budget 5.0 system advice needed

[jb7032]

I am replacing a 10 year old big screen with a new 3d plasma in my family room. I figure a new tv deserves some new speakers so I want to replace my htib I have in that room. My primary movie room is upstairs so this will mainly be for tv, sports, music and some 3d movies. The room is 2 stories high and open to the entire downstairs. While building and tweaking my movie room I was left with a 1120 reciever and a 12 inch infinity sub that I will be using in this new system. So I am looking to spend less than 1000 on 5 speakers. What I want is something that sounds different than my movie room, im not trying to out do it, just want something different. I have infinty 363 towers and matching center and bookshelves that I cant think of the model numbers while I type this... I have dual epik empires for the lows and I love it, the infinity speakers kick butt for the price and work well with the monster empires. So thats my play it loud shake the house room( all that in a 11-14 closed room btw). I am not looking for that downstairs, I want something that can sound great at lower volumes, and still sound very dynamic while matching a impressive (hopefully) 3d experience. I also want speakers that will fill the house with music, equally well with low volumes and high. Looks also matter as my new tv is sexy and I want a nice clean look. I prefer the look of towers for l and r but if I can get much higher quality bookselves within my budget (including stands) I will consider them. I hope I gave enough details for you guys to give me some options, feel free to ask any questions if I left something out. So far I have been looking at emo,hsu,aperion,and klipsch but besides hsu it seems too easy for me to exceed my budget when I see nice towers lol. Ive even looked at the jamo s606 package but im worried it will sound like crap. I just dont want to spend too much (subjective I know) on a secondary room when I spend more time in my movie room. Thanks in advance for any help.

Jason

[theJman]

I have some links to 5.1 packages that look promising. Perhaps you could get the manufacturer to remove the sub, in which case both would be close to your budget. They come in different finishes too.

• EMPTek Impression Series
• Premier Acoustics Monitor 4.4

[jb7032]

Those empteks are sharp. Im going to look up some reviews on them. Thanks jim! im surprised more people havent chimed in.

[DangeRuss]

When people ask me about budget systems say under $600. I always send them to this set from Jamo



http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it.../jamo-s606hcs3

Plus either one or 2 of these



http://www.amazon.com/Velodyne-VX-11...dyne+subwoofer

The Jamo sound head and shoulders above anything in their price range and I set them up for several friends of mine. All of whom can't stop singing their praises .

One is a member here...........CrazDogg ........ Feel free to ask him about them on his gallery thread

[jsr]

Those Jamos are a nice setup for the price. The main con is the small center speaker. It doesn't keep up with the much better towers in both volume (have to raise the level on your AVR considerably) and has MUCH less low end extension for big actions scenes that sweep across the screen. Another setup to consider for under $500 are Polk Monitors. There's people that love them and people that hate them. I own them and am in between. I understand what they are and accept them for that, entry level budget speakers that sound decent and made attractive for the price. You can get stand monitors or towers, a good size center (CS1 or CS2) and surrounds for well under $500. The main advantage the Polks have over the Jamo is the larger center and surrounds.
And I'd go with a pair of BIC F12s instead...awesome low end then for movies.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by jsr

Those Jamos are a nice setup for the price. The main con is the small center speaker. It doesn't keep up with the much better towers in both volume (have to raise the level on your AVR considerably) and has MUCH less low end extension for big actions scenes that sweep across the screen. Another setup to consider for under $500 are Polk Monitors. There's people that love them and people that hate them. I own them and am in between. I understand what they are and accept them for that, entry level budget speakers that sound decent and made attractive for the price. You can get stand monitors or towers, a good size center (CS1 or CS2) and surrounds for well under $500. The main advantage the Polks have over the Jamo is the larger center and surrounds.
And I'd go with a pair of BIC F12s instead...awesome low end then for movies.

this has to be the most honest post I have read in a long time regarding polks. I would suggest the cs2 over the cs1.

However, I have not hear the Jamos posted, but I wouldnt just dismiss a center channel because of the smaller drivers, my speakers have smaller woofers, and it puts much larger centers to shame. If you could listen to the jamo center first to see if it meets your needs that would be best.... but that might be tough.

