Help! HT 2.1 System Suggestions?

[spikedfuel]

Currently there are just too many Home Theater (HTIB) 2.1 options!!! Does anyone have any recommendations between the following 2.1 HTIB systems?

Sony Bravia - DAVX10 ($599.99)
Pioneer - HTZ-370DV ($329.95)
Denon - S-302 ($1699)
Sharp - SD-SP10 ($350)
Samsung - HT-X200 ($314.95)
Philips - HTS6600 ($450)
JVC - DD3 ($750)
Panasonic - SC-PTX7 ($599)
Klipsh - CS-500 ($999)
LG - LFD790 ($280)
BOSE - 321 GS Series 2 ($1000)

I listened to the Bose 321 system that one of my co-workers purchased and found that it really lacked mid-range voice in movies. I could really use some recommendations!

Thanks in advance...

 

[funked up]

How much are you willing to spend? There are a ton of options out there. But most likely you would get a better deal if you stayed away from HTIB's. I'm prob not the best guy to ask about what speakers to buy, but i'm sure there will be allot of guys with some good options for you, once you let them know the ballpark figure your looking to spend.

 

[spikedfuel]

How much are you willing to spend?

I'd prefer to spend less than $1000, but would go up in the $1500 range if sound was worth the extra $$$. I have a relatively small room 15.5 ft X 10 ft and dont especially want to run wires for rear speakers in a 5.1 system. (Nor deal with wireless speakers) The other thing is I want the system to have pretty good low volume sound - I live in a townhome and have a shared wall behind the TV... Late at night I really need to keep the volume down...

 

[Adameus]

I'd prefer to spend less than $1000, but would go up in the $1500 range if sound was worth the extra $$$. I have a relatively small room 15.5 ft X 10 ft and dont especially want to run wires for rear speakers in a 5.1 system. (Nor deal with wireless speakers) The other thing is I want the system to have pretty good low volume sound - I live in a townhome and have a shared wall behind the TV... Late at night I really need to keep the volume down...

I've put together a pretty nice 2.0 system out of components (look below) that cost me less than $600 so far (could add a sub to that and still be under $1000). It sounds better than any HTiB that I listened to. I am planning on building it up to a 3.1 system for now until we move to a house where I can do proper 5.1 (room is too weird shaped for that now).

If you do something similar, you can keep it at 2.1, but you also can expand in the future if you decide you want to.

 

[spikedfuel]

So that pretty much just gives you stereo sound? I guess thats always an option - I just keep hearing that the HTIB 2.0 systems emulate a 3-d sound by bouncing off the walls and using the room dynamics?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That's just marketing hype. I good 2.1 will run laps around any HTIB no matter what "they" say they will do.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just tell them you dont need the surrounds

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-422-Harmony,12,35,17.aspx

3 of these and a sub
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1

 

[spikedfuel]

Hmm.. looks like we posted at the same time. What for a receiver/dvd?

 

[Adameus]

So that pretty much just gives you stereo sound? I guess thats always an option - I just keep hearing that the HTIB 2.0 systems emulate a 3-d sound by bouncing off the walls and using the room dynamics?

Not sure exactly what you mean, but my 2.0 system isn't a HTiB...it is a standalone receiver that I purchased separately from my two floorstanding speakers. Therefore, it is the same as a 2.1 minus the sub. The floorstanding speakers have pretty good bass down to around maybe 35 Hz and since my focus is on music rather than movies, I haven't needed to buy a sub yet.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Lets say you go with the SVS. Knock off two surrounds and the 3.1 will be less than 800 and you will have an awesome sub. You get one of the the best upconverting DVD players on the market from Oppo for $169 or find a used one from a forum member for less. Wire and cables are dirt cheap from monoprice and the Yamaha 659 or 661 can be found for under $350. So we are under your 1.5k number and you have an awesome system that you can built on in the future.

 

[Adameus]

Hmm.. looks like we posted at the same time. What for a receiver/dvd?

