Looking to upgrade to a proper sound system with $2,000 - $3,000 budget
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If this belongs more in /r/BudgetAudiophile please let me know.
Living room pictures https://imgur.com/a/qTH9WfS
I’m looking to upgrade from a Samsung QH-990C system. My family and I were at Best Buy and we listened to a proper sound system and my daughter goes “That’s much better than ours and makes it feel like we are in a theater, we need that.” So here I am looking to upgrade. I’ve been researching around over the last few days as I have very little knowledge with setting up a proper sound system. I’m looking to spend $2,000 - $3,000 dollars on the complete setup.
I’m looking for a 5.1 setup(with expansion possibilities in the future to 7.1 or 5.2) that gives the best theater experience I can manage for that price range. The main use will be shows and movies, although music will be listened to as well. My family and I are not audiophiles or anything close to that, but we do appreciate good sound.
The distance from the TV to the seats is 10ft and the living room is 14ft wide. The front speakers would be not in the most optimal spots due to room constraints, but would be about 1ft in front of the wall and 3 ft to the side walls. 3ft behind the couch is open and goes into the kitchen with a counter separating it. That limits the space for rear speakers.
From what I’ve found on Reddit, YouTube and forums are these parts that seem like a good match.
Option 1
* Front speakers - Polk R200’s
* Center channel - Polk R300
* Rear speakers - Polk Elite ES15
* Subwoofer - Speedwoofer 10s MKII
* Receiver - Denon AVR-X1800H
Options 2
* Front Speakers - Elec Debut 3.0 DB63
* Center Channel - Elac Debut 3.0 DC63
* Rear Speakers - Polk Elite ES15
* Subwoofer - Speedwoofer 10s MKII
* Receiver - Denon AVR-X1800H
I pick these because I see that both of these speaker sets are recommended a bunch for these pricepoints. I’m leaning more towards the Elac front speaker setup because I keep constantly seeing that the DB63’s really out perform for their price. I have the ES15 for rear speakers because they will be relatively close to the seating position. Only about 3ft away, so my understanding is that the speakers don’t need to be as powerful for rear speakers.
Between the two sets, pricing out at brand new items, they come out to option 1 being $2,687 and option 2 being $2,597 so they come out about the same. I’m not against getting open box or refurbished items though and will look around for those.
Please feel free to tell me your opinion on this and if I’m way fucking wrong or whatever else that is needed to get a good setup.