I have had a monitor audio bronze 5.1 system with a Velodyne 12" sub and a H/K receiver for a few years for my HT setup. For my computer I bought a pair of B&W 600 series bookshelves with a used Denon receiver and loved the sound very much. In fact, I was spoiled by it.

Now I have moved out of the house because of an ongoing divorce and am looking to get a 2.0 speakers setup. I would be mostly watching TV but I will occasionally connect my iPhone to play some music, internet radio etc. A radio tuner would be a bonus as well, but I can always use Tune-in radio app. Same deal with Airplay/Network features etc.

I started looking for a nice shelf-system that would take optical out from my TV. But manufacturers have pretty much given up on those. There are some high-end shelf-systems but for the price of those (400-500 USD) I can probably get a receiver and speakers for more flexibility.

With that background, I am thinking of ordering a pair of Pioneer SP-FS52-LR speakers (about $260) and a $200 basic Denon receiver. I will be able to hook up my Comcast TV tuner and PS3 via HDMI and play some music occasionally.

Does anyone have any comments or advice for me? Thanks in advance.

Wait for them to go on discount, you can get a pair of FS52 for $130ish.

 

For your needs, you might want to consider the first generation Pioneers (which I have and like) for half the cost:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ct/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117403&cm_re=Pioneer_SP-FS-_-82-117-403-_-Product
Consider what features you "need" in a receiver and get a refurb here:
http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=seek&id[m]=pattern&id[q]=Denon+Avr
Good luck with the divorce.
Michael

 

The Pioneer FS52 can work for you - and are even worth their regular price. I much prefer
the phase 2 [second generation] Pioneer, over their former series.

Your call

 

That, and the 2nd gen ones can be had just as cheap as the 1st gen if you wait for a sale.

The FS52s are frequently called, in professional reviews, the best speakers you can get under $500-1000 a pair.

 

Not if you want to get down to some nice/good quality sound for $275 >
Then look at the Philharmonic Audio AA [Pioneer modded] tower speakers
http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

 

Of course, now that you may have some time , you might consider building your own:
http://www.diysoundgroup.com/

 

Thanks for the all the comments. I like the look of FS-52 better than 51 so I might just pay more and get the new ones. The sale price looks good so maybe I will wait a couple of weeks, otherwise pay the full price.

Accessories for less looks good for the Denon AVR. I am not entirely sure about their warranty though. AVR's are known to have issues so I don't want to get stuck with something broken.

Michael, I don't think I would be doing DIY. I was very interested in doing that a few months back. Then I spoke to a good friend who built his own sub. Man! he had so many issues that he strongly advised me never to do it. Maybe it was the parts (he did not cheap out, btw) but his sub would go dead or low during a movie and he did not know how to troubleshoot or who to blame.

Thanks again.

 

There's a LOT of DIY help available here. A sub box is the easiest, since there's no crossover. Your friend probably just has a loose connection somewhere (sorry, your friend's SUB has a loose connection ). He should post here!
This was my "baby step:"
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1527494-my-i-don-t-diy-build.html
The finish work has always been the hurdle for me, but I'm about to undertake a set of Fusion 8 Alchemys.
Who knows, in a few years, I may remodel the kitchen.


Michael

 

Update: I ordered the Pioneers on Sunday but my friend just forwarded me this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290208

So I looked up a thread here comparing the two and got an impression that the Polks are slightly better. Specs say they go down to 30 Hz too. As I don't intend to get a sub for a while, I am thinking of cancelling the Amazon order and ordering the Polks instead.

 

Perception of sound quality based on any review - does not guarantee anything

Going to 30 hz and doing it cleanly [without distortion/resonance], is not the same.

I would take the Pioneer with less bass, over the Polk Monitor series.

Your call

 

I got the exact opposite impression in the threads I found....(ditto for the Infinity 363s, the other towers that often come up in comparison)- both those, and as I mentioned pro review after pro review, call the FS52s the best speakers you can get under $500-1000 a pair.

 

Just be prepared for a step down. I owned the first generation AJ speakers and while they are good for the money, they won't make you forget the sound of the B$W speakers. I just could not make them sound good in my room!

 

Found a pair of B&W 602 bookshelves in my local HT store. I think I am going to be very happy with them for a while. They go down to 43Hz (-6db) or 50Hz (-3db) so plenty of bass for music.

Now I need to wait for the speaker cable to arrive in 6 days (Denon AVR to arrives in 2 days, but it won't do me much good without the wire). I will need to buy stands for these but even with stands I will be under $500 bucks. I am a happy camper! Thanks all.

Edit: These are previously used speakers I bought.

 

Menards, Lowes or even Walmart will have perfectly good speaker wire...you can spend a lot more of course, but it won't result in better sound quality!

 

Don't be obsessed with the so-called low frequency floor. Concentrate on the quality of mid range the vocal frequencies as that is where most of audio content resides. Alot of mfg nowadays play the numbers game. Trust your ears. Determine for yourself if the sound is fatiguing, how about dimensional imaging? Vocal clarity and distinction. It takes tiem to figure all these out. Audio stuff is a journey. Speakers play a major role, but so are your audio source, amp, preamp stages and most importantly room treatment!

The Pioneers are great bang for the buck with AJ signature on the box. They may not render the same sonic subtleties of your B&W 6xx.