Update:: Need a half-decent set of speakers for a new receiver

[agnitrate]

I just got a new receiver to replace my old pc speakers and they came w/ 2 free KLH sat. speakers.

Honestly, I know nothing about home audio and all of that great stuff. My friend has this receiver with a nice set of speakers and I just about die every time we listen to a DVD @ his house

I have some Xmas money and I would like to get a nice set of speakers to go with this receiver. Right now, I am running on old PC speakers rigged up to run from rca->stereo cable and a pc sub-woofer as well.

My max is about 150-200 for the whole set (2 bookshelf, head, sub, maybe 2 sat.). Remember, I know NOTHING about home audio and I certainly don't need the best as I am moving up from mediocre pc audio. Anything will be better than that. I saw some good 6 piece KLH sets for 150 or 200 and they seemed all right but I wanted to know if you guys had any better ideas. Thanks for any advice!

-silver


Update:

I just got a HUGE bonus for the end of the year in this paycheck I got today.
I'm willing to spend $500 now on the total system.

Can this get me Paradigm Titans + Atoms + center? I still don't know how much the individual components cost, or even a price range. Can somebody give me some info? I don't need the surrounds, just bookshelves, sub, and center.

 

[isekii]

i dont think you can get anythinig decent for 150-200

I think KLH set is pretty okay~

it's not too crappy I think~

and it's around that budget~~

it's a Henry&Kloss ( cambridge & jbl ) sub-company ? i think ?

 

[agnitrate]

Hehe, when I say decent, I mean, pretty ok. I might be willing to go a little higher. I just don't have a TON of money right now.

Nobody else has any suggestions in home audio? Come on all you audiophiles, I know you're here somewhere!

TTT!

 

[sohcrates]

so you're looking for 2 bookshelf plus a center channel and a sub possibly?

you'll never find all those in any decent variety for that price

a high-powered computer speaker setup would probably sound better than a receiver paired with cheap speakers...something like the logitech z-560s

i'd suggest you maybe look into some basic bookshelfs, and then add a slightly more expensive sub to the mix. that sub will make the whole system sound "fuller"

or if you go with the KLH's (which i don't suggest, i've seen that package in the past and it leaves little to be desired) then you should make sure you add a bigger sub.

as far as specific suggestions, that's tough.

just browsing crutchfield for instance, you can get a pair of yamaha bookshelfs for about 119 a pair that would probably be half-decent. then you add a center channel for like 100 bucks, then a yamaha sub for about 150. use the free KLK sats for now. gonna be around 300 bucks, but well worth it to do it somewhat right the first time

 

[agnitrate]

Ok, well I guess my next paycheck is going bye bye I think I will be going out Saturday morning to pick somethin up and I need an idea.

Sohcrates, I kinda understand what you're saying bout recommending anything specific. If you can't recommend specific ones, can you throw some brands out?

I know Bose is nice (yet expensive) but what are some other non-crappy manufacturers?

 

[sohcrates]

<< Ok, well I guess my next paycheck is going bye bye I think I will be going out Saturday morning to pick somethin up and I need an idea.

Sohcrates, I kinda understand what you're saying bout recommending anything specific. If you can't recommend specific ones, can you throw some brands out?

I know Bose is nice (yet expensive) but what are some other non-crappy manufacturers? >>



well, keep in mind that everything i'm suggesting is VERY basic stuff....because the mere mention of bose usually sets off a flame war around here.....

anyway, i would suggest some stuff:

for bookshelfs, inexpensive polk audio or infinity speakers work for me.

for a center channel, you usually want the same type of speaker (or brand) since you want the entire front stage to sound similar during pans in movies....

I actually have a definitive technology center channel which i really like, they're another compnay you might want to look into, though slightly pricey

as far as subs, paradigm and yamaha make some inexpensive models.

hopefully, so more people will see this thread this morning and have some more suggestions!

you can also try searching for "home theater" here at AT forums and you'll find a few other threads with speaker recommendations

in the meantime, check out crutchfield.com or circuit city or whatever and get some model numbers of stuff you can afford...then report back and we can give ya some input. (this is the best way to do it IMHO)

hope this helps

 

[SpecialEd]

get some JBL's!!! their sweet!

JBL website

 

[agnitrate]

Ok early bump for all you sophisticated office-types that prob can afford this

Taking sohcrates's advice, I'm gonna try and list stuff I can prob. afford.

