Startup Speaker Build (help)

[eyekyu]

I just recently bought an Onkyo 607. HUGE UPGRADE from my old JVC receiver.
Now, Looking to upgrade my speakers and adding a center and sub.

Im looking at Polk Audio 50s for fronts, $99/speaker seems like a killer deal. Bookshelf or Floor Standing don't matter and doesnt have to be Polk.

Center, Im not sure what to look for in getting one of these.

Sub, just having a hard time weather I should get a 8" or 10" if the difference in price worth it? good brand.

Surround/Rear speakers ill wait till i get my house.

any kind of help is greatly appreciated

[devilfan9500]

i had this problem a while ago to and got good advice. try the speaker company or cadence they have quality stuff and if your on a tight budget try fluance.

[eyekyu]

will def check it out.

im not on a "tight" budget but im not gonna spend $1000/speaker lol

[aramis109]

What is your budget?

If it's about $100 a speaker you're probably not going to find a better deal than the Polk Monitors. Energy speakers are another comparably-priced performer as well. If it's larger (obviously not $1000 a speaker as you mentioned that) then the options open up. For a sub, personally I wouldn't recommend anything below a 12". Check out the PA-120 or the AA subs (both linked in the subwoofer forum) for some great bargain performers.

[callas01]

I would go with these Energys they are $116 ea. Match that with a C-C100 Center Or you could get the C-C50 center channel and save a few bucks and surrounds @ $94/pr

A whole setup for less then $500.

Understand that Energy is discontinuing this line of speakers. So when they sell out they will be gone and you will have to shop for them on Ebay. Like the center channel I linked you to. Typically just the towers alone cost $500-$550 for the pair.

[eyekyu]

thanks for all the links, gonna check em out.

ive read somewhere on here that a ideal center needs to be curved

[blarneyrubble]

I have never heard anybody mention these here but I was perusing cnet and in the "Top Home Audio" section they have some killer speakers listed(like energy, def tech, aperion, kef, ect) then they have these:

http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...in;contentBody

If you are like me and put cnet very high on the trusted list then this seems like an awesome deal.

Anybody know anything about these?

[eyekyu]

DAMN!! thats a steal...

I hope someone can vouch for these

[blarneyrubble]

Originally Posted by eyekyu

DAMN!! thats a steal...

I hope someone can vouch for these

Go to their site and read those reviews too.

[callas01]

I know there is a couple people on here that have the Fluance speakers, I heard one person say they aren't good, and another say they are OK. Personally I would say that if they have a good return policy, pick them up and audition them, if you don't like them then return them.

From the sound of the Cnet review, it sounds like they may be a little boomy and the highs overly bright. Also, the one thing they didn't like was the Center channel, where the dialog struggled. It sounds as if it is like my Sony system I used to have. Although to start a system, they Sonys were a great way to start, but they weren't nearly as accurate as the Energys I have now. The fluance may be the same way... a great start to something you can upgrade later

[aramis109]

dobyblue I think put them just above white van. I trust his opinion more than cnet's so personally I'd avoid Fluance. BigDaddy has recommended them in the past I believe but I don't think he's had hands-on with them.

Hell, don't be a snob- if they have a good return policy try them and see if you like them. However, I think the Energy speakers are going to be a much better speaker and thus a better deal overall.

[eyekyu]

true ive read they have a 30-day return policy, but i dont know i think i might pass on them and go either polk or energy.

im just having a hard time deciding weather to buy a sub or speakers 1st. dont have money to buy all at once.

[blue11]

the best way to go especially on a somewhat limited budget is to build piece by piece. there are a lot of reviews that you can find for Polk and Energy speakers not only at this forum but others as well.
One of the best advise anyone can give/get is to audition them if possible. Each brand offers different sound characteristics, but not only that, each of us have different tastes. Go with what you like best.
I would agree with getting the mains (left,center, right) as that would give you a good starting point. If you go with floorstanding speakers with decent size woofers, these can also give you decent bass, it won't be to the same level that a subwoofer can give you, but they can do the job for some people.
What you can also do is a 2.1 system with 2 bookshelves and a subwoofer. This would give you more bottom end and at the same time create a "phantom" center channel. And when you do move, you can then use the bookshelves as surrounds and get floorstanding speakers and a center channel.
hope this helps.

PS...have fun putting together your system. I know I had fun getting the right set up for our house. It's not really what I wanted but it is the right set up......for now. Gotta love upgraditis