Well I started putting together a home theater after years of resistance.  So far I have a Samsung 75") and a Pioneer 1124 receiver.  Was thinking about putting Orb speakers on it, and kind of snapped at that point.





Did a web search (jokingly) about Radio Shack speakers - which led me down the path to my own destruction.  I started to do a 5.1 build with Minimus 7 speakers instead of Orbs.    The thought is to start with 3 pair (rear, front, and center), with the center being 2 speakers (like Orb does).  If I like the sound, but want more, will double up the fronts as well.  (If I don't like the sound I am out less than 1 pair of Orbs).  But here is the question.  Any suggestions on what to do about the sub-woofer?  I have built cabinets before - should I just grab an 18" and a sub amp and run with it (how large?).  





I have a pair of 8" woofers, I could build a cabinet for them (and it would be more on price point with the Minimus 7's).  The 8" replaced stolen 12" long ago.  Half tempted to get a clearance sub amp, and run the 8's at 4ohms.





The room is large - not expecting to fill it.





 

 

When budget shopping, look at Seismic audio.  They're not the most musical subs out there, but they certainly are a great value.



Here a 12" powered sub that should work well for your room.  And it's < $225.00



http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/active-12-inch-studio-subwoofer/p/Spectra-12SUB

My BiC 12" subs rocks

Thanks for the heads up on the Bic.  PL200 inbound (fairly low price for a substantial upgrade on the amp).  That should put my speaker system in at under $500 - and the whole system not much over 4k (TV, DVD, Roku, Receiver, and speakers).





Ok, kill me on this - but I can not wait to listen to Frozen on it...



Went with the Bic because they sell through Radio Shack (and while I did not get any of this from the Shack - it is all Shack stuff).


 

Why do people cheap out so much on speakers? They are the most important investment in a home theater. Speakers should at least be half of your budget.

While audio media and TV formats change every few years, good speakers will last for decades.

1/2 might be a good benchrest - but no way my wife would let me spend $3500 on speakers - or the room to put them.  I had budgeted for the Orbs, and might yet go that direction.  This is kind of a what the hell project at this point - they will be useful in other rooms if nothing else.  

I believe what they are saying is that right up front, before you buy anything, you need to allocate 1/2 the budget for speakers.  This is especially important in these days of 7.1 sound.  Eight speakers are needed, at least!  My 7.1 system has 10 Orb satellites and a subwoofer.

In your case, as in most other instances, speakers are an after-thought.  Too much money has already been spent on things that do not matter as much as the speakers matter.

If I misinterpreted the earlier posts, guys, feel free to correct me.

My advice - buy the Orbs, at least the Orbs, with a subwoofer.  Orb's subs are decent and ordering one simplifies your problem.  Do not go cheap on speakers.



P.S. - I think you meant to use 'benchmark' not 'benchrest'.