So pleased I found you !

[thesharkie]

Wow, what a very lucky escape. I recently purchased the Bose Cinemate system for my bedroom. I can hear you all groan with utter disbelief immediately (and yes, I feel suitably embarrassed already..) Well, the good news is, after doing a a modicum of research from this site, I returned it for a full refund. Yeah, and thank you !! So that means I have $550 to spend on a entry level system and speakers (to be honest, i could run to about 1K).

So, being a complete novice to this audiophile world, can you please help ?

I have spent about 2/3 hours reading threads and links, and to be honest, still at quite a loss as to what to start with. If I tell you what I have, a new Sony XBR 40" LCD, an xbox360 elite with HD-DVD add on and the Scientific Atlantic HD cable box (all HDMI) and to what I would like :

To build upto a surround sound system, 5.1, for some great sound to go with my TV and to listen to my CD collection!

I realise, not much to work with and so vague, but all help would be very grateful.

Thanking you so much in advance,

The Ultimate Novice.



My bedroom dimensions are : 16x12X12. (it that helps at all)

 

[Rickster71]

Welcome, good to hear you got out of your 'Bose situation.'
Here is a link to the Audioholic recommended systems.
It will give you some ideas.
http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/system-buying-guides/

 

[rnatalli]

Welcome!

Good you realized well in time to get a full refund. $550 is a tight budget for 5.1, but not impossible. Your best bet would be to get a good receiver and a pair of tower speakers to start and then add speakers as you go. But if you're intent with getting 5.1 now, here's a set of speakers and sub that would do the job. Just add a Yamaha, Onkyo, or HK receiver and you're good to go.

Speakers: Mordaunt-Short Premiere System
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/478d66890018783c2740ac1003410630/Product/View/2516&2D1

Subwoofer: Dayton SUB-100
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-633

Now if you're budget is $1k, you have quite a few good options. The Audioholics $1k recommended system is a darn good system. But you should investigate some other options. Start by auditioning some speakers. See if you have a PSB and/or Monitor Audio dealer in your area as you can find really good deals on these at Saturday Audio online.

 

[mazersteven]

Ascend Acoustics (CBM-170 SE based home theater systems)
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170hts.html

SVS SBS-01
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

 

[avaserfi]

Ascend Acoustics (CBM-170 SE based home theater systems)
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170hts.html

I back this recommendation up suggesting the System 22-1000 system specifically. The CBMs are very well designed and built for the price. Add in two of these and you will have a great system with tons of bass for movies and games, but good quality for music at this price point.

 

[thesharkie]

Wow, Great responses, thank you

I perhaps think the 5.1 was maybe a touch optimistic for $550! I think the way forward, as rnattali suggests, is to buy a receiver and a pair of tower speakers to begin the process and then add-on as I see fit.

I really don't have a budget restraint, but as I'm just dipping my toe into the audio world, I don't want to go too crazy and make uneducated purchases (as per the Bose!), but as everybody here knows, you don't want to pay-up for something that can be possibly purchased for cheaper, whilst I'm also quickly realising, that you also get what you pay for..

So I'm off to the nearest speaker specialist store this weekend to demo the array of speakers available. I live in NYC, so anybody got any personal favourites as to a preferred retailer ?

Thanks again guys for the responses, very much appreciated.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Do you have any components now? 5.1 for even $1,000 will be tight if you don't have any gear. I'd suggest a cheap DVD player, an inexpensive reciever and a good set of 5 speakers. Although you may be better off starting with a decent reciever and a set of tower speakers, then adding the others as you can afford them. The only "danger" with this route is that you have to make sure to buy the other 3 before the maker of your towers decides to change or discontinue them!

 

[Sheep]

I perhaps think the 5.1 was maybe a touch optimistic for $550! I think the way forward, as rnattali suggests, is to buy a receiver and a pair of tower speakers to begin the process and then add-on as I see fit.

I really don't have a budget restraint, but as I'm just dipping my toe into the audio world, I don't want to go too crazy and make uneducated purchases (as per the Bose!), but as everybody here knows, you don't want to pay-up for something that can be possibly purchased for cheaper, whilst I'm also quickly realising, that you also get what you pay for..

So I'm off to the nearest speaker specialist store this weekend to demo the array of speakers available. I live in NYC, so anybody got any personal favourites as to a preferred retailer ?

Thanks again guys for the responses, very much appreciated.

If Mazers Ascends suggestion is out of your range, wait and save. It's totally worth it. Add those 2 subwoofers from Parts Express and you're set.

SheepStar

 

[rnatalli]

I think the way forward, as rnattali suggests, is to buy a receiver and a pair of tower speakers to begin the process and then add-on as I see fit.

Mordaunt-Short:
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/478e18f6008ff71e2740ac100341063e/Product/View/2511

Av123:
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=113.1

PSB:
http://saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/image_maple_sale.htm

Monitor Audio:
http://saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/bronze_gala.htm

Just a few really good options to consider for inexpensive towers. If you push you receiver and speaker budget to $1k, then more options become available.

 

[Rickster71]

IMO
I would keep saving, and that will buy you more time to research and audition speakers.

 

[thesharkie]

Some thoughts

I have to say, you guys are great. Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I've spent most of the day perusing and following through the links. So many options, really quite mind boggling..

