Speaker and Subwoofer Purchase

[parsley007]

I recently bought a Harman Kardon AVR-254 receiver to start to slowly replace a Sony 5.1 HTIB set.

I found out since then that I can't use the Sony sub since it's passive, I need an active sub. Looking briefly at subs, I decided to see if I could go ahead and get at least fronts and a new sub.

First I found a Onkyo 7.1 set SKS-HT40 for $220. It seems like a pretty good deal, but I'm only going to use 5 speakers for the foreseeable future (few years).

I have been looking at the Energy Take 5 set, it's currently $150 at newegg. I thought about pairing it with the Energy ESW-8HG sub which can be found ~100 on ebay. That seems like a much better deal than the Onkyo set to me.

This is for a room that's approximately 20 x 20.

Any comments or suggestions? I'm open to sub suggestions, the Dayton 10" looks pretty good for only $50 more.

Thanks.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

the energy set is a good idea. You could also looking into some basic dayton subs.

http://www.parts-express.com/p...cfm?Partnumber=300-390

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Just to possibly give you one more option, it's possible that you might be able to continue using the Sony sub if your old HTIB receiver still works and you don't have plans for it.

If you wanted to concentrate your budget on just speakers, you could potentially keep powering the Sony sub with your old receiver by hooking up the HK subwoofer pre-out to an analog input on the sony HTIB receiver. The Sony could then still be the amp for the Sony sub.

I had a previous version of a Dayton 10" sub and I thought it was a very good deal. Upgrading the sub is a good idea though, since a 20 x 20 room is a pretty big space to try to fill with what I assume is a really weak subwoofer currently.

Is this for mostly Movies and Games usage? If music is a priority, it might make more sense to try to just get a good pair of front speakers first and attempt to use the sony speakers for a while longer until you can upgrade them as well.

 

[Insomniator]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Just to possibly give you one more option, it's possible that you might be able to continue using the Sony sub if your old HTIB receiver still works and you don't have plans for it.

If you wanted to concentrate your budget on just speakers, you could potentially keep powering the Sony sub with your old receiver by hooking up the HK subwoofer pre-out to an analog input on the sony HTIB receiver. The Sony could then still be the amp for the Sony sub.

I had a previous version of a Dayton 10" sub and I thought it was a very good deal. Upgrading the sub is a good idea though, since a 20 x 20 room is a pretty big space to try to fill with what I assume is a really weak subwoofer currently.

Is this for mostly Movies and Games usage? If music is a priority, it might make more sense to try to just get a good pair of front speakers first and attempt to use the sony speakers for a while longer until you can upgrade them as well.

Good idea, since I started researching a new ht system I've came to the conclusion that it makes WAY more sense to start with a good pair of fronts and add speakers as you get the $$. I'd rather spend 150 on monitor 40's than a whole 5.1 setup after hearing the better speakers in person. 20x20 is a rather big room also and couldn't you use the current old speakers for the rear for a while?

I would guess that Monitor 40's (150 bucks) and the matching center ($100?) + current rears/sub would sound better than the 150 energy set.

 

[parsley007]

Originally posted by: unfalliblekrutch
the energy set is a good idea. You could also looking into some basic dayton subs.

http://www.parts-express.com/p...cfm?Partnumber=300-390

That 8" dayton looks good. The more I look though I'm inclined to go with a 10" as I'm a little afraid an 8" won't fill the room as well.

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Just to possibly give you one more option, it's possible that you might be able to continue using the Sony sub if your old HTIB receiver still works and you don't have plans for it.

If you wanted to concentrate your budget on just speakers, you could potentially keep powering the Sony sub with your old receiver by hooking up the HK subwoofer pre-out to an analog input on the sony HTIB receiver. The Sony could then still be the amp for the Sony sub.

I had a previous version of a Dayton 10" sub and I thought it was a very good deal. Upgrading the sub is a good idea though, since a 20 x 20 room is a pretty big space to try to fill with what I assume is a really weak subwoofer currently.

Is this for mostly Movies and Games usage? If music is a priority, it might make more sense to try to just get a good pair of front speakers first and attempt to use the sony speakers for a while longer until you can upgrade them as well.

I wasn't planning on using the Sony receiver in the same room, and honestly don't know if I have the shelf space if I wanted to. Plus, the WAF would probably kill that deal.

