Feeling Overwhelmed

[KEW]

Generally, putting money into speakers will have a greater effect.
However, with the AAs, you have a pretty amazing sweet spot in price for performance.
I think you will need to put more than an extra $100 into speakers to outperform the AAs. I certainly don't know what speaker would do that.
BoredSysAdmin, Afterlife2, or Zieglj01 may know of better options than I do.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Kew, Sub is a speaker too

 

[afterlife2]

Well I love loud. The 2100 is still $100 more than the 1100...hate to sound cheap but I am really trying to stick to the budget.

Here's a new question...if you guys were going to spend a little more than you planned would you spend it on wattage or speakers? My gut says better speakers would make more if a difference than an extra 15 watts?

Yes, but if you want more power you can always get an amp later. I was just saying some music/movies are not often recorded loud and you would have to bump up the volume, so always good to have more power. You will also save money buying at monoprice. Win-Win

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Too add an amp later on, the AVR must have pre-outs and unfortunately most budget AVR lack this feature. Watt are not linear to power - To double the volume (+9db) you'd need to 10 times the power.
As long as speakers present easy load, with 75 (Denon) Watts - you should't worry about power.
Now, you're not going to able to use this amp to play for large crowds in large venue but it would more than ok in your basement (at least until the upgraditis bug strikes

 

[zieglj01]

Well I love loud. The 2100 is still $100 more than the 1100...hate to sound cheap but I am really trying to stick to the budget.

Here's a new question...if you guys were going to spend a little more than you planned would you spend it on wattage or speakers? http://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-NU-Foam-Bumper-10-Inch-26-Inch/dp/B003W0T164/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

No need to spend extra $100 on receiver

Save for now - you are off to a good start - the 1100 will be fine

$100 more on front speakers, will not gain anything at this time

 

[afterlife2]

but later you'll be like I shouda listen to that dude afterlife2. Echos of 2100 more power will run in your head. lol kidding.

 

[Fritzie]

but later you'll be like I shouda listen to that dude afterlife2. Echos of 2100 more power will run in your head. lol kidding.

It's because of people like you that I titled my post the way I did! lol
Seriously, thank you all for the help...I do appreciate your time and advice. I think I'm going to go with my previously mentioned setup. It seems that it will be a good start and I feel good about the fact that I was able to upgrade to a good sub and still stay in budget!

Too add an amp later on, the AVR must have pre-outs and unfortunately most budget AVR lack this feature. Watt are not linear to power - To double the volume (+9db) you'd need to 10 times the power.
As long as speakers present easy load, with 75 (Denon) Watts - you should't worry about power.
Now, you're not going to able to use this amp to play for large crowds in large venue but it would more than ok in your basement (at least until the upgraditis bug strikes

And yes...I'm sure the bug to upgrade will strike me sooner rather than later! Maybe in a few years when these kids are done with college. haha

I will post back when its all set up and let you know how it worked out. Thanks again!

 

[Fritzie]

Almost forgot to ask...I need help with wiring. Is the 14g from monoprice a good choice? And what type of connectors do you recommend, both at the speaker and at the receiver?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

monoprice 14g wire is not bad choice, but I prefer the 12g.
For short runs (under 50ft) not much difference at all, but over that 12g has small advantage

You could do bare wire, it would work - but a bit of pain next time you'd need to change something. You could buy banana terminators and dress the wires a bit.

I used monoprice banana connectors, but I don't think they are that great and many AHers consider them really terrible.

 

[afterlife2]

You'll be ok with the setup for now. Yeah I have the 16 speaker wire and it works well in my small space. the 14 are if you have a longer run. Get the banana plugs from monoprice.

HDMI wise I got these and recommend them: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DI8A1NW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are great too for the price. I use it for my projector to receiver, so I needed a longer run 15 feet: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEW8MVC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good luck and pics are mandatory when it's all set up.

 

[Fritzie]

monoprice 14g wire is not bad choice, but I prefer the 12g.
For short runs (under 50ft) not much difference at all, but over that 12g has small advantage

You could do bare wire, it would work - but a bit of pain next time you'd need to change something. You could buy banana terminators and dress the wires a bit.

I used monoprice banana connectors, but I don't think they are that great and many AHers consider them really terrible.

That 50ft figure is both ways, correct? Meaning that if the speaker is 25' away, that is a 50' run?

What Banana plugs would you recommend and what style connectors are at the receiver?

 

[afterlife2]

Yeah correct.
I got these banana plugs and they do the job: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=9437&seq=1&format=2
These are a great HDMI deal: http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Veins-Speed-6-Feet-2-Pack/dp/B00BEWF4R2/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z
Sub cable: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2680&seq=1&format=2