Sound System under $3000

[darkblueme]

For my birthday, smack dab in the middle of May, I'll have enough saved up for a $3000 sound system. After careful research and study, this is the final set-up, ALL of which has been ordered from Amazon and eCost:

• 1.) **ORDERED** The Onkyo 805 Reveiver. (Refurbished $598 including DHL S/H)
  

• 2.) **ORDERED** A pair of these sweet Polk Audio Rti-A7 Floorstanding Front Speakers $474 ea Gold Box Price
  

• 3.) **ORDERED** A set of Dipole/Bipole Polk Audio FXi A6 surround speakers for my rear surrounds. $420 shipped (third party Amazon seller)
  

• 4. **ORDERED** A sparkly Polk Audio CSI A6 Center Channel Speaker $379 Gold Box Price
  

• 5. **ORDERED** The SVS 20-39 Cylinder PCi Subwoofer $672 Shipped.
  

TOTAL COST: $2735
**and** FREE SHIPPING WITH AMAZON PRIME!

Thank you for all of your input and advice! I've already received the 2 front speakers and the center channel speaker and I should have the rest of it by next week! I will take photos once it's all set up in the new house. SWEET!!

[doctorD]

Looks like excellent choices! Were are you getting your reciever from for $1200?

[darkblueme]

Originally Posted by doctorD

Looks like excellent choices! Were are you getting your reciever from for $1200?

Thanks! Amazon has it listed around that price. Actually, I just looked and it's $1,244.88

[Nick67gto]

Thats sounds like a pretty soild system u got in mind. Changes idk if would make any, Denon makes great recivers and the 3808ci is awsome reciver that will last a long time. Polk make some pretty good speakers and with 2 pairs of towers you got planned and a svs sub you will be able to shake ur house with little ease. so i say have a happy birthday and enjoy all ur system will have to offer

[beavis667]

I'd spend 3k, buy the speakers now and buy the AVR later. Speakers will outlast every piece of AV electronics you buy. If you are going to spend any money on speakers, get some worth keeping 20+ years. I presume you have some sort of AVR currently so that the speakers wouldn't just sit in boxes.

[darkblueme]

Thanks for the props, guys! I really, really, REALLY want to buy the speakers now, but... I'm getting ready to sell my house and move into one with a much nicer entertainment room.

I'm a little ashamed to admit that my current audio set-up consists of a Yamaha all-in-one receiver with 5.1 satellite speakers. Don't get me wrong, it sounds good, but... it doesn't sound FREAKING AMAZING, which is what I want. That, and Dolby True-HD.

[MatrixS2000]

I would swap out both your side and rear speakers for a dipoles. Use the same for both side and rear.

[crackinhedz]

I would swap out both your side and rear speakers for a dipoles. Use the same for both side and rear.

i agree.

[darkblueme]

What are "dipoles?"

[crackinhedz]

Dipole - A speaker design that uses two sets of drivers to generate equal amounts of sound both forward and backward, or side to side, with the two sounds being "out of phase." Dipoles are often used as surround speakers, and are very effective at creating a diffuse soundfield when placed on the sides of the listening position. Some speakers offer both dipole and bipole modes.


since you are looking into Polk:

Polk Dipole speakers.

[crackinhedz]

Dipole for surrounds, Bipole for the rears.

Some speakers have both options.

[crackinhedz]

Surround Sound Speakers: Direct, Bipole or Dipole, Which is Best for You?

[darkblueme]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Dipole - A speaker design that uses two sets of drivers to generate equal amounts of sound both forward and backward, or side to side, with the two sounds being "out of phase." Dipoles are often used as surround speakers, and are very effective at creating a diffuse soundfield when placed on the sides of the listening position. Some speakers offer both dipole and bipole modes.


since you are looking into Polk:

Polk Dipole speakers.

Thanks for the explanation (and the link). I was actually looking at these on Amazon:



The problem is... it would up my buying price by $300

Let's hope prices drop in the next month and a half, and I'll do it!! Do you think buying 2 pairs (4 speakers) of those would be the best option for the set up?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm learning things.

[darkblueme]

I've heard Polk Audio Front and Center speakers demo'd at Circuit City, and I love the sound. I know the general rule is "buy what sounds good to you," but if anyone has an alternate brand for the money... please feel free to share.

[Ectoplasm]

I seriously wish you would consider Paradigm brand speakers. They used to be available for a lot less in Canada (where they are made) if you can drive there (don't ship from Canada, because Customs will nail you if you're American).

I also would consider a 12" sub instead of a 10".

I have Paradigm Mini-monitors and a 12" PDR sub. Or you can check out the Monitor 7 speakers.

You can also buy Studio 20s from Paradigm, for a step up, or Studio 40s or 60s. Awesome speakers. Lots to see.

