$2000-3000 3.1 setup

LongHotSummer

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Apr 5, 2016
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Hello there! I'm looking for some input since there are so many speakers in the world! I live in Taiwan and here many speakers aren't available for preview because stores typically don't have an extensive collection :(

I want to build a 3.1 system, AV receiver must support:
- 4K
- a second subwoofer (to buy later)
- Atmos (but don't need Atmos speakers now)

I'll play all my media through my laptop (HDMI). I plan to use the set for the next 10 years. I'm new to this and I've been doing research for 3 months now.

What I'll do with it: 80% music, 20% movies. I love to FEEL bass in movies, I prefer to have flat music. Music: pop music, k-pop, city pop, edm, vapor wave, anime soundtracks, funky music, jazz, instrumental.

I have a small/medium size room (4.5m x 4.5m x ceiling 2.5 meters = 15' x 15' x 8'4" ceiling). Ceiling is not solid but styrofoam (?) - what I mean is it's made of individual 50 cm x 50 cm squares that you can lift up, like in an office.

Budget is ~$3000 USD but I'm looking for value vs. competing speakers rather than using all my money. Also I live in Taiwan, so I often will have to pay +33% extra (shipping + import tax) from the amazon price so budget may actually be ~ $2000 :( And many speakers won't ship to here so I also need as many alternatives as I can get.

I have some ideas but since I'm new I'll just ask you: What would you get?
 
Solution
Usher Audio in Taipei might be a good option for speakers. Since they are domestic you won't pay any import tax. I don't know whether the prices would be in your range but it would be worth checking out.
You should also check out Elac Debut series speakers and Paradigm if they are available to you.
All AVRs will support 4k-HDR and many will support Atmos. Since you can connect two subwoofers to any receiver with a Y splitter that isn't really a big deal. I prefer Marantz AVRs myself. Other options would be Onkyo and Yamaha.
I understand that there is an area in Taipei that specializes in audio shops.
"From BoAi Road all the way to HanKou Street, the mid-section of KaiFeng Street and the odd-numbered side of ChungHua Road, section 1,
Usher Audio in Taipei might be a good option for speakers. Since they are domestic you won't pay any import tax. I don't know whether the prices would be in your range but it would be worth checking out.
You should also check out Elac Debut series speakers and Paradigm if they are available to you.
All AVRs will support 4k-HDR and many will support Atmos. Since you can connect two subwoofers to any receiver with a Y splitter that isn't really a big deal. I prefer Marantz AVRs myself. Other options would be Onkyo and Yamaha.
I understand that there is an area in Taipei that specializes in audio shops.
"From BoAi Road all the way to HanKou Street, the mid-section of KaiFeng Street and the odd-numbered side of ChungHua Road, section 1,
 
Solution

need4speeds

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Jan 6, 2009
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I have a altec lancing 5.1 sat\sub system with a wireless remote. I placed the sub in the corner close to me behind my desk. The bass is very good.
This system is old and they no longer make it.

1. This would be the best but it's expensive, and likely too much for a small room. $588 with the sub and sub cable.
https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-R-15PM-Powered-Monitor-Cherry/dp/B072M34NBW/ref=pd_sbs_147_47?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B072M34NBW&pd_rd_r=e48d5099-c34b-11e8-a5cd-85f68c4eb870&pd_rd_w=vzu9Y&pd_rd_wg=fIYv7&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=53dead45-2b3d-4b73-bafb-fe26a7f14aac&pf_rd_r=VN4GB019FRHVPJGRPKS9&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=VN4GB019FRHVPJGRPKS9
2. Creative labs 2.1 system. It sounds pretty good. At $129.97 it's not so expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/BlasterX-Computer-Subwoofer-Customizable-Lighting/dp/B01M0LARPU/ref=pd_sbs_147_40?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01M0LARPU&pd_rd_r=e48d5099-c34b-11e8-a5cd-85f68c4eb870&pd_rd_w=vzu9Y&pd_rd_wg=fIYv7&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=53dead45-2b3d-4b73-bafb-fe26a7f14aac&pf_rd_r=VN4GB019FRHVPJGRPKS9&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=VN4GB019FRHVPJGRPKS9
3. Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black) $169.99. I heard this system and it sounds comparable to my altec lancing 5.1. It cranks pretty good and has good bass. The satellites on the Klipsch are a bit better with more detailed highs and mids.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000062VUO/ref=psdc_172471_t2_B00004XRED

It's hard because either they make a big 5.1 system, a funky tv soundbard with sub, and most of the smaller 2.1 systems are $40 cheap-o systems that don't sound that great.
 

