So far, I have a Klipsch KSW-12 subwoofer. I want to get a 6.1 setup to match. I was originally thinking JBL Northridge speakers, but if you take even the low end N24 and add the speakers stands, you're at $200 a pair. At that price, I might as well get N38 floor standing speakers.

So, then I was thinking, why not just get 5 floor standing speakers and one center channel, and I'm good? But you have to buy floor standers in pairs, and it might be kind of awkward fitting that thing behind my sofa.

Anyone else have this dilemma, where the price of cheapo speakers + stands == expensive floor standers? It makes more sense to buy floor standers except I don't know how well they'd serve as surrounds.

Do you have a wall you could mount the rears to? For the most part the rear effects dont have much dynamic material (MOVIE) so smaller speakers are fine. Sense the receiver is rolling your speakers off at ~80 and sending the rest to the subs no real need for floor standers. Now if you add DVD-A to this (AUDIO) it could be argued that five identical speakers is best. The real problem with towers is that the drivers might be firing right into the couch which is the worst case.

With all of that said I would lean toward bookshelf speakers in the back either wall mounted or on stands. You still have the problem of buying one.

As for the northridge speakers - the N24 are plastic enclosures and I would try to avoid that if you can. If you like JBL then look to the N26 which would have better cabinet construction.

dba newsline JBL 19 August 1999 news release
Nothing wrong with JBL N24 cabinet, Brent Butterworth wrote in his JBL N24 Test Report... Here's one option to consider - 6.1:

JBL NSP1 (four JBL N24, one N-Center w/wall omni-mount brackets & tools)$249.99 w/FREE Shipping

JBL N26 (Main channel) $139.99 w/FREE Shipping

Tech-Craft 31" (N24) Speaker Stand (Pair) TC-PS31 $47.99 w/FREE Shipping

Tech Craft 21" (N26) Speaker Stand (Pair) TC-PS21 $37.99 w/FREE Shipping

$249.99 - JBL NSP1
$139.99 - JBL N26
$37.99 Front channel - 21" speaker stand**
$47.99 Rear Channel - 31" speaker stand
========
$475.96 Total including FREE Shipping

** or get another 31" speaker stand set for the front channel for $10 more.

Just love spending other peoples money!
Phil

I've personally never heard a sub $400 a pair floorstander that I really liked. Therefore I find that bookshelves + stands are a much better route to go in your price range.

Thanks, I worked for Harman for 11 years as Sr Mechanical Designer. The enclosures are made of talc filled polyprop. But that does not sound good for the marketing .

I also know Brent and understand lots about reviews. His main point is it that it can be curved to minimize vibration and the material used is deader then standard ABS.

These are good speakers and the differences between the cabinets are minor but when asked for an opinion the point needs to be made about the enclosures. There is no doubt that they will color the sound more then a wood cabinet - I promise you.

Many companies make the bottom price floorstander out of their bookshelf. The net effect is slightly lower bottom freq do to the increased volume. For the JBL's this is not the case though.

Just had a thought that a bookshelf could image slightly better due to the smaller baffle area.

I'm looking to get 3 pairs of JBL S38s and a pair of PB12s for my Yamaha DSP-A1. I already have a pair of Optimus Linaeums for the front effects. I have been running an old Onkyo receiver with pro logic only with a 14 year -old Cerwin Vega! Satellite system for the fronts, a CV VS-120 for the center, and cheapie KLH giveaways for the rear for many years now. The DSP-A1 allows me to use 2 centers so I can place them on either side of my 36" Wega (had it two years now and I am still soooo loving it!). 'sigh' Soon I will have the $$$ for all these JBLs, soon....