Two channel home theater set up

I know it doesn't fit your description as they are bigger than a "two way monitor", but try looking for something like a pair of old Polk 10's. These can typically be had for well under $300 in excellent shape. While they are not super efficient, they do offer pretty reasonable sensitivity and extended ( if not slightly strong ) bottom end. The fact that they use two 6.5" mid-woofers will allow them to play reasonably loud without break-up while still retaining good reproduction of the human voice. Bottom end is reinforced with a 10" passive radiator. The soft dome will also help out with the SS receiver and typically "hot" sounding Hollyweird mixing that you get on most movies.

If their size is too much ( they aren't THAT big ), try looking for the Polk 7. It is smaller and uses a single 6.5" mid-woofer with an 8" passive but offers similar sonics. Obviously, max output and power handling will be reduced. I know of a pair of these for sale at a local dealer for $100.

In my opinion, you would be better off with one of those speakers than you would with a smaller two way even if you went to a small "HT" type sub later. For one thing, those speakers will actually work i a "music" based system. This allows you to use this as a secondary system with pleasant results. Besides that, most cheaper subs are pure crap and hard to blend. They shoot for high output and more "apparent" bass. This sacrifices extension and definition, but hey, most Best Buy and Circuit City shoppers don't know any better. If it "booms", it must be "powerful" and have a lot of bass, right ???

As to DVD players, look at picture quality first and if it will play cd-r's, etc... Just pumping the sound through a reasonable stereo system makes the audio portion of the presentation FAR better. I would not worry too much about the fake "spatializer" circuitry. If you can find it on a unit that does video well and can play cd-r's, that would only be icing on the cake. I mention the cd-r's as this is a nice feature to have and can be frustrating if you don't. One of the cheaper Sony DVD / SACD players might be a good option. Sean
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I will second Sean's suggestion about the Polks. I have a pair of Polk 7s hooked up in my den that I bought used in 1983, and they're still going strong. Not up to today's standards in some ways, but for your purposes they (or the 10s) would fit the bill quite well. Certainly more and better bass than you could buy in your price range today, and still a very musical speaker. In those days, Polk liked to demonstrate how much their speakers sounded like Spendors.

The PSB Image line of speakers is highly efficient. I too would recommend a sub, the PSB Image line has a nice sub that is not too expensive, the Image 6. Maybe the Image 2B + the Image 6 sub would be a good set up.

I don't have enough DVD experience to give you any advice. However, I do have a question: why do you want surround sound capabilities on your DVD play if you are only using two channels? Maybe you were thinking of future upgrades / expansions?

Good luck.

T1: I think he's talking about a unit that can simulate surround through two speakers. Perhaps someone more familiar with it can fill in the details.

Bomarc, we recently changed the tweeters in one of my buddy's Polk 10's and the difference was quite staggering. The sound was far more open, detailed and spacious. He was so overwhelmed and "giddy" by the increase in performance that it made me laugh. The great thing about this is that they were a perfect drop-in with the same exact cosmetics. It was like getting a brand new set of much improved speakers for something like $60 ( if i recall correctly ). Sean
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