Opinions on HT for a friend

ROHfan

My buddy is considering a new system for his condo (he's new to HT) and he had asked me for some guidance with his purchase.

He lives in an attached condo complex and these are his requirements:

-No overwhelming subwoofer that would annoy neighbors
-7.1 for PLIIz
-excellent clarity in movie soundtracks
-WiFi. AirPlay may suffice, though, doesn't want to run ethernet
-Speakers can't be huge. He has a slim 60" TV and the front door entrance takes you right through the HT between the TV and the couch
-Must be under $1K

I'm looking at the Onkyo HT-S5600 as an all-in-one solution--it seems to meet all my friend's requirements. And it has Audyssey. I would also be selling him my bass shakers and amp to supplement the lower subwoofer volumes. I like the specs on this Onkyo system but I can't vouch for their speakers. Any opinions? Has anyone heard this system? Anyone have any other suggestions?

FastGame

So many ways to go on the AVR. Speakers look no further than the modified Pioneer SP-BS22-LR , for the surrounds the un-modified Pioneer SP-BS21-LR should work, unless he wants every thing exact then another set of mod SP-BS22-LR.

http://philharmonicaudio.com/folio-me/html/Phil%20Pages/AALS.html

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS21-LR-80-Watts-2-Way-Speakers/dp/B004MEWZE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395277027&sr=8-1&keywords=SP-BS21-LR

ROHfan

FastGame wrote: »

So many ways to go on the AVR. Speakers look no further than the modified Pioneer SP-BS22-LR , for the surrounds the un-modified Pioneer SP-BS21-LR should work, unless he wants every thing exact then another set of mod SP-BS22-LR.

http://philharmonicaudio.com/folio-me/html/Phil%20Pages/AALS.html

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS21-LR-80-Watts-2-Way-Speakers/dp/B004MEWZE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395277027&sr=8-1&keywords=SP-BS21-LR

We're not looking to mod anything and those Pioneers, while very good for the price, are a little too big for the area.

WLDock

Consider a separate AVR and a 5.1 or 7.1 set. Maybe the Energy Take Classic 5.1 + bookshelf set with the $550 7.1 AVR of choice. Could find an Elite SC for that. The Energy speakers offer a lot for the money and have been reviewed well for ages.

Energy Take Classic 5.1 - $300
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001202C44?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=as2

Energy CB-5
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/4-1-2-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-pair/9784232.p?id=1218173773218&skuId=9784232&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=2

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/energy-take-classic-speaker-system

rpf65

Slightly over your budget, but I'll still through it out.

Cambridge Audio Minx S212v2 with Onkyo TX-NR626 for $1000. This is 5.1, but the Minx Min11 are $95 each, so can add extra 2. Available at Amazon.

Speakers seemed well liked in reviews, and very small.

ROHfan

Walt, I was thinking about Energy but don't know anyone who has heard them. Although that review you posted puts them in top contention, I think. There's only so much that can be had from small speakers and I can only hope that my friend catches "the bug" and starts looking to upgrade soon. Then we can talk nice bookies!

Thanks, rpf, but he can't really go over $1k, and those look way too small to sound decent. MHO, of course.

drummer86

FastGame wrote: »

So many ways to go on the AVR. Speakers look no further than the modified Pioneer SP-BS22-LR , for the surrounds the un-modified Pioneer SP-BS21-LR should work, unless he wants every thing exact then another set of mod SP-BS22-LR.

http://philharmonicaudio.com/folio-me/html/Phil%20Pages/AALS.html

I didn't even know these existed. Have you heard these? Sounds like a killer deal at $150/pair

cnh

The Take Classic by Energy is not bad at all in a smaller room. Perhaps the "best" in its class. So that's something to think about if you need the "space".

Onkyo HT packages are probably also a best value. The speakers are not great but better than MOST HTIB packages so that's something to consider on a budget.