It is going to be 99% Movies and Games, I don't listen to music with the current setup as it is, and don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[parsley007]

Originally posted by: Insomniator
Good idea, since I started researching a new ht system I've came to the conclusion that it makes WAY more sense to start with a good pair of fronts and add speakers as you get the $$. I'd rather spend 150 on monitor 40's than a whole 5.1 setup after hearing the better speakers in person. 20x20 is a rather big room also and couldn't you use the current old speakers for the rear for a while?

I would guess that Monitor 40's (150 bucks) and the matching center ($100?) + current rears/sub would sound better than the 150 energy set.

I was looking at the Polks, but I need to get a sub as well since I won't be able to use my existing sub, that kind of puts them a little higher than I wanted to spend once I factor in the center too.

Would it sound OK to possibly get the Polk center and a sub then upgrade the 2 additional fronts later? Or would I need to keep the front 3 speakers the same for timbre matching?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Makes sense.

Do you think this is something you're going to want to be putting more money into later?

I'm asking since your plan doesn't really leave you with an upgrade path. If you were to purchase a full 5.1 (or 7.1) set now, you have no room to expand the system without replacing one of things you're about to buy. It may very well be that you'll be completely satisfied with this and you don't want to put any more money into this system at all.

On the other hand, if you have a tendency to upgrade, you might want to just try to get one part "right" and leave yourself the option to upgrade the other part later. For example, you could spend all the money on a sub right now and keep the current speakers until you have more money to upgrade those later on.

I know the HK doesn't have this, but I just wanted to share that with Audyssey (and probably some of the other higher end auto equalization systems), you can get a lot of performance out of relatively cheap speakers. Had I not experienced this first hand with my own testing (both subjective and with basic measuring equipment), I wouldn't have believed the difference that it can make on sound quality from "cheap" speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmDenKL4U0

 

[parsley007]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Makes sense.

Do you think this is something you're going to want to be putting more money into later?

I'm asking since your plan doesn't really leave you with an upgrade path. If you were to purchase a full 5.1 (or 7.1) set now, you have no room to expand the system without replacing one of things you're about to buy. It may very well be that you'll be completely satisfied with this and you don't want to put any more money into this system at all.

On the other hand, if you have a tendency to upgrade, you might want to just try to get one part "right" and leave yourself the option to upgrade the other part later. For example, you could spend all the money on a sub right now and keep the current speakers until you have more money to upgrade those later on.

I know the HK doesn't have this, but I just wanted to share that with Audyssey (and probably some of the other higher end auto equalization systems), you can get a lot of performance out of relatively cheap speakers. Had I not experienced this first hand with my own testing (both subjective and with basic measuring equipment), I wouldn't have believed the difference that it can make on sound quality from "cheap" speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmDenKL4U0

It's hard for me to say for sure, but I don't really see myself wanting to upgrade that often. I think if I notice a substantial improvement from what I have now, if I upgrade anything it would be the receiver just for input/output and format capabilities.

I feel like the things that are lacking in my system now are the lower frequencies and dialog.

It seemed like for the price to replace the 3 fronts and a sub, the Energy set + sub would give me similar front and sub results. But also with better surrounds even though they aren't near as important.

 

[parsley007]

That is pretty amazing what the Audyssey did with those speakers. Like you said, unfortunately the HK doesn't have it. It does have EzSet I believe? But I've read mixed results about it.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: parsley007

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Makes sense.

Do you think this is something you're going to want to be putting more money into later?

I'm asking since your plan doesn't really leave you with an upgrade path. If you were to purchase a full 5.1 (or 7.1) set now, you have no room to expand the system without replacing one of things you're about to buy. It may very well be that you'll be completely satisfied with this and you don't want to put any more money into this system at all.

On the other hand, if you have a tendency to upgrade, you might want to just try to get one part "right" and leave yourself the option to upgrade the other part later. For example, you could spend all the money on a sub right now and keep the current speakers until you have more money to upgrade those later on.

I know the HK doesn't have this, but I just wanted to share that with Audyssey (and probably some of the other higher end auto equalization systems), you can get a lot of performance out of relatively cheap speakers. Had I not experienced this first hand with my own testing (both subjective and with basic measuring equipment), I wouldn't have believed the difference that it can make on sound quality from "cheap" speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmDenKL4U0

It's hard for me to say for sure, but I don't really see myself wanting to upgrade that often. I think if I notice a substantial improvement from what I have now, if I upgrade anything it would be the receiver just for input/output and format capabilities.