[phudson126]

Mitashi 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Bass Line BS 5 should be a good choice for you. It is cheap and I think is of pretty good quality. May not be the best but considering your budget and the conditions that you specified, I think it should be apt for you.

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by callas01

this has to be the most honest post I have read in a long time regarding polks. I would suggest the cs2 over the cs1.

However, I have not hear the Jamos posted, but I wouldnt just dismiss a center channel because of the smaller drivers, my speakers have smaller woofers, and it puts much larger centers to shame. If you could listen to the jamo center first to see if it meets your needs that would be best.... but that might be tough.

Great point son ......

The Jamo's may incorporate a smaller center but.... From first hand experience they are timber matched and blend well with the towers. Also because of their diminutive size, they make placement easier and can handle a sub 80Hz signal with ease. And personally I believe the Jamo's presentation isn't as shrill as the Monitor series.

Now on the Sub front........ I chose the Velodyne's over the BIC's primarily to keep the costs down . But those (BIC) or a pair of Lava's would fit the bill nicely

[jsr]

I've heard the centers and they lack the low end of the towers. Dialogue audibikity is OK. I never mentioned timber, just level and lowend. The centers and surrounds use 3.5" woofers, far too small to keep up with the low end of the towers. I don't have a problem with 5-6" drivers, even some 4" drivers have impressed me in their low end, but I'm talking about higher end drivers that don't come in commercial speakers of this price. The Jamos aren't as bright as the Polks, but I felt they lacked in midrange clarity and sounded a bit recessed/muffled. Not that the Polks are better in the midrange. I think the two aren't that far off in terms of uktimate performance and the decision must come down to the sonic signature the OP likes most. I don't think either are head and shoulders above the other. I will say for me, I think the Jamo towers are better (and the S606 are MUCH better than their smaaler 400-series brother, though i find the 400-series more attractive) but the Polk has an advantage with the center and surrounds. Choose your poison.

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by jsr

I've heard the centers and they lack the low end of the towers. Dialogue audibikity is OK. I never mentioned timber, just level and lowend. The centers and surrounds use 3.5" woofers, far too small to keep up with the low end of the towers. I don't have a problem with 5-6" drivers, even some 4" drivers have impressed me in their low end, but I'm talking about higher end drivers that don't come in commercial speakers of this price. The Jamos aren't as bright as the Polks, but I felt they lacked in midrange clarity and sounded a bit recessed/muffled. Not that the Polks are better in the midrange. I think the two aren't that far off in terms of uktimate performance and the decision must come down to the sonic signature the OP likes most. I don't think either are head and shoulders above the other. I will say for me, I think the Jamo towers are better (and the S606 are MUCH better than their smaaler 400-series brother, though i find the 400-series more attractive) but the Polk has an advantage with the center and surrounds. Choose your poison.

The Jamo S 600 center speaker uses 2x4 inch woofers and has a frequency response rated to 75 Hz +/- 3dB.....

http://www.jamo.com/speakerlines/stu...00/?sku=S60CEN

And if like most setups the speakers are set to small with either a 100 or 80 Hz crossover they should do just fine. As far as the level is concerned .......that also would be handled by the AVR or Pre/Pro so that shouldn't be cause for alarm either. The frequencies below said crossovers would be handled by the subwoofer. I will say that the Polk speakers are larger in size but that doesn't always equate to a better sound . And you're right it's really up to the OP's impressions on which sound they prefer . Specs don't tell the story

[prerich]

Here's a thought from Music Direct:
Based on the Wharfedale 10 series
Wharfedale 10.1 $349
Wharfedale 10 SR $229
Wharfedale 10 CC $249

Total $827

[prerich]

Oh if you want to play around with the budget a little - they also have the EVO-20's on sale for $480.00 but that would put you over on the system, ...But not by much

[callas01]

Originally Posted by prerich

Here's a thought from Music Direct:
Based on the Wharfedale 10 series
Wharfedale 10.1 $349
Wharfedale 10 SR $229
Wharfedale 10 CC $249

