OK, I've done some quick scheming here...

The Bose AM6 sells for around $600. The Onkyo sells for $300 at Circuit City, and appears to have gotten some pretty decent reviews at CNet . I'd suggest trying to demo the Onkyo's, but it will be very difficult to do in an environment like Circuit City. Their specs certainly look better than anything Bose has available, and in the price range they are probably as good as you will find.

If your budget allows a bit more, then I would definitely suggest looking into something like the Paradigm Atoms (~$180/pair, potentially less depending on the dealer you get) or some of the other Paradigm recommended systems . There's also the Cheap Home Theater suggesting of JBL's N24 , or the Energy Take 5 or Boston Acoustics Micros (some of the smaller Micros might be an option to set alongside the Onyko package).

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

[This message has been edited by gonk (edited March 19, 2003).]

Heh... Nevermind my previous post...

The Onkyo's include a powered subwoofer, so the combination of it and the JVC should work just fine. As Jason J mentioned, the JVC does allow for additional devices to be used with it (so you could add a different DVD player, a satellite or cable box, or a VCR). It does not have a 6-channel analog input, so DVD-Audio and SACD can't be added to it.

The Rutledge speakers look pretty nice, and D'Arbignal has proven to be pretty well-informed in the past. If you did get just a pair of the M-1's now, you will be operating in a purely stereo mode until you add additional speakers -- without a center and surrounds, you will want to leave the JVC in stereo mode at all times. When you added the center and surrounds later, you would be able to begin taking advantage of the surround sound. This is a route that offers less immediate gratification, but does allow for better speakers by spreading out the cost -- and you could use that approach while purchasing another brand like Paradigm or Polk or Klipsh or ... (you get the idea).

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Konrad, I suggest you purchase as good a pair of speakers as you can afford-- for now. Consider taking your JVC unit back and buying the Model 1050. You can buy a DVD player for as little as $70.00. Then, as Gonk says, add the surrounds when you can afford it. Finally, the center. You can get by without the center to start with. When you're ready, add a subwoofer. You can find them for as little as $150.00 or so. You will be much happier in the long run! Best wishes...

[This message has been edited by steves (edited March 19, 2003).]

You all are toooooo good. Would you believe that in the Circuit City Web site, there was no mention that the Onkyo subwoofer actually is self-powered? That changes my thinking a bit, although it clearly is a mass produced piece of . . . whatever.

I now have some soul searching to do. Do I buy the good merchandise and add on when I get more money? Or do I stick and pay the dues to my children's education fund (otherwise known as the black hole)?

Thanks to you all. You are gems.

Konrad,

I think you'll be very happy with the M-1 Monitors. In fact, just to illustrate a point, I used to have some Bose speakers in my bedroom (bought 10+ years ago, back when I thought Bose was good) and I have since replaced the Bose with the M-1 Monitors and a C-1 Center (on order). The sound quality is very much improved, and I'm really happy with the looks too. I can't wait until my center arrives! :-)

Brian really knows what he's talking about. He's a regular over at the SMR Forums (http://forums.smr-forums.com:8080/ ) and his advice about speaker design is highly-regarded there.

Take care,

Jeff

By the way, with regard to getting a bad subwoofer or good monitors, I'd go with the good monitors. Nothing will hurt your sound more than bad bass, in my opinion. Shallow bass is bad, but thumpy, uneven bass is even worse.

Also, most of the brands that have been discussed (including the Rutledge Audio Design ones) offer pretty good bass extension for monitors. I know that the Paradigm Titans has surprisingly good bass, and the Rutledge Audio M-1 Monitors have smooth extension down to 60 hz.

I agree with the others: I'd go with the good speakers now, and then add on components as more money becomes available. I've never regretted buying nice gear, even if it was a strain on the budget at the time. I have regretted buying low-quality gear to save money, though.

Jeff

Personally I can go either of two ways; (1) So cheap I don't mind completely losing the 'investment' later or (2) Get what I want. If I try to tread some middle ground I'm almost invariably disappointed.

True enough. Although sometimes the cheap and the expensive can surprise you.

I mean, look at Outlaw: cheap.

Look at Bose: expensive.

'nuff said.



Jeff

Very true. Makes things simpler when (rarely) that's the case.

Between 3:00 and 3:30 PM yesterday Gonk did a total flip (with a half twist I guess). Now I know you can't take back what you said, but the Onkyo's do have surround and CNET says they're an okay value considering the budget.

Then the world turned to quality stereo (rather than "ok" surround), adding on the surround part later.

Please tell, how does quality stereo beat okay surround - assuming "later" might never come?

[This message has been edited by Konrad (edited March 20, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by Konrad (edited March 20, 2003).]