[Emuc64]

Hello Tonyvdb & JJ,

As Tony has said "Stay away form Fluance they use junky drivers and will not last." in a post last year regarding the Fluance speakers and JJ hasn't had first hand experience with them. So I'm hesitant, even if they're including 2 extra satellites (7.0 system) for $371 shipped as a holiday special. My needs are "50% gaming, 40% movies/tv shows, 10% music". What do you two use your systems for?

You're both saying get the best I can with what I got, even if it's only 2 speakers. Well, I've spent $944 thus far for an Onkyo SR707 and Outlaw LFM-1 Plus. They were great deals. However, my original budget is $1200. What can I buy for $260 (shipped) that will last me years and years? I'll even consider audiogon or some similar site.

I found out that I'm not an upgrader type of person, so whatever I buy would likely stay with me for a while. Therefore, resell value doesn't really matter to me as much as bang-for-the-buck. As you can see, I've little buck at this point so I'm trying to stretch it as best as possible.

Thanks,
H

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello Tonyvdb & JJ,

As Tony has said "Stay away form Fluance they use junky drivers and will not last." in a post last year regarding the Fluance speakers and JJ hasn't had first hand experience with them. So I'm hesitant, even if they're including 2 extra satellites (7.0 system) for $371 shipped as a holiday special. My needs are "50% gaming, 40% movies/tv shows, 10% music". What do you two use your systems for?

You're both saying get the best I can with what I got, even if it's only 2 speakers. Well, I've spent $944 thus far for an Onkyo SR707 and Outlaw LFM-1 Plus. They were great deals. However, my original budget is $1200. What can I buy for $260 (shipped) that will last me years and years? I'll even consider audiogon or some similar site.

I found out that I'm not an upgrader type of person, so whatever I buy would likely stay with me for a while. Therefore, resell value doesn't really matter to me as much as bang-for-the-buck. As you can see, I've little buck at this point so I'm trying to stretch it as best as possible.

Thanks,
H

Hello,
At this point, I would not recommend the Fluance. As I have repeatedly stated, I am utterly astonished at how cheap they are. I never even knew there were full sized speakers available for this little. You honestly have some really good gear so far and I think you are really going to be happy when all is said and done. I will start looking and get back to you. Can the "260 shipped" be for only 2 speakers? Also, is 260 the absolute most you can spend?

I use my system for all categories but karaoke. Blu Ray, PS3 Gaming, much TV, XBOX360, DVD, etc...
A quality system should be adept in all categories. At least that is the goal.
Cheers,
JJ

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
If you need to stay at that budget and really want 5.1 right now, the Energy Take 5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269004 at 179.99. Energy makes quality speakers. I will also look for preowned, but this is my 5 channel choice if you have to stay at that budget.

I see you already brought it up. Looks like the Take 5 has been discontinued. They are rated down to 115 Hz which means your sub is going to be responsible for a great deal. Good thing you bough such a nice one. Should you decide this. What is your zip? Will look locally as well.
Cheers,
JJ

 

[Emuc64]

Hello,

JJ, Thanks for continuing to provide input and search out for stuff. My zip is 21114. Running the numbers again... my budget is at max $280. Unexpected things came up over the weekend.

80% of me really wants 5.1 sound to take advantage of how games/movies are made. So the Energy Take 5 speakers are on my list. Also, What do you all think of the Klipsch Quintet III? Amazon, through Vanns, has them for $199 (free shipping). The frequency response on those are a bit higher (120hz sat/125hz cent) than the Energy (115hz sat/110hz cent). The power is (50W sat/75W cent) and (100W sat & cent) respectively. Sensitivity is higher on the Klipsch (91db/94db) than the Energy (89db).

20% of me has been convinced by you guys to consider 2 speakers. So if there's something totally awesome out there, please let me know and I'll seriously consider it.

Many thanks,
H

 

[Emuc64]

Hi Again,

I have found another 5 speaker deal that fits in my budget. Energy C-50 for $45 each. I was thinking about getting 5 of them and using one as a center since the C-C50 was not available. They seem to be better than the Klipsch Quintet III or Energy Take 5 while still within my budget. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
H

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
That looks like a really good deal. I like that their frequency response is rated down to 65 Hz. This means they should blend nicely with your subwoofer being crossed over at 80 Hz.

Energy makes quality speakers and the C-50 really should fit the bill and budget
Cheers,
JJ

 

[TonyG]

There are a couple of the C-C50s on Ebay available via buy-it-now. Those are cherry finish, so I don't know if they match the C-50s you found. With a 4.5" woofer, I'd probably cross these over at 90hz or so. A friend of mine had the Take 5s a few years ago, and they were quite good for the price, but these probably are a better match for your system. You're doing great with your budget. Figure it out, pull the trigger, and enjoy your system. There's always something better, but the system you have is a good basis for years of enjoyment.

Edit, I forgot to include that the shipping on the Ebay item is likely $25-30.

 

[Emuc64]

Hello,

Many thanks to (in order of appearance) Jungle Jack, tonyvdb, selden, salvasol, lsiberian, and TonyG. Thanks to all of your input, advice, and time spent on replying, I've managed to put in the order for my new system. It's no $50,000 home theater system, but I think you've all helped me get something much better than a HTiB.

