Help a girl out again, please!

[techigirl78]

So, everyone here helped me a few years ago (http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15739&highlight=aquarium). I ended up getting that system, but changed the layout of the room.

Anyways, the midwest floods in June got my basement floor wet and I needed to disassemble my system. Everything is fine, but it will be a few months before I get my rec room back together. Now, sitting in my livingroom with my little 32" TV is depressing and a new system is in order.

At this point, I'll be using my existing DVD player, PS3, 360, and Monster PowerCenter for the new system. I haven't done tons of reseach, but I think I'm going to go with the B&W 684 theatre system (5.1), Denon AVR-2308CI, and I'm not really sure on the TV. Right now I'm considering the Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ800U, Sony Bravia XBR 52" KDL-52XBR4, or Samsung 52" LN52A650. Any thoughts on the television selection? Thoughts on the speakers and receiver?

 

[jamie2112]

I own a few B&W speakers and they are great. I would look at the Yamaha vx-663 for a different choice of receiver. The TV is a different story, I am looking too and there are a few posts on TVs on here to say the least...Search the forums postings on Flat screen tvs .....You can't go wrong with B&W but there are some great packages on 5.1 out there. There will be many choices people will suggest but do your own research and then make a more educated choice for yourself. If you can ,go listen to as many speakers as you can. That is always the best way to go IMO.....best of luck to you...

 

[Alex2507]

There are a lot of very happy Panasonic owners. I did do a ton of research (for me anyways) and got a TH-PZ750U on sale at Tweeter. Another search option would be the word 'Panasonic' in the Display sub-forum. You'll get both sides of the argument. Search 'burn in' as well.

Just to let you know that after reading everything I ever wanted to and then some on the topic, I bought the TV and a brake in disc for plasma. To me the worst thing about them is the heat they generate. So the noisy air conditioning turns on and the electric bill?, forget about it.

But what a picture. Forget about it.

 

[techigirl78]

When I bought speakers a few years ago I went to a bunch of places and Klipsch (reference) and B&W seemed to make my ears the happiest. Would it be wise to go retest other brands or will the general sound of the speakers still be pretty similar? Any other brands similar to Klipsch and B&W that I should look to listen to?

 

[jamie2112]

When I bought speakers a few years ago I went to a bunch of places and Klipsch (reference) and B&W seemed to make my ears the happiest. Would it be wise to go retest other brands or will the general sound of the speakers still be pretty similar? Any other brands similar to Klipsch and B&W that I should look to listen to?

I guess you should stick to the B&Ws as you already know what they sound like. As long as you are happy thats all that counts. I will always go with B&W given the choice......

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Klipsch (reference) and B&W? You must have wide ears if these sounded similar to each other...

 

[techigirl78]

Klipsch (reference) and B&W? You must have wide ears if these sounded similar to each other...

Not really sure that they sounded similar to me, just that those were the ones that I liked the most and stood out to me among the others I listened to at that time. Since I got the Klipsch reference in my rec room, I thought I'd go for the B&Ws upstairs.

 

[jamie2112]

Not really sure that they sounded similar to me, just that those were the ones that I liked the most and stood out to me among the others I listened to at that time. Since I got the Klipsch reference in my rec room, I thought I'd go for the B&Ws upstairs.

Good choice...go with the B&W...

 

[jostenmeat]

Coming from a fan of B&W speakers, I recommend checking out Ascend's lineup if you are ok with bookshelves. I still haven't heard the new 68 series, but I listened to 600s, 700s, 800s... I think they all offer a fair value, IMO.

As for the TV, especially since you are in basement, Id give front projection a look-see. BMXTRIX gave a Mitsubishi rec for about the $1.5k mark or so, and even with cost of screen, I presume the cost is comparable to nice plasmas. Of course, the sky is the limit with projectors, and I think once you get around $2.5k you start to some very nice 1080p units indeed.

 

[itschris]

There's certainly is a cool factor with the flat panels, but depending on you overall objective, inches maybe more imporant. For the price of a good LCD or Plasma in the 50-ish range, you can get a top of the line Mits 73" DLP. Just a thought. I went through this analysis just recently. I really wanted the LCD, but for the money, DLP was just a better value in the overal cinematic experience because of the size. I have the 65" Diamond and my neighbors 57" now looks small to me.

I don't think you'll make a mistake with any of the TV's you mention however. They're all good looking TVs and they've all got their fans and detractors, but that's true with any piece of gear.

