looking for advice - Home Theater in Apartment

[techguy]

Alright folks, I know this has been went over and over and over again most likely please there are so much info on this on this site. I honestly have to say that I read and read and read... Need opinions.

looking for 7.1 surround sound system in a an apartment (most likey 15x18).

My budget is flexible to around 7K for TV, Receiver and speakers.

My DVD Player is PS3 which i already have.


I want something that will KICK ARS and sound great but at the same time my fear is that the neihbors will lynch me. I was thinking of getting the following. This setup would be used after we purchase a house as well where we would want to create a home theater.

Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi Receiver
Epic 60 7.1 speakers
mitsubishi 73 WD73833

AM I JUST WAY OVERBOARD?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get 5.1 & expand to 7.1 when you move into a bigger house.

I would get Onkyo SR805 for $879, Mitsubishi WD73733 for $2,500 (free TV stand), and this Def Tech System:

Front Left & Right + Surround Left & Right = BP8B = $1,200 (30Hz-20kHz +/-3dB @90dB).

Center: CLR2500 = $600 (28Hz-20kHz +/-3dB @90dB).

Subwoofer: Trinity Signature w/Dual 14" Subs + 2,000 Watts Amp = $2,000 (128dB @ 20Hz, 116dB @ 16Hz). OVERKILL SUBWOOFER for NOW. YES. BUT NOT OVERKILL when you do move into a bigger house.

Total = $7,179 for 5.1.

Oh, what the heck, add $600 for 7.1: Rear Left & Right also BP8Bs.

Total = $7,779 for 7.1.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

AM I JUST WAY OVERBOARD?

NO SUCH THING!
You can turn down the volume NOW. CRANK it up when you move into a bigger house. But, please, keep it under 85 dBA for your ears' sake!!!

 

[mazersteven]

Lets put $3K aside for the television. (I don't know what the 73" Mitsu is going for these days.)


SVS PB12-Plus/2 $1099

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-plus2.cfm

Rocket HT Package # 1 $1497 plus shipping.

Front (Main): RS 760 Tower
Center: RSC 200
Rear (Surround): RS 250MkII Bookshelf Monitor

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=10.1

You can add two more speakers for $400 giving you your 7.1 system.

Plus this will leave you several hundred bucks leftover for cables, interconnects cables, and a bottle of Moët & Chandon - Champagne Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996. For the first night watching a movie with that someone special.

 

[techguy]

so indirectly you guys dont recommand me going with the axioms and go with mix and match system...

I would really like to buy a single complete package of speakers from one company to complete and make the set look full. I would really also like it in Piano black finish...

 

[the grunt]

I live in a similarly sized apartment with an Epic 80-500 5.1 system (also for when I move into a house). I also wanted 7.1 but the people at Axiom talked me out of it saying that with two QS8s surrounds I really wouldn’t benefit much from 7.1 in my room and could better use the money to upgrade something else. If you do decide to get Axioms seriously consider ordering from their factory outlet. You save an additional 10% which got me my system for $3000.10 USD.

If you don’t want to annoy your neighbors you might consider getting a transducer. I got a Buttkicker and it makes all the difference in the world when I can’t turn up my subwoofer. It feels like the subwoofer is turned up loud but you can’t even hear of feel it at all in the next room.

 

[techguy]

I live in a similarly sized apartment with an Epic 80-500 5.1 system (also for when I move into a house). I also wanted 7.1 but the people at Axiom talked me out of it saying that with two QS8s surrounds I really wouldn’t benefit much from 7.1 in my room and could better use the money to upgrade something else. If you do decide to get Axioms seriously consider ordering from their factory outlet. You save an additional 10% which got me my system for $3000.10 USD.

If you don’t want to annoy your neighbors you might consider getting a transducer. I got a Buttkicker and it makes all the difference in the world when I can’t turn up my subwoofer. It feels like the subwoofer is turned up loud but you can’t even hear of feel it at all in the next room.

thanks bud... really appreciate it, as much as everyone providing their opinion.

That high gloss high gloss cherry is irrisistable...

 

[the grunt]

That high gloss high gloss cherry is irrisistable...

Isn’t it!

I wish I’d got it instead of black. Didn’t want any reflections since I was blacking out my whole room. Dumb me didn’t realize that with blackout curtains around the whole room there’s not enough light to reflect off anything that’s even with or behind the TV. Guess I could call them and see what they can offer with their trade-up program.

Good hunting!

 

[Seth=L]

I vote for the Axiom, I would just change the receiver to the TX-SR805. It does basically anything a person would need. The TV you have selected has an excellent scaler in it, so getting a scaling receiver is completely unnecessary in this budget. Being that the TX-SR805 is THX Ultra II certified you can be sure it will be able to power your speakers into oblivion. And when you move out of the apartment and you think you need more power it has preouts for such an occasion.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have to agree with Seth on this one; assuming you have listened to the Axioms and like their sound...

I have the mitsubishi 73 WD73833 and it is amazing. I also have a plasma and LCD and the PQ of the Mits is top notch and I would put it at the top of my list.

The TX-SR805 is the only AVR you even need to consider.

 

[Seth=L]

The TX-SR805 is the only AVR you even need to consider.

Unless he needs network abilities, but short of that there is nothing (scalers are frivolous at best.)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

so indirectly you guys dont recommand me going with the axioms and go with mix and match system...

I would really like to buy a single complete package of speakers from one company to complete and make the set look full. I would really also like it in Piano black finish...

I don't think there is anything wrong with Axiom speakers.
I also believe in getting the entire system from one company. And also important is getting all MATCHED speakers. The drivers should ideally match. Not completely necessary, but IDEALLY.

