First Home Theater, Need The World's Advice and Approval

[DeliciousSounds]

Hi there!

Starting my first surround sound home theater system for use in a mancave/den sort of scenario and wanted to see if you guys felt like I was making the right buying decisions given my circumstances.

Ok, so I need to buy all of this at Best Buy because I work there so I get an employee discount. Because of this, I will not be listing costs but assume its around where I want my budget to be. However, I always prefer better bang for my buck so it doesn't mean that I don't want to go cheaper.

It will be used for 50% games, 30% tv, 20% movies. I want to be as future-proofed as possible (within reasonable costs). Because of that, I'm sticking to Atmos-capable speakers--either via add-on or built within the speaker. I'm starting with a 2.1.2 setup (with the eventual goal to be 5.1.4)

So without further ado, here is what I'm going for so far:

-2x Pioneer Elite Floorstanding SP-EFS73

• ya, good?

But my problems start quickly... every single subwoofer that BBY sells seems to get a bad rap. There seems to be a love it or hate it feeling on the Def Tech Supercubes and Martin Logan Dynamos but that's kind of where my head is at. I want to stay at around $5-600 retail at the most. Is it possible to get an internet direct sub at such a great price and value that it would outweigh getting a B&M sub on a discount? and finally, is it necessary to get a subwoofer immiedately if I'm getting the above floorstanders?

Ok, so sweet sub- check.

But what about the receiver?? It needs to be Atmos capable and, hopefully, DTS: X capable (eventually). And of course I want it to safely power my speakers and sub and be able to eventually go to a 5.1.4 system.

Ok, so sweet receiver- check.

But do I have all the needed accessories?

Was going to get this speaker wire (SKU: 8632037 at bestbuy.com) and these banana plugs (SKU: 4224262 at bestbuy.com) and would cut the wire manually. Are there any tips in regards to that? Do I need a different kind of cable for the sub and what is a good recommendation from Best Buy if so (don't mind getting an overpriced brand here)?

So does that cover everything I'll need to connect?

And I guess just for kicks I'll throw the proposed TV in there in case anyone wants to comment for fun:

Sony XBR65X850B

• HOWEVER, debating if I should get the new 2015 model instead.
• Also debating if i should wait for an HDR capable TV (like I believe the new 2015 Samsung will be)
• Needs low input lag for gaming

Well thanks all for any guidance you can provide. I know the above is in-depth to say the least so feel free to pick and choose what you want to bother with, I just want to get some good feedback.

Thank you!

 

[tyhjaarpa]

First of all I myself would skip the atmos and focus on better 5.1 setup. I personally think that atmos is just not worth the money and that money can be used towards other parts of your setup.

 

[DeliciousSounds]

First of all I myself would skip the atmos and focus on better 5.1 setup. I personally think that atmos is just not worth the money and that money can be used towards other parts of your setup.

What are your thoughts on this specific Pioneer Elite speaker system? From what I've read, the speakers very much hold their own aside from Atmos and seem to be a great value for the price. So while maybe I'm getting ahead of myself with Atmos--it seems like this would be a good buy regardless...??

 

[markw]

I'll keep out of the speaker and receiver discussion since you seem to be pretty much set on those.

But, I will say that a sub from Hsu, SVS and some other sub specific IDs, you will get better bang for your 5 -600 dollars than what you can get at BB.

 

[rojo]

The Pioneers are excellent entry level speakers. Andrew Jones has done a fine job designing the best speaker possible for the price point Pioneer dictated. If you've heard them and like them, pull the trigger. You'll be able to take them back if they don't impress you at home like they did in the store, right?

For sub, does your Best Buy sell SVS? Do you get a worthwhile discount on them? What's the volume in cubit feet of the room you're going to fill with your new toys? Does it open into another room, such as the kitchen / dining room, or is it closed on all 4 walls?

For cables and banana plugs and other accessories, yes, I'm sure you can get a significant discount on those! By all means, buy them there. I used to work at Circuit City back in the day when employee discounts were based on store cost. CC and BB often imitated each other back then, so I'm guessing your employee discount is similar. Mostly, electronics were available at only a few bucks less with my discount. Occasionally during sales, retail was actually cheaper than employee discount! Where CC made its money was in accessories, extended warranties, and financing. I could (and did) get Monster Cable for pennies on the dollar. If you are in the same situation, heck yeah! Get yourself some Monster Cable. It's heavily inflated at retail, but it's quality stuff nonetheless and fantastic at an employee discount.

Atmos is just a fad. It'll pass when THX gets around to passing their Atmos killer.

You might consider foregoing those towers for a pair of bookshelfs and stands. If you're getting a sub, then you'll be crossing over your mains anyway. Bass extension won't matter. Bookshelfs will probably image better while saving you some money at the same time.

But ultimately, without knowing your budget, it's hard for us to confirm that you are getting the best sound for what you are spending. It could be that ID products superior to the Pioneers have a price that offsets your employee discount.

 

[DeliciousSounds]

I believe i can special order SVS through, but I don't think it will have a discount that way .

Sorry about having to be vague on my budget, honestly it's flexible enough that my big debate is, do I go with these Pioneer Elites since they are well-reviewed and good bang for your buck? Or do I just man up and go to a Martin Logan or Bowers & Wilkins set up and be ok with spending more upfront? Is that price difference leading to a noticeable increase in quality that makes it work it? Definitely not an audiophile at the highest level but I do want to have an educated taste for it.

