BoBoish

Okay, I've decided to go the home theater route and I've narrowed down what I want to three different configurations.

1: Energy Take-5 with 8 inch woofer.

I really like the sound of this, but am concerned it will not fill my room enough (converted two-car garage). I can get them for $595 shipped, for the entire package.

2: JBL Northridge speakers with the N26 satellites and N-center, along with either a D112 JBL subwoofer or Energy ESL-8 sub.

These sound like a good deal for the price. I can get the JBL center and satellites for $350 shipped (6 inch woofers with 3/4 inch titanium tweeter). The JBL 12 inch sub would be $195 and the Energy 8 inch $225. I know I like the sound of the Energy, but I also like the sound of the JBL and it's cheaper. However, I have heard about some quality control issues with the JBL subs and this concerns me.

3: JBL Nortridge N310 mains, N-center, and N-24 or N-26 surrounds.

This configuration is appealing, because I wouldn't think I would need a sub. I think it would also fill the two-car converted garage quite nicely. I can get the 310 (dual 10 inch woofers) mains for $199 each, the N-center for $100, and the surrounds for $100-130 pair.


These are my options and I would appreciate any advise. Oh, I plan to use it with either a Sony DB-830 receiver ($319 at onecall) or a Yamaha 5250.

Thanks,

Bo.

edclem

I don't really have any input on the speaker choices, but no matter what you do, you SHOULD get a sub. Even if your mains are capable of decent bass output, the differences you'll notice with a sub are staggering.

daledude

I've heard the Energy's but not the JBL's so I can't give advice as to which sounds better. Unless you really like to crank up the sound, all three options should be o.k. although I agree that a subwoofer is the best addition one can make to a hometheater.

Either brand's satallites with a powered sub will probably be loud enough for you. You may want to splurge on the energy 10" model. A better sub will be more impressive than better satallites. If your budget allows for a $500 sub, check out the Hsu research vtf-2. Excellent review from www.soundandvisionmag.com.

If you mainly listen to action movies at high volume, then option #3 with a later addition of a powered sub is your best bet.

matchpenalty

the above comment is correct.. The sub size may be the critical factor.. 10" woofer might be the ticket...

Another sub brand I recommend highly is velodyne.. (I have the 12" with my NHT satellites/center and love it)

Enjoy whatever you decide to get!!

Cedarville2

The bigger the sub the better, in your case. You'll have a fair amount of space if you are using a converted 2 car garage, and I'm afraid that you'll find that an 8" sub won't move as much air as you would like. Go for a 10", whether it be the JBL or the Energy (if you decide to spend the extra$$$). It will make all the difference when you sit down to watch an action movie.

BoBoish

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to go ahead and get the JBL N26's (with plans to upgrade the mains later if this is inadequate - just $130 before shipping for N-26's) and N-center to go with an Energy 10" sub. I would go for the JBL 12" for $199, but think I'll spend more and go for the Energy for better quality.

All your input was appreciated.

Bo.

daledude

Unless you're in a rush, I would research the subwoofer a little bit more. The 8" energy sub is a great performer, but as you move up the scale of subwoofers other brands start to look better.

If the 8" energy cost $225, how much more does the 10" costs? You really ought to look into other brands of subs. A 10" sub would be enough for your space, but a quality sub can go a long way and the Energy doesn't strike me as a great bargain at that price. M&K, Velodyne, Boston Acoustics, and Hsu Research make excellent subs.

The Hsu vtf-2 sub for $500 easily competes in both output and quality with subs costing twice as much. If you really want to splurge, you can get a definitive technology pf15tl 15" sub for a little over $500 (see www.audioreview.com reviews).

Speaking from experience, a powerful sub can be the diffrence between being happy with your system or always thinking "something's missing."

M i c h a e l

quote:<HR>Originally posted by edclem:
I don't really have any input on the speaker choices, but no matter what you do, you SHOULD get a sub.
<HR>

Not necessarily.

If he'll be upgrading the system in the
future (anyone here who hasn't?), he can
get better mains now (e.g., Paradigm
Mini-monitor, NHT Super One, etc.), and
add a sub later for a win-win.

Getting the tiny Take 5 now, leaves no
uprade path, and certainly won't sound as
good as the above two models in the near
term.

I started my system in college, and had no
money, and I am glad I bought better
components slowly, than average components
all at once. Buying wisely, and planning
ahead, saved me a fortune.

$.02


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