Need a good audio set for an apartment - Blu-ray Forum

Clippins · 11-04-2009, 04:37 AM

Ok so I'm going to be moving into my first ever apartment on Saturday. 30 and recently divorced...no need to go into the story but that's why going from house to apartment. I would like to piece together a nice audio setup, including receiver and speakers, but I don't want to get the neighbors all angry. I've currently got a Bose 3-2-1 system which is probably perfect for an apartment but honestly I think the Bose 3-2-1 is completely bushleague. So I would like some advice what would be a good receiver and speaker combo to get on a mid to low level budget for an apartment? I'd imagine a sub would be out of the question, or would it be? I've got to imagine there's some other apartment dwellers here on these forums. Any issues with making your neighbors upset with what audio equipment you run?

HiDefRev · 11-04-2009, 04:53 AM

You didn't mention what your price range is, so it will be quite hard to make an accurate suggestion. IMHO, check out www.accessories4less.com and look at the Onkyo HT-S6100 and S7100 ( if they have any left ). If they have none, check out www.amazon.com for the same HTiBs, or the newer HT-S6200 and S7200. Any of these will do wonderfully for an apartment.

Clippins · 11-04-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiDefRev

You didn't mention what your price range is, so it will be quite hard to make an accurate suggestion. IMHO, check out www.accessories4less.com and look at the Onkyo HT-S6100 and S7100 ( if they have any left ). If they have none, check out www.amazon.com for the same HTiBs, or the newer HT-S6200 and S7200. Any of these will do wonderfully for an apartment.

Wow, I was going to try and avoid going the route of a HTIB, but these seem like pretty great deals. As far as a price range, I haven't really set it. I'd like to be around $600 or less, but I'm flexible. I should mention that my friend also gave me 2 small JBL speakers for rears so I have that taken care of. I don't have the model number for them, but they seem like they'd work real well as rears. I really am looking for nice clean sound that won't disturb the neighbors. The pieces I have so far are for video 50" Sony KDS 50A2020 SXRD rear projection TV and a PS3 Slim for Blu-Ray and for audio these 2 JBL speakers for rears.

PSB_Paradigm_HSU · 11-20-2009, 02:16 PM

Get a 5.1 receiver and this package...perfect for an apartment / condo

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

Jwilly019 · 11-20-2009, 03:35 PM

I'd recommend this. I think these would work great for an apartment and you'd still have enough left for a decent sub; either an AA HD-Sub12 or PA-120. If you want to just get the front 3 and use the JBL's for rears, you could get this package. Or, if you had the room, you could purchase 3 E660's for $69 apiece and use one as your center channel. You can also special order them in Dark Apple if you give them a call, the finish looks great in person too.

You could also look into Energy speakers, like the C-300 and CC-50. I'm not sure if the CC-50 is currently in stock in black, but you can get it (and the C-300) in cherry.

One other option I'll recommend is the Polk Monitor line. These are probably the most popular speaker on the forum. The Monitor 50, 60, or 70 would all make excellent choices. Or, if you wanted something a little smaller, you could get the Monitor 40. For the center, either the CS1 or CS2 would work well. They come in either cherry or black.

Any of those will blow a HTiB out of the water. Also, do you already have a receiver?

Justin

callas01 · 11-20-2009, 03:58 PM

Bookshelf speakers take up little room and can be easily setup, plus they offer much better audio then a HTiB which it sounds like you are trying to avoid.

Try going here and look for the PSB Alpha B1's for about $189/pr and the Alpha C1 $169, I would get 2 pairs of the Bookshelves and a center and you would have one fantastic system. $547 total.

You can also look into this Energy setup Center $69 and bookshelf speakers (4 singles), $178 for a total of $247

Look at adding a smaller sub, this is a good one, or even this and this.

Look for a decent receiver like this, this, or this.

prankster · 11-20-2009, 05:51 PM

i live in a single bedroom apartment and have an onkyo 605 receiver, polk monitor 60's for l/r, polk monitor cs2 for center and polk monitor 30's for surround l/r. my sub is a pa-120. no noise complaints yet but my only neighbor is above me.

Jwilly019 · 11-20-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prankster

i live in a single bedroom apartment and have an onkyo 605 receiver, polk monitor 60's for l/r, polk monitor cs2 for center and polk monitor 30's for surround l/r. my sub is a pa-120. no noise complaints yet but my only neighbor is above me.

How loud do you typically listen to? I have a 605 as well.

Johnny Vinyl · 11-20-2009, 09:18 PM

These are all really good speaker and/or speaker package recommendations, but without an AVR it's pretty pointless.

Here's my suggestion:

Get yourself a 5.1 channel AVR that decodes all of the HD codecs. If it has pre-outs, so much the better, but that'll cost more.

Hook up the JBL's you're buddy gave you and see what it sounds like. Probably won't be terrific (but maybe they are...since we don't have a model #). If you like the sound....excellent.

Be happy with this for now and start the process of deciding what you would like (based on a future budget) for speakers (brands). Once you decide on lets say POLK...figure out the line of Polks you want. For $300-$400 (maybe even less) you could get some fronts and a centre channel...moving the JBL's to the rear.

The point I'm making is this...don't fall into the trap of buying a complete package for $600 +/- ....you may as well buy a HTiB!. Go slow and buy the right stuff for you.

John

Johnny Vinyl · 11-20-2009, 09:39 PM

This member is selling his ONKYO and POLK setup........good price and may be just what you're looking for.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=122879

John

Zman2k2 · 11-20-2009, 10:02 PM

Great suggestions John.

