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Some guidance please?

As you can all tell from my last thread, I'm new to HT. I'm completely dumbfounded by the magnitude of options when it comes to purchasing speakers. I have decided on a Denon 3805 receiver and an SVS 20-39 PC+ sub. But when it comes to speakers, I have no idea where to begin. I've read several reviews and from what I've gathered, pretty much everything on this site is excellent. I'm fairly busy, so I don't have much time to dedicate to learning all the particulars of different speaker set-ups. I just want something that is going to sound good for mostly action movies and regular T.V. I also listen to quite a bit of rock music and a little bit of country occasionally.
I've seen some of the prices on speakers here and they're staggering. I'm looking to spend less than $2,000 on speakers(surrounds and center included). Used is probably the only route to go with a budget like that, unless I settle on the Polk RTi series. They are the only decent speakers I've heard that I can afford new, so I have nothing to compare them to. I don't have an issue with buying used from this site. I've heard everybody is very honest and forthcoming with the equipment they sell here. In the short amount of time I've browsed this site it really shows too.
So, saying all that, I would greatly appreciate it if several of you could shed some light and make my decision a little easier.
Thanks...
colyerdogoff
elevick
2,636 posts
 
1-your amp will make a world of difference
2-don't skimp on the sub. A good sub will handle the bass tracks plus the low bass for all 5/7 speakers.
3-Decide on where you need the speakers-wall mount, stand mount, bookshelf, near walls, (most sound best away from walls, what size is your room......
4-used is usually great as long as you don't mind used. New depriciate 50% right out of the box. Polk depriciate more than that.
5-I love my set-up, which you could easily afford: 5 soliloquy sat-5's (new $400 each, used or B-stock $200 each), velodyne uld 15 sub(new $1995, used $400). $1400 for a $3000 set-up works for me and is probably pretty standard to what you can find out there.
Try:
jeffssoundvalues.com
tsto.com
hififarm.com
jmsound.com
hcmaudio.com
echohifi.com
audioadvisor.com
upscaleaudio.com
many more too.......
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colyerdogoff OP
2 posts
 
Viridian, you seem like quite the witty character. I was about to dismiss your advice until I read some of your feedback. You're obviously a knowledgeable audio enthusiast(and a bit of a comedian). I always thought Denon made very good receivers. Why do you think differently? Any speaker would be completely safe in my house. I prefer dogs to cats and at 31, I know better than to push the tweeters in.(my girlfriend keeps asking me if I'm ever going to grow up!)
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snofun3
601 posts
 
As usual you're getting some good advice here. I second the Canadian speaker recommendation. PSB, Paradigm, Pinnacle (I don't know why they all start with P - it's a Canadian thing eh?) - all excellent values that you can drive easily with the receiver you have.
Now - Size - yes size matters, but in different ways than you might think (ask your girlfriend and push in her tweeters while you're at it) No you're not ever going to grow up - get over it already.
Large speakers usually mean better bass, while smaller, stand mounted speakers usually have better imaging. You already have a sub, so maybe smaller speakers (called monitors) could be your thing. They take up less floor space, are less obtrusive looking and often are better for music.
PSB used to have the Stratus Mini, which was superb - you could get two of those, a C6i center and some Alpha's for the rear and be way under $2k, and have a great sounding system to boot. Oh, and they're easier to ship. 100lbs of speaker costs a fair sum to ship.
Put some $ into decent cable, and you're ready to go.
have to agree about Polks - not a bad speaker but sinks about as fast as Big Pussy on the Sopranos price wise - as does Definitive Technology, which might be something to consider for a real theater speaker - flabby uncontrolled self powered built-in subs - dreadful for music, but fine for your next blow-em-up action film.
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