Could use some Home Audio advice... Recommend some budget speakers.

[enoy21]

So , After nailing down my keyboards that I love and upgrading my PC audio with the Klipsh Pro media 2.1's I decided to start upgrading my ancient Home theater....
And by ancient I mean 12yr old 400lb Sony Wega 36" CRT and old ass furniture. and by Home theater I mean adding one to replace the TV speakers.
I'm trying to stay within a tight budget and researching the best bang for the buck.

So a few weeks ago I got a new couch and loveseat.
The same weekend I got the Samsung LN46D630 TV

Now it's on to Audio.
Last night I ordered the Denon AVR-1712 after seeing that it's internet capable brother the 1912 for Cnet's editors choice. I got it from J&R for only $315 (shipped).

I don't need internet on the TV or the Receiver as I have a PS3 for that and can always connect a computer if I want real internet.

Now I need to get a set of decent budget speakers that can be upgraded later.

I am mainly concerned with 2.1/3.1 for now and have an old set of Technics sb-a33's  that take 260 watts so I'm afraid the Receiver will barely push them.

Instead I was considering something like this :

Sony SSF5000

Then add optional at a later date
Sony SSCN5000

Then later add :

Sony SSB1000


Not sure that I will even need a sub at this point but if I do , then I can pick one of those up as I know a bit more about sub manufacturers.


Thoughts ?

[enoy21]

P.S. I'm not opposed to a great set of Shelf Speakers provided they are within budget with Excellent sound.

[enoy21]

Anyone have an experience with these ?

Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers

My goal is to have very nice mids and highs for both film and music.  The sub I can add on separately for the lows.

I've always been a fan of Polk Audio in car audio but never really heard much in home audio.

[IvanIvanovich]

Polk is generally much better than any Sony. There are some good deals to be had on some KEF right now. KEF stuff is great sounding, and they have some unique designs for the big sound in small package philosophy.

[enoy21]

Back in my car audio days I used to build my own custom speaker boxes. Most people have no idea how much resonance is effected by specific designs and space.  

After reading so many great reviews I pulled the trigger on the above Shelf Speakers.  J&R  is officially my go to source for Home audio and theater. They price matched Amazon and came in $10 under then threw in 2nd day shipping for $10 (normally free shipping ground) . I don't really have the time or desire to build my own to be honest though.

Now I'm looking at a good sub but I'm not in as big of a rush on that.  

The Polk PSW10 looks decent but I've Read some issues with the quality of the sound as they didn't place the Port correctly leading to terrible port noise.

While this is a basic starter system to be improved upon over time. I am borderline audio file when it comes to music.  Afterall I had a $1500 sound system in a $300 car when I was a teenager (That's no exaggeration. He would only give me 300 for the car if I left the $350 deck in the dash)

[mkawa]

generally the budget speakers to go with are canadian NRC derived units. axiom, paradigm, PSB, etc. all fit in this category. axiom is my favorite because they're nice guys, sell direct and won't break the bank.

[mkawa]

diy is not for everyone. there are a lot of people out there with very little time and patience to diy. some people just want to listen to music without thinking about cabinet reflection and crossover networks.

[enoy21]

Yeah when I was looking for a Receiver in Roanoke I only found one that seemed worth it as the age(features)/price comparison wasn't really worth it.  

Hence why I've already gone $290 over my initial budget just getting the Reciever and LEFT/RIGHT channels.

I am looking forward to later upgrading to :

CS-10 Center

I'm still up in the air on the Sub and likely will wait a bit on that as I consider my options.

Keep in mind that I'm coming from the Sony's built in Speakers so the Tsi-100's should make a huge improvement as is. When I do get the Sub though I want to make sure that it's more than just muddy bass added to it and want nice clean and crisp response.  

I don't care for the idea that the PSW-10 has the built in crossover that I can't bypass or the forward facing port and it's port noise issues.  Now ... The PSW-110 looks promising.

[mkawa]

that's true, but rarely does someone have a budget of under $300 AND appear to have the desire for something more than a boxed HT setup.

you're right, i didn't notice this part of the post. OP, what you're asking for is impossible even if you were willing to make your own MDF boxes and build an amplifier out of cottage industry chip-amps off ebay. the drivers and crossover parts alone would probably break your budget. my mind is blown.

either get an HT in a box or up your budget to about 1500.

[enoy21]

So .... I went with the following....

Denon 1712 (have PS3 for networking)
Polk PSW110
Polk TSi 100's


So I currently have an awesome sounding 2.1 that is tripple my budget ( had to get a new TV stand and HDMI cables for receiver) So far I absolutely love it.....  


I wonder how to set my crossovers though. I currently have the TSi's at 60hz and the sub at 80hz to allow a little bleed over....   The TSi's are capable of 53 hurts and the Sub is rated to go up to 120hz.....  Any suggestions ?


Right now it's such a smooth transition that I often forget that the sub is back there..... Such a clean sound.

[enoy21]

Thanks. I've read alot on the AVS forums , mainly through various google searches that in inevitably lead me there.