a low end set up).

I would recommend Onkyo all in one set up, they have them for 250-300 sometimes (on sale).

It blows my mind how many people today's crappy TV speakers. Sound makes good 50% of your TV/Movie experience IMO.
 
Vdubchaos said:
I would recommend Onkyo all in one set up, they have them for 250-300 sometimes (on sale)
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Are you talking about the ones that include Onkyo speakers as well? I would avoid those. Unless Onkyo have drastically improved their speakers in the last 3 years you'll get much better performance out the Polks (and an option to expand as money allows) or 5.1 out of the energy speakers. (Haven't personally heard the Martin Logans)

Personally I would go the 2.0 + receiver and then add to it down the road

Just a warning as well - avoid the Home Theaters in a Box that come with 'receivers' made by samsung, panasonic and sony. You'll find most if not all of them lack options/upgradability/performance and typically have some sort of proprietary adapter for their speakers
 
Exterous said:
Are you talking about the ones that include Onkyo speakers as well? I would avoid those. Unless Onkyo have drastically improved their speakers in the last 3 years you'll get much better performance out the Polks (and an option to expand as money allows) or 5.1 out of the energy speakers. (Haven't personally heard the Martin Logans)

Personally I would go the 2.0 + receiver and then add to it down the road

Just a warning as well - avoid the Home Theaters in a Box that come with 'receivers' made by samsung, panasonic and sony. You'll find most if not all of them lack options/upgradability/performance and typically have some sort of proprietary adapter for their speakers
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I'm talking about the one that comes with a receiver. It has everything he needs without the limits of above.

Also it will be "good enough" for a first time surround sound set up.

If you can't buy a decent receiver, consider Logitech Speaker system for 200-300 dollars. Original Z5500s (IIRC) were excellent, but they are more of a "hardcore gamer" type of a system.
 
Vdubchaos said:
I'm talking about the one that comes with a receiver. It has everything he needs without the limits of above.

Also it will be "good enough" for a first time surround sound set up.
Click to expand...

They make different ones or at least they used to. The lower end ones come with Onkyo speakers which are pretty shitty and (IMO) would not be "good enough" or worth the money invested. Any 'limits' they might not have would be offset by general poor audio quality. More expensive versions came with more respectable speakers from BA, Energy and the like

Having used both setups I was FAR happier with my Boston Acoustic 3.0 setup than my HTiB (with Onkyo speakers) and those Polks are lightyears beyond what the little Onkyo speakers can provide at this price range. I went from 5.1 onkyo speakers to the 3.0 BA speakers and the better sound quality was well worth losing the 2 surrounds
 
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SithSolo1 said:
This isn't the end all, be all but with lower budgets I typically suggest the Polk Monitor line from newegg.com.

Get 2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290206 - $99ea


Get any half decent budget receiver. Add a sub down the road, budget a minimum of $200 for it.

For the record, its normal to spend more on the audio than the video for HT.
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Exterous said:
Are you talking about the ones that include Onkyo speakers as well? I would avoid those. Unless Onkyo have drastically improved their speakers in the last 3 years you'll get much better performance out the Polks (and an option to expand as money allows) or 5.1 out of the energy speakers. (Haven't personally heard the Martin Logans)

Personally I would go the 2.0 + receiver and then add to it down the road

Just a warning as well - avoid the Home Theaters in a Box that come with 'receivers' made by samsung, panasonic and sony. You'll find most if not all of them lack options/upgradability/performance and typically have some sort of proprietary adapter for their speakers
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Agree 100%
 
Actually I just thought of something. At this price range you'll find most options in big box stores. You could get a 2.0 Polk setup and a 5.1 Onkyo HTiB setup and see which ones you like better. You could then return one or both and get what you want elsewhere if the price is better
 
Just get 2 speakers and an AVR for now. Take a look at the Infinity Primus line. Crutchfield has the P162 bookshelf for $83 each. They seem to garner better reviews than similar priced Polks.
 
The Pxx2 line is the exact same as the Pxx3 line except for the color behind the grill. Any reviews you can find apply to both lines.

Example: P362 = P363 with different front fascia color.

That said the Infinity speakers do get a good rep. I'm currently using some older budget Infinitys that sound good to my ears.
 
I'm not trying to convince anyone on anything, but I like my setup:
I don't need subwoofer because front floorstanding speakers gives enough bass, sounds great. I do use all speakers only TV and DVD, Media Player modes. LPs, CDs are played thru Polk Audio Monitor50 only, needless to say - stereo is stereo.

TV: LG 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV 42LD550 $650:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889005127

Receiver: YAMAHA 5.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver RX-V467, $230:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115239

Front Speakers(also, as a sub): Polk Audio Monitor50 Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker, $166 for pair:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290204

Center Speaker: Polk Audio RM 7 Center , $50:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290195

2 Rear Surround Speakers: Polk Audio RM 7 Satellite B High performance Satellite, $80 - for both:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290194

Rolls VP29 Phono Preamp(for Turntable), $58:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=245-035

And recently:
Vivanco WMF110SS Adjustable Speaker Stand Pair Black, $39:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=249-412

Previously I've bought Media Player:
Argosy HV335T Mobile Video HDD Media Player, $70:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882438004

Also, connected to receiver: VCR and Tape Deck, Philips 1080 upconvert DVD Player.
Turntable and Tape Deck uses front speakers ONLY,
TV, Media Player(plays all files - incl. .MKV, H.264...etc), DVD use all speakers.
 
Gintaras said:
I'm not trying to convince anyone on anything, but I like my setup:
I don't need subwoofer because front floorstanding speakers gives enough bass,
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Hmmmm. Seems to me you're missing out on pretty much everything in movies below about 60 hz which is the likey -3db point on those speakers. In addition your AVR in not particularly powerful.

You'd be surprised at what your missing by adding a decent sub. Especially for DD, DTS, DD True HD etc... movie soundtracks.
 
gar655 said:
Hmmmm. Seems to me you're missing out on pretty much everything in movies below about 60 hz which is the likey -3db point on those speakers. In addition your AVR in not particularly powerful.

You'd be surprised at what your missing by adding a decent sub. Especially for DD, DTS, DD True HD etc... movie soundtracks.
Click to expand...

All I'm missing - 3D glasses, I do see everything in 2D and I don't have HD vision - just 20/20. I do miss 55.4 setup, instead of 5.1 or straight stereo. Most likely, that I do have 2 ears, most likely soundproof and I can't tell where sound is coming from.

I do miss 3D-HD-Turbo iphones, iPads with built in uranium stick - so it could fuck up my brain even to no availability and I'll be able to believe how good is 200.10 5D SuperHD Turbo sound and vision - all walls covered by thousands of satellite speakers and floor made out of tens of subs - What a heaven of sound would I be living in?

That's all I miss...
 
Gintaras said:
All I'm missing - 3D glasses, I do see everything in 2D and I don't have HD vision - just 20/20. I do miss 55.4 setup, instead of 5.1 or straight stereo. Most likely, that I do have 2 ears, most likely soundproof and I can't tell where sound is coming from.

I do miss 3D-HD-Turbo iphones, iPads with built in uranium stick - so it could fuck up my brain even to no availability and I'll be able to believe how good is 200.10 5D SuperHD Turbo sound and vision - all walls covered by thousands of satellite speakers and floor made out of tens of subs - What a heaven of sound would I be living in?

That's all I miss...
Click to expand...

Are you trying to be funny or a dick? It's tough to tell. A good entry level sub for home theater runs $250. This not a large increase in budget and WILL add a lot to movies.
 
Gintaras is the like those "wannabe gamers" that say anything more than a $50 video card is a waste of money and makes fun of people that buy anything that performs better.
 
Exterous said:
Are you trying to be funny or a dick? It's tough to tell. A good entry level sub for home theater runs $250. This not a large increase in budget and WILL add a lot to movies.
Click to expand...

When I do listen music thru earphones - STEREO, I do wonder, where should I put subwoofer, so, my stomach could "hear" extra bass - 1 or 2 Hz, because neither me nor other humans can't hear anything ~100Hz below...but some can claim - they can hear all frequencies, anything....
 
Gintaras said:
When I do listen music thru earphones - STEREO, I do wonder, where should I put subwoofer, so, my stomach could "hear" extra bass - 1 or 2 Hz, because neither me nor other humans can't hear anything ~100Hz below...but some can claim - they can hear all frequencies, anything....
Click to expand...

And the troll is wrong, what a surprise.

Cutnell said:
Physics[/I]. 4th ed. New York: Wiley, 1998: 466.]"Experiments have shown that a healthy young person hears all sound frequencies from approximately 20 to 20,000 hertz."
Click to expand...

Besides which using headphones/earphones is very different from using speakers in many ways. I always recommend getting a subwoofer for any kind of home theater setup whether it's a full 5.1 or a 2.1 setup for a system. It adds a lot to music that's being played or any movie that's being watched.
 
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