What do you think of this audio system under 1.5k?

[123champ]

Hi all,

I am planning to build an A/V system on a modest budget ... let me know what you think of the following HK/JBL audio setup:

Harman Kardon AVR247 receiver
JBL IS6 / IS6C 2 way 6-1/2" in wall and in ceiling speakers (for left, right channel and surround)
JBL SSLCR Center Channel Speaker
JBPL P12SW Subwoofer (12", 250W)

Later when I expand to other zones in the house, I am planning to use an audio distribution system like the Nuvo Simplese, with inexpensive in-ceiling speakers like the Episode A4-series.

How does this set up sound? Would you recommend something else on a similar price budget? I have no strong preference for HK/JBL ...

Also, a newbie question: Is HDMI important for audio as well, or only for video? Can I get a receiver with no HDMI (like the Yamaha RX-V659 reviewed on this website) and then run a HDMI cable directly from the DVD player to the TV, bypassing the receiver?

Thanks
123champ

 

[100r1]

Yes you can run HDMI direct from your DVD player (or any component that has HDMI out) direct to your TV. Then use Toslink/Optical, Digital cable out from the DVD player to the RX-V659 for audio.

If HDMI is that important, I would look at the RX-V661(W/ HDMI) which will run around $ 50.00 more than the 659 (W/O HDMI). The HDMI is a pass thru on the 661 but still would allow more than 1 HDMI input to the 661 and 1 HDMI out to the TV. The amplifier difference between the 659 & 661 is minimal. Yoou would also have less cabling issues with the 661 plus a little more room to grow in the future (Future Proof).

 

[Phil Taylor]

HDMI is more important for video than for audio - GOOD component cables can provide nearly as good of a signal as HDMI but nearly all upconverting DVD players only do so via the HDMI video output. Digital audio is carried equally as well by coaxial and optical -- and in some HDMI equipped receivers the audio signal is not sampled from the HDMI connectors but mere is a "passthrough".

The system you listed should work fine for you. And yes - run hDMI from DVD to TV and then coax or fiber from the DVD to your receiver and you'll be fine.

 

[no. 5]

Would you recommend something else on a similar price budget? I have no strong preference for HK/JBL ...

If you like how the JBL speakers sound, then you should be happy with them. I don't have experience with in wall speakers, but I do think you can find a better subwoofer for the price of the JBL.

Also, a newbie question: Is HDMI important for audio as well, or only for video? Can I get a receiver with no HDMI (like the Yamaha RX-V659 reviewed on this website) and then run a HDMI cable directly from the DVD player to the TV, bypassing the receiver?

The only thing that would make HDMI important as far as audio is concerned is if you are, or plan on using a HD DVD or Blu-ray player. Because the high resolution audio formats available on such media is only accessible with HDMI or a multichannel analog input.

Also, the 661 is HDMI repeating (meaning it can access audio over HDMI), not HDMI pass-through.

 

[furrycute]

If you can afford it later on, I would definitely buy some external amps for your speakers, at least for the front speakers. External amps really help to bring out a fuller bodied sound from your speakers.

 

[Seth=L]

HDMI is more important for video than for audio - GOOD component cables can provide nearly as good of a signal as HDMI but nearly all upconverting DVD players only do so via the HDMI video output. Digital audio is carried equally as well by coaxial and optical -- and in some HDMI equipped receivers the audio signal is not sampled from the HDMI connectors but mere is a "passthrough".

The system you listed should work fine for you. And yes - run hDMI from DVD to TV and then coax or fiber from the DVD to your receiver and you'll be fine.

Video processing on any receiver isn't going to give you the same bang for buck as an upscaling DVD player or an HD DVD/Blu-ray player with Reon HQV in it.

Audio processing processing is available on the RX-V661 over HDMI. High resolution formats Dolby TrueHD, Plus, DTS-HD, SACD, and DVD-Audio can be decoded in their appropriate players and sent out as uncompressed LPCM to the receiver over HDMI, so the audio can potentially exceed the performance of SPDIF (optical, coax).

The RX-V661 is only a tad less powerful than the RX-V659, not enough for it to be a real concern.

Component and HDMI can have the same quality of video, it is a misconception that HDMI is superior for HD, but it does has more future potential.