If you can up the budget, why not Polk Blackstones and a sub? Definitely some quality there! And small footprint!

cnh

WLDock

ROHfan wrote: »

Walt, I was thinking about Energy but don't know anyone who has heard them. Although that review you posted puts them in top contention, I think. There's only so much that can be had from small speakers and I can only hope that my friend catches "the bug" and starts looking to upgrade soon. Then we can talk nice bookies!
Thanks, rpf, but he can't really go over $1k, and those look way too small to sound decent. MHO, of course.

I agree that there is only so much to gain from small speakers so don't spend a ton on them. I've heard energy speakers before and they are nice for the dollar. I would do these or the larger Pioneers before the Onkyo A.I.O. But for $300 not sure what would sound or look better?

More reviews:
http://www.audioholics.com/soundbar-and-satellite-speaker-reviews/energy-take-classic-review
http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/energy_take_classic.htm
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/energy-take-classic-5/4505-7868_7-33310963.html
http://home-audio.toptenreviews.com/home-theater-speakers/energy-take-classic-review.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405955,00.asp
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/home-theater-speaker-systems/energy-speaker-systems/take-5/prd_119515_4282crx.aspx

FastGame

drummer86 wrote: »

I didn't even know these existed. Have you heard these? Sounds like a killer deal at $150/pair

They are "killer" my neighbor bought the setup. Dennis @Philharmonic wouldn't have messed with them if they didn't have some kind of magic. I found out today he's not doing the 22 bookie any more, he's going to do the SP-FS52 Floor Standing which sounds better after the mod...the mod is harder for him to do but he feels that model is worth it. He's still going to mod the center channel speaker.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers/SP-FS52

You can read about the Pioneer's in this thread http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=113182.0 Dennis doesn't show up till later in the thread, Andrew Jones even chimes in.

rooftop59

this seems to met the needs for a receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/onkhtrc460/onkyo-ht-rc460-7.2-channel-network-a/v-receiver/1.html

And I have heard Onkyo speakers in the past, not a fan. I really like the energy speakers that I have owned, so combined with the reviews I would go with those...

rooftop59

rooftop59 wrote: »

this seems to met the needs for a receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/onkhtrc460/onkyo-ht-rc460-7.2-channel-network-a/v-receiver/1.html

another possibility for speakers: for 5.1- http://www.ebay.com/itm/TL1600-BLACK-5-1-SAT-HTS-Home-Theater-Speaker-System-Polk-Audio-/390742200680?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5afa0cd168

2 of these for heights- http://www.ebay.com/itm/TL1-BLACK-Compact-Satellite-Speaker-Polk-Audio-EACH-/360852691628?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item54047f1aac

and he is 200 under budget for cables that all newbs forget about!

leftwinger57

If you or your friend are into smalls for your speakers then take a look at Klipsch # 500 h/d speaker set w/ 8" powered woofer. All the fronts and rears are the same and the center is not all that bigger. It out classed any other sets I tried out at the time including Def-Tec,Polk and another maker whose name escapes me for the minute. Logistics at a premium, these are rated for a full 100watts and the sub is more than adequite for an apartment. Set also comes w/ rubber feet or wall mount brackets. Avr, your on your own.The Pioneer SC line is looked upon greatly here.

rooftop59

oohh this would be even better if he is willing to give up the 7.1. Much bigger sound!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Definitive-Technology-ProCinema-800-5-1-HT-Speaker-System-QEMA-/191107182446?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2c7ee02f6e

WLDock

rooftop59 wrote: »

oohh this would be even better if he is willing to give up the 7.1. Much bigger sound!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Definitive-Technology-ProCinema-800-5-1-HT-Speaker-System-QEMA-/191107182446?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2c7ee02f6e

Those are nice. Add this Pioneer SC-1222-K http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SC-1222-K-7-2-Channel-Network-Ready-AV-Receiver-/141225648150?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item20e1b46016 to those Definitives or the Energy set and they will be golden!

ken brydson

WLDock wrote: »

Those are nice. Add this Pioneer SC-1222-K http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-SC-1222-K-7-2-Channel-Network-Ready-AV-Receiver-/141225648150?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item20e1b46016 to those Definitives or the Energy set and they will be golden!