I too would recommend getting yourself an AV receiver first as well. For $600, you could find a pretty good one, I would say. For example, here's the Yamaha RX-V665 7.2 receiver, with pre-outs for future expansion. 4 HDMI inputs, 90wpc, for $500. I would say this is a great starting point to build from. As John said as well, use the JBL's for now, and save for some good speakers in a while. Don't buy all at once, or you'll end up spending more upgrading what you bought initially, down the road. It happens to everyone, it's called upgrade-itis. I haven't met a person yet who is immune.

11-04-2009, 04:37 AM	#1
Clippins Senior Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Arizona Blu-ray collection:250 Trading Score:1	Need a good audio set for an apartment Ok so I'm going to be moving into my first ever apartment on Saturday. 30 and recently divorced...no need to go into the story but that's why going from house to apartment. I would like to piece together a nice audio setup, including receiver and speakers, but I don't want to get the neighbors all angry. I've currently got a Bose 3-2-1 system which is probably perfect for an apartment but honestly I think the Bose 3-2-1 is completely bushleague. So I would like some advice what would be a good receiver and speaker combo to get on a mid to low level budget for an apartment? I'd imagine a sub would be out of the question, or would it be? I've got to imagine there's some other apartment dwellers here on these forums. Any issues with making your neighbors upset with what audio equipment you run?

11-04-2009, 04:53 AM	#2
HiDefRev Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:State of Relativity Blu-ray collection:35	New HT You didn't mention what your price range is, so it will be quite hard to make an accurate suggestion. IMHO, check out www.accessories4less.com and look at the Onkyo HT-S6100 and S7100 ( if they have any left ). If they have none, check out www.amazon.com for the same HTiBs, or the newer HT-S6200 and S7200. Any of these will do wonderfully for an apartment.

11-20-2009, 03:35 PM	#5
Jwilly019 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Columbus, OH Blu-ray collection:192 Trading Score:9	I'd recommend this. I think these would work great for an apartment and you'd still have enough left for a decent sub; either an AA HD-Sub12 or PA-120. If you want to just get the front 3 and use the JBL's for rears, you could get this package. Or, if you had the room, you could purchase 3 E660's for $69 apiece and use one as your center channel. You can also special order them in Dark Apple if you give them a call, the finish looks great in person too. You could also look into Energy speakers, like the C-300 and CC-50. I'm not sure if the CC-50 is currently in stock in black, but you can get it (and the C-300) in cherry. One other option I'll recommend is the Polk Monitor line. These are probably the most popular speaker on the forum. The Monitor 50, 60, or 70 would all make excellent choices. Or, if you wanted something a little smaller, you could get the Monitor 40. For the center, either the CS1 or CS2 would work well. They come in either cherry or black. Any of those will blow a HTiB out of the water. Also, do you already have a receiver? Justin Last edited by Jwilly019; 11-20-2009 at 03:53 PM.

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11-20-2009, 02:16 PM	#4
PSB_Paradigm_HSU Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:VA Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:23	Get a 5.1 receiver and this package...perfect for an apartment / condo http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

11-20-2009, 03:58 PM	#6
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Bookshelf speakers take up little room and can be easily setup, plus they offer much better audio then a HTiB which it sounds like you are trying to avoid. Try going here and look for the PSB Alpha B1's for about $189/pr and the Alpha C1 $169, I would get 2 pairs of the Bookshelves and a center and you would have one fantastic system. $547 total. You can also look into this Energy setup Center $69 and bookshelf speakers (4 singles), $178 for a total of $247 Look at adding a smaller sub, this is a good one, or even this and this. Look for a decent receiver like this, this, or this.

11-20-2009, 05:51 PM	#7
prankster Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:LA/OC, California Blu-ray collection:408	i live in a single bedroom apartment and have an onkyo 605 receiver, polk monitor 60's for l/r, polk monitor cs2 for center and polk monitor 30's for surround l/r. my sub is a pa-120. no noise complaints yet but my only neighbor is above me.

11-20-2009, 09:18 PM	#9
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	These are all really good speaker and/or speaker package recommendations, but without an AVR it's pretty pointless. Here's my suggestion: Get yourself a 5.1 channel AVR that decodes all of the HD codecs. If it has pre-outs, so much the better, but that'll cost more. Hook up the JBL's you're buddy gave you and see what it sounds like. Probably won't be terrific (but maybe they are...since we don't have a model #). If you like the sound....excellent. Be happy with this for now and start the process of deciding what you would like (based on a future budget) for speakers (brands). Once you decide on lets say POLK...figure out the line of Polks you want. For $300-$400 (maybe even less) you could get some fronts and a centre channel...moving the JBL's to the rear. The point I'm making is this...don't fall into the trap of buying a complete package for $600 +/- ....you may as well buy a HTiB!. Go slow and buy the right stuff for you. John

11-20-2009, 09:39 PM	#10
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	This member is selling his ONKYO and POLK setup........good price and may be just what you're looking for. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=122879 John

11-20-2009, 10:02 PM	#11
Zman2k2 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Calgary, Canada Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:136 Trading Score:54	Great suggestions John. I too would recommend getting yourself an AV receiver first as well. For $600, you could find a pretty good one, I would say. For example, here's the Yamaha RX-V665 7.2 receiver, with pre-outs for future expansion. 4 HDMI inputs, 90wpc, for $500. I would say this is a great starting point to build from. As John said as well, use the JBL's for now, and save for some good speakers in a while. Don't buy all at once, or you'll end up spending more upgrading what you bought initially, down the road. It happens to everyone, it's called upgrade-itis. I haven't met a person yet who is immune.

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