• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Want a better setup

K

kschaffner

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
1,099
Hey all I have been browsing audio now for a while and would like to use bookshelf speakers instead of classic logitech, klipsch etc.

I Already have 2x Bose 201 Series III & 2x Bose 201 Series IV speakers but not sure if I should get something newer/better since they are about 15 years old now. I will only be using 2 of these however instead of 4. I have been looking at getting the Dayton B652's with the T-amp(http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-650&scqty=1) and the Dayton Sub 80-8.

A little update:
The only thing I'm thinking of is, is it entirely necessary to buy a full blown AVR for just listening to mainly music, podcasts some light gaming and light movie playback.

I've pretty much narrowed down my list to the BIC Venturi DV62si speakers and the BIC Venturi V1020 sub unless anyone has some other options for those 2 spots of gear.

Have looked at these as well
Pioneer SP-BS41-LR speakers $120 http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS...S6DE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302226897&sr=8-3
Polk Audio Monitor 30 $100 http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mo...=sr_1_21?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1302339154&sr=1-21
Polk Audio Monitor 40 $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202
Cerwin Vega VE-5M $110 http://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-V...=sr_1_68?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1302339238&sr=1-68
Infinity Primus P152 $120 http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Prim...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1302339443&sr=1-23

The only thing I have really left to do is decide on an amp or an AVR.


Or should I just stick with the simple dayton setup with the BIC sub for like 200 and go from there.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I dont know much about that sub but when ever i was looking for one they always recommened me a Hsu sub, ig there better then klipsch or energy or anything like that. You could look into those subs and there are some for around 250 or so plus you might want to say what your budget is so we can recommend diffrent audio stuff for you lol

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

there is one that would be better but it also cost a lot more..
 
My top end budget would be the combo deal of the dayton speakers with one of those subs. But I've been looking at using my sony HTiB but I need to buy the correct cable.
 
If you want quality, I'd personally avoid Bose nowadays. They arent terrible, but for what they cost their actual quality is quite subpar. As we obsessed audiophiles say, Bose stands for Buy other sound equipment. :D


But for what you need, I dont know what to recommend as I am more headphone guy and my rig is built around them. But for bookshelve speakers that I have heard so far, Wharfedale speakers have surprised me for their price/quality factor. My friend has built his hometheatre Wharfedale speakers, good for music and movies. However, I dont know if they have speakers for your price range, whatever it is.
 
Last edited:
Well I already have the Bose speakers (given to me) I would never buy them :D as far as Snufykat....what about monoprice?
 
Good place for cables on the cheap with out being crappy quality.
You mentioned getting cables.
 
Monoprice or bluejeanscables.

Craigslist that bose, it will sell. partsexpress is a good budget deal. much better than bose anyway.
 
Ah I see now in my second post for the cable remark. I bought a 6ft spdif cable the other day but I do love monoprice on the their cables. I use them quite frequently :D I have the logitech z4's how much of an improvement would I see going with the dayton speaker/sub combo or should I invest in something a little better?
 
Be a pretty huge jump up. If you were to spend more $$, I would get a decent receiver like a Denon 589 or w/e their entry level is with the Audyssey room calibration option. That will blow you away.
 
So would you stay with the Dayton's and use a receiver instead of the t-amp or? I am still doing research and not sure if I want to get a set of powered speakers and then just add on a sub or get non powered speakers with a amp and sub or non powered speakers with a receiver and sub. Any more input would be greatly valued.
 
The receiver and speakers is better in this case. To get the same value in powered speakers you would probably spend more and not get the benefit of a decent dac. Running optical into the reciever will sound better than onboard analogue to powered speakers too. I would still recc. a X-FI for overall better sound even with a receiver.
 
I already have an X-Fi XtremeGamer and I have a mini optical to toslink cable already as well. I'm pretty sure most people will recommend a Denon or Onkyo receiver. Any particular models to look at without breaking the bank? What speakers would be recommended to use along with a receiver?
 
Personally, if you have the Bose, I would just keep the Bose for the moment, get the sub, and an amplifier or receiver and see how the system sounds. At worst if you don't like the Bose, then you can sell it at that time and get something else. It seems like you don't have a whole lot of cash to spend (looking at the alternative choices you suggested) and as much as I am not a fan of Bose, if you already have them and don't have much cash, you may want to try them out at least before you go spending money on something else.
 
How would you guys rate this setup here

Pioneer VSX-521-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver - $250
BIC Venturi DV62si Bl 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair - $112
Maybe adding this now or later - Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer - $160

How would the 12" sub compare to the 8" that is mostly recommended? This would be placed under my desk. Would it be too much or just right?

