Q I am about to build a home theater system in my basement. I recently purchased a 50-inch plasma HDTV and have decided to go with a pair of the $89 Best Buy Insignia NS-B2111 speakers that you recommended as the front left and right speakers. What would match up well for the center channel speaker or surround speakers to go with the Insignias? What do you recommend for the subwoofer? I would like to spend no more than $500 to $600 for the speakers and receiver (I am looking into the Onkyo TX-SR304 as the receiver for around $200).
TOM HOPKISS, PITTSBURGH
A The best possible match to the Insignia NS-B2111s is more NS-B2111s. I recommend three pairs: one pair for front left and right, one pair for surrounds and one speaker of the remaining pair could be used as the center channel. You could use the remaining speaker as a back surround speaker, or simply keep it as a spare. Though center channels usually have different dimensions and driver layout than a left/right speaker, this is for purposes of placement and not because it makes a better center channel. The ideal setup is to have three identical speakers across the front, and that is what you will have. You can put the NS-B2111 on its side if necessary since the drivers are coaxial, but you will have to support it underneath as the cabinet is curved.
A great subwoofer is the Dayton 10-inch powered subwoofer from partsexpress.com. It sells for $105. A 12-inch version is available for $140. With three pairs of Insignias at $90 each and a 10-inch Dayton sub, you will have spent about $375 on your speakers.
Add the TX-SR304 for $200 and you are right on your target, under $600 for a component system with great-sounding bookshelf speakers and a powered sub. I do recommend you increase your budget if possible and get the Onkyo TX-SR605 receiver instead of the TX-SR304. The TX-SR605 supports the new surround-sound formats such as Dolby TrueHD, which are found on HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs. If you ever adopt one of these formats (and with a 50-inch HDTV, you really should), you will enjoy the best possible sound from them. The TX-SR605 is available for $425 online. Refurbs are available from time to time and usually sell for under $350. It's a bit more than your budget, but will get you the best sound and help stave off obsolescence.
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