$700

[bosfordjd]

So I'm looking to do a new surround system, having to ditch the klipsch promedia ultra 5.1's. It's not for a large room, 12x14. It's going to be used for everything, music. gaming, movies, hooked up to PC and 360. I don't want to spend much over $700 at the moment. I've been checking out the following HTIB systems. I'm partial to the onkyo given the price it can be had at.

Denon DHT-590BA

HSU Research Performance 1

Onkyo HT-S5200

I'm not opposed to going piece by piece if I can do better in my price range...or even using the promedia ultra sats for rear channels and something more substanial up front. Though I'm not sure about promedia ultra's sat impedance...4ohms which could be an issue?

Let the suggestions fly.

 

[obobski]

the sats you're replacing are going to be comparable to the HTIB's you're looking at

if you like the Klipsch sound/size, you might consider getting a Klipsch speaker package, such as the Quintet IIII or RF Cinema's, and a decent receiver (harman/kardon, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, or Sony would be my suggestions, in that order), you could also just re-use the ProMedia sats with a new receiver (given that they're identical to the Quintet II/III speakers, excepting cabinet geometries), and provide a sub (Klipsch's Sub-10 is the factory suggestion, theres also options from Dayton, Hsu Research, TSC, Polk, etc)

 

[forgot2yield28]

I have absolutely nothing but wonderful things to say about HSU subs. I'm currently using a ~10 year old VTF and it's still going strong. Delightfully musical and accurate, and quite tuneable to your preferences. Acoustic bass lines, synthetic low notes a la electronica, and explosions are all brought to life.

Regarding the sats, I can't speak much to their sound, but the reviews I've read generally praise them, especially for being an HTiaB. Apparently, the center does a delightful job of filling in the mids that a system like your pro medias, or any other small satellite system, would be woefully lacking in. Like I said, though, I can't attest to whether or not this is true personally. I would guess that the HSU system would sound better than the Onkyo system, despite the bigger size of the onkyo cabinets and drivers, based on the fact that Dr. Hsu looks toward true innovation (center speaker filling in the mids in a small sized system, for example) and sound quality, and HSU research is a fairly low volume manufacturer. BUT the ventriloquists are best suited to a mid sized room, as it states in the link you posted, and in your post, you state you're looking for a big room solution. How big is the room you will be listening in, and how loud do you really want to go? The promedia's were marketed and sold as a multimedia speaker set, whereas the vent's are being sold as a home theater set, leading me to believe they'd do a better job at at filling a room than the promedias, but I haven't compared sensitivity specs, nor have I personally heard both, so don't quote me on this by any means.

 

[bosfordjd]

ok I think I'm going to go with a reciever and sub for now and stick with the promedia sats and upgrade later.

looking at following recievers but open to any other suggestions.

YAMAHA RX-V565 449.99

ONKYO TX-SR607 399.99


Newegg is also throwing in a pair of Polk Audio TSi100 with the Yamaha....so kinda leaning towards that.

Not sure where to go with sub, the HSU are looking pretty good. Any other recommendations?

 

[Groto]

Just wanted to say that HSU makes great subs so you can not go wrong with one of them. I have a dedicated home theater room with all Klipsch speakers... but an HSU sub because their subs are amazing sound for the price.