Speaker suggestions

[Moviefan1203]

For awhile now, I've been wanting to upgrade our home theater but my wife has been against it. Fortunately, I cut a deal with her today. She can get a new piece of exercise equipment if I can upgrade the audio on our home theater. All we currently have is a Boston soundbar, it doesn't do a bad job but I also know there is much better out there. However, she still says no surrounds but we can get a subwoofer if it can be concealed. Why she is so against surrounds, I couldn't tell you. Unfortunately I am pretty ignorant when it comes to audio and need some advice on which direction to take. Our budget is in the $500 range. Thank you very much in advance.

[Scooby Blu]

I am no expert by any means. But you might want to upgrade the front l/r speakers only. You can get a big bang for your buck with speakers in the 250 a piece range. Down the road when you can enhance your budget you might be able to overcome the wife's distaste for surrounds with in ceiling surrounds. Just a thought. Good luck !!

[callas01]

OK, are there any restrictions other then no surrounds? Can they be Floorstanding speaker or do they have to be On-wall or Satelites or Bookshelfs?????

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by callas01

OK, are there any restrictions other then no surrounds? Can they be Floorstanding speaker or do they have to be On-wall or Satelites or Bookshelfs?????

No other restrictions that I am aware of.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

No other restrictions that I am aware of.

Id suggest that right now the Energy CF-30s are on sale for $199 each @ vanns.com.

Or go to saturdayaudio.com and buy a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze BR5s for $450/pr.

Do what I am doing, I have just the R/L speakers(I do have surrounds tho) and then wait and keep the extra $100 and save up for the Center channel. That way you can get the best fronts you can afford. The only thing with the Monitor Audios is that getting a matching center later might be more difficult as the BR series is discontinued, but the BX series is the replacement, and Im sure that the BXLCR will work just fine with the BR5s.

[Moviefan1203]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by callas01

Id suggest that right now the Energy CF-30s are on sale for $199 each @ vanns.com.

Or go to saturdayaudio.com and buy a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze BR5s for $450/pr.

Do what I am doing, I have just the R/L speakers(I do have surrounds tho) and then wait and keep the extra $100 and save up for the Center channel. That way you can get the best fronts you can afford. The only thing with the Monitor Audios is that getting a matching center later might be more difficult as the BR series is discontinued, but the BX series is the replacement, and Im sure that the BXLCR will work just fine with the BR5s.

One more quick question, I assume if I go with the L/R speakers that I will need to get a receiver, wouldn't I? If so, what make and model would you recommend?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

One more quick question, I assume if I go with the L/R speakers that I will need to get a receiver, wouldn't I? If so, what make and model would you recommend?

I t all comes down to preferences, Now that you will dish out 400$ on speakers L/R, I believe you need a decent receiver, Any future plan to go 5.1 or 7.1 in the future?

What would be your budget for a receiver, I would think that sound comes first and 3D is not a must, you could look into refurb units in the 300-350$ range and you would have something fantastic for the price.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I t all comes down to preferences, Now that you will dish out 400$ on speakers L/R, I believe you need a decent receiver, Any future plan to go 5.1 or 7.1 in the future?

What would be your budget for a receiver, I would think that sound comes first and 3D is not a must, you could look into refurb units in the 300-350$ range and you would have something fantastic for the price.

Good suggestion Big Al !

[BigAl87]

This Yamaha unit could last you for years and would be a truly great pairing with the energy speakers, It's 450$ but this unit at that price is almost unbeatable. It has all you need for future upgrades including preouts.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V106...792802&sr=1-12

[kesando]

If the budget is for under 500 for a receiver and speakers I would check out Pioneer's Andrew Jones designed bookshelf speakers. They have gotten nothing but rave reviews and are perhaps your best bet. You could probably also get a center speaker now and still stay near budget with an AVR.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS4.../dp/B0045US6DE

I dont see the matching center on amazon but best buy has it:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=1147943

They also have the matching tower speakers for only $199

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=1147998

Any of these would give you the most for your money

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by kesando

If the budget is for under 500 for a receiver and speakers I would check out Pioneer's Andrew Jones designed bookshelf speakers. They have gotten nothing but rave reviews and are perhaps your best bet. You could probably also get a center speaker now and still stay near budget with an AVR.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS4.../dp/B0045US6DE

I dont see the matching center on amazon but best buy has it:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=1147943

They also have the matching tower speakers for only $199

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=1147998

Any of these would give you the most for your money

Have you heard these Pioneers yet? A friend of mine just got some and loves them, but I haven't heard them yet. I'm pretty curious as they have gotten such high praise.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

Have you heard these Pioneers yet? A friend of mine just got some and loves them, but I haven't heard them yet. I'm pretty curious as they have gotten such high praise.

I heard the Pioneer floor speakers at the Best Buy near me (I believe they were connected to a Denon A/V receiver); had a warm sound, with slightly better detail than the nearby Polk Audio TSi300. The Pioneers were decent, but a bit undersized (at ~31"), and I still preferred the Energy CF-30s.

[kesando]

I haven't heard them but would like to hear them soon. I recommended them based on his budget and the many great revews. They seem like a great value for the money.

[Moviefan1203]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, you have been very helpful.

[Moviefan1203]

Just an update guys, we're going to be getting the Yamaha receiver that BigAl87 recommended paired with the Pioneer L/R/C speakers that kesando recommended. Thank you so much for the help, it was really appreciated.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Just an update guys, we're going to be getting the Yamaha receiver that BigAl87 recommended paired with the Pioneer L/R/C speakers that kesando recommended. Thank you so much for the help, it was really appreciated.

Congrats! Make sure you start a HT Gallery thread when you get it all setup! We'd all love to see some pics!

[callas01]

you could always look at http://www.accessories4less.com they have good deals on Onkyo and Marantz receivers, refurbs with warranties from the factory, so you are covered.

speakers, id say, Energy CF-30s at Newegg.com are $129 right now, that is the lowest I have seen them so far. PSB B5 bookshelves, B&W 686, Monitor Audio RX1 or the BX5s, Paradigm Titan or Mini Monitors,

[callas01]

Originally Posted by callas01

you could always look at http://www.accessories4less.com they have good deals on Onkyo and Marantz receivers, refurbs with warranties from the factory, so you are covered.

speakers, id say, Energy CF-30s at Newegg.com are $129 right now, that is the lowest I have seen them so far. PSB B5 bookshelves, B&W 686, Monitor Audio RX1 or the BX5s, Paradigm Titan or Mini Monitors,

opps, I didn't see that last post, congrats.

[kesando]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Just an update guys, we're going to be getting the Yamaha receiver that BigAl87 recommended paired with the Pioneer L/R/C speakers that kesando recommended. Thank you so much for the help, it was really appreciated.

No problem. Glad we could help! Looking forward to some pics and reviews! Congrats!