Need some help with speaker decisions...

[pokefan]

Alright, I'm new to HT's so I have no idea what I'm getting into when it comes to speakers. I just know I want something better then what comes in a HTIB. As of now this is what I was looking at.

Center - Polk CS10
Fronts - Polk R50 x2
Surround - Polk Monitor 30 x4
Sub - No Idea what I want yet.

I found a set of Paradigms at the local audio store that the guy has on sale for $300 for the pair. He said they were last years model and I believe that they're the Monitor 7's. Would you suggest those over the R50's and would they match well with the Monitor 30's if so?

I just want to know if this is a good starter set up or you guys would suggest something different staying within the prices of the above.

Thanks!

[Scooby Blu]

What is you maximum budget for speakers and AVR ???

[pokefan]

I haven't really decided how much will go into it. As of right now my budget is only about $500 so the plan was to get the receiver, center, and fronts first then piece together the rest over time as money allows.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by pokefan

I haven't really decided how much will go into it. As of right now my budget is only about $500 so the plan was to get the receiver, center, and fronts first then piece together the rest over time as money allows.

Great plan. One tip. You might just focus on the fronts and receiver. Then you will have more bang for your buck down the road.

[JasonR]

I would say the Paradigm Monitor 7s are better than the Polk R50s. There is also usually close to a 700 dollar price difference. If you found a pair for 300 dollars and like the sound of them, I would go that route.

[Adam.C]

If yo want something thats better than HTiB you better save more than $500.

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Great plan. One tip. You might just focus on the fronts and receiver. Then you will have more bang for your buck down the road.

I assumed if I was setting up the front stage I would need to start with a center as well. So I could get by with just the towers for now and still sound halfway decent?

Originally Posted by JasonR

I would say the Paradigm Monitor 7s are better than the Polk R50s. There is also usually close to a 700 dollar price difference. If you found a pair for 300 dollars and like the sound of them, I would go that route.

Like I said, I think they're they Monitor 7's. I'll go back and make sure today. I figured that was the case though. Considering it will only be about $100 more then the R50's I can live with that if the quality is that much better.

Originally Posted by Adam.C

If yo want something thats better than HTiB you better save more than $500.

You should read more then one line before you jump on someone. Like I said, I have about $500 to spend now. Which is why it will be in stages and not everything at once.

[StimpsonJCat]

Originally Posted by pokefan

I assumed if I was setting up the front stage I would need to start with a center as well. So I could get by with just the towers for now and still sound halfway decent?

It isn't ideal, but not a bad way to go if you piece it together over time with a limited budget. If you get higher end gear along the way you won't want to upgrade as soon (which could end up costing way more). Just make the center your next purchase. I'd buy the sub after that and surrounds last.

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

It isn't ideal, but not a bad way to go if you piece it together over time with a limited budget. If you get higher end gear along the way you won't want to upgrade as soon (which could end up costing way more). Just make the center your next purchase. I'd buy the sub after that and surrounds last.

Thanks! I would've bought the sub last so I'm glad you chimed in.

[aramis109]

It's arguable that the center or the sub are the biggest impacts to HT as you're building. I would definitely look at the Paradigms that guy has for sale. Their lowest speaker is going to be better than the R50's, honestly. I would consider going at least after the Monitors for your fronts if you're going Polk.

I would try for getting the best fronts you can and adding a budget sub after that. You can go with a 2.1 setup and use the fronts as a phantom center until you can add one. Definitely recommend going with surrounds last- they make the least impact on HT, though they're certainly an important part of the equation.

[pokefan]

Pulled the trigger on a set of the Monitor 60's, couldn't pass up $240 for the pair!

Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a receiver sometime next week and I'll be off to a decent start.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by pokefan

Pulled the trigger on a set of the Monitor 60's, couldn't pass up $240 for the pair!

Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a receiver sometime next week and I'll be off to a decent start.

Congrats and welcome to the site by the way! I have the T90's (European version of the 60's) and they sound awesome. I have been particularly impressed with the lower frequencies that they can produce. I assume you purchased them on NewEgg? If so and you are in the market or considering a center channel, they have a great deal right now on a CS1 center speaker for only $80.00. That is $120 off! If you can pull the trigger, get this at this price point as soon as you can!

Enjoy your new speakers and welcome to the Polk club!

[talstarone]

Originally Posted by pokefan

Pulled the trigger on a set of the Monitor 60's, couldn't pass up $240 for the pair!

Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a receiver sometime next week and I'll be off to a decent start.

As forsberg21 pointed out you just purchased some incredible speakers.
Beautiful Build with Outstanding Quality,Nice Cabinet Size and Design,Quick and Nimble Mid-Range with the (2) 5 1/4inch Mid-Bass Drivers and the Awesome Polk 1 inch Silk/polymer combo dome tweeter.

Then add the seperate 5 1/4 woofer to add some Bass and Deep Range Emphasis,and you will find you have started out with some incredible front speakers.
Your choice to get your home theater in small increaments,so you can get quality components is a great strategy and one that will allow you to build an incredible home theater.
That will not leave you wanting to upgrade most of your system for a long time to come.

A lot of us(Especially myself)found ourselves buying what we could afford all at once.It gave me a descent system and one that kept me happy for a handful of movies and a couple of months worth of time.

Then I found that every piece of my system could stand an upgrade.So,I have been replacing my entire Audio System from the ground up for the last month.

A couple of more weeks and I will have most of the Audio portion finished.Then it will be time to begin working on the video end of the equation.

But you will really enjoy your Monitor 60's.I have seen people that have desired to have a front pair of speakers as well built and well sounding as the 60's for their entire time with a Home Theater.
Sometimes they never get to make a move that impressive,its Great to see you were wise enough to start your system with a pair of Monitor 60's.

You will find Polk Audio still makes some of the best speakers in the business.It just depends on which of the many different lines Polk makes that you find yourself longing for.

[pokefan]

Thanks! It definitely makes me feel better about the last minute purchase but I didn't really figure I could go wrong if others have dropped 4-500 on the same set of speakers and still enjoy them! Though it wasn't really a hard sale anyway, I'm definitely a Polk fan. Polks make up all of my components in the car and I enjoy every second of the sound in there!

[Beta Man]

Congrats.....

Also, glad to see someone taking the "Build over time" approach..... it'll certainly pay off in the end.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Congrats.....

Also, glad to see someone taking the "Build over time" approach..... it'll certainly pay off in the end.

Well stated Beta! A bit painfull but worth it in the long run !

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Well stated Beta! A bit painful but worth it in the long run !

LOL, Slight understatement for me! I'm definitely the guy that always takes the quick route, I'm always looking to get something with the money I have right now! But I figured this was one of the times that I really need to hold out for the better stuff! I figure if I go bigger now though I won't have to spend any money on a different set up for a long time! I've also noticed with the HT equipment if you're patient and look around you can find some huge savings and put together a heck of a set up for the same money that a high end HTiB will get you.

Edit: Wow, I just checked and newegg has already shipped out my speakers from this morning!!

[Twitch9]

I would have gone with the Paradigm's, last years model is still better than anything polk Makes IMO, but if you like the sound of the Polks congrats on the upgrade as long as your happy that's all that matters.

[pokefan]

Had it been an unused version of last years model against new R60's I probably would have. According to the guy at the dealer though I wouldn't have had any kind of warranty on the Paradigms. I'm sure they were probably in good shape and I don't have a problem with used stuff if I've got some kind of warranty with them but you just don't ever know how much the person before you pushed them. That's one of the biggest reason I went with the Polk's.