$1800-2000 to spend /Noob needs help

triage1998
triage1998 Posts: 11
edited July 2008 in Speakers
Hello everyone. New guy here.

What would you all recommend if you had $1800-2000 to start with?

I am looking for speakers and receiver.

I had a pretty nice Polk Audio speakers when I was in college 17 years ago but sadly when I was home on Christmas break my house on campus was broken into and everything was stolen including the sheets on my bed:mad:

I don't need a 5.1 setup right now. 2.1 setup? What would you get?

mostly 75% movies and TV with about 25% music in a 19'x13' rectangular room. 8' ceilings, 3 walls rough cut cedar and one wall slate tiles where a wood burning stove will be on far side of room. small couch and 1 chair. 3 doors. 1 going into laundry room, 1 going in to bathroom and 1 going into storage/crawl space.

I should add I have small children so bookshelves mounted on the wall will be a must.
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
Post edited by triage1998 on
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2007
    You're a heavy movie watcher but don't want 5.1? Not that you couldn't get a sweet system concentrating your money on 2.1, but why not interested in unlocking the HT potential?
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited April 2007
    I have a pair of Polk Lsi9 (Bookshelves) and a Polk LsiC (Center) for sale... Just in case you want them.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51524
    -?¿-
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited April 2007
    I think Haimoc's sale would be an excellent place to start...
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    cheddar- i would love to get a 5.1 sytem right now but can I on a $1800-$2000 budget including the receiver?

    haimoc- Let me do some research on those speakers and I will get back to you.
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2007
    with that budget

    monitor 60
    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4101633?JSESSIONID=Gp10j8YRWxywbsp52h2FxKXKqvLSBrKj2CpJtnp5sRdqvxtLyMTT!2131855854!-1414812095&site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"
    csi3
    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3810347?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"
    fxi3
    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3826477?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"
    psw404
    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3533024?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"

    ONKYO TX-SR604B
    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4938811?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    zombie boy 2000- your probably right.

    Say I bought haimoc speakers. What would you ad to them to get 5.1 and what about a receiver?

    I probably can kick my budget up to around $2500-2600 if i needed to.
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited April 2007
    triage1998,

    Please take your time....
    -?¿-
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    monitor 60

    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4101633?JSESSIONID=Gp10j8YRWxywbsp52h2FxKXKqvLSBrK j2CpJtnp5sRdqvxtLyMTT!2131855854!-1414812095&site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"

    csi3


    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3810347?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"

    fxi3

    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3826477?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"


    psw404

    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/3533024?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"

    ONKYO TX-SR604B

    http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4938811?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG"

    Let me take a look at this setup JimBRICK. Thanks for the links
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2007
    np happy listening
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited April 2007
    Triage... if you're willing to go used, your initial budget of $2000 will have you in an unbelievable system. IMO a much, much better system than the one you found at Fry's.

    And at $2500, your options are endless. Let me get this straight though...
    you're wishing to build a 2.1 system? There is nothing wrong with this, as this is what I have chosen to do. I just wanted to clarify what we're working with.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2007
    2 channel system its a no brainer

    I just bought a pair of lsi15's and an lsic (for stereo movies) a nad reciever and amlooking for a nad power amp. but I've only spent 1600 CAD so far
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    zombie boy 2000- I would like a 5.1 but with my budget of $1800-$2000 I thought I couldn't get a decent system at that price. Like I said I am a noob to this and would prefer a 5.1 for movies and such
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2007
    triage1998 wrote: »
    zombie boy 2000- your probably right.

    Say I bought haimoc speakers. What would you ad to them to get 5.1 and what about a receiver?

    I probably can kick my budget up to around $2500-2600 if i needed to.


    Triage. The LSI series is polk's top of the line. They are hard to find proper amplification for, however to get the best sound out of them. If you will be buying a midrange receiver, you might consider the RTi line as they're easier to match.

    Also, I was thinking you could go with a 2.1 set-up now just to get you back into things but with an eye towards eventually filling out the system to 5.1. Then you could put a little more money into the receiver now, get two nice RTi bookshelves for instance and eventually move them to the back as surrounds when you upgrade.

