Thanks for the help...see what I got!

[MaxSpeedM3]

guys,

wanted to thank everyone for all the help. got a lot of input on my previous system. i finally got my HT system and now need cables.

where and what should i do about speaker wires and cables? is there a place online that carries good stuff for a good price? or can i just go over to my local fry's / best buy and grab me some? i read on the forums that the speaker wires really doesn't matter. is that true?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Bluejeans or Monoprice

But there is noway you can wait for a mail order if you have all your new gear in the house already! Run up to one of the big box stores or Rat Shack and get some stuff just dont but the Monster.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

guys,

wanted to thank everyone for all the help. got a lot of input on my previous system. i finally got my HT system and now need cables.

where and what should i do about speaker wires and cables? is there a place online that carries good stuff for a good price? or can i just go over to my local fry's / best buy and grab me some? i read on the forums that the speaker wires really doesn't matter. is that true?

For speaker cables, I would get Blue Jeans Cables---- 12 guage cables will do.
For HDMI/RCA/interconnects, I would get Monoprice.com cables.

You should buy good quality cables, but don't waste money on exotic ones.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

guys,

wanted to thank everyone for all the help. got a lot of input on my previous system. i finally got my HT system and now need cables.

where and what should i do about speaker wires and cables? is there a place online that carries good stuff for a good price? or can i just go over to my local fry's / best buy and grab me some? i read on the forums that the speaker wires really doesn't matter. is that true?

If you want speaker wires/interconnects locally, go to Lowes or Home Depot. Get 14 gauge wire if your runs are long (say over 25 ft.), otherwise 16 gauge will do, and no the brand doesn't matter.
Nice system.

 

[avaserfi]

If you want speaker wires/interconnects locally, go to Lowes or Home Depot. Get 14 gauge wire if your runs are long (say over 25 ft.), otherwise 16 gauge will do, and no the brand doesn't matter.
Nice system.

Joe has your back. If you really want to get your cables today go to a hardware store like he says, it will save you tons of money and you will get the same performance. When it comes to the rest of your interconnects I agree with Greg, monoprice/bluejeans all the way.

 

[MaxSpeedM3]

i'll look into those places. i really can't wait to set it all up but i need to get a nice dvd player. i'll hold off on that for now. trying to see what else i need.

should i get one of those panamax power conditioners? or can i just get anything? what are you guys using for your surge/conditioner?

i'm looking to setup my next purchases. what should i start putting on my list? i might need a new plasma. i got it awhile back before they started putting HDMI on them.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What everyone got a "thanks" but me? I must try again...

Dear MaxSpeedM3,

Congrats on the purchase of your fine system. If you are looking for excellent yet inexpensive cables/wires then I would suggest Monoprice or BlueJeans. As these are ID companies they shipping time may be too long as I am certain you are ready to hook up everything and start enjoying. You can get decent deals at big box stores(AR) or Radio Shack (RS has it’s own brand that are pretty good) just don’t buy any of the Monster Cable as it is just too expensive. I use Home Depot CL-3 wire on the runs that go through my walls and attic and Dayton 10 awg from Parts Express and GLS banana plugs for the wires that can be seen and don’t go through the walls. 10 awg is way bigger than I need but it looks cool and I am all about the “coolness” All my other cables are from Monoprice or BlueJeans.

 

[avaserfi]

The most important thing to get when you are buying a surge conditioner is getting one that is UL approved. I am very happy with my belkin PF60 which I got for about 150 shipped from ecost brand new (it is silve though ) another brand to look into is APC as they make great stuff too.

I would say you should get a HD player of sorts for BD I recommend a PS3 if you want added functionality for HD DVD I have no clue .

edit: Greg he did thank you .

 

[ParadigmDawg]

He snuck-in and added that while I was writting my comments.

edit: Greg he did thank you .

 

[cfrizz]

I would also recommend BJC! They slip on & off like a dream. Which is what I love about them.

Radio Shack's IC while they may be good are very hard to put on & pull off. I use to fear for my connections when trying to pull those things off!

BJC has very fast shipping.

 

[mtrycrafts]

i'll look into those places. i really can't wait to set it all up but i need to get a nice dvd player. i'll hold off on that for now. trying to see what else i need.

should i get one of those panamax power conditioners? or can i just get anything? what are you guys using for your surge/conditioner?

i'm looking to setup my next purchases. what should i start putting on my list? i might need a new plasma. i got it awhile back before they started putting HDMI on them.

Don't bother to go to those stores you mentioned as most likely they sell Monster, way over priced. Maybe Target may have some inexpensive cables, or not anymore.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Try a simple twist as you pull them off

.

Radio Shack's IC while they may be good are very hard to put on & pull off. I use to fear for my connections when trying to pull those things off!