 

[techigirl78]

Coming from a fan of B&W speakers, I recommend checking out Ascend's lineup if you are ok with bookshelves. I still haven't heard the new 68 series, but I listened to 600s, 700s, 800s... I think they all offer a fair value, IMO.

As for the TV, especially since you are in basement, Id give front projection a look-see. BMXTRIX gave a Mitsubishi rec for about the $1.5k mark or so, and even with cost of screen, I presume the cost is comparable to nice plasmas. Of course, the sky is the limit with projectors, and I think once you get around $2.5k you start to some very nice 1080p units indeed.

With those ascends, do they only do business online? I couldn't find where to find them locally and I would be more comfortably being able to listen to them before purchase.

The new system is in living room, so no projection. Old system that is in basement has a fish tank in the room with lights on 10hrs/day, so front projection wasn't option there either. When I get a bigger house . . .

There's certainly is a cool factor with the flat panels, but depending on you overall objective, inches maybe more imporant. For the price of a good LCD or Plasma in the 50-ish range, you can get a top of the line Mits 73" DLP. Just a thought. I went through this analysis just recently. I really wanted the LCD, but for the money, DLP was just a better value in the overal cinematic experience because of the size. I have the 65" Diamond and my neighbors 57" now looks small to me.

I don't think you'll make a mistake with any of the TV's you mention however. They're all good looking TVs and they've all got their fans and detractors, but that's true with any piece of gear.

It is not really that big of a room - only 13.5' x 17.5'. Wouldn't this room be too small for anything bigger then a 60"? Also, I typically leave the curtains open during the day as a have some plants in the room. Does the Mits still work decently in a bright room? That is the main reason I started looking a flat panels . . . well, beyond the cool factor and me being jealous of my friends and family with flat panels.

 

[jostenmeat]

With those ascends, do they only do business online? I couldn't find where to find them locally and I would be more comfortably being able to listen to them before purchase.

Yes. I understand. I had the exact same position as you when shopping myself. I figured since I lived in the cosmopolitan area of S California, might as well. If I lived in southern North Dakota, maybe its a different story. I listened to roughly 25 pairs of speakers, and bought the ones I liked. My Ascend experience was very recent. While the setup and particular room is everything, I can only go from there, and they are something else, and I've never heard bang for buck performance like that. At this point I would opt for Ascends + sub over B&W speakers of the 6xx and 7xx series. The 8xx series is a different story, and the price points are not comparable anyways.

However, if you are into "sexy" as you might be going off your interest in flat panels, the entry versions might not cut it for you. OTOH, at least the older 600 series of B&W, those weren't sexy by any means either, IMO.

The new system is in living room, so no projection. Old system that is in basement has a fish tank in the room with lights on 10hrs/day, so front projection wasn't option there either. When I get a bigger house . . .

It is not really that big of a room - only 13.5' x 17.5'. Wouldn't this room be too small for anything bigger then a 60"? Also, I typically leave the curtains open during the day as a have some plants in the room. Does the Mits still work decently in a bright room? That is the main reason I started looking a flat panels . . . well, beyond the cool factor and me being jealous of my friends and family with flat panels.

I see. If you go by industry recommendations, and you are watching length wise in the room (lengthwise being recommended for audio), lets say you are sitting... 13 ft away (assuming bit of space behind you for rear speakers ) (Edit: being away from wall is a good thing for better audio as well, w/ or w/o rears involved)... A 60" would get you 19 degree viewing angle. SMPTE recommends 30, and THX recommends 36. Use this calculator. Caveat: the most important factor is personal taste in regards to viewing angle immersion.

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html

 

[itschris]

My room is an open floor plan for the family room, but my setup is in between the 2 short walls about 12 -14 feet wide. If you figure in the couch which is against the wall (not ideal of course) and where the actuall screen is, it's about 10 feet or so. Honestly... a 73 would have worked fine. I don't mind sitting kinda close anyway, but no one seems to mind at all.

You mention ambient light... well I think that's one of the benefits of a DLP... their bright. I have no issues with daytime viewing. We'll be getting a 50" LCD for the bedroom which will cure my cool factor need for a flat panel, but for movies, there's nothing like a big screen and inches per dollar, DLP is hard to beat.

It's just a different route to think about.

With those ascends, do they only do business online? I couldn't find where to find them locally and I would be more comfortably being able to listen to them before purchase.

The new system is in living room, so no projection. Old system that is in basement has a fish tank in the room with lights on 10hrs/day, so front projection wasn't option there either. When I get a bigger house . . .



