Help with Budget Home Theater Audio for Room

[quakerroatmeal 10+ year member]

Well I've been into car audio for a while. I'm thinking of getting rid of my car audio setup for a home theater audio setup. Its for my room, I have a Samsung DLP/HD-DVD player already. Space is pretty tight, but I really like towers. Are there any pros/cons between Bookshelf vs Tower speakers? Lets get straight to the point. I do a lot of PC/Gaming/Movie use on my TV and will be used for music. I have about $1000-$1200 is pushing it, and if I'm convinced maybe $1500. I've looked at brands like Axioms, Paradigm, Def Techs, SVS Audio, B&W, I know that the brand I've picked will give me limited possibilities with my budget. I'm not looking for anything top of the line, mid-line or entry should be fine. Does any other brand other then SVS Audio setup a complete system for you? Because I just get a headache trying to pick out what to buy (piecing it together wise) there's just ridiculously too many. I know you'll tell me to go out there and listen, and I will. What are my choices/options, this is without a receiver. So entertain me.

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[joetama 5,000+ posts]

The big difference between a good quality bookshelf and a floorstanding speaker is the bass reproduction. But, to be completely honest if you are a bass fanatic a lot of the time you might be better off using bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer to match them.

For example:

2x B&W 686 (Surrounds) $450 PR

2x B&W 685 (Fronts) $600 PR

1x B&W HTM-62 (Center) $400 PR

Total: $1450

This would be a kick *** system if you added a subwoofer too...

If you need to buy a Receiver too, then you might want to look into going with a 2.1 or 3.1 system and then adding surrounds later.

Also, look around for used equipment. There is a lot of used B&W 600 Series 3 equipment out there since the release of the Series 4 line.

Honestly the best thing you can do is to go out and listen. Tell the dealers what your budget is and they will work with you (if you have a good one). If not, go find another dealer... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[johnson 10+ year member]

Check www.avsforum.com. A wealth of information out there. For a budget entry level, I bought my brother a complete set of Athena Audition series speakers. Two sets of AS-B1 and a AS-C1 for center. The new models look like the same speakers but are lighter but should sound the same. That was $300 and I diy'ed a subwoofer (AA Atlas 12" + 250w plate amp) for $300. Or you can go the DIY route like I did.

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

dam those prices make me feel like my budget setup is like flee market style

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

dam those prices make me feel like my budget setup is like flee market style

LAWL... It happens...

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

indeed....one day ill own something that says B&W

 

[1loudsuv 10+ year member]

indeed....one day ill own something that says B&W

print out a paper and just stick it on the speakers, thats what im planing on doing //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

indeed....one day ill own something that says B&W

With the new 600 Series it isn't too big of a goal.

print out a paper and just stick it on the speakers, thats what im planing on doing //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

Yep, that is the key for making a Loudspeaker sound good...

 

[brandontw 10+ year member]

B&w's are nice, but if your on a budget, looking into other brands wouldnt be a bad plan.

the other brands you mentioned are really nice too, i had some paradigm in wall speakers once, they were nice.

If i remember right, def tech makes some planar/ribbon speakers that sound real nice.

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

I think this is what im gonna build for my HT w/ a subwoofer

http://zaphaudio.com/ZBM4.html

 

[Fast1one 10+ year member]

Parts express has a lot of projects that are great for beginners if you want to build your own. Granted, you won't get something that sounds as good as for example B&W, but you can get close for hundreds less...

My favorites:

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/tritrix/index.cfm

Center and surrounds that use similar drivers:

http://www.partsexpress.com/projectshowcase/triune/index.cfm

You can probably use one woofer for the surrounds...The woofers are 13.60 when you buy several...

8 woofers total: 108.8

5 tweets at 16.80: 84

Misc crossover part: 30

Total: 222.80 Plus shipping and wood. Easily under 500 dollars....

Name any manufacture and expect a 5-10 times mark up on loudspeakers, or almost anything for that matter. This means that if something costs 1000 dollars, it is most likely somewhere around 100 dollars TOTAL in parts, labor, and R&D. This is why its so beneficial to build yourself.

 

[johnson 10+ year member]

Dont build a center just because it uses the same driver as your mains/surrounds. The crossover has a huge impact on how well they will work together.

Oh yeah, there's a Ascendant Audio Avalanche 18" in the classifieds for under $300. Would make an awesome HT sub. They get LOW and LOUD.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

B&w's are nice, but if your on a budget, looking into other brands wouldnt be a bad plan.
the other brands you mentioned are really nice too, i had some paradigm in wall speakers once, they were nice.

If i remember right, def tech makes some planar/ribbon speakers that sound real nice.

Def Tech are the Bi-Polar guys...

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

Def Techs FTW

-Nick-

 

[quakerroatmeal 10+ year member]

Thanks for the replies guys. The B&W setup above sounds nice, if it included the subwoofer with it, then I'd definitely consider it, but it doesn't //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif. This budget is for the 5.1 setup itself, the receiver is coming afterwords. I have yet to find which receiver I want. I was looking at the SVS Sound SBS-01 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers with PB12-NSD - Black* for $1149 any comments on how these are for a budget system? Or are there better for my price range. Can you piece together a B&W/Axion/Paradigm for less then 1000-1200$ maybe 1500$ or so with a subwoofer? Loving that B&W setup, I wish it would come with a subwoofer. Do you know the price on that 685 Theater they have? Seems like the complete system with the subwoofer.