Speaker suggestions

[seussalot]

Ok, so I'm starting to build my home stereo/theater system and am looking for some suggestions on the first pair I set up with my system.

I recently bought a Sony A/V reciever (STR-DA3300ES). It's got 7 channels, 100W per channel. I'll be having this in a space about 12' x 18' in the seating area.

Suggestions for a pair to buy under $150/200? This is the beginning of a larger system, but just a 2.0 setup for now.

[Nasir]

Is this going to be your first ever system or have you already developed some "insight" through listening to even a normal run of the mill Home Theater or stereo ( or even Hifi ) system? Does the Sony A/V receiver have a subwoofer out ( LFE ) output or will one have to buy a sub with speaker input and output terminals ( not all subs have this ) to connect up a later addition of a subwoofer to make all that thunder and rumbling without which a movie is left wanting? What will the SAF ( spouse acceptance factor ) be regarding floorstanding or stand mounted ( stands cost money, maybe divert this cost towards better floorstanding ) speakers ....... We want to help you, but we need some of your biases and taste in music too.....What fun!!!!

[Mr Peabody]

How much was that receiver, and how much do you want to spend on your main speakers......? You aren't going to get much in that budget except maybe a decent bookshelf on sale.

You might check an online store called Vann's who was offering some pretty good deals on Jamo. I found a friend of mine a 5.0 system for $249.00. This had the two floor main speakers, two small bookshelf for rear and a center channel. I was surprised the speakers sounded pretty good for the money but they normally were a couple hundred more. You'd still need a sub but this package would get you started for not much more than you budgeted. I think it was a 403 or 406 package.

[LeRoy]

Just like Mr. P suggested... check out Vanns..

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...-Jamo-CSBundle

Jamo 5.1 Speaker system w/250W subwoofer

This recommended bundle consists of Jamo C401 Bookshelf speaker pair, C400 Speaker surround pair, C401 Center channel, and Sub 250 (250 Watt) subwoofer.

Your Price: $399.99

[Mr Peabody]

He'd just have to decide whether to spend less and get the floorstanding mains or spend a bit more and get a sub. I don't like all small speakers though but when on a budget one has to make compromises.

[blackraven]

Take a look at thses PSB B-15's. They were on sale last week for $199pr.

http://saturdayaudio.com/picturepage..._march.htm#B15

These infinity Primus 162's are a decent speaker for the money. I bought a pair of the older but similar P160's for my daughter. For the price its a decent speaker. They also make the smaller p152's for surround as well as a center channel and a floor stander p262 model.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...wAg#ps-sellers

Here's a review on them

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1007inf/

[seussalot]

I like the idea of the P160's. As far as the surround package, I'm going to build this system over time. I don't plan to setup a full setup anytime soon. I might buy a subwoofer, but I won't push this above 2.1 yet.

I bought the receiver for $400, but it was priced at $1,199.99 before it went on sale (hurray amazing going-out-of-business sales. I has connections for a sub, that won't be a problem.

When it comes down to it I'm willing to spend a bit more on pairs of speakers since I'll be buying the various parts to this system over time. (i.e. if I pick up speakers that have more than 100W peak-per-channel then I'll be buying a pre amp at some point, but probably not right away.) It's a process that I enjoy somewhat. If I had the money to buy a full system that I would be happy with right now I would, but I don't want to speak $250-300 on a 5.1 system. I would much rather pay that amount for a nice pair of bookshelf or floor standing speakers that I'll be happy with.

So, what's the best deal you can think of for a pair of floorstanding or bookshelf speakers? Let's make this under $300, but if it's possible to find a great deal for even cheaper that'd be awesome!

[seussalot]

I've been browsing on Vann's. Any thoughts on these?


Bookshelfs
Klipsch B-3 (85W-340W)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...744/klipsch-b3

Polk R150 (20W - 100W)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...9564/polk-r150

Polk Tsi100 (20W-100W)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...k-tsi100-black

Floorstanding
One of these Sony pairs:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/co...3030/542200266

[TheHills44060]

The TSI's would be my first choice followed by the R150's. I'd never consider the Sony's or Klipsch's.

[seussalot]

I can understand putting Polk over Sony, but what's the aversion to Klipsch? Is is the specific model or something against the company? I've never had a problem with their speakers.

[thekid]

I owned an earlier version of those Sony's-fine for HT but average at best for music. The Tsi's are very similar to the R150's but a little bit better grade of material not sure they are really worth the cost difference. I like my Polk bookshelf set up and own earlier versions of the R150 the R15. Nice tweeter and good overall sound. You may check to see if there is a pair of R15's in the second hand market in your area. With the money you save you could by a nice Polk sub to fill out the bottom end.

[LeRoy]

I've been browsing on Vann's. Any thoughts on these?


Bookshelfs
Klipsch B-3 (85W-340W)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...744/klipsch-b3

Polk R150 (20W - 100W)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...9564/polk-r150

Polk Tsi100 (20W-100W)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...k-tsi100-black

Floorstanding
One of these Sony pairs:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/co...3030/542200266

http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=49

I've purchased 2 pair of the Cambridge Audio S-30
and gave them as presents. If I buy a 3rd pair I'll
keep them.

There are other choices in the price range you are
looking to stay in so just investigate the sites.

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/machbosp.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_37900/B...rs.html?tp=186

http://accessories4less.com/

[blackraven]

I would buy these PSB B-25's for $300

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picture..._march.htm#B25


or these wharfedales if you can swing the extra dough


http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/w...-speakers.html

htt

And take a look at this deal-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=263602_263622

[Jack in Wilmington]

Klipsch's aren't highly regarded around here. They have a tendency to the bright side and are fatiqueing the more you listen to them. If you like that in your face sound as opposed to a more laid back sound, then they might be for you.

[TheHills44060]

I can understand putting Polk over Sony, but what's the aversion to Klipsch? Is is the specific model or something against the company? I've never had a problem with their speakers.

I do like the Heresy's, LaScala's, Cornwalls, Fortes, etc...more for nostalgic reasons than for the actual way they sound but i can't bear to listen to anything they have made recently. I find them to be some of the ugliest looking designs as well. So to me if it sounds like crap and looks like crap, well...