The system I would get is ONE company, and all the drivers match perfectly: Tweeters are identical size 1" and material type, Midrange/Upper Bass Woofers are identical size 6.5" and material type. Same build quality & everything. That is what you look for in a speaker system. Just because a certain company "packaged" their so-called "system" does not guarantee that you will be getting the same size drivers for all your speakers.

If you look at that 7.1 Epic60 350 system from Axiom, you will notice that they all have 1" tweeters & 5.25" midrange/upper bass drivers. That's matching.

But you will get more powerful & lower extended bass from the Def Tech System that I would get. Also, the DefTech system has 6.5" midrange/upper bass drivers compared to the 5.25" Axiom drivers--a plus for the DefTech matched system.

EDIT:
Also compare the CENTER speaker, which is crucial for movies: The Def Tech CLR2500 is a FULL RANGE Center speaker: 28Hz-20kHz +/-3dB. You will get deeper and more natural dialogues from this. The VP100 Epic Center speaker fails in comparison: 95Hz-22kHz +/-3dB. My Surround speakers have A LOT better range capability than that!

For music listening withOUT the subwoofers in Pure Direct mode, the BP10Bs will be a lot better than the Epic60.

And for movie subwoofer bass, you will not BEAT the massive 175 lbs 18"x18"x32" Def Tech TRINITY SIGNATURE 2,000-watts SUBWOOFER!!!

But if you have listened to the Axiom speakers and loved the sound, then by all means buy them. Your ears are the final test. The DefTech may have SUPERIOR specifications, but your EARS determine which speakers are the best, not the specs. And also your EYES. You love that Axiom colors.

 

[arftech]

One of the best deals in audio is the opportunity to get Kef speakers for more than half off the total bundled package.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/bundle/542999169/1175728965594

Normally, the bundled price would be $6100 but this package is beig offered at $2700! This will leave you with enough money left over for a good panel and electronics.

Awesome sounding speakers with awesome pricing! Normally, the two front XQ5 floor standers retail for $3000 and the center channel at $1200.

Kef is known for their exceptional sounding speakers and they have been one of the top leaders in speaker technology for many years.

Happy Listening,

Al

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

One of the best deals in audio is the opportunity to get Kef speakers for more than half off the total bundled package.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/bundle/542999169/1175728965594

Normally, the bundled price would be $6100 but this package is beig offered at $2700! This will leave you with enough money left over for a good panel and electronics.

Awesome sounding speakers with awesome pricing! Normally, the two front XQ5 floor standers retail for $3000 and the center channel at $1200.

Kef is known for their exceptional sounding speakers and they have been one of the top leaders in speaker technology for many years.

Happy Listening,

Al

That looks like a super deal, but he's going to need a KEF subwoofer?

 

[arftech]

That looks like a super deal, but he's going to need a KEF subwoofer?

Yes, indeed that is a super deal with excellent sonics to match. I would look elsewhere for a sub though.

Happy Listening,

Al

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would really like to buy a single complete package of speakers from one company.

Yes, indeed that is a super deal with excellent sonics to match. I would look elsewhere for a sub though.

That's not going to work with Techguy, who feels the same way as I do.
We want the ENTIRE Speaker System from just ONE COMPANY. So if it's KEF, then the Subwoofer must also be KEF. If it's SVS, then the whole system needs to to SVS. If it's AV123, then the whole...

 

[Seth=L]

That's not going to work with Techguy, who feels the same way as I do.
We want the ENTIRE Speaker System from just ONE COMPANY. So if it's KEF, then the Subwoofer must also be KEF. If it's SVS, then the whole system needs to to SVS. If it's AV123, then the whole...

This is typically ill advised.

Kef doesn't have very good subwoofers, and you don't need to by the same make to get a matchings sound. The front three speakers should be timbre matched, but the surrounds and subwoofer can easily be something else.

In the case of the Axiom system they actually have good subwoofers, at least bang for buck. Kef doesn't have any good bang for buck subs that I am aware of. Don't forget that SVS has a variety of finishes to match the speakers you get.

 

[techguy]

This is typically ill advised.

Kef doesn't have very good subwoofers, and you don't need to by the same make to get a matchings sound. The front three speakers should be timbre matched, but the surrounds and subwoofer can easily be something else.

In the case of the Axiom system they actually have good subwoofers, at least bang for buck. Kef doesn't have any good bang for buck subs that I am aware of. Don't forget that SVS has a variety of finishes to match the speakers you get.

this is great, you guys are awesome... I am actually waiting to buy anything until i sign contract on my apartment... Once done so, ~Around may area~

I will be buying my Mistubishi 73833 that sexy Axiom Epic 80 500 5.1 (will buy 2 more satelites later) and the suggested Receiver.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

this is great, you guys are awesome... I am actually waiting to buy anything until i sign contract on my apartment... Once done so, ~Around may area~

I will be buying my Mistubishi 73833 that sexy Axiom Epic 80 500 5.1 (will buy 2 more satelites later) and the suggested Receiver.

Sounds GREAT!
I know you are EXCITED!!!
Just keep that volume down a little.

 

[Seth=L]

this is great, you guys are awesome... I am actually waiting to buy anything until i sign contract on my apartment... Once done so, ~Around may area~

I will be buying my Mistubishi 73833 that sexy Axiom Epic 80 500 5.1 (will buy 2 more satelites later) and the suggested Receiver.

I would be the nice neighbor and let your neighbors know that if they ever have any issues with the volume of your system that they should feel free to let you know. It beats them calling the leasing office and getting the cops called on you. Depending on who you neighbors are you might even invite them over for a movie or something.