New Speakers - Which way to go

[MrRoy]

Currently I am selling my Sony HTIB and that leaves me with 3 Yamaha 125 front speakers (center/right/left) and my Onkyo 605. I was thinking about going either of 2 ways:

1. Purchase the 2 remaining Yamaha floor standing speakers and a subwoofer

or

2. Purchase 2 Polk R50's, a CS1 center and have no subwoofer for the time being. Use 2 yamaha speakers for the rest of the surround.

Both can be done for about the same price, but not having a subwoofer in scenrio 2 has me concerned. (I like the polk idea )

Any input or help evaluating both is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Beta Man]

how about "none of the above" ? Get new R/L/C use two of the yamaha's for temporary rears, and save for the sub, and ultimately replace the rears? Get the best R/L/C you can afford

[MrRoy]

I have to do one of the 2 options, I am on a limited budget. I think option #2 is what you exactly what you are recommending.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

I have to do one of the 2 options, I am on a limited budget. I think option #2 is what you exactly what you are recommending.

What's your "limited budget"?

[Lucy Diamond]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

how about "none of the above" ? Get new R/L/C use two of the yamaha's for temporary rears, and save for the sub, and ultimately replace the rears? Get the best R/L/C you can afford

100% Agreement.

This was well thought out and great advice. Starting over isn't always fun, but Betaman has laid out a good plan for you.

The only thing I'd add is go Paradigm for their Audio and build quality as well as their affordability compared to performance.

[MrRoy]

My budget is REALLY limited at $250. This is why I want to use the Yamaha speakers that I have for the surround/rears and replace them when I can.

[JasonR]

Myself, I would at least get the Monitor 50s and the CS1. You can find them on sale sometimes for a total of 300 dollars. I would use your Yamahas for surrounds for the time being. I would add a sub before you purchase new surrounds, the low end on the Monitor 50s is not much....

[MrRoy]

Can anyone comment on how the R50's will sound without a subwoofer? I live in an apartment so I can't rattle the windows and I currently find myself turning my existing sub way down not to disturb the people underneath me.

edit: It appears that the Frys by me is out of the R50's, so that eliminates them from this equation. Any input on other speakers are welcome.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

Can anyone comment on how the R50's will sound without a subwoofer? I live in an apartment so I can't rattle the windows and I currently find myself turning my existing sub way down not to disturb the people underneath me.

edit: It appears that the Frys by me is out of the R50's, so that eliminates them from this equation. Any input on other speakers are welcome.

Checked Amazon and you're going to have to increase your budget. I did find these http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primu...723262&sr=1-12 they are 127.77 each. I've aslo found this http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=all - Yes it still puts you over $250.00 ($376.00) the Polk system would cost about the same at 372.00 (note none of these prices include shipping cost). So you need to add about 120 to your budget. Unelss you go for these http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...8724512&sr=1-2 and http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=all cost is 325.49 including shipping. I personally can't see you getting floorstanding speakers and a center channel for 250.00 and below unless you get something very cheap and cheaply made.

[MrRoy]

I found Polk R300's on ebay for $120 + shipping (pair). I missed this when Fry's offered them for $40/ each .

Anyway, you snooze you lose. It looks i can combine this with a CSi3 black center for somewhere in my price range. Is this a good combo?

[JJ]

I would highly recommend the Monitor 50s if you can swing them, the R50s have had some tweeter problems, from what I've read on the interwebs.

[MrRoy]

Originally Posted by prerich

Checked Amazon and you're going to have to increase your budget. I did find these http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primu...723262&sr=1-12 they are 127.77 each. I've aslo found this http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=all - Yes it still puts you over $250.00 ($376.00) the Polk system would cost about the same at 372.00 (note none of these prices include shipping cost). So you need to add about 120 to your budget. Unelss you go for these http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...8724512&sr=1-2 and http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=all cost is 325.49 including shipping. I personally can't see you getting floorstanding speakers and a center channel for 250.00 and below unless you get something very cheap and cheaply made.

What about the Athena 300's for the mains and the C.5 for the center? Athena says their speakers are timber matched.

[zweet77]

The consensus on monitor 50's are they really need a sub for low end especially music.Some people said the can get some bass out of them if they are bi amped on the polk forum.For the price 100-130 for the pair These speakers perfect for budget setups in smaller rooms.And they should also whet your appetite to save up for a really good set up I know it has for me.

[Rustmonkey]

Not that most people can really tell, but if you got 2 more Yammys then at least there would be a close match in sound quality all around, especially if they're in the same series of speaker.

[MrRoy]

I know this is kinda funny, but I got 3 of those $20 specials from Radioshack and used them as my front 3 speakers. I noticed that the "bookshelf" speakers were basically the center turned on its side, so I went the cheap route and just bought 2 more and poof, I have better speakers than my Sony HTIB speakes. And, to my surprise, they sound really, really good. The bass that comes from these speakers are fantastic, impressive actually. They are on my TV stand (60" tv stand for a 40" LCD) and you can really hear and somewhat feel the bass.
I was looking at, also, The Speaker Company speakers. You can get a center and 2 bookshelf speakers for $139.99 and the reviews have been pretty good. They are owned by the same company that owns Denon, Marantz, etc.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by MrRoy

What about the Athena 300's for the mains and the C.5 for the center? Athena says their speakers are timber matched.

That would be an excellent match.

[D1-2005]

I just bought 2 polk monitor 50 on ebay for 200.00 after the ms live cash back, and a CS1 for 100.00. So pretty decent speakers for about 300.00 shipped.