Two weeks ago the amp in my Klipsch ProMedia 4.1's threw in the towel on me. So for the past two weeks I have been researching a replacment system in my free time. That first two systems that really stood out, at least in the areas I had been searching, were the ProMedia 5.1 Ultras from Klipsch and the Z-5500 from Logitech. Unfortunately they both had some rather glaring issues that put me off making a decision.

Regarding the ProMedia 5.1 Ultras there are two great concerns. One being that the heat management on the amp is pathetic which seems to cause it to fail after approximately one year use. The other is that I would have to purchase them used from eBay or the like which means no warranty. The Logitech Z-5500, cheapest of the two, has a sloppy sub that does not lend itself well to music listening. Depressing...

So, while seeking more opinions, reviews and options, I found myself pouring over the boards here. Which has turned out to be beneficial since I have found two more options to consider; The Onkyo HT-SR700 5.1 Home Theater Entertainment System and the do-it-yourself route. However, things have started to exceed my area of knowledge so I am creating this thread in search of assistance. I will list what I am currently working with and what I am considering as my options. Please feel free to weigh in on my choices or to offer up a new one. Thanks.

Sound Card: X-Fi XtremeMusic (modded with superior opamps/blackgate)
Room Dimensions: about 10'x14'
Primary Use: Music is the main concern though I do spend a fair amount of time with video games and movies.

Options currently being considered:

Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Ultra
* ~250-300 USD shipped
* Tendency to fail due to overheating. No warranty as I cannot find it new.

Logitech Z-5500 5.1
* 180 USD shipped
* Sloppy sub. Logitech provides excellent customer support. Cheap due to large discount.

Onkyo HT-SR700 5.1
* 300 USD shipped
* I don't know much about this system yet.

Do-it-yourself based upon hydrogenaudio posts.
Behringer Studio Monitor B2030P (pair)
Athena (Klipsch) AS-P4100 400 Watt 10-inch Subwoofer
Onkyo TX-SR505 Receiver (I am completely new to receivers.)
* 110 USD shipped for the Behringer monitors; 150 USD shipped for the Athena sub; 190 USD shipped for the Onkyo receiver. Expensive. This would be my first time with a more complicated system.

What do you think? How do they compare?

The Behringer studio monitor option you listed will far out class the other options - but it is a bit of work to get all the stuff together for many people.

Consider KRK Rokit 5 studio monitors. They are very small(2 way 5" woofer), very high quality appearance and have very good performance, far better once again, than any of the HTIB or computer speaker options you listed above. The Rokit 5 is about 100 bucks per speaker. You can scale it to just 2 channels, or a full surround set up. It has built in amplifiers. You just need to feed each speaker from a surround sound card. I have available, measurements, if you so desire.

-Chris

Say I were to go with the Behringer monitors and Athena sub...what receiver would you recommend? I have zero experience with separate receivers so I do not know what will be adequate for my needs.

If you go with the Behringer option, a good receiver to currently get is the Onkoy SR505 directly from Onkyo's website. It's a closeout model and they have factory refurbish units for about $180 right now. It is a good quality unit with ample power for these speakers. It also has a variable built in xover that will be good enough to cross to the Behringer units. But remember, you can always upgrade to a more precision xover in the future to get more control and enhance perceived sound quality, such as the Behringer DCX2496 device can provide. You also have the option to use the Onkyo SR505 as a raw amplifier, as it has 5 direct inputs on the back to use the receiver as a straight forward 5 channel amplifier. The Onkyo SR505 also has the rare benefit of being very high quality in appearance for the price, if that is in any way important. It has a thick solid aluminum front panel, as opposed to the molded plastic front panels on most modern receivers. It comes in both satin silver and black finish.

Do remember that if you get the Behringer monitors, there are some easy mods to do to improve the level of performance, which I have covered here before. I will gladly repeat these mods if you need me to.

-Chris

My luck is so very awesome. I signed up for Club Onkyo and logged in. I then proceeded to add the SR505 to my cart; after which I inspected the warranty, shipping and points literature more closely. But before I could finish reading up on said information they removed the SR505 from the store...

...

Extremely frustrating.

I am a fan of Harman Kardon recivers; I have 4 of them. I purchased them all from HarmanAudio their factory refurb website. The service is great and the product is excellent. I hope you find what you need.

I hope you read this post: this eBay seller has a factor refurbished SR505 for $150 plus shipping: http://cgi.ebay.com/ONKYO-TX-SR505-7-1-Cha...1QQcmdZViewItem

The seller also has an internet store with the same price, but with FREE shipping(available in black and silver, but I am posting the black one in link as example): http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-sto...er-BLACK/1.html

-Chris

You could try ordering direct from Amazon.COM

$190.00 USD brand new with free shipping.


http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR505-Chann...r/dp/B000OBOGEG


.

Missed your post but fortunately my luck turned for once. The SR505 reappeared on the site a few days later; just in time for a 4th of July week "10% off refurbished items" sale. I got it for 133USD shipped.

Now I just need to get some interconnects...