wonginit wrote:Good afternoon everyone.
I recently have an opportunity to buy a brand new Polk TL150 5.0 speaker with a BIC America Formula Series F-12 Subwoofer. All together with shipping for $400.00. My budget is $500.00 for a 5.1 system, and the "Man Cave" is only 16' x 15'. I'm running my Project I Xpression with a Technolink TC-772 RIAA MM Phono Preamp into my Onkyo 7.2 TX-NR609 receiver. I also have my DVD's/CD's/netflix/and PS3.
Anyone have any comments about either of the items?
Polk TL150 5.0 speaker.
BIC America Formula Series F-12 Subwoofer.
lmk.
Yes, I know 5.1 - surround sound. However. Were you to be working in stereo I would answer as follows:
Two things right off the bat:
De mortuis nil nisi bonum.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
The former as it applies to Bose.
The latter as it applies to the Polk/BIC combination.
With a $500 budget there are many dozens of speakers out there that will meet your needs and be very nearly infinitely better than either what you have or what you are contemplating. As you seem to be space-constricted, start with considering a pair of small (new) Maggies. Or perhaps a pair of larger vintage Maggies from a trustworthy source. The MGa should do fine even in a smallish space. Or, look for a pair of AR3a or 2ax speakers, also from a trustworthy source. If you are lucky, maybe a sub/sat system such as the Revox Piccolo or AR Athena systems - they seldom come around, but when they do are usually well within your proposed budget.
Other but still worthwhile choices: AR11, AR90, Dynaco A35, any of several ADS speakers, and so forth.
All of which are on the power-pig end of the spectrum - but it takes energy to move air, and only a little bit of energy moves only a little bit of air as the laws of physics still apply to speakers - claims by manufacturers notwithstanding.
Getting specific: Any of the subwoofer/sat drivers out there from AR or ADS or Revox or any of several others will handle center/right/left. Purchase two satellite speakers from the same maker and you get your 5.1 but with components designed for actual full-spectrum use - which 99-44/100ths of such systems are not. AR made a powered sub-sat system (AR622) that with two additional satellites would be ideal for your program. I see them quite often in the <$140 range. Bullet proof and with better-than-decent bass in a small room.
Sorry if I am being unkind with this commment... No highs? No lows? Must be Bose!
Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA
