Good first set of Mains to move to Surrounds later on?

[zegebe]

Hey Everyone,

First off - amazing little forum here. I've been thinking about building my own set of HT speakers for years, and after lurking around here the past few days am finally going to take the plunge!

Anyway, I'm looking to build a pair of budget-class (~$300 for drivers/crossovers sense) Mains that I can later move to Surrounds as I upgrade. And since I don't have a suite of woodworking tools here quite yet (they're across the country), I'm also leaning towards something that uses a PE cabinet.

Right now, I'm looking primarily at the Modula MT and the Natalie P, but haven't seen much talk of using Natalie P's as surrounds.. any particular reason for that? (or are MTM's typically not used for surrounds in general?). Would I be better off doing the Modula MT's, then CJD's RS150 MTM as a Center, and moving the Modula MT's to the rear when I build new Mains?

thanks

(edits - meant the Modula MT, not XT, and budget is for drivers/crossover)

[ThomasW]

but haven't seen much talk of using Natalie P's as surrounds..

They'll work fine for surrounds but there's no way you could build a operational pair using the PE cabinets for $300.

[FlashJim]

Parts Express has quite a few kits that look pretty good.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=769

[cjd]

They'll work fine for surrounds but there's no way you could build a operational pair using the PE cabinets for $300.

I don't think any of those designs will fall into the $300 camp using PE cabinets. *shrug*

[Undefinition]

Well, wait, does the $300 include the cabinets? If so, that doesn't leave much for drivers and XO components. If the cabinets are a separate budget, then I think $300 could do some good damage!

[zegebe]

Sorry, I meant ~$300 for the drivers/crossover parts. I realize the cabinets will add to that.

And Jim, I had thought about PE's Reference Series or Usher MTM kits.. haven't been able to find a ton of information on either though.. and I like the idea of assembling the crossover myself if I build from scratch.

I don't think any of those designs will fall into the $300 camp using PE cabinets. *shrug*

[707kevin]

Zaph za5 from madisound can be built in the 7l PE box as a sealed version which would make great little surrounds. I'm biased though since the za5 is the only diy i've done so far.

EDIT:
oh, 300-ish for drivers and xovers -I was trying to include box as well.

[1Michael]

They'll work fine for surrounds but there's no way you could build a operational pair using the PE cabinets for $300.

"but haven't seen much talk of using Natalie P's as surrounds.."

I am using them as surrounds and they work great.

[zegebe]

Thanks for the input everyone. Looks like the RS180-8's are out of stock for at least a month though.. so I'll have to put my plans on hold for a bit

[joeybutts]

I was told that Markk's RS22528A's are more than up to the task of being front mains....I'm using them for surrounds.....:/