I just noticed AV123 has their X-SLS towers at $299 also...
They have the same drivers as the regular x-ls (which are normally $199 a pair but are out of stock). That would allow you to go with the regular X-cs center for $139 and free up $60 or so somewhere else (or you could just get 3x x-cs which would be a cool setup).
Actually not trying to sound like an AV123 shill. I just know they have a quality product and Mark Schiffer is one of the good guys in the business. He goes out of his way to take care of his customer. Still there are plenty of other quality speakers out there worth looking at including other ID companies that make great products for the price (Axiom, Ascend Acoustics etc etc). One great thing about most of the ID companies is that they will let you audition the speakers in your home free for 30 days. Some (like AV123) will even pay the return shipping if you are not happy with them.
What you really want to do is find a local audio store (ie not a Best Buy or Circuit City) with some favorite CD/DVDs and pick out a couple of comparable sets of speakers and listen to them all. If the store is at all reputable the guys there will be happy to assist you and let you experiment on your own. You are going to pay more at a brick and mortar store but that is the cost of personal attention.
scott91575;1041804; said:
No offense to those guys, but I don't agree with their barebones system. My HK receiver is only 85 watts per channel, but way better connectivity than the Pioneer they chose (I also prefer HK over Pioneer).
Receivers in that price range come down to personal preference and features. Your agreement isn't relevant if they were working with a different set of criteria than yours.
BTW what model do you have? I didn't think HK made a receiver at that price point that is rated at 85wpc.
As I stated I would personally stay away from HK right now given the unusually high number of reports of items being DOA or otherwise defective from the factory right now.
Second, who has the ability to place a normal speaker as the center speaker? It may be nice, but come on! Pick out an actual center type speaker.
Sound quality over convenience.
D'Appolito arrays have some significant sonic issues when placed horizontally.
Like it or not three identical speakers across the front stage provide a better sonic match and do sound better than any other option.
Besides most folks just plop the center channel on top of the TV anyways. It isn't any harder to do that with a bookshelf design.
The rears may be nice, but they really need to up the front speakers. This is where the value really comes in. Getting a lower frequency front speakers with good quality and price is the key.
I'm not really a fan of most tower speakers on the low end, the trade offs are too severe IMO.
The "key" is getting the best quality components in your price range
that make you happy.
Just a few things to think about with this budget...
Two way designs are easier to implement than three way ones. At this price point the crossovers are not going to the greatest designs in the world...and it's a lot harder to screw up a two way crossover than a three way.
I wouldn't worry too much about how "low" the manufacturer claims the speakers can go. You are going to cross them over to the sub at a higher frequency than that anyways. Let the sub handle the LFE, that's what it's there for. It will also make life a lot easier on your receiver as lower frequencies are the ones that require the most power to drive at a given volume.
Finally, Denon DVD player? Seriously!?
Again it is obvious that they were looking at this as a dual use system and that their primary consideration was audio quality. Given their criteria it's a reasonable choice.
