Seeking Audio Advice From You Audiophiles!

Hello all! Long time no post =]. I've decided that I want to buy a home audio system and since I'm not a huge movie guy, and more of a music lover, I'm just going for a 2.1 system (receiver + 2 floorstanding speakers). I've got my eyes on JBL audio speakers. But I need some advice as to their specifications and how to buy a receiver that matches those specifications.

Here's what i'm looking at right now:

Either the JBL Northridge E80 3-Way Dual 6" Floorstanding Speaker, Single (Black Ash) $189 per speaker

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000E6S10.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Features:

* 6-inch shielded PolyPlas woofers; 4-inch shielded PolyPlas drivers; 3/4-inch shielded titanium-laminate dome tweeters
* Straight-Line Signal Path crossover network divides signal with minimal processing
* 100 watts continuous, 400 watts peak power handling; 200-watt maximum amplifier power
* Gold-plated 5-way binding posts for strong connection
* Measures 8-3/8 x 36-1/2 x 13-1/2 inches (W x H x D)

or

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JBL Northridge E100 3-Way Dual 10" Floor Standing Speaker, Single (Black Ash) $302 per speaker (free shippong from Amazon)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000E6S0X.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Features:

* 10-inch shielded PolyPlas woofers; 4-inch shielded PolyPlas drivers; 3/4-inch shielded titanium-laminate dome tweeters
* Straight-Line Signal Path crossover network divides signal with minimal processing
* 125 watts continuous, 500 watts peak power handling; 250-watt maximum amplifier power
* Gold-plated 5-way binding posts for strong connection
* Each measures 12-1/4 x 42 x 14-1/2 inches (W x H x D)
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I was initially leaning towards buying the E80's and getting this receiver for them:

Pioneer 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Receiver $180 @ Circuit City but retails for $299

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/pio/PC.PIO.VSXD514S.CN.JPG

Powerful sound: 100 watts per channel brings all of your music and movies to life with clear, powerful sound.

5.1-channel surround sound: Wrap yourself in amazing surround sound with the five-channel, high-current amplifier.

Multiple listening modes: Get the best sound from your favorite music and movies with Dolby® Digital, DTS® and Dolby® Pro Logic II decoding.

Multiple video inputs: Connect all of your digital video sources with three S-video and two component inputs.

AM/FM tuner: Listen to your favorite radio stations through your home theater system.

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I know it's not a very expensive receiver but it has something like 60 reviews for it on CircuitCity.com and a 4.5 outta 5 rating which is damn good, considering the number of reviews....

okay now for my questions...

Does anyone think I'll notice a huge difference between the E80 and E100 speakers. I'm not an audiophile in the sense that I don't know a whole lot about audio equipment and elements of it but i absolutely love listening to music and get alot of enjoyment out of it. These will likely be the only speakers i'll buy for a long time so i'm debating just spending the extra $100 per speaker to get a more top of the line model.

Secondly, i notice that that particulary receiver, and most receivers say 100 watts per channel, does this mean that the receiver won't be capable of pushing the E100 speakers to their specified 125 watts RMS capability? I was eying 2.1 channel specific receivers but I plan on hooking up both a DVD player (thru which i will play CD's) and eventually an HD capable television to my receiver and the 2.1 channel receivers don't seem to have great connectivity capabilities....

If i choose to go with the E100 speakers, what type of receiver specifications should i look for to adequately match their specifications... I'll probably never have a 6.1 or 7.1 home theatre setup, at most i will add 3 more speakers (center & 2 back) later down teh road....


My problem is that i'm not 100% knowledgable about all the audio terms and how to interpret the specifications of the product... I don't want to pay more money for something i'm not going to notice a considerable difference in. If the more expensive speakers will likely product clearer, louder, and richer sounding music, than that's what i want. However if their only difference is the continuous RMS Power in which case I likely won't hear any difference unless the music is played at very high levels, than I'll go with the lesser model, the E80's...
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For the record:

I plan on buying a separate Subwoofer (probably the JBL Audio 250 watt model), which i heard at Best Buy and sounded great. I know the speakers themselves will not produce an adequate bass response.

Also, Best Buy sells the E80 speakers for $350 a piece and the E100 speakers for $500 a piece, what a rip off! (compared to Amazon's prices)... and silly Amazon charges you like $100 more if you pick the E80 model w/ the Cherry or Beachwood finish (think it's from a different merchant)...

I tried Ebay and could not find a seller of JBL audio speakers with a better deal (incorporated shipping into the expense)...

I'm seeking the invaluable advice of you here at Majorgeeks because I could not find sufficient (hardly any) reviews online regarding JBL audio floorstanding speakers and do not have access to Consumer Reports... i did look up alot of the terms that I don't really understand but definitions are of limited help when you have no real-life experience with what they are describing...