LongHotSummer

Commendable
Apr 5, 2016
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1,510

Thx, I'll check it out!
 

LongHotSummer

Commendable
Apr 5, 2016
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1,510


This one ^ seems interesting, but what about floor standing speakers?
And haha, I would have to pay 169 + 103 import tax/fees for the pro media 2.1. I checked ~10 stores before and it seems nobody on this island has it.
Also, pc speakers don't allow me to add speakers and make it 3.1 right?
 

need4speeds

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Jan 6, 2009
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They say you can add a sub to it.
https://www.amazon.ca/Klipsch-Sixes-Powered-Monitor-Walnut/dp/B01MZYT1RF/ref=pd_sbs_504_25?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01MZYT1RF&pd_rd_r=b00e5db4-c358-11e8-82f0-0d90845ff108&pd_rd_w=BVKkJ&pd_rd_wg=N3ZYF&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_p=d4c8ffae-b082-4374-b96d-0608daba52bb&pf_rd_r=JJ9SRD945CCDR0HWQHWT&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=JJ9SRD945CCDR0HWQHWT

https://www.amazon.ca/Klipsch-Reference-R-10SW-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B00MH42BBI/ref=pd_sim_23_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00MH42BBI&pd_rd_r=8aacaadf-c358-11e8-82da-57b640a56e37&pd_rd_w=NmELT&pd_rd_wg=lCoJs&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_p=f2db799a-cb6a-4ff5-b84b-b317891b94a8&pf_rd_r=EGX3STTN5B69C7H0G2WP&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=EGX3STTN5B69C7H0G2WP

https://www.amazon.ca/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/ref=pd_sbs_23_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0015A8Y5M&pd_rd_r=4ee7b17b-c35a-11e8-82da-57b640a56e37&pd_rd_w=VZWb1&pd_rd_wg=RqTmL&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_p=d4c8ffae-b082-4374-b96d-0608daba52bb&pf_rd_r=DWR4XVQ501SSWVQN1TSD&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=DWR4XVQ501SSWVQN1TSD

https://www.amazon.ca/SVS-PB-2000-Black-Ash-PB-2000-Black/dp/B00I985V4U/ref=pd_sbs_23_23?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00I985V4U&pd_rd_r=80d33b52-c35a-11e8-85d4-ef9f8da44be6&pd_rd_w=fxiJj&pd_rd_wg=Kdhui&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_p=d4c8ffae-b082-4374-b96d-0608daba52bb&pf_rd_r=MT4VP6PKGB2AEZGD9JVP&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=MT4VP6PKGB2AEZGD9JVP

Their car audio tends to be pretty good and they make good smaller subs and amps for cars. They are not really considered high end for home audio but the ratings were good on this one.
https://www.amazon.ca/Pioneer-SW-8MK2-Designed-100-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B008NCD2PC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1538165775&sr=1-1&keywords=pioneer+powered+sub
 

need4speeds

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Jan 6, 2009
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The better quality 2.1 and 5.1 systems are good and can mimic a much bigger set of speakers. In a smaller room they sound like bigger speakers but the small sats can hang on a wall or on a small shelf and the small sub hides in the corner.

I have heard some cheaper brands and didn't like them. Now i read some ratings and the Creative Labs set doesn't have good ratings so i would skip that one. I didn't like the sound of logitec and some other cheaper brands, it had great bass but also harsh highs and off sounding mids.

 

need4speeds

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Jan 6, 2009
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This is the set i have in my bedroom. It sounds way better than it looks. Yes they look like some cheap junk. ALTEC LANSING VS3251 70 Watts 5.1 Powered Audio System
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836113007

They have some used ones on ebay. I wanted to buy a 2nd set for another room. The problem is they always lost the remote control for it. They don't work correctly without the remote.
 

LongHotSummer

Commendable
Apr 5, 2016
6
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1,510
Thx for all the replies guys! It's really helpful.



Today I went to the area you told me about:
- I could get the Pioneer Elite front speakers + center for $1150 USD + free shipping. Amazon is $1000 so really good deal for Taiwan. BUT I couldn't hear them as they have to order it.
- I had the chance to check out a Focal set in 3.1 (with unfamiliar music), the sub seemed really good but I don't have a real reference point. But it was way too expensive.
- I checked out a model they said was similar to Elac uni fi UF5 with my own music but over bluetooth. Couldn't figure out if I liked it + it wasn't the exact model I wanted.

I'll check out Costco next week.