Any comments on the speakers or have another suggestion at the same price point?

Thanks again :D
 
You want the Onkyo TX SR508

It is the same price or less than the Pioneer and has the Audyssey auto speaker calibration feature. That will balance your speakers to your sitting position and reduce room issues greatly. A really noob friendly feature for speaker setup.

The 12" is fine. It will produce the larger explosions more accurately without bottoming out like the 8" will.
 
kschaffner said:
How would you guys rate this setup here

Pioneer VSX-521-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver - $250
BIC Venturi DV62si Bl 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair - $112
Maybe adding this now or later - Dayton SUB-120 HT Series 12" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer - $160

How would the 12" sub compare to the 8" that is mostly recommended? This would be placed under my desk. Would it be too much or just right?

Any comments on the speakers or have another suggestion at the same price point?

Thanks again :D
Click to expand...

The BIC DV62si are $106 at Amazon.

I probably wouldn't put a 12" under my desk, I'd probably pair the bookshelves with the Venturi V1020 10" http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=303-430
 
spaceman said:
You want the Onkyo TX SR508

It is the same price or less than the Pioneer and has the Audyssey auto speaker calibration feature. That will balance your speakers to your sitting position and reduce room issues greatly. A really noob friendly feature for speaker setup.

The 12" is fine. It will produce the larger explosions more accurately without bottoming out like the 8" will.
Click to expand...

I don't really like the Onkyo, and I'm only going to be using 2 speakers and a sub so it won't be hard to balance and adjust the speakers manually.
 
kschaffner said:
I don't really like the Onkyo, and I'm only going to be using 2 speakers and a sub so it won't be hard to balance and adjust the speakers manually.
Click to expand...

You would think that. Audyssey makes a pretty big impact though. I got a denon 589 for my tv rig. I just have 3 speakers in kind of a speaker bar setup. The Audyssey makes a big difference with adjusting to the room. The Onkyo is the cheapest unit I could find. The Denon are more $$.

That Pioneer is a good receiver, but very old. I traded mine to a friend three years ago.
 
How is Onkyo support? From some reviews I'm reading some people keep having issues with that particular receiver.
 
Heat issues. Yeah I remember now. Sorry about that.

That is why I got the Denon 589. I got mine for around $200! shipped on a refurb deal. It has worked perfectly for 2 years. So yeah, look for a Denon model. They run cool.
 
Sure would. Only issue might be noise from the x-fi. With mine the analogue is full of emi noise from the rest of the system. If it is there, you will hear it with that amp. It is as good an amp for the money as there has ever been.
 
spaceman said:
You want the Onkyo TX SR508

It is the same price or less than the Pioneer and has the Audyssey auto speaker calibration feature. That will balance your speakers to your sitting position and reduce room issues greatly. A really noob friendly feature for speaker setup.

The 12" is fine. It will produce the larger explosions more accurately without bottoming out like the 8" will.
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell the Pioneer MCACC setup is roughly on par with Audyssey 2EQ setup on that Onkyo. Yes the higher end Audyssey MultiEQ and MultiEQ XT are better but the lower-to-mid end Onkyos don't have it.
 
Keep in mind that a receiver setup is going to burn a lot more power, and many models tend to burn quite a bit even when in standby.

I've been using an Onkyo receiver (coax digital from the PC's onboard jack) and while the sound quality is great, I am starting to realize how much this setup costs, especially since with a receiver setup you have a tendency to bury the receiver in the back somewhere to save space and thus forget to turn it off.
 
I'm not particularly worried about power consumption. The only thing I'm thinking of is, is it entirely necessary to buy a full blown AVR for just listening to audio.

I've pretty much narrowed down my list to the BIC Venturi DV62si speakers and the BIC Venturi V1020 sub unless anyone has some other options for those 2 spots of gear.

Have looked at these as well
Pioneer SP-BS41-LR speakers $120 http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS...S6DE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302226897&sr=8-3
Polk Audio Monitor 30 $100 http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mo...=sr_1_21?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1302339154&sr=1-21
Polk Audio Monitor 40 $130 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202
Cerwin Vega VE-5M $110 http://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-V...=sr_1_68?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1302339238&sr=1-68
Infinity Primus P152 $120 http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Prim...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1302339443&sr=1-23

The only thing I have really left to do is decide on an amp or an AVR.


Or should I just stick with the simple dayton setup with the BIC sub for like 200 and go from there.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Of those I would got with the Pioneer SP-BS41-LR, they have been getting really good reviews from users on AVSforum
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top