I feel weird returning such expensive equipment esp with the employee discount when I know how much it erodes margin trying to sell it openbox so I'm trying to be as educated as possible before pulling the trigger.

You do have me thinking about de-emphasizing Atmos here, I'm just such a nerd for gimmicks (looking forward to doing some great 3D watching/playing on the tv)

Planning to open up a good ol BestBuy credit card too which will knock 10% off my first purchase (aka 10% off all of this glorious stuff) so that's why I'm also a bit more hesitant to step outside of that store for anything. However, I understand audio is a long-term investment and I don't want to be cheap about it.

Finally, you're saying I really won't gain anything at all from having tower speakers if I'm going to use a subwoofer anyway? That would save me a colossal amount of money but I was worried it wasn't ideal as the price difference is so huge I thought I'd really be missing out on something the towers would be providing for all that extra money.

Thanks for all the thoughts, I see a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[rojo]

What's the volume in cubic feet of the room you're going to fill with your new toys? Does it open into another room, such as the kitchen / dining room, or is it closed on all 4 walls?

Here's what I've got in mind for your budget-friendly-without-sounding-like-budget-friendly combo:

5x WaveCrest Audio HVL-1 -- $545 shipped
Rythmik LV12R sub -- $569 shipped -or-
Hsu VTF-2 MK4 sub -- $596 shipped
Denon X2100 receiver -- $399 shipped
100 feet 14 gauge OFC speaker wire + 15' subwoofer cable = $42 shipped. If you can beat this in the store, do. Just make sure the lamp cord you're buying is oxygen-free copper. If the packaging doesn't say, then you should assume it's copper-clad aluminum, and just say no. If it's Monster or Street Wires or Stinger or similar, it's probably OFC.

Stands, I'd guess would be around $60 - 120 on Amazon. If you can get them cheaper on your employee discount, you should. Otherwise, holler back if you'd like help shopping for some.

Jim Wilson wrote a thorough review of the WaveCrest HVL-1, and they appear to be solid performers with a remarkably flat frequency response. As nice for the money as the Pioneers are, I think the WaveCrest would be more apt to expose your closet audiophilia than the Pioneers.

The Rythmik Sub offers well-controlled impulse response and solid performance. The Hsu sub is a ground-pounding force to be reckoned with. Its impulse response might not be quite as narrow as the Rythmik, but it's still much more controlled and musical than the lamentable Martin Logan sub you mentioned. You'll typically get much better performance out of subwoofers from companies who specialize in subwoofers than those who make subwoofers as an afterthought, as a means to complete the sale of a full 5.1 / 7.1 package. True that Hsu sells bookshelf speakers and offers package deals, but their roots are in subs. If you'd like more alternatives, I'm going to wait until you respond to my question about your room dimensions.

So, can the WaveCrest + Rythmik shopping list compete with the B&W / DefTech / Pioneers you have available in your shop?

 

[Mark of Cenla]

If you are going to buy at Best Buy, I suggest you check out the new Sony Core speakers. The bookshelf model sounds much better than the Pioneer to me. Good luck.

 

[zieglj01]

If you are going to buy at Best Buy, I suggest you check out the new Sony Core speakers. The bookshelf model sounds much better than the Pioneer to me. Good luck.

+1
I agree with that.

 

[DeliciousSounds]

rojo (and everyone else!), thank you for all that really well thought out reply. Wow it seems crazy to think I can afford a 5.2 system on that exact same budget when I was originally thinking I'd be building it slowly.

Unfortunately, I need to get back to you on the dimensions as I haven't moved into the place yet and need to reach out to the landlord to see if they have them. If I had to guess, maybe 20x15 if not bigger (honestly that could be a horrible ballpark). It's a seperate room with it's own doors. but there are 2 both alongside 1 of the longer walls and the room has this weird slant where it gets wider towards the back.

I think I agree that I just simply need to get a sub from a subwoofer company. Best Buy's discount isn't worth skimping on something important like that.

I've actually had a change of heart after listening to many of your guys' opinions and I want to ditch the requirement of Atmos and all that bullshit and just get some damn good speakers to start. So I actually have started looking more heavily at the Motion 40, 60xt, or ESL's (though I dont think I have the room for ESL's and they seem picky in regards to positioning). Thinking if I got 60xt, slightly more expensive, I can hold off on a sub for just a bit longer but are the 60xt overkill?? I'm also wanting to look at the equivalent Bowers and Wilkins. Thinking I'll just listen to the 2 brands in the store and see if I have a preference as it does seem to be pretty subjective.

Is anyone out there with me? Cause I still feel like I'm in the maze haha

 

[DeliciousSounds]

So I've continued to mull and research and mull and research. I've realized that just getting the Motion 40's would get me struck with upgraditis in I imagine 5-10 years and I'm really looking to make a longterm investment in these things so I've said-- "screw bby" and have decided to get good speakers because they are good speakers.

The cost will be 2-3x as much but I'm thinking it pays off that much more in the long run.

So i looked at the songtower, philharmonic slim tower, and the sierra tower.

Because HT is going to be a major use for this, the sierra tower seems to be the choice hands down.

I'll be grabbing the custom ribbon tweeter with it--and thinking the bamboo for a bit of extra specialness too.

Do you guys think that the difference in quality between the Sierra Tower and Motion 40 will be worth the price of 2-3x more? I'm hoping so but want to make sure I'm not just falling into hype.