I need a new soundsystem BADLY...I'm currently using my laptop as a stop-gap solution. I plan on buying a good set of bookshelf speakers and a receiver, and wanted some advice on both.

In terms of price range, I was thinking <500 total? I would rather save up for a while and purchase something really nice and that will last me a long time, but don't want to overspend if it's not going to make a difference in terms of sound quality/functionality.

Anything I should look for? Anything I should watch out for? Is my price range too high or too low? Any specific brands to check out?

Thank you!

Check out Energy speakers ---> http://www.energy-speakers.com

I have the C-5s, which may be a little out of your current price range, but they rule.

I bought a pair of Bose bookshelf speakers on eBay for $75.

I've had an Onkyo receiver for about 10 years, and it's been great. Still works 100%, sounds fantastic, still looks "current," for what that's worth. You can score one of their lower-end ones for less than $150, like this one...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-St ... tDetail.do

It's only stereo (no surround), and 50 watts a side, but if that's what you're gonna use it for, it's not a bad choice.

There are some great choices for bookshelf speakers, too... Some Bose are less than $250 a pair, or Polks too. Polks are dreamy. Like these:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-Boo ... tDetail.do

I don't know about what receiver to get but I will buy Bose products for forever and a day. They are bit pricey but for my house/car I have never used better speakers. I have abused them so many times and they still sound damn good.

Their customer care is great too. Most of their stuff has excellent warranties. My dad had one of their cd/clock radio get ups that they advertise on TV and one of the speakers went out. He mail it to them and had another within 2 weeks.

Here is a VERY nice little set that wont break your bank, and still fill a room rather nicely.

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=924

Anything Klipsch will be vastly superior over most BIG Box chain speaker brands.

If you want great sound look into:
Klipsch
Boston Acoustics
M & K speakers (Miller & Kreisel)
Tannoy

Get the best speakers you can afford first.

You can always upgrade the watts you push through later.

Well-done, sir. Well done. I threw Boston Acoustics out simply because I figured they were outta the price range. But man are they nice.

Definitely concentrate on the speakers...it won't matter what you buy if the speakers suck.

Believe it or not, I have a pair of smallish Sonys here in my PC room that you can find on sale for like, $30 each & they sound GREAT. But I don't really crank it loud, so if you go that route you might wanna look elsewhere.

"Sound System" = GREAT song by Operation Ivy!

My advice: Go get Energy.
You won't be sorry.

Thanks for the help all. I'll let you know what I end up getting!

Okay, so I'm FINALLY going to actually purchase a sound system (hopefully this weekend), and have taken your guys' advice into account. I am currently deciding between two speakers:

1) Energy C3 http://goodguys.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=586003&catky=

2) Klipsch RB25 http://goodguys.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=912407&catky=

I have listened to both in-store, and like the Klipsch ones better. I noticed, though, that the max power for the energy speakers is 125 watts, whereas the max power for the klipsch ones says "75 watts maximum continuous (300 watts peak)". Does anyone know what this means? Is this something I need to be concerned about?

I may end up going with the energy ones anyway, since they're much cheaper.

Thanks,
David

I missed this thread altogether when it started, but just my .2: I've read good things about the Energy speaks, but never heard them. The Klipsch probably got your attention in the store because that's what they do. Personally, I'd pass on them for the long haul, but I hate horn-loaded drivers, especially low-end horns- once you get them home and have to live with them, you may or may not be satisfied. I heard a pair of these at an audio show last month and they impressed me more than any other monitor-sized speak I've heard:

http://elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EPOSELS3

As for the power ratings, don't get too twisted around any of that crap. Before you get to any sustained listening levels stated close to either of those specs, the amplifier you'll be using will be clipping like all hell and you'll have run out of the room before yr ears are bleeding (if you're wise).

I broke one of my Energy C-5s last week after knocking it over while rushing to get the phone.

Do any Chicagoans have experience with J & J Speaker Repair on Diversey (way the heck west on Diversey)? I think I may have just busted a woofer, so I'm thinking about going there.

Are the C-5s under warranty?

If so, find out who in town is the authorized repair center and go there.

I have no experience with J&J. I have had good experiences with Mid-Town and Deltronics.

-Phil

p.s. whenever anyone is looking for REALLY nice speakers, i recommend B&Ws. Save your pennies.

Hmmm...I actually went to this high end audio place that was recommending B&Ws -- come to think of it, I can't remember the exact price, but I think they were around 500 to 600. It's a little more than I want to spend, so I ruled them out, but thinking about it now, perhaps I should just spend the extray money, since they sounded great.

I need to buy a receiver too, but I'm planning on buying something fairly simple for now, at around $200 or so. I'd rather spend $ on speakers first, then save up and buy a great receiver later. I'm currently leaning toward this one: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-Surround-Sound-Receiver-STR-DE598-/sem/rpsm/oid/119447/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I like Sony recievers. It'd sound great through some B&Ws

Thanks for the info, Phil. I honestly don't know if my speakers are still under warranty, and I'm having a hell of a time finding the paperwork. I may end up just taking the broken one to Abt, because it's right next to my office and I get a discount. I'll definitely check out your recommendations, though.

I think it's settled then...can't wait to pick these up tomorrow! No more music through laptop speakers!

I'm a little late here, but I'm casting another vote for the Sony receiver. I own 2, & have never had any problems.

Only one warranty center in IL for Energy?!

ABT ELECTRONICS INC.

9000 N. Waukegan Road
Morten Grove , ILLINOIS 60053
Contact: Judy
Tel: 847-967-8830
Fax: 847-983-2399

Edit: woops, looks like you knew that.

2nd Edit:

doesn't look like you need alot of paperwork to get them serviced.

Warranty
Limited Warranty Policy in the United States and Canada only.

Energy Speaker Systems warrants this product to the original retail purchaser against any failure resulting from original manufacturing defects in workmanship or materials. The warranty is in effect for a period of: Passive Speakers - five (5) years, Subwoofers - one (1) year from date of purchase from an authorized Energy Speakers dealer and is valid only if the original dated bill of sale is presented when service is required, by the original owner only.

The warranty does not cover damage caused during shipment, by accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, unauthorized product modification, failure to follow the instructions outlined in the owner's manual, failure to perform routine maintenance, and damage resulting from unauthorized repairs or claims based upon misrepresentations of the warranty by the seller.

Warranty Service
If you require service for your Energy speaker(s) at any time during the warranty period, please contact:

* The dealer from whom you purchased the product(s),
* Please follow this link to our authorized service centers.

You will be responsible for transporting the speakers in adequate packaging to protect them from damage in transit and for the shipping costs to an authorized Energy service center or Energy Speakers. Product returned for repair to Energy in Toronto or Buffalo, the costs of the return shipment to you will be paid by Energy, provided the repairs concerned fall within the Limited Warranty. The Energy warranty is limited to repair or replacement of Energy products. It does not cover any incidental or consequential damage of any kind. If the provisions in any advertisement, packing cartons or literature differ from those specified in this warranty, the terms of this Limited Warranty prevail.

If you are located outside of the United States or Canada, please follow this link to the Energy Distributor page and contact your local distributor, as your local warranty may differ from the above.

phil,
what does b & w stand for?

Brown & Williamson.

They are trying to make up for lost profits from all the tobacco settlements.

Bitchin and Wicked.

Actually it's Bowers and Wilkins

http://www.bwspeakers.com

What's the retail on those Energy Speakers you have? Those look nice and you seem to talk highly of them.

All right, real stupid question...

If I want to hook my computer up to my home stereo to bump WinAmp what do I need/do? (embarrassed)

thanks phil.
remind me to bitch slap that elvis guy.