Need help with 5.1 Speaker suggestion please.?

Question

My Sony Receiver just die and Im getting Denon AVR-2807 Receiver after reading many reviews. The problem is, I have a bose 5.1 AM10 Speaker and was never really impress with it when pairing up with the sony receiver. I was thinking about changing speaker, should I keep the bose or chuck it?? If I chuck it, any recommendation on what is a good 5.1 speakers for a budget of 500-1k? I'm a newbie at audio but want the best home theater for on a budget. Thanks

Answer 1

Ahhh... my specialty. The perfect price range to be targeting for a new setup!

First off, ditch the Bose if you are serious about building a system you'll be really proud of. Need convincing?
http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html
But more than just Bose-trashing, it's about finding the perfect set of speakers for you. Do you want little wall-mounters, bookshelves, or even floorstanders? Wood or slick black finish? Ten years ago the equivalent of $750 wouldn't open up all these choices to you. Now, it's amazing what you can get.

My choices would be:

1) X-Series from AV123. Just take a look at these for $300 per pair (floorstanding) or $220 per pair (bookshelf). Great components, super-solid build, and beautiful finishes. One note, these speaker cabinets are deep. They are no little 7" deep wall-mounters.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

The floorstanders aren't quite available yet, nor are the new wood finishes from their new Cali, Colombia factory. Nice looking though:
http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14549

In your price range, these would be my definite choice. But that's becuase I am a huge fan of the company, their level of customer service, and I want real hardwood. But there are other very good companies, too.

2) SVS (the bass authority - these guys know subwoofers) bookshelf setup. These are cool little black speakers, and their package price for 5 is $588. Add a sub for a good deal in their packages. A heck of a package, within your budget. And the smaller size and black color may be a good way to jump up in sound quality, without a radically different look than the Bose.
www.svsound.com

3) Axiom Audio. They have a bunch of good stuff. One nice thing is the huge choice of finishes.
www.axiomaudio.com

These 3 companies are really doing some great things with internet-direct selling. Satisfaction is fully guaranteed (by them, not me; I'm just a huge fan of the recent advances in the building and selling of speakers in this price range).

All 3 have great offerings in the range of $550-$650 for 5 speakers, leaving you plenty for a small subwoofer. However, you can certainly start with one of these speaker packages without a sub. You will miss out on the very lowest frequencies, of course, but all of these are capable of getting down to around the 50hz range. Stepping up from 2" drivers all around you to 6.5" midrange drivers with separate high-quality tweeters will make a huge difference in the soundstage, fullness, and overall quality of your sound.

There are others. Let me know if you want more ranting. $1k in your pocket and a desire to learn about home theater and put together a system to be proud of is a heck of a fun place to be!


Cheers,
-Dave
[e-mail]

Answer 2

Dump the Bose system. I think their home theater systems are really weak. If you want a good speaker system for under $1K, listen to Onkyo or Infiniti, or Boston Acoustics. All are good, but of course speakers are a matter of personal preference. I own a Boston system & love it, but the Onkyo & Infiniti get great reviews as well. Avoid Cambridge Soundworks -- total crapola.
You'll love the Denon reciever. I have a 3805, and it rocks (but is difficult to use & set up). Also check out Onkyo receivers. They sound great too & are easier to use than th eDenon.

Answer 3

DO NOT BUY anything untill you have heard AXIOM speakers. I have them and I love them!

You can spend $1000 more and get a slightly better speaker, but if you spend less you will get a much lower quality speaker.

The reviews don't lie, and I'm not telling a lie either. Axiom speakers are amazing. And their customer service is better than any I've ever seen. go here... www.axiomaudio.com

Good luck.

Answer 4

Chuck the Bose, and get a set of Klipsch. They will fit in your price range, are pretty easy to find and demo and are a good performer!