home theater speakers...opinions plz

[ASmurf]

I'm looking to get a home theater system in a few months. I need some opinions on speaker systems + receiver. It'll be used for DVDs and music (indie rock, wohoo!). There's the obvious Bose option, which is fine with me. I'm also thinking about Klipsch as well ( I have the promedia 4.1 for my computer). As for price....between $1000-$2000. Thx ahead of time ppl.

 

[TripleJ]

I've heard Paradigm are good price/performance.

 

[Boogak]

Energy Take5's are very highly regarded. Klipsch Quintets are nice as well. I think Atlantic also makes a HT set?

 

[Servnya]

Paradigm are very nice, and Denon makes some really nice receivers. BUT...as far as speakers go, listen for yourself and take the same music that you will be listening to when you demo them. It's mostly personal preference as far as speakers go.

 

[Draco]

My vote goes to Energy. I have the Take 5's. AWESOME. Great value and performance. I love em. They have some newer models out now, I bet they are even better (I have not demo'd them). Paradigm is excellent too, my boss a set of Paradigm Reference... very nice.

WHATEVER YOU DO. DO NOT GET BOSE! Worthless! Any audio enthusiast would agree.

Check out - www.audioreview.com Lots of great reviews there.

 

[BigSmooth]

For speakers, I would definitely recommend Boston Acoustics. I think they are great speakers considering their relatively low prices.
For receivers, my personal preference is either Yamaha or Denon.
For subwoofers, there is a company called HSU Research that is getting stellar reviews of their reasonably-priced subs. I don't have any personal experience with them, I have an M&K sub that I love but it was very expensive.

BTW, check out eCoustics.com and AudioREVIEW.com, as well as the AVSForum and Hometheaterforum websites for some great info.

 

[goofygrin]

You MUST listen to speakers before you buy them.

I recommend that you look at:
B&W (my personal favorite)
Mirage
Paradigm
Energy

 

[DaveJ]

Does anyone here have the Definitive Tech ProCinema series? I'm in the market for some speakers as well and have read some good things about the ProCinema 80/100 series. Apparently they blow away the Take 5 in almost every respect, but I haven't had a chance to check them out yet...

Dave

 

[gooch]

The Klipsch Reference Series (RF-3 RS-3 RC-3 and KSW-12 sub) can be had for around $1600. Excellent sound system for home theater.

 

[Gunbuster]

JBL S38

Reviews

 

[Viperoni]

I'd go with a Denon or Yamaha or Onkyo if I had the cash...

As for speakers, go listen to some @ a local high end audio store (NOT Circuit Sh!tty/Worst Buy)

As for the sub, SVS are nice, but I doubt there's any sub (for the money) that could the
Adire Audio Rava.
If you have a bit more, the Adire Audio Dharman is EVEN better.

 

[Servnya]

I use a Harmon Kardon receiver right now with a Velodyne sub and I like them a lot. Eventually I will go with Paradigm and Denon. They are my personal favorite right now.

 

[spidey07]

i've ALWAYS liked polks (15 years), but whatever sounds good to you.

 

[ASmurf]

aww man....i'm not a super-audio-nut, but am a techo-freak (like most ppl here). Seems like asking this question is like asking 'what kind of sports car should I get?'....doh. Ok, I did some research and stuff.... the Take5.2s seems to be my pick for now. I still have some affinity for Klipsch, but the bang-fer-the-buck isn't so hot (~$900 for the Take5.2s w/ sub).

As for the receivers....any ideas on particular models? There are scores of em out there and it's a bit overwhelming.

 

[jonnyjack]

this is my system...everything i got within this year except DVD which i got a year and a half ago...

TV: Toshiba 36A60 (36inch) - $750

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V496 - $300

DVD: Pioneer DV-525 - $220

Speakers: JBL NSP1 (5 speaker system) - $300 from jandr.com, no tax and no shipping because of a special at the time...

