I hate to ask this, but - what 5.1 + sub setup should I get with ~$500?

ATH · 01-25-2005, 11:17 PM

Moving out my condo soon, and I'm now on a budget since I'm funding my own startup. I've been using my roomate's PSB Image series speakers + Velodyne sub with my setup, but since I'm moving out, I need speakers and a sub, and I don't want to spend more than $500 or so.

I have a Rotel 1055 to power them and Tara Labs cabling to wire them. I've been looking at the Hsu Ventriloquist, but might want to try to get something used, or maybe even forgo 5.1 and get a good set of used mains and a used sub...

Any ideas? Since I have the ear for decent equipment now, I fear a crappier set of speakers will disappoint me - so maybe a decent used set is the best idea. The reviews for the Ventiloquist are positive, but reviewers said they will distort at high levels, being tiny satellites. Maybe an Energy set (like the Take 6) would be good as well...

Rubberduckie · 01-26-2005, 06:54 AM

...I mean really horrible.
Your best bet with $500 is to buy a nice pair of used speakers (ebay etc) just for stereo sound. You have a fine receiver and it's designed to drive quality speakers. Really good stereo is faaaaaaaaar better than poor surround sound.
Sound quality always is more stimulating than sound effects.
Even if you had a budget of $2500, I'd still suggest you go with $2500 worth of front L&R and save for the rest of the surround set-up.
PSB are okay speakers, but there are plenty of other speakers with a more remarkable sound quality to them than PSB.

docmusolf · 01-26-2005, 07:06 AM

http://www.mksound.com/mp4512.htm

ATH · 01-26-2005, 09:29 AM

rbt · 01-26-2005, 12:09 PM

..these out; a little out of left field but worth a serious look:

Magnepan's entry level

ATH · 01-26-2005, 01:36 PM

I just went and demoed some Kef Q series bookshelf speakers, and was very impressed with their performance (only $450 for the pair). I think that plus a decent used sub might be the way to go, but I'll check out these MMG's too. Thanks!

rbt · 01-26-2005, 03:17 PM

the smaller ones don't put out a lot of bass (quantitatively), but what bass they do make is v. nice (qualitatively). they're not very efficient, and won't play at rock-concert levels. but with careful placement their sound will be absolutely addicting. later you can pair 'em up with a decent sub for a nice combo. when I get a bigger amp, I will most likely have some big Maggies myself.

ATH · 01-26-2005, 04:01 PM

For some it might be better for me to get some Kef's and a sub...

Also my Rotel is only 75W RMS at 8ohms, so not sure if it would be enough power for these.

hwj · 01-26-2005, 04:29 PM

Won't break the bank, either.

Rubberduckie · 01-26-2005, 05:29 PM

01-26-2005, 06:54 AM	#2
Rubberduckie AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 21,855	$500 will buy you a lousy set of 5 speakers, even without a sub.. ...I mean really horrible. Your best bet with $500 is to buy a nice pair of used speakers (ebay etc) just for stereo sound. You have a fine receiver and it's designed to drive quality speakers. Really good stereo is faaaaaaaaar better than poor surround sound. Sound quality always is more stimulating than sound effects. Even if you had a budget of $2500, I'd still suggest you go with $2500 worth of front L&R and save for the rest of the surround set-up. PSB are okay speakers, but there are plenty of other speakers with a more remarkable sound quality to them than PSB. __________________ Sig' begineth here:

01-26-2005, 07:06 AM	#3
docmusolf Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,139	try this http://www.mksound.com/mp4512.htm __________________

01-26-2005, 09:29 AM	#4
ATH Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 11,383	Interesting, I'll see if I can demo that somewhere, thanks __________________

01-26-2005, 12:09 PM	#5
rbt AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 18,792	^^listen to this guy. as far as a suggestion there's plenty out there but check ..these out; a little out of left field but worth a serious look: Magnepan's entry level __________________

01-26-2005, 01:36 PM	#6
ATH Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 11,383	Definitely, thinking getting a pair of good speakers and upgrading later is the best bet I just went and demoed some Kef Q series bookshelf speakers, and was very impressed with their performance (only $450 for the pair). I think that plus a decent used sub might be the way to go, but I'll check out these MMG's too. Thanks! __________________

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01-26-2005, 03:17 PM	#7
rbt AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 18,792	"Maggies" are definitely a different breed the smaller ones don't put out a lot of bass (quantitatively), but what bass they do make is v. nice (qualitatively). they're not very efficient, and won't play at rock-concert levels. but with careful placement their sound will be absolutely addicting. later you can pair 'em up with a decent sub for a nice combo. when I get a bigger amp, I will most likely have some big Maggies myself. __________________

01-26-2005, 04:01 PM	#8
ATH Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 11,383	They seem like they might be great for music, but I need primarily something for movies For some it might be better for me to get some Kef's and a sub... Also my Rotel is only 75W RMS at 8ohms, so not sure if it would be enough power for these. __________________

01-26-2005, 04:29 PM	#9
hwj AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 17,079	I think Paradigm Monitors make excellent speakers for movies. Won't break the bank, either. __________________ Hugh Current: 2001 BMW M5 Former: 2000 Audi S4

01-26-2005, 05:29 PM	#10
Rubberduckie AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 21,855	Now you're talking. __________________ Sig' begineth here:

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