It is not really that big of a room - only 13.5' x 17.5'. Wouldn't this room be too small for anything bigger then a 60"? Also, I typically leave the curtains open during the day as a have some plants in the room. Does the Mits still work decently in a bright room? That is the main reason I started looking a flat panels . . . well, beyond the cool factor and me being jealous of my friends and family with flat panels.

 

[bilgirami]

Hey Techgirl,
What is your budget? I spent good about three months or so auditioning various speakers before I finally decided to go with Axiom. Best bang for the buck. I agree there were some Paradigms that i liked but for the price I would have had to pay, it was over my budget. I liked B&Ws as well but their higher end products. Axiom doesnt make thier speakers in China or elsewhere. They make them in Canada, an amazing company to deal with, I have not seen or experienced customer support like Axiom. Visit the website www.axiomaudio.com and check out the forums, I am sure you will find someone in your area (through their website) to audition their speakers. I have M60s (main), VP150 center and QS8 surrounds. I also have thier EP350 sub. Beautiful highs and lows and crisp mids (yeah clear mids). I drive them with a Yamaha RX-V663. This receiver is farly future proof with DT HD master and Dolby True HD decoders and 2 HDMI1.3a inputs. Before you spend the money, I would strongly recommend checking out Axioms. They offer free shipping and 30 day in-home trial. They also have factory outlet which is 10% off regular price. The factory second speakers are absolutely no different from firsts except minor blemish that cant be seen from more than 5 feet. My M60s are seconds but you wont know they are unless I told you.
Hope that helps.

 

[westcott]

Another vote for a Panasonic Plasma. I am getting ready to buy a second one.

Pioneer gets good ratings too but I could not justify the performance\price ratio.

B&W have always been a good speaker choice. Can't go wrong their either.

Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress. We like pictures!!!!

 

[techigirl78]

Hey Techgirl,
What is your budget? I spent good about three months or so auditioning various speakers before I finally decided to go with Axiom. Best bang for the buck. I agree there were some Paradigms that i liked but for the price I would have had to pay, it was over my budget. I liked B&Ws as well but their higher end products. Axiom doesnt make thier speakers in China or elsewhere. They make them in Canada, an amazing company to deal with, I have not seen or experienced customer support like Axiom. Visit the website www.axiomaudio.com and check out the forums, I am sure you will find someone in your area (through their website) to audition their speakers. I have M60s (main), VP150 center and QS8 surrounds. I also have thier EP350 sub. Beautiful highs and lows and crisp mids (yeah clear mids). I drive them with a Yamaha RX-V663. This receiver is farly future proof with DT HD master and Dolby True HD decoders and 2 HDMI1.3a inputs. Before you spend the money, I would strongly recommend checking out Axioms. They offer free shipping and 30 day in-home trial. They also have factory outlet which is 10% off regular price. The factory second speakers are absolutely no different from firsts except minor blemish that cant be seen from more than 5 feet. My M60s are seconds but you wont know they are unless I told you.
Hope that helps.

I'm thinking my budget to be around $6000-$7000 (I have problems staying within budget often).

Last time when I bought speakers, I tried to look at the axiom. I wasn't able to listen to them at that time, so I went off in a different direction. I'll take a look in the forums to see if I can find someone in my area.

As I am going with the 5.1 setup, could I go with two smaller 8" subs instead of one larger one? I was thinking two of the HSU STF-1. For speakers, I'm looking at the B&Ws 684 (kind of looking at 683 too) and taking a look at the axiom website.

I have also started to lean towards the Yamaha RX-V863.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I agree with Chris on the DLP TV. Even a 73" Mitsubishi TV (Greg Gable & GlocksRock) is only around 18" in Depth. I think you can get a 73" Mitsubishi DLP for $2,500 - $4,000 depending on the models. When it comes to TV, the size matters a lot IMO.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...I think I'm going to go with the B&W 684 theatre system (5.1), Denon AVR-2308CI...

B&W and Denon are both excellent choices.

Just make sure the speakers (whichever speakers you buy) come with a 30-day return policy just in case you don't like how they sound.

 

[jcPanny]

ID company demos

If you are interested in Axiom, AV123 or other Internet Direct companies, post on their forum and you will probably find someone in the area who will let you demo their system.

Some of the companies like AV123 and Aperion have risk free trial policies (full refund including return shipping) and most others have a liberal trial/return policy.