Redsand

Hey guys im looking to buy a new Speaker(S)/Receiver.. I need some help.. I have about $1,000 to spend and i want something that is floor standing, clear and loud.. Can you guys tell me some good names or got some links on where i would find some good stuff.. Thanks in advance..

chess

The best stuff really isn't available online or at the big retail chains.

Most folks who know anything about bang/buck will point you in the direction of Canadian speakers, namely Paradigm and Energy.

You'll have to go to an audio shop to get them, but it will be worth it. Alternatively, if you live in a northern state...just go to Canada. The exchange rate is generally good. Or there's always ebay. And www.audioreview.com used to have a good "classified" forum.

Brian Shannon

You will need to listen to speakers to determine if they meet your requirements. "Loud" is a function of the amplifier not the speaker.

If your budget is $1000 for everything I am not sure how good a quality you are going to get.

Try this link for a well reviewed online company

http://www.av123.com/products_catego...eakers&brand=3

uberjoe

Hell, yes. Paradigm makes some great speakers. And I understand wanting floor standing speakers, but if you want more than just fronts for the $1,000, look at the bookshelf Paradigm Titans. A pair runs about $225 most places.

BobDole42

definately check out the Titans - amazing speakers for the money. Pair them with a Marantz SR5400 and you will be in great shape.

Redsand

alright guys i found 2 speaker set ups, which is better..

Panasonic 6 spkr. Home Theater System with Single Disc DVD Player, 300W
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...&vertical=ELEC

or..

Yamaha 6.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System with On-Wall Design/130W Subwoofer - Silver
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....9&type=product

Snikey

Are you looking to purchase an entire surround system? If not, take a look at Totem Arros



Paradigm Studio 20s are great also. If you need something cheaper, NHT makes some really nice bookshelfs. A pair of SB2s? Then you could spend the rest on a receiver, a lower end Denon, Rotel, HK or NAD. You should consider buying used. Audigon probably. At a $1000, your options are limited if you're thinking of getting an entire surround system+receiver.

kayak99

Neither.

With $1000 you can shop for a receiver and speakers separately. Can't recall the exact amount but I bought a Harmon Kardon 325 and a full set of RBH speakers for about what you have to spend. (subwoofer was another $400 m/l)

Depending on what subwoofer you buy, you may have to go over your budget. (you may want to consider a used sub)

Fiind a nice clearance receiver at:

http://www.onecall.com/

I like Harmon Kardon myself but do not know what's on clearance at the moment. Research and be patient if you have the time.

Shop compare and shop some more for speakers at places like:

http://www.onecall.com/

http://www.avsforum.com/

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/

The last two have marketplaces where you can find new and used.

Here is a set already put together and includes shipping:

http://ww2.onecall.com/PID_27031.htm

Here is an open box receiver at a really nice price. Problem is there is only one left:

http://ww2.onecall.com/PID_26769.htm

cseyer

Ditto on Kayak's advice dont buy an HTIB if you want a good system. Spend the time and find some seperate components that meet your needs. Last year I picked up a 5.1 BIC America setup from Costco for $699 and have been very happy with them. I also spent about $800 on a Sony receiver to power them. If you cant budget enough to get the full 5.1 pick up the sub, two towers and a center and come back later and add the surround speakers. If you buy quality you will be happier for longer and wont have wasted your money on something you will want to upgrade right away.

Redsand

alright guys this is what my friend said i should look into so what do ya think..?

Rear:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....3&type=product

Front:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....4&type=product


Center:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....4&type=product

hail2dking

your friend is a wise man.... (I believe Paradigm/Energy/Athena are from the same company)

kayak99

Energy and Athena are both Audio Products International Corp companies. Not sure about its relationship with Paradigm, owned by Bavan Corporation.


I use an Athena P400 sub and love it but I matched it with other speakers. I do think you can get better speakers for the money you would pay Best Buy for the speakers you offer a link to. You need to shop for clearance speakers or at least better deals than retail.

Redsand

alright thanks alot guys for all your help.. You guys rule.. ill check back and let you guys know what i found.. thanks again..

Snikey

Center

NHT SC1

Front/Rear

NHT SB1

Totals around $550 for a full surround package. If you want to spend a little more, you can upgrade to the NHT SC2 and NHT SB2, but that won't leave you with enough for a decent receiver.

The Paradigm Atom is a highly regarded budget speaker. I've also heard good things about the Infinity Primus.

If you want floorstanders instead of bookshelves, take a look at the Infinity Primus 360. Mission makes some really nice ones too.

I'd say the best option is the first. The NHT package is the best value

best advice yet
Personally, I'd rather have a killer 2-channel system than a good surround system, but that's just me. Your options would really open up if you follow CSeyer's advice. Get a good pair of floorstanders and add the surrounds later on.

Thrush

API also owns Mirage. Its hard to beat the Athenas in their price range. The same engineers who designed the Energy and Mirage lines also worked on the Athenas.

kayak99

I do agree. I have heard the Athenas he refered to and they were fine. My expression was only that I felt he could do even better for the money he has to spend although that would not include a subwoofer.


Redsand, if you need a low cost sub until you are able to afford a better one, here is a budget model I have read might suit for a while:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=300-632&DID=7

chess

thought I'd drop a second post...

In your budget range, you really want to look at quality bookshelf speakers. Floorstanders tend to be more expensive, and some, myself included, prefer the sound of bookshelves anyway. Get some decent stands, but no rush on that. Just wait till you find a sale. I got my 4 (solid wood) for about $50 on clearance.

I've been running Energy xL-16s front and rear (ExL-15s rear center) along with an Energy center channel for the past 5 years or so. They are exceptional speakers IMO, and if the ones you are looking at are from the same company, that's a good sign.

The Paradigm Titans were my first choice, but at the time, I could get a great deal on Energy's shipped from directly from Canada. I think I got the 4 xL-16s along with the xL center for about $600 shipped.

If you have to skimp somewhere, skimp on the receiver, not the speakers. In this digital age, it seems to me that the only difference between a $250 receiver and a $800 receiver is features...most of which tend to be useless anyway. Further, a good set of speakers can last 30 years. You MIGHT have a receiver for 5 years before technology overtakes you. I've always liked Pioneers and Yamahas myself...and hate Kenwoods, but YMMV.

The sub is a whole other argument, and it's largely dependent on your listening space. Suffice it to say that if you have a small listening space, don't go overboard on the sub.

gimmepilotwings

Does anyone else recommend these??

Brian Shannon

I have never heard them or heard of them for that matter.

I never recommend speakers that I have not personally listened to and frankly I would only take a speaker recommendation to mean that they are a speaker to be listened to by the prospective purchaser.

I disagree.

This is why I always recommend listenting to and purchasing speakers prior to purchasing power. There are major differences in the quality of power from various companies and the price difference you quote is huge. Good amp/Bad speakers is the same a bad amp/good speakers in my book.

Dah-Dee

I've heard of them but have not listened to the Primus series. Secrets reviewed them, though, here, and seemed to particularly like the 360: "The Infinity Primus series speakers are going to be a good stop on the High Fidelity path for a lot of people. The 360 in particular could start in your system and end up in your kids' system ten years down the road (Daddy needs the Intermezzo)."

*Sigh* Dah-Dee does indeed need the Intermezzo (Prelude?).... but I'll struggle along with my Betas for now

Edit: I suppose it's worth noting that Circuit City has the Primus 250 on sale right now for $224.98 per pair, might be worth a listen and consideration for pairing with a Pioneer 1014 receiver as the foundation for a nice starter system.

Thrush

The Primus' are Infinity's entry level line. They're OK sounding, maybe a tad on the bright side. A sub is a must though, because the low end is pretty much nonexistent. But thats basically true for all of the Infinity's.

Yep, the speakers are the most important component in your setup.

mikerobrewer

I went to Best Buy and listened to Athena, Klipsch and JBL. I liked JBL Northridge the best JBL Northridge.

I bought two E90s (front towers), EC35 (center), EC10s (surround) and E250P subwoofer. I bought them in a package from B&H Photo for $979 and FREE shipping: B&H photo JBL package

I have been very impressed and the price is outstanding.

chess

Not even close. This was more true 20 years ago with analog and even more true in the days of tubes, but even then, it really wasn't that close. Speakers always have been and always will be the most important audio component.

With digital decoding, as long as you are getting relatively clean power to a good set of speakers, they will sound great. If you send great power to a set of crap speakers, the results are rarely pretty.

Plus you neglected to address my point about the relative life spans of speakers and receivers...which contributes greatly to their relative "value".

I stand by my recommendation.

Brian Shannon

Whether or not speakers are the most important is definitely up for discussion.

What is not up for discussion is powering a set of B&W 802's with a Sony STRDE receiver. Bad power is still bad power.

I am not sure I understand the point. I am still using both speakers and amps that are over 25 years old with no problems. I will match my Adcom GFA-1A amp and my Magnepan MG-1A speakers up against anything that I could buy today. And for what I paid for that combo it would not even be close.

kayak99

Not an endorsement for any particular speaker system, I wanted to comment that you did great. That being you were able to audition speakers, choose what sounded best for your needs as well as shop for the best price for the items you decided upon.

Its the best way to put together a system based on budgets available.