new speakers for mains in small HT

[jaygeorge1979]

Hey guys

I know this is Do It Yourself audio, so I know I am going to get flamed for even mentioning buying a JBL speaker off the shelf. Sorry in advance.

I am looking to build a small speaker system for my apartment home theater. I am getting a basic 100W per channel stereo receiver, and I need to buy some mains. I am trying to choose between

the JBL Venue Arena bookshelf speakers
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...d.JBL+VENARENA

OR

the partsexpress.com Dayton two way monitor kit
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/psho...td&orefer=dotd

Both are within my price range, and I know how to put a speaker kit together. My question is, which do you think would sound better? Who has heard either of these speakers, and what is your opinion?

Please, no suggestions to pick a different project and what not. I do not have the tools necessary to cut baffles and build boxes and countersink the drivers. That is why I either want to use the Dayton kit, where enclosure construction is already done, or buy the JBLs which are already built anyway.

Note: I plan on adding a subwoofer very soon, so low frequency extension should not be too much of a factor.

Thanks!

[BHTX]

Neither of your links worked, but I'm well aware of the Dayton kits at PE, as well as how overpriced they are. As for the JBL, I'd assume that it's probably very mediocre, but I haven't personally heard it, so I'll keep my mouth shut. There are quite a few options available to you. I should know, as I'm in a very similar position as you, and have been on the look out for the last several years. Anyway, I'd suggest considering some of the other kits/options available as well, if you haven't already.

[BHTX]

Realized it didn't seem right to leave the previous post without recommending something specific. So, take a look at this thread for some suggestions from myself and others, including some that can build your enclosures for you. One or two of the more well-known sites that I listed can also build them. Anyway, I guess I just personally feel as though with a small amount of extra thought and effort, you can probably end up on top with a bit more for your money.

kits with cabinets?

[jaygeorge1979]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/psho...td&orefer=dotd

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4103972

Sorry about those links. These should work.

Thanks for the reply. I am willing to give it some extra thought and effort. However, price plays a huge factor here. (I need to spend no more than 150 on everything for the main speakers)And I am noticing that all of the madisound kits, while they probably sound extraordinary, are a bit out of my range.

There are a couple of good sounding projects on the zaphaudio.com page that I have been wanting to try, but since I could not build the boxes I did not even consider them. I could not find any information on pricing for Scott Stein's cabinet work. My guess is that by the time I am done paying him and buying the drivers, I will have spent around twice as much as I can afford to.

I also checked out the GR-Research page and their kits are also more expensive, AND include some baffle cutting.

Despite all this, I am still reluctant to buy those dayton's. I guess I just need a little bit more of a push in the right direction.

Thanks,
JG