attn: jostenmeat

most likely not very pretty though. Maybe even downright ugly. OTOH, they are the arguable leaders in bang for buck. Basically DIY made by someone else, or at least its been described that way.

maybe they think Im a spammer.

805 refurbed was had last week for $425!!!!!

refurbed from onkyoshop.

thats a silly ridiculous deal.

Yes, it is for majority for HT with some audio. This will be my first type of HT set up in a about 21' X 12' living room area. Recently purchase my first flat screen 52" LCD along with a PS3 & wanted to complete my HT setup. I've been trying to do my homework and research in speakers and receivers. From some of your post the Ascends sounded pretty good although I have never heard them. The current sale makes them even more attractive.

Do you think there is a huge difference in refurbished vs new? The best new price I could find on the net is @ Amazon right now for about $650.

I wanted your opinion on the Outlaw because of the great review on Cnet.

Thanks for the reply. K

$650 is still a pretty good deal. Amazon is nice, because of their CS. And Ive read, that so far, their units typically come with more recent firmware, where other vendors may not.

I don't know why so many people fret over FW. Its totally nuts. I haven't updated my receiver, and I've only once for my BDP. I think the rule of thumb should be if it aint broke dont fix it.

I like Ascends the best of what ive heard for the money for music. Ive never heard them in an HT setting. Im sure if my friend, who bought them on my rec, let me throw them in my HT, he might worry a bit! hehe

There's a guy I joke around with a lot at elsewhere. He actually owns TWO Outlaw Pluses, and as well a Hsu 3.3. He says the HSU is definitely better. OTOH, he says that DUAL Outlaws outperform the HSU. I haven't run into any consumer reviews recently that I can easily remember comparing these subs.

If looks didn't matter, I think I might pony up for that eD. SVS PB12 is a value leader, and at least the finish is nicer... if still huge.

go with Amazon, if you have the money. JMO. Heck, the 806 is an inferior unit and will go for hundreds more...

amazon came out with a lower price of $599- so I jumped on it. Now I just need to decide on the speakers.

You did it backwards.

OTOH, since you actually got a better amp than what is in most receivers, you have a larger choice of speakers. Many speakers are too tough to drive when hooked up with entry receivers (I mean... if you like HT volumes, seated at any significant distance)...

good luck

I have been monitoring the Amazon site for the Onkyo 805 for the past several months and seen the prices rise from the mid $600 up to mid$800, and did not want to miss out on the price.

I looked into Ascend because it was part of your dream system, but did not know it was primarily for music not HT. You have listed some great options for subs but can you recommend speakers in the price range of Ascend with good mid bass?

Thanks

but in a nutshell, I would go for towers if looking for midbass. Can you fit a center tower?

FWIW, a lot of people DO love Ascend for HT. Well, they are among the leaders in pure value. And you can still somewhat get away with lacking midbass, as most do anyways, but the solutions are pretty involved. For one thing, it pretty much requires at least dual subs up front near the mains.

Hm... $500 for a pair? There are too many options for towers. I have PSB Images, and I personally think they make great HT speakers. They don't quite have the clarity, soundstage, or imaging that the Ascends do, IMO, but one thing they can do is crank to high hell. They are decent speakers, don't get me wrong, some people think they even make fantastic music speakers. Its just that IMO Ascends really push the value imo.

go listen to some speakers. if you find some you like, check out used classifieds. by doing so, you usually can afford the next model up.

attention to details when considering used speakers from places like Audiogon. For anything being seriously considered, go to the manufacturers website to learn of either serial numbers or suffixes that differentiate different iterations of the product. That is different model years because even top makers like B&W run with a model number for several years, but after the first issue, they later address small tweaks that improve the performance.

Be careful to not spend money to not get what you thought you were buying.