I feel like the things that are lacking in my system now are the lower frequencies and dialog.

It seemed like for the price to replace the 3 fronts and a sub, the Energy set + sub would give me similar front and sub results. But also with better surrounds even though they aren't near as important.

Yeah, if you do go 5.1, I think you have good options picked out.

TheSpeakerCompany is another recommended option.
http://www.thespeakercompany.c...ory.aspx?CategoryId=36

They have a 20% off code right now (you can see it right on their front page) that would take the price down further. Free shipping too.

Might be worth it to check that out as an alternative.

 

[aequasi]

u could always get an amp lol
im running a homebuilt sub using an amp and that works fine for me lol. Decware has smaller subs you can build too for less than $200, but u still gotta get speakers.

 

[hans030390]

Dayton BR-1 bookshelf speakers (DIY kit) and that 8" sub from The Speaker company...should run you right around $250, and I don't think you'll get better for the money! Of course, it won't be surround sound, but I'm sure you could find some cheap surrounds (if you don't already have some).

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Makes sense.

Do you think this is something you're going to want to be putting more money into later?

I'm asking since your plan doesn't really leave you with an upgrade path. If you were to purchase a full 5.1 (or 7.1) set now, you have no room to expand the system without replacing one of things you're about to buy. It may very well be that you'll be completely satisfied with this and you don't want to put any more money into this system at all.

On the other hand, if you have a tendency to upgrade, you might want to just try to get one part "right" and leave yourself the option to upgrade the other part later. For example, you could spend all the money on a sub right now and keep the current speakers until you have more money to upgrade those later on.

I know the HK doesn't have this, but I just wanted to share that with Audyssey (and probably some of the other higher end auto equalization systems), you can get a lot of performance out of relatively cheap speakers. Had I not experienced this first hand with my own testing (both subjective and with basic measuring equipment), I wouldn't have believed the difference that it can make on sound quality from "cheap" speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmDenKL4U0

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums...s-geddes-approach.html

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Makes sense.

Do you think this is something you're going to want to be putting more money into later?

I'm asking since your plan doesn't really leave you with an upgrade path. If you were to purchase a full 5.1 (or 7.1) set now, you have no room to expand the system without replacing one of things you're about to buy. It may very well be that you'll be completely satisfied with this and you don't want to put any more money into this system at all.

On the other hand, if you have a tendency to upgrade, you might want to just try to get one part "right" and leave yourself the option to upgrade the other part later. For example, you could spend all the money on a sub right now and keep the current speakers until you have more money to upgrade those later on.

I know the HK doesn't have this, but I just wanted to share that with Audyssey (and probably some of the other higher end auto equalization systems), you can get a lot of performance out of relatively cheap speakers. Had I not experienced this first hand with my own testing (both subjective and with basic measuring equipment), I wouldn't have believed the difference that it can make on sound quality from "cheap" speakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmmDenKL4U0

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums...s-geddes-approach.html

Sound cool if you're willing to put in the time and effort to get it right.

Not everyone is crazy enough to have multiple subs in their system

 

[Noubourne]

Dr. Geddes' use of multiple, small "inexpensive" speakers - I can assure you - is miles above the bottom-end components being discussed in this thread. Also, his EQ expertise is far above what most consumers have available to them.

On a budget, I would recommend the energy option.

I wouldn't buy any of those subs though. The room is too big for them. There is a 15" Dayton kit for $285 from PE that might be able to handle a room that size. Most likely, you should be looking at a $5-600 sub for a space that size. Hsu, eD, and SVS have subs in 12 and 15" sizes that can fill it. Or go DIY and you might be able to save a few bucks...

For a room that size - I'd say you should be looking at full size bookshelves or floorstanders - but that depends a lot on the room and how far back you're sitting from the front soundstage and how loud you like to listen. Energy does make good budget speakers. Something along the lines of the RC-10 bookshelves might be a better match for a large room. PSB Alpha B1s or Image B15s or B25s might come close too, due to their high sensitivity. Well known high quality bookshelves in the $300 range. Monitor Audio, Paradigm, and a few other companies may have comparable bookshelves that could handle a room that size. With the 254, you'll want as high of a sensitivity you can get to ensure that the SPL is adequate - of course, that will depend on how far back you are...

A good pair of fronts run with a phantom center will probably greatly improve your experience until you have a few more bucks to throw at a center and/or sub. Something to think about.

Ideally, you would listen to these speakers before purchasing them. Good luck!