Now, my eyes are on the home theater system. I would like to have the TV and Home theater system in the loft (not a closed room). So, I was wondering if i have to go for home theater in a box (Onkyo SP 908) or buy receiver, speakers and subwoofer separately. I am not sure how effective its going to be as all these go in the loft area. My budget is $1000-$1200 (I dont mind shedding few dollars more, if needed) for the home theater system.
I do have LG LRY 517 DVD player. I am planning to buy a HD DVD player sometime next year.
I also vote for separate receiver + speakers all the way.
The lowest price I've seen the Onkyo 605 (HDMI-1.3 x 2/TrueHD/DTS-MA) is $386 (includes S/H), so that only gives you about $800 for speakers. I think start with a great 2-ch system & add on as you go over the next 2 years.
By the way, did you know the Toshiba A2 HD DVD player was only $98 at Wal-Mart & Best Buy last Friday?
My recommendation:
Get the Definitive Technology BP10B 42" tall full range towers (Two 6.5" Midrange/Woofers + Two 1" Tweeters & 20Hz-20kHz +/-6dB) for $800/pr.
The retail is actually $1,000/pr, but I know I can get them brand new for $800. Of course, you can also buy them used for a lot less if you want.
Then 1 year later, especially if you get a bigger home theater room, add the CLR3000 massive center speaker for ($700 street price brand new, of course).
Then another year later, add another pair of BP10Bs for your surrounds for another $800. You are looking at one sweet "high-end" speaker system you can be proud of for the rest of your life.
Then say another 3 years later, when you get your 4,000 sf dream house w/ a 800 sf HT room, add the Def Tech Trinity 2,000 watts Dual-14" subwoofer for $2,000 and totally disturb your neighbors.