Recommendations on Dolby 7.1 Systems

[michaelzhao]

Hey,

I'm going to be making a purchase on a 50'' + LCD system. Whats a good TV without a good stereo system I figure? So... can anyone give me recommendations on a good Dolby 7.1 system under a grand?

I'm an audiophyte, but even my virgin ears can tell apart good audio. I own 2 fairly high end headphones Sony MDR-Z700 and the Sony MDR-Z900 so I have been used to listening through pretty good heaphones.

Which brings me to, can anyone recommend a quality Dolby 7.1 system? Am i better off buying a entire system or buying individual speakers separately?

I will be using for DVD's at the moment, but will definitely invest in a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player in the future. Thanks for any help!

~Michael

PS: I have heard that a high end 5.1 system is actually better than a low end 7.1 system. Is it considered a low end 7.1 system if its under a grand? I probably won't be willing to spend anymore than a grand.

PPS: The room size will be fairly big if that matters at all.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

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I posted the same message on another forum. Once of the members recommended this setup.

Since you say you want to do HD or Blue Ray you will need a reciever with HDMI video switching. That is alot to ask for sub $1000 without it being Sony crap. So get this:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4125717
This is an amazing reciever at an unbeatable price at $350.

Buy the Infinity Primus Speaker pack for $280 here: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lsuwF8Ee24j/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=12700&I=108PT5P

That leaves $380 for subwoofer. Get either one of these two subs. Don't let the fact that they are kits fool you or disuade you. They are both very highly respected.
The 10" Titanic for $350: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-760
Or, the 15" Dayton for $250.http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-770

If you end up getting something other than this recommended system (or Peru's recommended Pioneer/PSB combo), you may as well be pissing in the wind if you are looking for true bang for the buck that will impress people who know good sound. If you want to make it simple and impress your friends, get this:http://www.amazon.com/Denon-Acoustics-DHT-687BA-Complete-Theater/dp/B000MEYVEA Although, I wouln't.

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I'm reposting on this forum because I wanted a second opinion. What do you guys think of this setup? Is the decision smart to use a higher end 5.1 setup and upgrade later than buying a 7.1 system with the same amount of money?

Thanks guys!

~Michael

 

[Adam]

Michael,

Welcome to the forum. If it were me, I'd forget about HDMI switching as a criterion. To get a whole system for under $1K, you need to save some money on the receiver, so you won't be getting the new lossless surround sound modes and will probably want to upgrade later on anyway. Honestly, it'll be very difficult to get a whole 7.1 system for under $1K.

For my money, I'd get this:
Receiver: Onkyo 505 7.1 receiver (~$250 at Amazon, but will be about that price at Crutchfield and others soon). It just came out, but if it's like the last few years of their 500 series, it will be well liked by those who buy it. I've owned Onkyos in the past and have always been happy with them. To be honest, there are a number of brands around this price point with good features...I just happen to like Onkyo the best for the ones at this price.

Speakers: x-ls/x-cs 5.1 system ($776 at av123.com). I have never heard these, but all of the reviews that I've read have been quite positive. The new SVS speaker packages have gotten good reviews (and their subs have gotten great reviews), and they have some 5.1 and 7.1 systems on overstock sales right now (5.1 systems at $799).

Infinity Primus speakers got good reviews, too, so the other person's suggestion is good. I'd just say buy somewhere that you can easily return it.

Just my two cents worth.

Adam

 

[avaserfi]

With such a small budget I would recommend going 5.1 for now and upgrading later. Another thing to look at is exactly what Adam said, dropping HDMI from the list of needs. While it is a nifty feature that has some perks, it doesn't fit into your price range all that well. If you are entirely dead set on HDMI the new line of receivers due out for most major manufacturers might make it more accessible, but there are no guarantees.

I do not know much about the receiver that was mentioned (although I like onkyo products in general) but the speakers from av123.com are pretty nice and you can even audition them with no string attached. I would say those speakers are a good bet as well as something like axiom speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with avaserfi, I'd start with 5.1 with the intent to go 7.1 down the road with your budget. You will get more for your money, and at this price point it is going to make a bigger difference than if you were spending twice as much.

One thing to note - the X-series speakers are sold out until later this month. They are an excellent choice though.

This package is also on sale right now: http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDPREMIERPACKMPL for $700. The weak point is the sub IMO, but at the price, it is going to be comparable to what you will find.

 

[michaelzhao]

Thanks for the recommendation. How does the Mordaunt system you recommended stack up to what was originally recommended to me?

The original price is much highe so I'm assuming its better?

 

[mazersteven]

Hey,

I'm going to be making a purchase on a 50'' + LCD system. Whats a good TV without a good stereo system I figure? So... can anyone give me recommendations on a good Dolby 7.1 system under a grand?

 

[j_garcia]

I've heard the X-LSs and the Mordaunts. The MSs don't have the same "much larger than they are" sound, but they are very good speakers none the less, however the MSs are much smaller than the Xs. If you can wait until they are available, I'd hold out for the X-series.

 

[no. 5]

I’ll venture a guess that the Dayton Titanic or other Dayton sub is going to be better then the MS sub.

 

[jcPanny]

HT speaker options

In your budget I would recommend a quality 5.1 system (or even 2.1 or 3.1) over a HTIB 7.1 system. I second the AV123 x-series speaker option.

You should also consider an SVS 5.1 speaker package. It is on sale for $800 in white and silver:
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_white.cfm

Add an entry level receiver for $2-300 and you should have great audio to complement your new display.

 

[j_garcia]

I’ll venture a guess that the Dayton Titanic or other Dayton sub is going to be better then the MS sub.

The Titanic kits are definitely going to be better, though I'd say the Sub100/120 are probably comparable to the one in the package.

 

[zhimbo]

Hey,

I'm going to be making a purchase on a 50'' + LCD system.l

50+ inch LCDs are pretty darn pricey - you can easily spend >$4,000. Rear projection or plasma, or dropping down to 40-42inch LCD, will let you spend about 1/2 as much. You might have good reason for a big LCD, but if your audio budget is so tight you have an easy way to free up some money.

 

[michaelzhao]

No, I think I'm definitely going to buy either a 52'' LCD or a larger sized plasma for the same money.

 

[abefroeman]

"No, I think I'm definitely going to buy either a 52'' LCD or a larger sized plasma for the same money."

Are you sure?

Here is a 67" DLP for $1,400

Samsung 67"

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep, stick with a plasma or LCD so you have the cool factor.

I dont like white but I would jump on that SVS system for <800 bucks!

No, I think I'm definitely going to buy either a 52'' LCD or a larger sized plasma for the same money.

 

[Warpdrv]

Another question you might ask yourself, is whether or not 1080p or 1080i is more important to you... 1080i plasma's are a very good deal right now, have fantastic picture quality and in my opinion are just plain better then LCD (especially on standard def which is more then 50% of your viewing) and can save you some money to put out to better speakers... Are you looking for a super good picture and crappy sound..? or the best of both worlds....

There are give and takes here in your criteria, and the people here that are trying to help you have been through all this information time and time again, trying to convey to you what they have learned over the years....

I agree with everyone here that says, look at 50" plasmas, pull some budget $$ from your savings there and add some budget to your speakers, which are an extremely important part of movie experiences... you said it yourself

I'm an audiophyte, but even my virgin ears can tell apart good audio. I own 2 fairly high end headphones Sony MDR-Z700 and the Sony MDR-Z900 so I have been used to listening through pretty good heaphones.

Just trying to help... Hope you can find some neutral ground on what your looking for...

Warp