QUOTE]

 

[MaxSpeedM3]

ok, i took everything out of the box and placed them around the rooms. i did a little rearranging of the furniture. trying to find stands for my rear speakers. any suggestions?

i have to mount my plasma to my media center. if i don't mount the plasma, i have to place the center channel above my plasma. does the center channel have to be near ear level? or does that matter?

the only thing now is to get some cables. i'll get that soon. i'll take some pics of my setup and post them.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

http://www.standsandmounts.com/

If the center is low just angle it up.

 

[avaserfi]

I have a set of studiotech stands that I am very happy with so I would recommend looking at theirs if you are in the market.

Also, if your center is to low I recommend one of two things. The first is a bit more expensive than the second but looks better. Get a set of auralex mopads or something similar and use those to angle the center. The second is to get a set of 2 or 3 rubber doorstops from walmart or something like that and use those to angle your center. I use the latter and have had great success.

One thing about a center to realize is that in general, if they cannot be right behind the screen, as is this case, it is better theoretically to have them above, rather than below, the screen as it is harder to localize sound above your ear due to our design. That being said I doubt you will notice too much of a difference if you angle your center properly, I know I haven't.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

i'll look into those places. i really can't wait to set it all up but i need to get a nice dvd player. i'll hold off on that for now. trying to see what else i need.

should i get one of those panamax power conditioners? or can i just get anything? what are you guys using for your surge/conditioner?

i'm looking to setup my next purchases. what should i start putting on my list? i might need a new plasma. i got it awhile back before they started putting HDMI on them.

I use a Panamax 1000 & a Panamax 500.
It worked great for me in filtering radio interference where I live. Without the Panamax, I was hearing the local radio stations in my speakers! But with the Panamax, no radio at all
If I were to do it again, I would still buy the Panamax, but on eBay, instead of full price

 

[100r1]

Monoprice ships same day (excellent service) and it only takes 3 - 4 days from California to my South Florida Home. Can't beat the service or quality for the $ spent.

In the short time span between ordering from MonoPrice (Or BlueJeans), I would do the following:

1) go to Lowes or Home Depot purchase speaker wire as suggested (and order some quality Banana plugs from Monoprice to finish the speaker wire install)

2) you must have various RCA cables lying around to connect for the short term, don't you ?

The above 2 steps will get you going for the next few days to play, then when the real cables come in you have a better feel for your system and how it sounds before you connect with your quality cables, Plus you will more than likely want to change how you have your system positioned anyways, so you'll be connecting and disconnecting cables as you go.

This is how I went about it and it really worked out well and I saved a bunch of $ getting better quality cables than I could have from my local Brick & Motar stores.

 

[100r1]

i have to mount my plasma to my media center. if i don't mount the plasma, i have to place the center channel above my plasma. does the center channel have to be near ear level? or does that matter?

Angle the Center speaker as suggested, One Trick I learned from reading the Forum is to use one of those cheap LASER pens and tape to the top of the speaker. This will shoot a laser beam to point to your sitting arear to help adjust the angle of the center speaker (use it on all of your speakers toe-in etc.)

I mounted my LCD to the back panel of my entertainment center, used to laser to adjust tilt, then set my Center speaker above the LCD on a Bridge of the entertainment center, then used the Laser to adjust tilt. Sounds life like

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

ok, i took everything out of the box and placed them around the rooms. i did a little rearranging of the furniture. trying to find stands for my rear speakers. any suggestions?

i have to mount my plasma to my media center. if i don't mount the plasma, i have to place the center channel above my plasma. does the center channel have to be near ear level? or does that matter?

the only thing now is to get some cables. i'll get that soon. i'll take some pics of my setup and post them.

I use the Raxxess speaker stands for my surrounds because my surround speakers are 12" in depth. They come in 36" or 42" high, which is higher than a lot of speaker stands.

The Center speaker does not need to be at ear level. They can go right below or above your TV.

If you want to be fancy, buy the LOCKING banana plugs for your speaker wires (Blue Jeans Cables if you also buy wires from them to save S/H fees). Do NOT buy regular banana plugs from Monoprice! Those bananas are cheap built and will fall off easily. But you don't even need banana plugs. Just use the bare wire to connect to your speakers and receiver, which is recommended by Blue Jeans Cables and The Audio Critic.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am calling AcuDefTechGuy out on the GLS locking banana plugs. I hooked all my gear up last night using my new GLS's and though they look great and I love how they term the wire; the locking sucks. It is hard to turn the locking barrel and difficult to ever get them tight.

banana plugs for your speaker wires (Blue Jeans Cables if you also buy wires from them to save S/H fees). Do NOT buy regular banana plugs from Monoprice! Those bananas are cheap built and will fall off easily. But you don't even need banana plugs. Just use the bare wire to connect to your speakers and receiver, which is recommended by Blue Jeans Cables and The Audio Critic.