Bookshelf:
Polk R10 were $150, now $100
Polk Pair
Yamaha NS-6390 $119
Yamaha NS-5290

Center:
Polk CS175i $150
I couldn't find too many centers.

Sub:
Yamaha YST-SW105
Sony SA-WM20

Seems like I don't have too much selection, but I wasn't expecting too much anyways.
Let me know what you guys think!

-silver

 

[sohcrates]

I actually have heard that Yamaha sub before (I convinced my friend at college to get that model) and it's pretty good for the price...so I suggest it

As far as bookshelfs, I would go with the Polks over the yamaha's...i've toured polk audio's factory and they actually put a lot of work into designing their speakers...even though they're only a 5 1/4 inch woofer, the sub will more than make up for the bass discrepancy

If you go with the Polk, definitely go with that Polk center. I know it's hard to imagine a center costing more than your 2 main front speakers, but that's the way it goes at this level of purchasing. Also, for movies, something like 75% of the sound comes through the center, so you really DON'T want to skimp on that...

So, yamaha sub and polk bookshelfs and center. I know it's more than you wanted, but I can tell you that you'll be quite satisifed

DO you have a dvd player? Or would you be hooking it up to your computer's dvd player?

 

[agnitrate]

Computer's DVD player. I am dying for something else to plug it all into, but since this is only in my room and I don't have a TV, it's just the computer for now. Can I still get DD through my Audigy into receiver?

silver

 

[sohcrates]

<< Computer's DVD player. I am dying for something else to plug it all into, but since this is only in my room and I don't have a TV, it's just the computer for now. Can I still get DD through my Audigy into receiver?

silver >>



yeah, you should be able to, assuming your audigy has a digital output. does it? (i'm not too familiar with audigy's yet) IF it does, what kind is it? just a SPDIF output?

 

[agnitrate]

yeah 1 SPDIF output

would that get me 5.1?

 

[kgraeme]

Paradigm. Seriously take a look at some of these speakers. They start you into the low end audiophile category for basically no more money than you're already looking at. You'll need to seek out a local dealer because Paradigm doesn't permit them to be sold online. They don't even allow dealers to list prices online, so if you see prices then you know they aren't a legit dealer. You won't find them at a Best Buy, Circuit City type of store, you'll need to go to a decent audio electronics store.

I don't see any dealers in your immediate area, but there are two on N. Clark street. Midwest Stereo and Promusica.

Quick question: how big is the room and do you have downstairs neighbors? If you have downstairs neighbors then you may want to reconsider buying a sub. I have one, but I can't use it or I would get evicted. If you have a small room and can have a sub, take a look at the Paradigm Atoms for the bookshelf speakers. They're small, but amazing. Because I can't use a sub, I bought the next size up, the Titans, to fill in more bass. You'll spend about $90-$150 for the pair depending on dealers and Atom vs. Titan.

Even if you don't go with the Paradigms, seriously consider buying the speakers not only from the same brand but the same family. At least for the front and center. Good manufacturers go through great pains to match the sound levels and color of their speakers, and buying haphazardly can leave you with a setup that fights itself.

(No I don't work for Paradigm, I'm just a happy owner on a budget.)

 

[agnitrate]

Bump before I go to work....

I hear Paradigm is just awesome quality for how much they cost but like you said, they're only available at certain dealers. I have one 20 mins away from me so I am going to go check them out tomorrow I think.

To all Paradigm owners, how much did the speakers cost exactly?

kgraeme said bout 90-150 for the bookshelves but how much for the center? Are their subs as good as the rest of their line?

Last bump, I promise

silver

 

[kgraeme]

Woops, it looks like I mislead you on price. The bookshelf's look like the might actually run about $200.

There are two centers to choose from, the CC-70 and the CC-170. I paid about $200 for the CC-170. Everybody said the CC-170 was FAR superior to the CC-70 so I didn't even listen to the CC-70.

For the rear speakers, I'm using a 15 year old pair of Infinity bookshelf speakers I already had. Paradigm sells special rear speakers for optimal sound dispersion, but they are about twice as expensive as their bookshelves which would suffice just fine for the likes of you and me.

 

[gumbysucks]

I would second paradigms, I've got some. Also try Jamo very good and effecient ,sound loud for less power. Just buy what you like the sound of, bring your own cds, what you have heard often. You don't need speakers with great bass if you get a sub.