Lastly, I'm not 100% set on JBL audio... If anyone has other speakers to recommend and can provide me with reviews about the product, I'll gladly consider buying from another company. My budget is $300 per speaker. And i don't want to spend more than $250 on the receiver.

(Sorry for typing so much, phew, finally done! Thank you! =])

 

About 30 years ago, when I was in the Air Force, I went and bought a nice system….Pioneer sx1010 which had 120rms per channel, a nice direct drive turn table (don’t have a need for those any more), real to real tape deck, that also had a cassette tape deck in it, and a amp, and small speakers in it……and Bose 901”s speakers…….and while it sounded great, I never lived in a place, where I could turn it up…….

My point is, I have a 5.1 surround sound system, on the computer…nice sound card, a Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS, along with a Logitech surround system, that rated at 140 watts, again, I still live in a place, where I can’t turn it up….and with the video card, can input to a tv, and watch DVD’s and cable as well……for a few dollars more, I could have bought the Logitech with 500 watts, and had the 6.1 or 7.1 setup…….

……buy a cheaper computer, give it these upgrades, and you’ll have a great system……..I know, I’ll never go and buy a stand alone system……..wobbles

 

If you're set on upgrading with a good subwoofer later, go for the smaller woofers and save your money, since the subs will carry everything below probably 50 or 100 cycles, depending on which sub you get.

I'd recommend listening to Paradigm speakers if you can find them in your town. Excellent sound, and GREAT sound for the price. Very neutral and honest speakers. For the sub, listen to Velodyne if you can find them (Circuit City used to carry them, don't know if they still do). Again, very accurate; lots of real bass without pumping up the mid-bass to impress the naive.

100 watts per channel should be plenty, especially since the powered sub will relieve the receiver of having to supply the low frequencies. Sound gain is logarithmic; it takes a doubling of power to raise the sound level an additional 3 decibels, which is NOT very much. Spending more for more power is a waste. Look for the features you want rather than the max power rating. Max power ratings on speakers don't mean much, don't worry about being able to drive them to the "max". 100 watts will rattle the windows and annoy the neighbors.

 

Check into home theater packages, if you are going to upgrade to a full surround package from the 2 speaker set-up. You could get a good 5.1 to 7.1 in your price range. For someone who isn't an audiophile, you are looking into some pricey high-end equipment. For $300/speaker (2 satellite and 1 sub) and 1 receiver @ $250, you could have this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...ductCategoryId=pcmcat48400050000&type=product
Low-end Bose will eat anyones high-end gear for lunch any day.

 

yes GT i'm starting to think the E80's will provide more than ample sound... I'll likely be living in an apartment or townhouse for the next couple years so i'm guessing more power just doesn't make sense given the vicinity of my neighbors... I have seen the Velodyne subs on Circuit City's site but they are quite pricey (i'm sure they sound fantastic though)... I was eying a 12" 150 watt sub by MTX (for $180) that received really good reviews...

Just Playin', as i said in my post, i'm not a huge movie fan so my listening is predominately confined to music, in which case large floorstanding speakers and a 2.1 set up would be superior to a home theatre package (w/ smaller speakers)... yes Bose does make great products but at times they seem way too pricey... if you check out some of the reviews @ CircuitCity.com for their high end audio equipment you'll find many people felt they could have purchased a similar performing system for far less w/ other brand name audio equipment... also, your Best Buy link did not work....

 

I decided to go with the E80's... Amazon only had 5 left in stock, so i jumped on it. Total came to $380 and i did not have to pay for shipping because the product was eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping.... Can't believe Best Buy is selling these speakers for $350 a piece...

Now I gotta gotta look into the receiver, sub, and replacing the speaker wires.... might have to wait for another paycheck =\

 

My Yanaha amps are 65Watts per channel - if I turn them up to halfway on the volume the whole house starts vibrating!
Your amp shouldn't have more power than your speakers can handle as a mistake could pop the speakers (Your eardrums will probably have already popped by then...!)
If I had to buy a new system I would go for an entire 7.1 system (Amp, woofer & speakers) and a good soundcard. Volume is fun for impressing your buddies but quality is better appreciated when watching a movie.

 

Yamaha poweer amps are actually awesome. I've got one (an A100) 50W per channel, it sounds great. With my speakers, I can get a very nice rounded sound which isn't too harsh but detailed enough for me to master with. Lovley setup to listen to music with.

 

Midget you say you're not much of a movie guy but a music lover, yet you're looking at surround sound and pro-logic which indicates you're considering a TV amp. they're designed for listening to movies where the action is all around you. I haven't heard a TV amp yet, reproduce music as well as my 25year old 60w per side system.... geez, I need to upgrade. Anyways, take a listen to some normal amps or receivers before you commit.