Does anyone have any recommendation for a 5.1 speaker system for under $1000? I'm trying to help a friend pick something good that he'll be happy with but he's placing a specific price budget on me. The $1000 is only the budget for the speakers alone.

I'm really trying to get him to spend more for the Epic Grand Master, but it probably won't fly.

Has anyone heard the AV123 x-series line?

And before anyone asks, his room is larger than 4000 sqft which also opens into a kitchen. Filling the room properly isn't the first concern, budget is. Listening preference is both music and movies.

My first thought would be five M3s. I ran my last system with three M3s across the front...and two "Brand X" in the back...with real good luck. The three M3s across the front were just great for perfect scans and pans and they went low enough that a sub wasen't really needed(but actually wanted)but it made a very useable 5.1 in a 3100 cu ft room. And it sounded great for tunes too!
Rich.

I replied to your other thread.

$1000 including a sub will not get you a system that a room like that needs. If your budget was around $2000 then you get get a great system. I would advise your friend to save up for a $2000 system if possible.

For a 4000 sqft room (not cubic feet?) that is a pretty big space to fill up.

Most here would recommend the M80 Tower speakers.

But for the budget minded consumer you can get the following which is a great system. You mentioned in your other thread that you wanted all the speakers wall mounted?

All the prices are from the factory outlet:

2 x M22s for the Left, Right channels, and 1 M2 for the centre channel all vertically orientated for $544.50

Mounting brackets for the M22s and M2: 3 x $39 = $117

2 x QS4 for side surrounds: $378

1 x EP350 sub: $603

for a total of $1642 including shipping. The QS series of surrounds will really help to fill out a room that size.

Without the sub this system can be had for $1039.5.

Good luck!

I like Rich's idea of eschewing the sub for now and using some "full range" speakers. At that price point, there ARE going to be tradeoffs. If the budget is that hard, how difficult is the SAF going to be?

Personally, if movies are going to be a significant use, I'd get a good value subwoofer (SVS PB10-ISD $429 or the Outlaw LFM2 $299, both plus shipping). And - since budget is primary, I'd get either the SVS 5.0 system ($599, which I've not heard) or five M2's ($653 plus brackets, but no shipping cost). I love the QS series, but you can't afford the extra drivers at that price point.

How much is he spending on electronics? I'd contend that anything above a $350 receiver is overkill given the speaker budget.

That's a tough decision. Is he opposed to getting a pair of m50's and vp100 to start out, then adding surrounds(m2's or m3's) later when budget allows?

I have heard the x-ls' at a friends house. Very nice sound. They don't have the refinement of my Rocket 750's...but that's a given considering their cost at $219(before shipping). Incredible value.

How far will he be sitting from the speakers?

You could take a look at the new Hsu bookshelfs combined with one of their subs. I have not heard these but I do know their subs are of good quality.

Like most everyone, some M80s for that room would be the best.

It's just a matter of not wanting to spend the money, so no matter how long he waits he won't spend more money on speakers. Just tonight after I made this post, he was picking out some Samsung HTIB satellite speaker system "complete" with dvd player and receiver for $525.

He constantly asks why is this not good enough. Why does he need to spend $500 on a receiver? I keep telling him if you aren't upgrading to just stay with the Bose 321 system he currently has and to just be satisfied with it. Its like pulling teeth to try to explain why he'll be happier with at least something a little better.

He'll never get it and I suppose he never will. It's just one of those things where if they are content with it, then they should be happy with it.

Complete budget was $3500 for a TV, DVD player, receiver and speakers. TV size was restricted to 40-50" but could be LCD, DLP or read projection LCD (Sony models).

With that budget I was suggesting

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR604 around $500.
DVD player: Oppo Digital DV-970HD $150
TV: many choices here for around $1800 these days.

That left $1050 for speakers not including any cables and speaker wire I'd need. To top it off he later said I had to find a TV stand too within that budget.

He sees my system and wants something decent too and asks for my help, then complains about things I've chosen, and then want to buy another satellite system to replace his Bose satellite system.

I told him just stick with your Bose and 10 year old receiver and be happy that you saved money.

I'm just going to go over to his house when he gets everything setup and laugh at him every chance I get.

I'll take opinions on how to spend $3500 within the set requirements. lol, to top it off, he's single with no wife or girlfriend and makes a 6 figure income. I'm still trying to figure this one out.

Shag, since he's alone he's got the sweet spot all to himself and a center speaker isn't essential. M22 mains forming a "phantom" center for someone right in the middle, two M2s for side surrounds(QSs don't appear possible within the budget), and an Outlaw LFM-2 sub total about $1,000 or maybe a bit less if the 10% and 5% discounts can be used.

Good choice on the 604, but it's available for around $380 from J&R and 6th Ave.

His budget doesn't really allow for a reasonable 5.1 system in a room that size.

My suggestion? Buy a pair of M22ti's and a Hsu STF-3 for now. Save up, and order some QS8 (or QS4) surrounds and your center later down the road.

Yes, he could simulate a center using phantom mode on the receiver. If he has some cheap bookshelfs laying around, he could temporarily use them for surrounds until his budget allows differently.

If you haven't bought the display yet, you might want to consider a projector setup. You can find a very nice one for ~$1000 and make the screen size anything you want. Something like an Optoma HD70 has street prices in this range and offers 720p resolution. You would also need a screen to go with this, but if you wanted to keep that cheap you could either just use a white painted wall, or else buy some special DIY screen paint. I've heard a lot about it, but I can't remember the name of the company online that sells the stuff. Maybe someone else can chime in on that one.

You could also build your own screen for less then $100. I did. There are several places to get decent screen material for a good price. A quick trip to a lumber store and you're good to go. I got screen material from here . It's nothing too fancy, but it's worked fine for me ever since I got it.

If you chose to go this route, you'd have a MUCH better sound system to go with it. For $1800 (I'll asusme that's US), you could get a setup such as mine if you decide to order new to get the free High Gloss Cherry Finish (that's about what I paid). Floorstanding speakers would really help, but I don't know what you could cut back to get those in the budget. You could look at a smaller sub such as an SVS PB10 (as mentioned above), and then go for some M50's or 60's. If you order from the factory outlet, you may even be able to stretch for M80's, but I couldn't tell you without working out all the prices.

For cables, definately check out monoprice. They have awesome prices and quality. I recently purchased 200' of 12 guage speaker wire and a lot of solder type banana plugs from them (which I used as screw ons since the the cable comes out the back of the plug instead of the side). With just some slight trimming of the insulation (it's actually too big to fit inside the plug), everything's nice and tight and ready to go. If your friend doesn't have to time for this, I'd suggest getting 14 gauge wire to avoid this hastle.

Wow, that turned out to be pretty long . I hope it helps you out. Good luck with everything.

hey F107,

Interesting post about the three M3s in front. When you say they went low enough that a sub wasn't needed, how was the HT experience? I know a sub is necessary eventually, but I'm helping to get a friend established and this might be a temporary option. Thanks.

I read your post again and I think you already answered my question - sounds like you were referring to HT as well as music. Sorry.