Total $827

that is a great recommendation.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by jsr

I've heard the centers and they lack the low end of the towers. Dialogue audibikity is OK. I never mentioned timber, just level and lowend. The centers and surrounds use 3.5" woofers, far too small to keep up with the low end of the towers. I don't have a problem with 5-6" drivers, even some 4" drivers have impressed me in their low end, but I'm talking about higher end drivers that don't come in commercial speakers of this price. The Jamos aren't as bright as the Polks, but I felt they lacked in midrange clarity and sounded a bit recessed/muffled. Not that the Polks are better in the midrange. I think the two aren't that far off in terms of uktimate performance and the decision must come down to the sonic signature the OP likes most. I don't think either are head and shoulders above the other. I will say for me, I think the Jamo towers are better (and the S606 are MUCH better than their smaaler 400-series brother, though i find the 400-series more attractive) but the Polk has an advantage with the center and surrounds. Choose your poison.

yeah for sure, and I should have qualified that my 4.33" woofers are from a high-end brand, and the build quality is of higher quality and therefore the performance will be much better. I just didnt want someone to think that all speakers with small woofers should be avoided.

[DangeRuss]

Originally Posted by callas01

yeah for sure, and I should have qualified that my 4.33" woofers are from a high-end brand, and the build quality is of higher quality and therefore the performance will be much better. I just didnt want someone to think that all speakers with small woofers should be avoided.

Yes......... but the Jamo's don't sound that bad

[callas01]

Originally Posted by DangeRuss

Yes......... but the Jamo's don't sound that bad

Im sure they don't. I have not heard a Jamo center channel before. The towers were decent.

But I think that jsr is referring to these speakers, not the ones your referenced.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

[jsr]

I've heard both towers and cents but didnt recakk the S606 set had larger drivers for the center. The centers didn't sound much diffent to me. The towers sounded more different. I'm not saying the Jamos sound horrible or that all small drivers should be avoided, but physics is physics and there are limitations of smaller drive. Its not solely theyre rated to go to 75, even though I often doubt mfr's measured claims as many use "typical in room response", but their typical is more often whats most favorable to improve the low end. Even brands like Totem use in room. A smaller driver will have limitations in ultimate SPL and dynamic SPL that won't match as well with towers as if they used the same size or closer size drivers. Regardless, never said they sound bad, but having true matched drivers as in the same size or closer in size on the front stage is better.
An increased budget at this level will buy better (I said this level as that shouldnt be a sweeping statement to include all price levels). The Wharfedale would be a better setup than either Jamo or Polk.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by jsr

I've heard both towers and cents but didnt recakk the S606 set had larger drivers for the center. The centers didn't sound much diffent to me. The towers sounded more different. I'm not saying the Jamos sound horrible or that all small drivers should be avoided, but physics is physics and there are limitations of smaller drive. Its not solely theyre rated to go to 75, even though I often doubt mfr's measured claims as many use "typical in room response", but their typical is more often whats most favorable to improve the low end. Even brands like Totem use in room. A smaller driver will have limitations in ultimate SPL and dynamic SPL that won't match as well with towers as if they used the same size or closer size drivers. Regardless, never said they sound bad, but having true matched drivers as in the same size or closer in size on the front stage is better.
An increased budget at this level will buy better (I said this level as that shouldnt be a sweeping statement to include all price levels). The Wharfedale would be a better setup than either Jamo or Polk.

You are right but I also know Totem is conservative on numbers when it comes to in room frequency response, I know i am biased but it's true as Vince likes to say in his presentations that his speakers actually go lower than what they advertise, honestly I don't care much for numbers anyways as it's best to audition a speaker to really judge how it truly sounds like. I say to each his own and yes driver size match is nice but at the price the Jamo sells for it's not a bad deal either way you look at it. I like the Wharfedale idea

[jsr]

Yeah, I like Totems designs and their design philosophy.

[callas01]

totem makes good speakers. Of course their best ones use Dynaudio mid-woofers...

(sorry, I had to give olivier a hard time.)