Home audio help (sub $500 systems)

Oh my God - they killed Kenny's Stereo!

What kind of "events" are held in your apartment?

 

Just to be clear - this 500 is budgeted only for a 5.1 or greater speaker system?

This is over 500 - 649 to be precise - but... for a few dollars more...
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/energy-take-classic/4505-7868_7-33310963.html

 

Kenny,

I'm confused. You have budgeted $500 for the whole system (receiver/amp combo and 5.1 speaker set up) or just the speakers?

Anthony

 

Check the reviews & go from there by clicking on *reviewer's name*, not "more". These folks have tested 'em. And liked it. Across the board, they rate this system the bang for the buck.
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/take-classic-5-1-reviews/

I can't comment about "loud" - what is best to me is accuracy at any and all volume levels. To facilitate that, efficiency is key for mind-blowing sound - whether at a whisper or a roar.

Years ago, I had a pair of Advent speakers that did just that. Most efficiently. Ex-wife aka **** aka ***** sold 'em just as efficiently.

That's all I know.

 

Energy speakers are highly regarded.

$500 for an entire system is going to be incredibly difficult. You may be able to do it w/ used items... but otherwise I just don't see it happening for a 5.1. You may be able to get a Yamaha V663 receiver and start with a decent set of mains (maybe if you stretch your budget a little more a center channel too) and a subwoofer for that price, then add the surrounds later when you have some more cash.

Without knowing much about your room size, shape, and treatments, I would say that the surrounds might not add much in terms of sheer volume to your system, so spending less money on a good set of mains and a subwoofer so that you can get a center channel and two surrounds may be counter-productive to your needs at this point in time...

Klipsch (disclaimer... what I own) makes some of the most efficient speakers available, most of which are at 98 db. I love my system but many people feel that they are too biased towards the tweeters. I balanced that out with an Harman Kardon AVR-354, and have been very happy with my results. Granted, the total I spent on my system exceeded $1,500 (three times your budget).

Size of the room is going to make a BIG difference in just how "loud" your system is going to sound. The bigger the room, the more power it is going to take.

Check out this forum...

www.avsforum.com

for more specific help. There are TONS of people at that site, so you will have to wade through some junk, but there are plenty of very helpful people there that really know their stuff.

 

Funny, that - holding out hope, "Klipsch" was the only search term I used at the outset.

From there, a reviewer gave nod to Energy for all-around bang for buck...

 

Sensitivity does play a role in speaker "loudness" though it really doesn't make that huge of a difference. In order to make something sound twice as loud requires 10x the power -- so forget that.

In the $500 range you are nothing really going to find anything stellar. What I typically tell my clients is spend your money on good speakers as these NEVER get outdated. I'd try to find a nice used receiver for $150 or so on Ebay or Craigslist that fits your needs electronically. You have not said if your using this strictly for music playback or for multi-media playback (TV, DVD, etc.). If it is simply audio stay away from a 5.1 processor and find yourself a GREAT USED 2-channel audio receiver and spend your cash on the speakers.

If your looking for a HTIB (Home Theatre in a Box) set-up Yamaha makes a 105 x 5 receiver package that retails for about $700.

 

I have been a big fan of Klipsch speakers for a number of years, as they do have quality sound for a very respectable price if you are on a budget (subs can leave a little something to be desired though).

I read about Energy after I bought my newest system, but they are certainly on my list of "to try" next time I build a system.

Those are really the only two companies that I know of that have a strong following in the price range that Kenny is looking for...

True, but on such a limited budget, you are going to need to exploit the sensitivity as much as possible. Nice speakers that are underpowered are going to create other issues. Therefore, with a low-wattage amp, the differences between a low sensitivity and high sensitivity speaker are going to be more pronounced.

I completely agree with this statement. You will certainly get more power per channel buying a great 2-channel receiver then you will buying a 5.1 system, and that is what Kenny is really going to need.

 

I agree with the previous comments, go with a good 2.1 setup. If this is for area sound coverage, 2.1 will certainly fulfill your needs. You didn't specify what components you also needed? If you just need speakers to push out music from your ipod/mp3 then check out AudioEngine speakers. They are powered so you can skip needing a separate amp source. http://www.audioengineusa.com/

 

Wouldn't a better receiver make the speakers you just bought sound better?

 

How about a pair of these speakers?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8623563&type=product&id=1193451619263
These speakers are used in alot of bars for their jukeboxes. Their cheap loud and can handle some decent power.

 

Crutchfield also has a number of systems in your price range. However, if you're saying you want better than $500 sound from a $500 system (which I think you are), from one Ken to another I'd say do your homework and buy used.

 

Wise choice - reviews look very promising on the Yamaha, and you won't risk damaging those speakers if PA takes the hit instead.