Onkyo SR707 - $477
Outlaw LFM-1 Plus - $467
5x Energy C-50 - $222.50
===========================================
Total Out the Door (incl. shipping, taxes, etc.) - $1166.50

Yes, kept it under my original $1200 budget!! Whew! :sweat:

Now, I'm excited to get everything in. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along. But I wanted to give a quick thanks to everyone who chimed in.:clap:

Sincerely,
H

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
Compared to a HTIB, this is a 50K system. You were able to put together a system with a retail of over 2 thousand Dollars before taxes for almost half that. The great thing is all of these components, at retail, represent excellent value so you did doubly good. I really think you are going to be blown away. That Outlaw Subwoofer pumps out the jams.
Cheers,
JJ

 

[tonyvdb]

great job with your choices! You wont be disapionted. Its nice to see someone who takes advice and runs with it :T

 

[salvasol]

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along. But I wanted to give a quick thanks to everyone who chimed in.:clap:

Glad to be of help....More questions???...no problem; We're here to learn and to help each other :T

 

[Jon Liu]

VERY good choices for components! I think you did a fantastic job as the others have pointed out on getting an outstanding system and making it work within your budget!!

 

[Emuc64]

Glad to be of help....More questions???...no problem; We're here to learn and to help each other :T

Hi,

Thanks for encouraging questions. So, here goes: A member previously mentioned running a speaker "hot" so that I can hear dialog from a center speaker. Seeing the efficiencies in the speakers I bought "Sensitivity (anechoic) 85dB Sensitivity (2 speakers in a typical room) 88dB", does this mean... if I need to dial up the volume, that it'll reduce the life of the speaker because it needs to run hotter than a more efficient speaker?

Too many words let me try this again. Will using a higher wattage, due to my speakers inefficiency, reduce it's life?

Thanks,
H

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
You are only raising the level on the amplifier channel. Life of the speaker should not be affected unless playing at super high level which causes the receiver's amplifier to go into clipping.

When you raise the level on a speaker channel, it can change what the maximum volume level is. It should be quite uncommon to playback above Reference Level (0 Db) on a THX Processor/Receiver Instead of +15, it might be +10. Not citing a specific model of receiver just throwing a number out there.

Raising the Center Channel level can increase dialogue volume in quiet, atmospheric movies. Or ones where the Center Channel Surround mix is recorded too soft or quiet. Should have no adverse effects.
It is common where the Center Channel level is raised and in fact, you can temporarily raise the level and it not change the calibrated settings. Often, power cycling will result in the Center Channel level being set at calibrated level.
Cheers,
JJ

 

[Emuc64]

...in fact, you can temporarily raise the level and it not change the calibrated settings.

Hello,

Pardon my inexperience in this. Umm... How do I temporarily change the level? If I go to the center speaker selection and raise the db, wouldn't that take as the new calibrated settings? If my receiver had profiles I can set, that's how it would know to revert back to calibrated settings, right? Otherwise, how?

I've not hooked up my receiver yet and well, I can only get so far with the manual just visualizing until my brain hurts. I'm better at playing around with settings WHILE looking at the manual at the same time.

Okay, thanks for any clarification.
H.

 

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
At least on my Onkyo, press Channel Select and the level + button to raise the level after choosing Center Channel (each speaker including subwoofer shows up)
Cheers,
JJ

 

[DougMac]

Loudness and clarity

Hello,

1) If I were to find that dialog through a center speaker were not very clear, would turning up the volume on the center speaker only (assuming you can do that) be the only way to hear dialog?

This is one reason responders have tried to gently push you towards expanding your budget a little. Often lack of clarity is caused by lack of speaker quality. Turning up the volume doesn't bring clarity, it just makes bad sound louder.

SVS is having a great sale on their bookshelf speakers. A 5.0 set is $200 off, at just $399. Throw in a PB-10 NSD and for $800 you'll have a great sound 5.1 system. That will leave you enough to buy a nice receiver.

I have Ascends and an SVS PB-12 NSD. The Ascends are great, but would bust your budget. I've measured my PB-12 NSD in my home theater and it's flat from 17-80hz. It will literally shake the walls even at moderate volume!

 

[lsiberian]

This statement is not factual, most speaker manufacturers clearly state in there manuals that come with the speakers that break in is going to change the sound over the first few weeks of use.

It actually is factual from a mechanical perspective.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/speaker-break-in-fact-or-fiction is good overview.

Manufacturers include this so people won't return their speakers. The first few weeks are the adjustment period to new speaker's defects. :crying: But there aren't perfect speakers(B&W 802's get close)
so it's to expected.

 

[lsiberian]

Hello,

Many thanks to (in order of appearance) Jungle Jack, tonyvdb, selden, salvasol, lsiberian, and TonyG. Thanks to all of your input, advice, and time spent on replying, I've managed to put in the order for my new system. It's no $50,000 home theater system, but I think you've all helped me get something much better than a HTiB.

Onkyo SR707 - $477
Outlaw LFM-1 Plus - $467
5x Energy C-50 - $222.50
===========================================
Total Out the Door (incl. shipping, taxes, etc.) - $1166.50

Yes, kept it under my original $1200 budget!! Whew! :sweat:

Now, I'm excited to get everything in. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along. But I wanted to give a quick thanks to everyone who chimed in.:clap:

Sincerely,
H

Well done. I think you will really enjoy that setup for years to come. If you don't and get the upgrade bug. You know where to come. :R

 

[Emuc64]

Well done. I think you will really enjoy that setup for years to come. If you don't and get the upgrade bug. You know where to come. :R

Hi,

Again, it’s thanks to everyone here that I got something that works well with my budget. My current salary and wallet will assure me that I’m immunized from the upgrade bug. For now.

After I get married and a house, then we’ll see about how everything will sound in a new room. I’ll definitely come here for more sound advice.

H.