 

[kami]

Yeah Paradigm owns. All my speakers are Paradigm...

Fronts: Titans
Center: CC-150 (same as CC-170, just older)
Surrounds: Atoms
Sub: PDR-10

 

[sohcrates]

<< ? Are their subs as good as the rest of their line? >>



I've got both a paradigm and yamaha sub..i like them both. can't go wrong with paradigm sub

 

[MrHelpful]

<< I know Bose is nice >>



!!!

 

[agnitrate]

Update:

I just got a HUGE bonus for the end of the year in this paycheck I got today.
I'm willing to spend $500 now on the total system.

Can this get me Paradigm Titans + Atoms + center? I still don't know how much the individual components cost, or even a price range. Can somebody give me some info? I don't need the surrounds, just bookshelves, sub, and center.

silver

 

[kgraeme]

Nice bonus!

Pricing will vary from vendor to vendor. I still know what I paid, so here goes:

Paradigm
Atom: $179/pair
Titan: $219/pair
CC-170 (center): $199
CC-70 (cheaper center): $139
PDR-8 (smallest decent sub): $279

Still a little more than you can afford for the full setup. Since you're on a tight budget, I would recommend the Titans for front R/L and the CC-70 for the center. Then find a decent pair of cheap bookshelf speakers for the rear. Something like the $99 Yamahas at Best Buy. That will run you pretty close to your limit once taxes are figured in.

Since you really can't afford a sub right now, the Titans will fill in the bass that the Atoms can't. In fact, I don't use my sub at all because of neighbors. And that's something to consider. While this is a "bookshelf" size setup, the sound from this is huge. If you live in an apartment or dorm with thin walls, you might want to reconsider and just buy a good set of headphones.

If you can afford to get the better center, then that's where I would spend my money. Not on better rears, not on a sub. Whatever you do though, go check out those stores that carry these. Talk to the sales guy. Most of these places are small boutiques that don't get a lot of traffic. The people will take the time to talk to you. Don't try to impress them, and don't apologize for what you have now. Just tell them that you're on a tight budget but that Paradigms were recommended to you. Let them do the rest.

 

[Huma]

It hurts me to see how much more paradigms cost in the US than in canada.

I paid $230 cad for my titans ($140US) up here in vancouver. Planning on adding atoms to the rears soon. They only cost about $110US.

The titans can reproduce enough bass for most types of music, and I found the sub being the most useful for movies. My pdr-10($230US) sound great as well. Tight bass, and it can shake the room easily when needed.

You couldn't really go wrong with paradigms even at US prices. But if you had a relative or good friend in canada, or go on vacation there, the savings on a system can be pretty huge

edit: another thing to consider, is building your system slowly and making it better than you could with a one time buy.

I bought my denon 1802 and titans first, added the pdr-10, and will add the atoms soon, and a cc-170 later on. Just the titans by themselves are already a great start, and depending on where you feel the need to add to, you can grab the pieces one at a time. You'll probably enjoy the system more if you spend a little more time, and maybe money to build it right the first time rather than have to skimp on some areas

 

[agnitrate]

Woohoo! Ok, I went ahead and got some Paradigm.

Taking your advice, I got the CC-170 center and the atoms. I couldn't afford to get the Titans w/ it right away and when I listened to the atoms, they had much more tone than the Titans so I opted for those for right now. Question though:

I do not have the connections for these speakers. I know it takes plugs that go straight from stereo cables but where can I find these? Or can I just put the stereo cable straight into them? Advice welcome.

Oh, the Atoms were $190 and the CC-170 $199 but the guy knocked the price off so w/ tax it would equal $390 total. Good deal for me.

silver

 

[sohcrates]

<< I do not have the connections for these speakers. I know it takes plugs that go straight from stereo cables but where can I find these? Or can I just put the stereo cable straight into them? Advice welcome. >>



are they banana plugs? if so, you can get banana adapters at radio shack. Most banana plugs, though, will allow you to simply unscrew them and put the bare wire under them and then screw it closed.

 

[kgraeme]

Congrats!

Glad you got to listen to them and make up your own mind about the Atoms vs. Titans. The Atoms certainly are a brighter sound.

For connecting, I just use bare wire. The big caps unscrew and I just shove the wire in there. If you need to move things around often, you might want to try bannana clips as suggested above. And if you didn't see the thread earlier, just use regular, cheap speaker wire. 16gauge is good.

Enjoy!