Subwoofer: Sony SAW-M40 - $200 @ Best Buy, you can find it cheaper online but i'm paranoid when it comes to online shopping, if it isn't a big company i won't buy from it...i haven't bought the sub yet cause i need money first...hehe

Total Cost: $1,770 but that includes a TV and DVD player, if it's just a receiver and speakers w/ a sub you want then it's only $800, pretty damn good deal and a pretty damn good system...go to HomeTheaterForum.com for more info...one guy there has a website with lots of info concerning the JBL speakers...http://www.geocities.com/p_iturra/

 

[Texmaster]

<< I've heard Paradigm are good price/performance. >>



Paradigms ROCK.

Remember that speakers are subjective so I suggest you go into a home theatre store and give a listen.

Paradigms champion the crip and clearness of highs and midrange. That is their primary function

B&W, another great speaker is more profound in the lows.

 

[BigSmooth]

Ah , I didn't realize you were looking for a "mini system". In that case, the Take 5.2s are definitely a good choice, but again, if you can give a listen to the Boston Acoustics System9000 or System9500 systems, I'd give it a try.

If you're into style, the Gallo Acoustics "Nucleus" series, although a little tougher to find and more expensive, supposedly sound great and they are cool-looking, too!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Go to your local HiFi-Buys and listen to all that they have to offer. I wouldn't be surprised if you bought a Boston setup. Boston simply rocks my world. The VR series is especially awesome.

 

[ASmurf]

Er, yeah...a mini system. I'm graduating from college in december (moving to san jose for work), so this 'mini' system is huge fer me . Yeah, I'm lookin at the Take5.2s and maybe a Yamaha (RX-V496 seems popular) or Denon (AVR-1601,AVR-1602?) for a receiver. Since I'm spending a measly ~$1000 (it's a chunk o dough fer me) for speakers, I'm thinking that the receiver should be ~$300. Is that right?
So, to clarify... I do NOT have a mortgage on a house ....$6,000/month is robbery for the kind of house I would get out there.

 

[Viperoni]

That would be a decent $$ division.......
If you want to take the trouble to DIY speakers, here's a Vance Dickason home theatre kit (5 speakers) using Audax and Morel components. The dipole surrounds are a really nice touch

Vance Dickason designed HT system
That price includes every single component needed to build the speakers, and instructions
Sure it may "seem" expensive, but note that this system can easily put any Paradigm, Energy, probably even Wharfdale system to shame.

 

[Ameesh]

you should look on ubid they have fantastic prices on home theater equipment

 

[Boogak]

Great choices! I have the (original) Energy Take5's with a Energy 10" sub to go with a Denon AVR1600 I bought refurb'd from ubid.com. I've had this system for about 2 years now and I still get a huge kick out of it whenever I watch a new movie with a good soundtrack on it.

 

[jonnyjack]

ASmurf: check out the JBL NSP1...this link actually compares the energy take 5 with the jbl...and be sure to go to HomeTheaterForum.com, there are loads of info there...

 

[ASmurf]

jonnyjack: I looked at the JBLs...they're good and all, but come on, saying a ~$300 set of speakers beats out a ~$900 set of speakers?? It's not like the Energy speakers are overpriced er anything. Just my opinion.

Anyways, I'm fairly comfortable with *for now* focusing on the Energy Take5.2 + S8.2 sub, Yamaha RX-V496, and some Sony/Panasonic DVD player to go w/ my 27" Wega (yes, it's the *cheap* FS13). I'll know for sure once I check em out at Good Guys. That's the only reliable & authorized B&M/B&C I could find in the San Jose area.

Btw, the Energy Encore6......spiffy. If I only could justify and afford the $1500

 

[jonnyjack]

oh...i thought you were talking about the first Energy Take 5...hehe...

and the JBL's retail at Best Buy for $450...great speakers though...once you get whatever speakers set up, post pics! i'll post pics of mine once i set eevrything up...i still need to buy the sub and speaker stands...