Surround sound speaker system recommendations

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Hey all.

In the near future I plan on doing some much needed remodeling in my double living room and I would like to include a small audio/video upgrade in the plans. On one side I have my computer and stereo system. On the other is my widescreen TV with a surround system I bought a few year before I bought the TV. What I would like to do is combine the stereo system and surround system into one room freeing a lot of space on one side for other things.

What I'm looking for a decent speaker system that would be as good for music as it is for movies. All I'm looking to upgrade right now would be the speaker system. For now the receiver is suffice. What I have now is a low to mid level Sony 5.1 system. It's actually been just fine for movies, but from playing music through the speakers it has killed one of them. The front and rear speakers was the weakest link in that system.

I've only just started looking online at 5.1 speaker systems around the $300.00 mark. Brands like JBL and Yamaha. This one caught my eye.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_Speaker.html

I could be talked into spending a tad more. It needs to be somewhat compact and doesn't have to be a massively loud system. The room is not that big and I rent the second floor out, so there is no need for a big system.

Another thought is also keeping the sub-woofer I have and buying front, center, and rear speakers separately or in a package if they come that way.

Also, as far as price is concerned. Let me know what you think of speakers in that price range. in the long run, if I'm better of spending a bit more I would like to know. I will be getting a better receiver eventually.


Thanks!

[Geoff St. Germaine]

IMO, you are better up living with what you have for now and saving up to spend a bit more money. At about double what you are talking about spending there are some nice 5.0 speaker packages available. One that I'd be looking at would be this:

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

I can't give too many recommendations as I've been building my own speakers for the past few years and have lost interest in the commercial offerings. I have a friend who bought the above system and I thought it sounded very good for the money he spent on it.

[louieeadg]

Get black ones, they sound good.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Buy the black ones. Got it, thanks.


Spending more is not a problem.
Any recommendations would be great.

[purduebass]

I have a Klipsch 2.1 THX system and it sounds amazing, I'm pretty sure they have a 5.1 system too.

[PSPookie]

+1 on the Klipsch

I recently picked up a set pf these: https://www.klipsch.com/products/det...intet-iii.aspx
on an open box deal for about $250 from Best Buy and I am quite pleased.

You might try checking your local big box electronic stores for some returned and still under warranty speaker deals. I'm sure tons of stuff comes in right after the holidays.

Happy hunting.

[A9X]

I don't have any suggestions as I', not in the US so availability, pricing etc are unknown. However, you need to go somewhere and hear them for yourself no matter what you choose. Speakers are a mass of compromises and something I could live with might drive you nuts.

[Ericman197]

Originally Posted by Geoff St. Germaine

IMO, you are better up living with what you have for now and saving up to spend a bit more money. At about double what you are talking about spending there are some nice 5.0 speaker packages available. One that I'd be looking at would be this:

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

I can't give too many recommendations as I've been building my own speakers for the past few years and have lost interest in the commercial offerings. I have a friend who bought the above system and I thought it sounded very good for the money he spent on it.

I'm not sure how I feel about a sub-less system, but I bought an SVS on the recommendation of TB and I'm lovin' it! I don't remember how much I paid, but the 25-31 PCi ($549 now) is THE bomb, DOT COM. For me 25Hz is more than low enough, and it is very loud (WAYYYY deeper and louder than my parents' Bose setup).

I would trust SVS products 100%. The $1,000 5.1 setup is a great deal, although understandably you may not want to spend that much (plus you have to buy a receiver which adds a few hundred extra, let alone the TV, DVD etc). This is purely my opinion, but I think if you cheap out anywhere you should do it on the surround speakers. I bought an SVS sub and used JBL Northridge surrounds. They aren't the highest quality but I got them at a really good price. However I don't know of any other sub manufacturer that puts out such good quality products as SVS. For example, Velodyne charges $799 for its passive, tiny, sealed 12" sub.

[unclejam]

eh just round it off

http://www.partsexpress.com/projects...cles/index.cfm

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Just a last little bumpage for the Saturday morning folks.


I don't know.
Tell me what you got and if you're happy with it.

[bobbykokinos]

I just upgraded my surround sound system.. Its not "audiophile" quality but its pretty rocking... Here is what I got:

Fronts
2 Polk Audio R50s
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BXQTfc+GQ...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
On Sale for $59 each!!!

Rears
2 Polk Audio R150s
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BXQTfc+GQ...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
$49 for the pair!!!

Center
Polk CSR
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BXQTfc+GQ...roduct/4966251
On Sale for $79!!!!

These are great prices.. I'm using an old Sony receiver and sub from a "all-in-one" box but, these are what I plan on eventually upgrading to:

Reciever
Onkyo 505
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/538299420
On sale for $229.98

Sub
BIC H100 12" 500w Sub
http://cgi.ebay.com/BIC-Acoustech-H-...QQcmdZViewItem
$245 before shipping

I know its more than you originally planned on but for a total of about $730, it would be really hard to beat that set up and it would last you for quite a while. Especially for the price on those Polks right now!! If I were you, upgrade to the Polks now and get that price and then upgrade the receiver and sub later..

