Speakers for my Pioneer 1018

[Hendricks4333]

Well I got the Pioneer VSX1018 on the way and need some speakers. Where its setup at the moment is very temporary so I need something that will be able to power a decent sized room for future purposes. I may just get a 2.1 system going first depending on prices. I dont have a budget really set at the moment. I would like to see what some good speaker prices would be and decide from there. I was interested in the Polk 50's but those are pretty much gone, unless theres a sweet deal somewhere. What would be a good price on them cause I think my local CC has some on clearance.

How are the Sony SS F5000 and 6000's compared to the Polks? They seem much cheaper.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Well I got the Pioneer VSX1018 on the way and need some speakers. Where its setup at the moment is very temporary so I need something that will be able to power a decent sized room for future purposes. I may just get a 2.1 system going first depending on prices. I dont have a budget really set at the moment. I would like to see what some good speaker prices would be and decide from there. I was interested in the Polk 50's but those are pretty much gone, unless theres a sweet deal somewhere. What would be a good price on them cause I think my local CC has some on clearance.

How are the Sony SS F5000 and 6000's compared to the Polks? They seem much cheaper.

I listened to the polks before I bought my Sony Speakers, and the 5000's sounded like the Monitor 50's almost identical. I do wish though I had just spent the extra money and got the 6000's though. BB had the 50's for $150 ea. and I got the 5000's for $129 a pair.

I Love my sony's though, I think they get under-appreciated on this site.

Listen to them and see what you think. Each person has their own ear and things sound different to everyone. But for what its worth I love my Sony's. Mr. Roy and BrettDay both really like their Sony 6000's too.

[bacot11]

I have the 6000's as well as the cn-5000 center and I fully indorse both. However, you will need a quality sub for the lowerend of the frequency spectrum. They don't exude groundbreaking performance, but for the money they will satisfy the average listener. I agree with what has been said about these speakers being underated. IMO they sound good enough to be compared to the polk monitor series. I just don't get why people hold polk speakers at such high asteem. I guess its because I have never been impressed with polk as a brand.

Bottom Line: You team the sony's with your pioneer reciever, and you will be happy.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Well I got the Pioneer VSX1018 on the way and need some speakers. Where its setup at the moment is very temporary so I need something that will be able to power a decent sized room for future purposes. I may just get a 2.1 system going first depending on prices. I dont have a budget really set at the moment. I would like to see what some good speaker prices would be and decide from there. I was interested in the Polk 50's but those are pretty much gone, unless theres a sweet deal somewhere. What would be a good price on them cause I think my local CC has some on clearance.

How are the Sony SS F5000 and 6000's compared to the Polks? They seem much cheaper.

Here's a good experiment - walk up to the speaker and knock on it with your knuckles. Does the speaker sound hollow, disembodied...that will give you a good ideal on the construction of the speaker and what type of unwanted vibrations you will get from the box. If it hurts your knuckles and its solid - you generally have a solid speaker. After the rap test - start listening and make your decisions from there.

[JJ]

Nothing against Sony, but I'm a big fan of Polks as an entry level system - whether it be the RM line, the Monitor, the TSi, or the RTiA - I would recommend the Monitors or TSi as entry levels if you can afford them.

[Hendricks4333]

Im pretty much set on the 6000's or the 7000's for my first front speakers. Are the 7000's worth the extra $40? Im assuming its probably better to just got the 7000's.

Also should I go with a sony sub or are subs not too big of a deal with matching makes? I know the ED is highly praised around here but I'm not too excited about spending $350 for the sub. Is there something in the $150 to $200 range that is solid?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by prerich

Here's a good experiment - walk up to the speaker and knock on it with your knuckles.... If it hurts your knuckles and its solid - you generally have a solid speaker. After the rap test - start listening and make your decisions from there.

Interesting, After I read this I had to go try it, It felt like knocking on a front door to someones house.... So I am please to know that it is at least a solid speaker. But like Preich said, START LISTENING.

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Nothing against Sony, but I'm a big fan of Polks as an entry level system - whether it be the RM line, the Monitor, the TSi, or the RTiA - I would recommend the Monitors or TSi as entry levels if you can afford them.

JJ I have nothing against Polk either, was actually going to buy them when I first went to BB to get speakers, but sound difference(not much if any) and price(big difference) persuaded me to buy the sony's.

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Im pretty much set on the 6000's or the 7000's for my first front speakers. Are the 7000's worth the extra $40? Im assuming its probably better to just got the 7000's.?

Don't know about sound difference, cause I have never heard the 7000's, but the 6000's are nice, difference is the dual 8's" of the 7000's vs the dual 6.5's" of the 6000's. I would listen to them if you could.

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

Also should I go with a sony sub or are subs not too big of a deal with matching makes? I know the ED is highly praised around here but I'm not too excited about spending $350 for the sub. Is there something in the $150 to $200 range that is solid?

I bought my Sony 12" sub for $99. It is good for a starter sub, no complaints at all. Don't know what its selling for right now tho. If its $150 then I am sure there are better subs for the $$, but for what I paid, it has been great. But I am no expert at subs, so I would just take someone else's opinion. Perhaps a JBL or Velodyne I know they make quality subs @ $200.

[bacot11]

Subs don't have to be timber matched because of the low frequencies. So go with whatever sub you have room in your buget for. I have never heard sony subs so I cannot give an opinionon them. However, you might want to look into B.I.C. America. They have great entry level subs for good prices. I got my F12 from amazon for $205 with free shipping. Its a beast.

As for the 7000's, I would look into getting the 6000's as your fronts, and use the extra money towards your sub. They both have the same tweeter and midrange drivers so the sound quality will be very similar. Only get the 7000's if you want extra bass, or will use them in stereo without a sub.

[Hendricks4333]

Ok I ordered the 6000's, used my Prime Member Ship to get them in 2 days. Should be here just before the reviever.

Now Ill do some research tonight on the sub and hopefully get that here next week.

The Sony CN5000 is probably my best choice for my Center, correct? Looks like I can get it from $80-$100 shipped.

Now what am I looking at for speaker wire? Just how many feet I need of 16ga or 14ga? What about connections? Do I just strip it and attach? Sorry I could probably look all this up. I just want to make sure I dont leave anything out when I go to hook it up.

[bacot11]

Correct. Definately get the cn-5000 for matching purposes. As for speaker wire, any quality 16 to 14 gauge wire will work depending on your budget. The rule of thumb is the longer the runs the bigger gauge wire. Make sure to get shielded wire if you have a lot of electrical equipment to avoid ground loops or interference.