Home theater speaker system

T

TooMuchButtHair

New Member
I've got a budget for about $500 for a sweet speaker system. I'm incredible ignorant as to what is good, and what isn't. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The speakers will be for my Xbox 360, and general TV and movie use. Thanks.
 
Well, $500 is tough, but in that range I would recommend the Canton Movie CD-1 set or the Infinity TSS-750 set. I would take the Canton over the Infinity any day of the week though. Polk Audio also has a set in that price range, but I'm not too crazy about Polk Audio. The RM 6750. Polk is too aggressive for my tastes.

Both the Infinity and the Canton have an active subwoofer, meaning they have their own built in amps. This will take a load off your receiver.

The Infinity is a 10" box, the Canton is a bandpass box. The Infinity is more punch, the Canton is more tone.

However, Canton is a German company that is FAR superior to Infinity in just about every aspect. That's why I recommend the Canton.
 
Paradigm will slaughter H/K I'm afraid. H/K has gone to shit now that they sold out to the mass market. They haven't made a quality piece of gear in quite some time. They can't even get their CD transports right anymore. Too bright... Too aggressive. Yuck. I can't stand to listen to them.

H/K sacrificed quality for quantity, and now you can pick them up anywhere. I would have to honestly stand by my recommendation of Canton over H/K. I have a pair of Paradigm towers, and I have listened to several different models of them and yeah, they would more than likely be in the ballpark as well.

As for Cambridge, I have yet to run across a set that I like. :(
 
SirKenin said:
Well, $500 is tough, but in that range I would recommend the Canton Movie CD-1 set or the Infinity TSS-750 set. I would take the Canton over the Infinity any day of the week though. Polk Audio also has a set in that price range, but I'm not too crazy about Polk Audio. The RM 6750. Polk is too aggressive for my tastes.

Both the Infinity and the Canton have an active subwoofer, meaning they have their own built in amps. This will take a load off your receiver.

The Infinity is a 10" box, the Canton is a bandpass box. The Infinity is more punch, the Canton is more tone.

However, Canton is a German company that is FAR superior to Infinity in just about every aspect. That's why I recommend the Canton.
Click to expand...

I see...If $500 isn't really enough for a great home theater system, than how much is? I'm looking to buy a HDTV (probably LCD) and a great home theater system around November. I figured that since I know next to nothing about speakers, I'd better start looking into them now.

The TV and the speakers are independent of each other - meaning that I'm going to spend the same amount of money on the TV, no matter how much I pay for the speakers. But, I'd really like to spend less than $1000 on the speakers....
 
Oh man...

Ummm

Honestly? Bluntly? Don't hate me? Well.. You can if you want.

Pioneer completely sucks the big one. Totally. They only have one decent lineup, and that's the Pioneer Elite series. Unfortunately it's priced high enough that the average person won't buy it.

Klipsch.. ehh. Some of there stuff is ok, but I can't stand horns. Too directional and not really optimal for setting a good sound stage. Not to mention they tend to be a little bit on the bright and aggressive side.

Insignia? lol. That's a Best Buy store brand. That's not exactly hi-fi material. That's like going to Radio Shack and buying Nexxus. It just isn't done.




Ok. Forget the Klipsch, unless budget restrictions place you in their zone. Definitely forget the Pioneer and the Insignia.

I just thought of something that will make you melt.

B&W (Bowers & Wilkins in the UK) makes an absolutely dynamite bookshelf speaker. The 600 series is off the hook. Killer stuff. I tried to find you an online dealer and I can't. B&W actually makes one of the BEST loudspeakers on the planet.

Yamaha makes a really good powered subwoofer. Tight control. Punchy, not over-exaggerated like the Klipsch will be. Paradigm makes a really good one as well, but I think that you will find it to be expensive, a little bit out of your range.

Yamaha also makes a good center channel, as does B&W.

You could pick up B&W for the rears or opt for a pair of Audio Research (if they're still around??)

Here's another scenario. Wharfedale isn't TOO bad. A little thin sounding, but they're also quite cheap. You can pick up two pairs of the Diamond 9.0 and then grab a Yamaha center channel.

Scenario number next. Grab two sets of Mission M30i's and a Mission center channel. I'm not crazy about Mission subs, but I suppose they get the job done. I'll stick with Paradigm or Yamaha.

Lastly, look into Magnepan. They make killer speakers. They are made in Minnesota, and they make the Magneplanar, which is infamous. They are supposed to be a little cheaper than the B&Ws, so check them out...

Trust me, you'll love the sound of this stuff. So you'll have to spend a few extra bucks, but your ears will thank me.
 
Last edited:
SirKenin said:
Oh man...

Ummm

Honestly? Bluntly? Don't hate me? Well.. You can if you want.

Pioneer completely sucks the big one. Totally. They only have one decent lineup, and that's the Pioneer Elite series. Unfortunately it's priced high enough that the average person won't buy it.

Klipsch.. ehh. Some of there stuff is ok, but I can't stand horns. Too directional and not really optimal for setting a good sound stage. Not to mention they tend to be a little bit on the bright and aggressive side.

Insignia? lol. That's a Best Buy store brand. That's not exactly hi-fi material. That's like going to Radio Shack and buying Nexxus. It just isn't done.




Ok. Forget the Klipsch, unless budget restrictions place you in their zone. Definitely forget the Pioneer and the Insignia.

I just thought of something that will make you melt.

B&W (Bowers & Wilkins in the UK) makes an absolutely dynamite bookshelf speaker. The 600 series is off the hook. Killer stuff. I tried to find you an online dealer and I can't. B&W actually makes one of the BEST loudspeakers on the planet.

Yamaha makes a really good powered subwoofer. Tight control. Punchy, not over-exaggerated like the Klipsch will be. Paradigm makes a really good one as well, but I think that you will find it to be expensive, a little bit out of your range.

Yamaha also makes a good center channel, as does B&W.

You could pick up B&W for the rears or opt for a pair of Audio Research (if they're still around??)

Here's another scenario. Wharfedale isn't TOO bad. A little thin sounding, but they're also quite cheap. You can pick up two pairs of the Diamond 9.0 and then grab a Yamaha center channel.

Scenario number next. Grab two sets of Mission M30i's and a Mission center channel. I'm not crazy about Mission subs, but I suppose they get the job done. I'll stick with Paradigm or Yamaha.

Lastly, look into Magnepan. They make killer speakers. They are made in Minnesota, and they make the Magneplanar, which is infamous. They are supposed to be a little cheaper than the B&Ws, so check them out...

Trust me, you'll love the sound of this stuff. So you'll have to spend a few extra bucks, but your ears will thank me.
Click to expand...

Google the Insignia speakers.

And the Pioneer pairs well with the Insignia because they're bright.
 
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