Is your sub the one thats self powered or powered off of the receiver??

[Ericman197]

Originally Posted by bobbykokinos

Is your sub the one thats self powered or powered off of the receiver??

Oh, I didn't even read that bit. If he already has a decent powered sub then a 5.0 system + receiver would work hmmmm. And yeah, Polk is pretty, pretty, pretty good.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by bobbykokinos

I just upgraded my surround sound system.. Its not "audiophile" quality but its pretty rocking... Here is what I got:

Fronts
2 Polk Audio R50s
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BXQTfc+GQ...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
On Sale for $59 each!!!

Rears
2 Polk Audio R150s
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BXQTfc+GQ...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
$49 for the pair!!!

Center
Polk CSR
http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BXQTfc+GQ...roduct/4966251
On Sale for $79!!!!

These are great prices.. I'm using an old Sony receiver and sub from a "all-in-one" box but, these are what I plan on eventually upgrading to:

Reciever
Onkyo 505
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/538299420
On sale for $229.98

Sub
BIC H100 12" 500w Sub
http://cgi.ebay.com/BIC-Acoustech-H-...QQcmdZViewItem
$245 before shipping

I know its more than you originally planned on but for a total of about $730, it would be really hard to beat that set up and it would last you for quite a while. Especially for the price on those Polks right now!! If I were you, upgrade to the Polks now and get that price and then upgrade the receiver and sub later..

In the bold
As mentioned in my first post, that's exactly what I want to do.
The amount of money I want to spend would be just for speakers.

Originally Posted by bobbykokinos

Is your sub the one thats self powered or powered off of the receiver??

It's a powered sub woofer.

Same as you I got an all-in-one kit from Sony consisting of a receiver and a five speaker system. For now, the receiver is fine. I Think I will be keeping the sub as well.

Those Polk R50s look too good to pass by. Perfect for when I want to listen to music. The only thing slowing me down is the size. Hmm, I am doing some remodelling so moving or even replacing furniture is not out of the question. Let's put it this way. They're in my shopping cart.

Two questions:
How does your Sony receiver sound with the R50's? Mine is the Sony STR-X750P

How is Fry's to deal with. I've heard mixed reviews.


I was also looking at this from Polk
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...l/onwall/rm85/

They claim the front speaker have a big sound in a small package, which is kind of what I'm looking for. Ultimately I have to go and listen to some. My local Best Buy has an audio/video room for the higher end stuff. I'll have to take a trip to see what they carry. I think something like the R50's will sound better when I want to listen to music though. When it comes to listening to music I prefer a good set of stereo speakers over a 2.1 or 5.1 system.

Klipch also has some good looking packages. Thanks PSPookie!

[bobbykokinos]

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

In the bold
As mentioned in my first post, that's exactly what I want to do.
The amount of money I want to spend would be just for speakers.

It's a powered sub woofer.

Same as you I got an all-in-one kit from Sony consisting of a receiver and a five speaker system. For now, the receiver is fine. I Think I will be keeping the sub as well.

Those Polk R50s look too good to pass by. Perfect for when I want to listen to music. The only thing slowing me down is the size. Hmm, I am doing some remodelling so moving or even replacing furniture is not out of the question. Let's put it this way. They're in my shopping cart.

Two questions:
How does your Sony receiver sound with the R50's? Mine is the Sony STR-X750P

How is Fry's to deal with. I've heard mixed reviews.


I was also looking at this from Polk
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...l/onwall/rm85/

They claim the front speaker have a big sound in a small package, which is kind of what I'm looking for. Ultimately I have to go and listen to some. My local Best Buy has an audio/video room for the higher end stuff. I'll have to take a trip to see what they carry. I think something like the R50's will sound better when I want to listen to music though. When it comes to listening to music I prefer a good set of stereo speakers over a 2.1 or 5.1 system.

Klipch also has some good looking packages. Thanks PSPookie!

I have a Sony STR-K670P receiver which is a lower model than what you have. It sounds fine but you can tell its underpowering the speakers and I could go with something more stout.

Yes, they are bigger speakers, I'll give you that. But they don't take up anymore space than having a bookshelf speaker on a stand really. Frys has been fine to deal with. The problem I had was DHL when they shipped.. They were supposed to be here on the 19th but show up at 8pm on the 20th.. No big deal really..I ordered on a Monday and think I got them on Thursday.

Except for a few instances, I try not to but into the "big sound out of a small package" advertising. There is no replacement for pushing more air. I had smaller speakers before the R50s and, the higher you went in volume, the more they seemed like they are breaking up. The higher you go in volume on the R50s, the more it seems like they want more..

Be advised though, those R50s only come in a cherry finish even though the picture is black.

I'm really really happy for the price! Let me know if you have any more questions..

[hbarcat]

You will be satisfied with POLK.



But I'm partial to JBL.