Makes me feel really good about my 1222k purchase at Costco for $399...

WLDock

Come on man,

120 watts x 7 Class D3, Dolby Pro-Logic IIz, DTS HD, MCACC, TrueHD, AirPlay, HTC Connect, Networking, 3D Capable, Marvel Qdeo1080p/24fps

Whats not to like? great buy for $399!

...And if the OP's friend gets one with either of those sets...he will piss off his neighbors at some point...Oh Well? He will have to invite them over sometime to watch a Blu-Ray and stay in close contact. They can always call when things get too loud.

I just put together less of a system than the above for a family member and they noticed the big difference watching Blu-Ray vs. DVD on the super crappy $100 all-in-one a/v system.

ken brydson

WLDock wrote: »

Come on man,

120 watts x 7 Class D3, Dolby Pro-Logic IIz, DTS HD, MCACC, TrueHD, AirPlay, HTC Connect, Networking, 3D Capable, Marvel Qdeo1080p/24fps

Whats not to like? great buy for $399!

...And if the OP's friend gets one with either of those sets...he will piss off his neighbors at some point...Oh Well? He will have to invite them over sometime to watch a Blu-Ray and stay in close contact. They can always call when things get too loud.

I just put together less of a system than the above for a family member and they noticed the big difference watching Blu-Ray vs. DVD on the super crappy $100 all-in-one a/v system.

You misunderstood my post. I agree with your recommendation, was feeling good about my $399 purchase vs your link for $479. Even at $479 it's a steal for a rebadged SC61.

WLDock

ROHfan wrote: »

Walt, I was thinking about Energy but don't know anyone who has heard them. Although that review you posted puts them in top contention, I think. There's only so much that can be had from small speakers and I can only hope that my friend catches "the bug" and starts looking to upgrade soon. Then we can talk nice bookies!
Thanks, rpf, but he can't really go over $1k, and those look way too small to sound decent. MHO, of course.

What's the latest. what did they go with? Looks like the Energy set is a front page deal again over at Slickdeals.net: http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/116282/amazon---energy-take-classic-system-5.1-home-theater-system?#comments

Great feedback here:

WUSS from slickdeals.net wrote:

Just ordered these a few weeks ago from the previous same deal from Amazon. It actually replaced two Infinity P-363 towers and a Polk RM-7 Center channel (only setup 3 speakers for now).

I didn't do the rear 2, but I have the Energy left, center, right and sub setup. The sound is considerably better overall. By better, I mean better range, clearer/fuller dialog, and better imaging.

I have to admit, I was pretty surprised at how small they were. I knew they'd be small, but not as small as they were, and was skeptical at the sound they put out. I trusted the 94820394 reviews I read prior to my purchase.

Does not disappoint. I know a lot of cheap 5.1 mini-speaker sets get glowing reviews, but in my experience, those reviews are being written/shared by people who are coming from practically nothing. So obviously any full surround sound will be a step up. The thing about the Energy Classic's that blows my mind, is that it's not good for a mini 5.1 setup. It's good vs ANY 5.1 setup below 1k. (maybe even above, depending on what you're comparing it to).

I've had an Onkyo 5.1 setup, as well as my Infinity towers, and the Energy's blow them out of the water.

Still trying to get over how that sound comes from such a small speaker. My manliness almost feels inadequate hanging these little black cubes on the wall.

Cricky101 @ slickdeals.net wrote:

I've had my Take 5 set (although I didn't get the subwoofer - have a different Klipsch model) for more than 4 years and don't have any regrets. I'm actually debating picking up a second set to make a 3.1 setup in my bedroom and use the leftovers to fill out a 7.1 system in the living room.

Dobermann

The Denon/Boston Acoustics packages are really good for a HTIB and about half your friend's budget. I'd go with that, and save the leftover for upgrading speakers later.