Home Theater Speaker Suggestions . . .

SolidSqual

Hey guys,

I'm setting up a home theater for my girlfriend's parents and am looking for two mains that may have a limited 2 channel duty.

The budget is $1,000 to $2,000/$2,500 for speakers.

My first instinct was the RTia9 which happens to be half off via PolkDirect right now.

Are there any other better speakers that I should be considering in that range?

McLoki

You could easily get the LSi series used for that price. Depending on what music they listen to - it may be a better match than the RTiA series for them. (then again - maybe not)

Just a thought -

Michael

rdb2001

I personally have been drawn to KEFS sound since I bought my IQ7's for the top end of the your price range, you could get the XQ40's from accessories4less, and at the bottom end of your price range, you could get the IQ9's. I think they are great speakers, very dynamic, they are not that sensitive though. I think my mains are 85db sensitivity. Just my .02 cents

mshan242700

If 2 channel music, and home theater, are intended uses, Hsu HB-1 Mk. 2 and Hsu sub could be good choice (he uses Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K in his showroom with these speakers): http://hsuresearch.com/index.html

If this is purely home theater, http://www.thespeakercompany.com may be a budget choice to look at.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com is supposed to match well with Harmon Kardon AVRs.

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMGW is totally different direction, though they may need a fairly robust AVR to drive them appropriately. There were some Parasound Halo home theater separates floating around the For Sale forum that might be up to the task (I am not sure about this, though).




General Home Theater Buying Guide: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=89484

Bernal

LSi series

buymesome

used martin logans

Sherardp

SolidSqual wrote: »

Hey guys,

I'm setting up a home theater for my girlfriend's parents and am looking for two mains that may have a limited 2 channel duty.

The budget is $1,000 to $2,000/$2,500 for speakers.

My first instinct was the RTia9 which happens to be half off via PolkDirect right now.

Are there any other better speakers that I should be considering in that range?

At this price point, I would think the RTiA9 would perform well and keep them happy for a long time.

SolidSqual

What about the Eminent Technology VIIIb? Does this have theater quality sound meaning dynamic and able to play at high levels. The Rtia9 is appealing because I know it can hold it together during the loud grueling passages.

nikolas812

SolidSqual wrote: »

What about the Eminent Technology VIIIb? Does this have theater quality sound meaning dynamic and able to play at high levels. The Rtia9 is appealing because I know it can hold it together during the loud grueling passages.

If you go that route. I have a line on a pair for $600 plus shipping. If he still has them that is... There the 8b's in black.







Nik

Matt34

Acsend acoustics has a 340 ctm five speaker package for just under $1k, you could pair that with a svs pb-12± or Epik Phoenix and have a very dynamic 20hz-20khz HT setup for around $2k.

The acsends are a very neutral speaker that won't add or leave anything out.

jimsvm

Polk vm30 with micro 3 or 4000.vm20 for rears.and centre.Driving with Pioneer 1018.My 01.

Midnite Mick

On a budget I like the Klipsch rf 63's. Clean, clear, dynamic, and very efficient...which saves money on amplification.

Regards,
Mike

dpowell

The RTiA9's probably require less power to drive and are 8Ohm speakers whereas the LSi series are power hungry and require a 4Ohm power amp to get decent sound out of them. I would pick LSi's over RTi's for music but consider the cost of adding a decent power amp....

Bernal

LSi series:):):):):)

cnh

Lsi 9s and one of the SUBS mentioned above...a musical sub...maybe even the Polk DSWMicropro series--should be in your budget...

If you're just into 2 channel get a Harman Kardon of NAD stereo receiver and your in budget..

2 cents worth at least..

cnh

SolidSqual

I can't decide between getting a full 5.0 Ascend set of signature speakers or go with Polk RTia9s. Help deciding?

mshan242700

You could just start with the front left and right and see if the parents girlfriends like the sound and look of the speakers.

If Ascend offers some sort of package deal discount, just contact them before hand and ask if they will honor package deal price if you fill out set.

Basically, let them in house test the speakers to see if they like the Ascend house sound (looks like they have a 30 day guarantee, minus round trip shipping costs).

SolidSqual

mshan242700 wrote: »

You could just start with the front left and right and see if the parents girlfriends like the sound and look of the speakers.

If Ascend offers some sort of package deal discount, just contact them before hand and ask if they will honor package deal price if you fill out set.

Basically, let them in house test the speakers to see if they like the Ascend house sound.

Yeah, I was thinking this. The thing is that Indian Dad likes the look of the RTia9s with all the drivers, and I know that my RTi8s were great for theater. I'm thinking getting the 9s first and filling out the rest of the theater later may be best. But, the Ascend is attractive because he could get the full 5.0 for the cost of the 9s.

Will the 340s sound as good as the 9s as mains? Anyone with exp?

McLoki

dpowell wrote: »

The RTiA9's probably require less power to drive and are 8Ohm speakers whereas the LSi series are power hungry and require a 4Ohm power amp to get decent sound out of them. I would pick LSi's over RTi's for music but consider the cost of adding a decent power amp....

I would suggest an amp with the RTiA9's as well. (its just with the LSi's, you should consider an amp for each channel not just the fronts)

SolidSqual

well will the SC-27 drive the 9s or not?