    If you go the LSi route, though, you're talking big bucks to do the same thing since you have to be concerned with amplification. And may be looking at a nice pre-amp with seperate amplification. You can still go for the 2.1 LSi system but have to be more careful about the components. But it will start you off much better in terms of quality.
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    Cheddar that was the problem. If I go the LSi route on a 5.1 I run out of my budget on amplification.

    I could go the 2.1 route and go LSi now and drop the bucks on a receiver now and add other components later.

    Recommendations?
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited April 2007
    Triage... it will save you more money in the long run to get the best you can now and build from that. In other words, I would start with an excellent 2.1 system as opposed to a mediocre 5.1 system. This will keep you from having to shell out even more money to trade in the "mediocre" 5.1 system for the one you really want in the future.

    Haimoc said it best. Take your time.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2007
    if you go lsi think about this ultra theater series pair
    899 plus free shipping
    my friend purchased one and it sounds great
    http://www.emotiva.com/products.html

    and has TONS of power for lsi's
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited April 2007
    Now let's get the obvious out of the way...
    drop your plans for a receiver. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of good ones out there. But your proposed budget allows you to consider separates (such as external amplication and preamps). And for the most part, these will provide much better sonics than your standard AVR. Are you aware of these?
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2007
    Well obviously if you will eventually want an LSi level system, starting with the 2.1 or 3.1 that haimoc has may be the way to go. Then you could get a nice multichannel pre-amp and a good stereo or 3-channel amp.

    I would try and demo the speakers before you buy them. Those of us with LSis love them, but you really owe it to yourself to take some time and compare different speakers. That's part of the fun!
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited April 2007
    triage1998,
    I am wondering if you can find a Polk dealer in your local area that carries Polk Lsi speakers. You can try them first to see if you like them before making a decision.
    -?¿-
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    Actually, I am going out this afternoon to hear the Lsi9's and LsiC :)

    external amplication and preamps? Not familiar

    zombie boy 2000 I didn't know that.

    What would you recommend to run haimoc's Polk Lsi9 (Bookshelves) and a Polk LsiC (Center). Pre-amps and receiver?

    Help me out here, haimoc's Lsi9 and the LsiC is a 3.1? I am probably stating the obvious LOL



    haimoc- PM on the way to you with questions
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    Haimoc can't send PM to until I hit 10 posts :confused:
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    almost there
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • triage1998
    triage1998 Posts: 11
    edited April 2007
    Done. Pm on the way
    "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams ... glitter in the dark near Tanhauser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost ... in time, like tears ... in rain. Time ... to die."
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited April 2007
    I think you're safe to post a bit of nonsense.

    Nevermind... I see that you did:D
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2007
    2 LSi 9s + 1 LSiC + .1 for the subwoofer = 3.1 :)

    Also, the LSi 9 is a great sounding speaker but is a little on the large size for a bookshelf. You might have to place it on an actual shelf to get it mounted on the wall.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited April 2007
    Whereas a receiver traditionally puts an amp, preamp, and tuner all in the same chassis, separates are precisely that -- separate. They are easily connected together by your standard RCA's.
    By allowing each to have its own power supply, parts, components, etc, you will generally have improved sound in the form of increased clarity, better dynamics, improved bass, etc. etc.

    A very short, sweet, and abbreviated take on both pieces is that the amp provides the power while the preamp allows for volume control and source selecting. Of course there is much more to a preamp than this, but we'll leave it at that for now.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited April 2007
    Triage you will have a nice sounding setup with the LSi9s and center +sub. You really have good timing to be honest.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited April 2007
    PM returned. Thanks.

    Some reviews about Lsi9 if you care..
    http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_rev.pl?lsi&zzANY
    -?¿-
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited April 2007
    Check out a Nad receiver or two while you are out and about if you can...I think you will be impressed with the results. You can get a Nad 5.1 receiver, then get speakers for the rear at a later date if you so wish....You could do that with any 5.1 receiver or preamp........Just a thought.
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2007
    I cant wait for my NAD to get here
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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