I think you should consider Monitor 7s:
www.paradigm.com

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by Ectoplasm

I seriously wish you would consider Paradigm brand speakers. They used to be available for a lot less in Canada (where they are made) if you can drive there (don't ship from Canada, because Customs will nail you if you're American).

I also would consider a 12" sub instead of a 10".

I have Paradigm Mini-monitors and a 12" PDR sub. Or you can check out the Monitor 7 speakers.

You can also buy Studio 20s from Paradigm, for a step up, or Studio 40s or 60s. Awesome speakers. Lots to see.

I think you should consider Monitor 7s:
www.paradigm.com

There are quite a few Paradigm dealers in the US, so I don't think he has to drive to Canada in order to check them out in person. I personally prefer the sound of Klipsch Reference Series speakers. darkblueme, before you go ahead and buy those Polk Audio speakers, I'd urge you to go to a Magnolia (Best Buy) near you and test out the Klipsch speakers there.

[Beta Man]

I think you're putting a lot of loot in the receiver because you found a nice deal on it...... and yeah that certainly is a good deal on the receiver.... but the price of receivers ALWAYS drop a lot faster than speakers for instance.... A good set of speakers will sound great 15-20 years from now (may need a re-foam etc. in that time) but in 15-20 years you'll probably go through 3 or 4 receivers because better ones will come out cheaper...... Like I said, it's a sweet receiver, but I think you'll get more instant gratification by shopping around a $500 receiver, and see what your $2,500 will get you as far as speakers goes (quite a bit if you know what to look for)

I see a lot of people think they're "future proofing" with Receivers..... and to me receivers are much like Televisions, they always get better, and the one that you might have your eye on now that is just a hair out of your price range will cost a mere fraction of it's current price in 1 year, because some new fancy add-on that you won't even need will come out, like "standard" dual LFE outs, or bi-wiring, or or some sort of auto-detection like MP3 tag, but for CDs, Blu, DVD, or what-not so it displays, in a scrolling marquee on the front, the name of the movie or song you're listening to (or shows other info about the scene you're watching) etc.... not necessary, but as soon as it becomes the "new craze" the current $1,200 receivers that don't have it will soon become $600 receivers....

Either way, whatever you get I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I just think with $3,000 budget, a LOT is going to the receiver, ESPECIALLY if you want to go 7.1 I almost stayed with 5.1 because I didn't like the cost difference, but ended up upgrading my additional surrounds when I upgraded my fronts (it's a sickness I tell ya!!!)

[FilmmakingFiasco]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I think you're putting a lot of loot in the receiver because you found a nice deal on it...... and yeah that certainly is a good deal on the receiver.... but the price of receivers ALWAYS drop a lot faster than speakers for instance.... A good set of speakers will sound great 15-20 years from now (may need a re-foam etc. in that time) but in 15-20 years you'll probably go through 3 or 4 receivers because better ones will come out cheaper...... Like I said, it's a sweet receiver, but I think you'll get more instant gratification by shopping around a $500 receiver, and see what your $2,500 will get you as far as speakers goes (quite a bit if you know what to look for)

I see a lot of people think they're "future proofing" with Receivers..... and to me receivers are much like Televisions, they always get better, and the one that you might have your eye on now that is just a hair out of your price range will cost a mere fraction of it's current price in 1 year, because some new fancy add-on that you won't even need will come out, like "standard" dual LFE outs, or bi-wiring, or or some sort of auto-detection like MP3 tag, but for CDs, Blu, DVD, or what-not so it displays, in a scrolling marquee on the front, the name of the movie or song you're listening to (or shows other info about the scene you're watching) etc.... not necessary, but as soon as it becomes the "new craze" the current $1,200 receivers that don't have it will soon become $600 receivers....

Either way, whatever you get I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I just think with $3,000 budget, a LOT is going to the receiver, ESPECIALLY if you want to go 7.1 I almost stayed with 5.1 because I didn't like the cost difference, but ended up upgrading my additional surrounds when I upgraded my fronts (it's a sickness I tell ya!!!)

What he said.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by darkblueme

Thanks for the explanation (and the link). I was actually looking at these on Amazon:



The problem is... it would up my buying price by $300

Let's hope prices drop in the next month and a half, and I'll do it!! Do you think buying 2 pairs (4 speakers) of those would be the best option for the set up?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm learning things.

Buy a single set for the sides, add the rears later.

Like Beta Man said, speakers are the last thing you want to cut corners on. They will last you for years and are the only piece in the chain that actually make the sounds your going to be listening to.

[darkblueme]

Good advice about the receiver... Maybe I will shop around. There is a small magnolia demo theater set-up in one of the local Best Buys near me. Perhaps I will stop in there in the next few days and give some other speakers a listen to.

Thanks for the input, everybody! You guys really know your stuff.