Well, I'm biased, but Yamaha offers great bang for the buck for receivers..other options include Onkyo, H/K, Denon for around $300 or $400. I spent $370 on my Yamaha and I am really enjoying it.

 

[gus6464]

Since he wants a 2.1 channel setup is a 5.1 receiver even needed? I would say just go for a nice cheaper 2ch integrated like an HK or Pioneer Elite and use the rest on the speakers and sub.

Maybe some of the following:

AV123 X-LS Encore
Totem Dreamcatcher
Ascend 340SE

And for sub I can't think of anything other than the SB-12Plus

That would put his budget at around $1500 once you add a nice dvd player like the Oppo and I think it would trounce any 5.1 system costing less. Plus it would also be an absolutely killer music setup as well.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am under his budget with an expanable system

Since he wants a 2.1 channel setup is a 5.1 receiver even needed? I would say just go for a nice cheaper 2ch integrated like an HK or Pioneer Elite and use the rest on the speakers and sub.

Maybe some of the following:

AV123 X-LS Encore
Totem Dreamcatcher
Ascend 340SE

And for sub I can't think of anything other than the SB-12Plus

That would put his budget at around $1500 once you add a nice dvd player like the Oppo and I think it would trounce any 5.1 system costing less. Plus it would also be an absolutely killer music setup as well.

 

[j_garcia]

I have to agree with Greg's recommendations. If the plan is to expand to full surround, get a multichannel receiver now, but if it will be 2.1 for the forseeable future, go with a stereo receiver or integrated amp (neither of which usually have a crossover for a sub though, there is one that does).

 

[gus6464]

I mean if we are talking not upgrading to 5.1 for a couple of years then no need to spend money on the 5.1 receiver. By then you will be able to get something better than now for cheaper and with more features. Now if we are talking like 6 months go for the 5.1 receiver now.

The HK3485 has preouts for 2 subs and I can't seem to find any info if the Pioneer does.

 

[Adameus]

I mean if we are talking not upgrading to 5.1 for a couple of years then no need to spend money on the 5.1 receiver. By then you will be able to get something better than now for cheaper and with more features. Now if we are talking like 6 months go for the 5.1 receiver now.

The HK3485 has preouts for 2 subs and I can't seem to find any info if the Pioneer does.

The OP did originally state he was looking at 2.1 and said he DIDN'T want to do 5.1 for now, but he didn't rule out 3.1. He/She might want to do it some time soon.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

He wants a system that sounds like surround sound is coming from everywhere So believe me, he wants a 5.1, he just doesnt know it yet

I mean if we are talking not upgrading to 5.1 for a couple of years then no need to spend money on the 5.1 receiver. By then you will be able to get something better than now for cheaper and with more features. Now if we are talking like 6 months go for the 5.1 receiver now.

The HK3485 has preouts for 2 subs and I can't seem to find any info if the Pioneer does.

 

[Adameus]

Greg,

I just looked at your system - how are you running your Zone 2 speakers? straight from your 659 to an amp or through some sort of additional hardware?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No man, my surrounds and zone two are both powered from the 659. My mains and center are powered by the Emo.

I am jammin some Jack Johnson right now, can you hear it?

Greg,

I just looked at your system - how are you running your Zone 2 speakers? straight from your 659 to an amp or through some sort of additional hardware?

 

[spikedfuel]

Onkyo HT-SR800 vs Yamaha YHT-680 vs Sony HT-7100DH? (or other Yamaha) I just noticed what was listed high on the consumer reports ... of course those aren't reviewed by audiophiles such as yourselves.

I dont mind picking up a 5.1 system and only using two channels.. I agree that at a later point the rear speakers to upgrade would be nice.

Are those the best speakers out right now?
AV123 X-LS Encore vs SVSound SBS-01 vs Intimus 422 Harmony?

What about subs? and dvd players?

again... thank you ALL for your help. Its been a very informative day