What has caught my eye, and I admit, probably a touch more than I'm willing to spend is the Ascend Acoustics CMT 340 SE fronts/centre with 170 rears. As a relatively low cost solution around $1100, it seems great value and I've heard no bad reports on the sound quality at all. My only beef would be the inability to hear the system as its internet purchase only.. However, given the reviews and the strong (favourable) recommendations on this site, that surely speaks for itself. Does anything else compare, possibly the Aperion Intimus 422/532 system, which also looks like a great package ?

So, the next issue would be the receiver. Again after extensive research, I think I've found 4 options :

1) Onkyo TX-SR605
2) Yamaha RX-V661
3) Marantz SR4002
4) Denon AVR2308CI

Prices ranging from $400-$600. To be honest, no clue. From my reading, all seem to offer HDMI 1.3a, surround sound 7.1, HDMI slots etc, uploading, left-loading (!?), apologies for the ignorance, I'm very sure there's a lot more too it than that. So, thoughts on the above ?

And then finally sub-woofers, just a quick question, why the need for 2?

Again, thank you to all who have taken the time to reply. I've had great enjoyment today, reading through the literature and learning. I know I've gone over budget by about $600-700, but what the hell..!

THANKS!

 

[Cozmo]

What has caught my eye, and I admit, probably a touch more than I'm willing to spend is the Ascend Acoustics CMT 340 SE fronts/centre with 170 rears. As a relatively low cost solution around $1100, it seems great value and I've heard no bad reports on the sound quality at all. My only beef would be the inability to hear the system as its internet purchase only.. However, given the reviews and the strong (favourable) recommendations on this site, that surely speaks for itself. Does anything else compare, possibly the Aperion Intimus 422/532 system, which also looks like a great package ?

I can't speak for the Ascends, but I have Aperion Intimus speakers and have no complaints. I believe there are also some reviews here on them. I did a quick search and found another review on the 522s (prior to 532s).

http://www.avrev.com/equip/aperion/

 

[astrodon]

So I'm off to the nearest speaker specialist store this weekend to demo the array of speakers available. I live in NYC, so anybody got any personal favourites as to a preferred retailer ?

Try J&R in the south part of Manhatten. They have pretty decent equipment at good prices. I have bought a few components there and my brother bought some Legacy speakers there.

 

[mazersteven]

What has caught my eye, and I admit, probably a touch more than I'm willing to spend is the Ascend Acoustics CMT 340 SE fronts/centre with 170 rears. As a relatively low cost solution around $1100, it seems great value and I've heard no bad reports on the sound quality at all. My only beef would be the inability to hear the system as its internet purchase only.. However, given the reviews and the strong (favourable) recommendations on this site, that surely speaks for itself.

Awesome system. You will be hard pressed to find a better system that gives the sound quality of the Ascends.

I would have recommended the 340's first, but was trying to stay within your budget guide lines.

Don't be scared, push the order button.

 

[obscbyclouds]

So, the next issue would be the receiver. Again after extensive research, I think I've found 4 options :

1) Onkyo TX-SR605
2) Yamaha RX-V661
3) Marantz SR4002
4) Denon AVR2308CI

Any of those recievers will work great for you. As you say, all have the features you will need and are of comparable built quality.

As an aside, I was able to pick up an Onkyo TX-SR705 (one step above the 605) for $599 shipped recently. It's also worth looking around for refurbs on the net, just check to make sure they come with some kind of warranty.

 

[Tomorrow]

Welcome, Sharkie.

You will hear the mantra frequently...loudspeakers are very subjective when it comes to personal preference. As a couple here have said...auditioning for yourself is really the only way to go. If you find any brands/models you enjoy, we can help you find similar models that may have escaped your auditions. But your ears are the ones that must be satisfied. And most definitely YES, almost anything will be superior in performance to Bose at that price.

I too recommend purchasing your main pair of speakers first, then getting an appropriate receiver, then filling in the center/surrounds for home theater. Enjoy the hunt. That's most of the fun, IMHO.

 

[AH Store Admin1]

If you decide to go with the Yamaha or Marantz receiver, please check out the Audioholics Store! We are fully authorized Yamaha and Marantz dealers, and best of all you will be supporting the community.

We are currently running a couple promotions that might interest you - use coupon code RECEIVER15 for 15% off any receiver, or AUDIOHOLICS for 10% off your entire order. Please note that these coupons cannot be combined.

We really hope to carry receivers from Denon and Onkyo very soon. We are working very hard to create the best possible information resource and shopping experience for the A/V enthusiast on the internet.

Best of all, we offer 3-year extended warranties and lifetime technical support on most products that we sell!

 

[thesharkie]

Thanks Cozmo,

I'll take a look.

 

[thesharkie]

Any of those recievers will work great for you. As you say, all have the features you will need and are of comparable built quality.

As an aside, I was able to pick up an Onkyo TX-SR705 (one step above the 605) for $599 shipped recently. It's also worth looking around for refurbs on the net, just check to make sure they come with some kind of warranty.

Obscbyclouds,

Thanks for the info. Just as a heads up, are you allowed to tell me where you purcased the Onkyo from ?

Thanks.

 

[thesharkie]

Thanks Tomorrow,

Appreciate the advice. I'll definitely start demoing a few speaker sets this weekend. It really does seem a matter of personal preference, but how do you demo the internet only suppliers, hmm ?