$1k 5.1 System?

[Sayguh]

Hey guys, I've looked around this site a bit and I really like that you guys list out a few recommended systems for different price ranges. I really like the $1k setup:

Yamaha RX-V463
Yamaha NS-SP7800PN

I was searching around a little and found I could buy those both for about 800 bucks but I figured shipping would be crazy high so I checked best buy (which is a store I absolutely hate) They had the RX-V463 but also had it paired up with

Klipsch - 10" 420W Sub
Klipsch Quintet III - 5 Piece surround

for a total of around $900 bucks. CNet gives the Klipsch system a good review which makes me lean towards that system. As much as I dislike Best Buy this system seems to be pretty decent, then again I know very little about good speakers (but am trying to learn). Could anyone give me some advice? I'm about to start work mid September and would like to buy a system for my 50 inch Plasma Vizio. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

If you don't mind saying, where do you live? I ask because we might be able to find you a place that carries what you want that doesn't have "crazy high" shipping rates.

Adam

 

[Sayguh]

I live in northern VA. Right now I'm still shopping around and trying to find the best deal for around $1,000. I probably won't buy anything though until around mid September unless something amazing comes up that has only a limited time frame to purchase.

 

[bandphan]

would you be willing to look at internet direct companies? Do you have a preference for bookshelves or floorstanding? Is color any issue or do you have preference? How large is you room?

 

[Adam]

"VA" is Virginia, right? Cool. As just a few examples of where you could get the Yamaha 463 for a good price:

1. Crutchfield.com - $300 with free shipping, no restocking fee, and free return shipping. My recommendation.
2. Amazon.com - $300 with free shipping. There is a restocking fee and return shipping if you return it.
3. Audioholics Store - $300 with free shipping. Didn't research the restocking fees and return shipping.

Also, some examples for the Yamaha NS-SP7800PN:
1. Amazon.com - $540 with free shipping.
2. Audioholics Store - $600 with free shipping.

Just some ideas. There seem to be a number of choices for those.

Adam

 

[rnatalli]

I think the Onkyo 506 can be had for $180 right now. I'm not sure how it compares to the 463 but I'm guessing they're close. This would free up funds for better speakers which are more important.

 

[mazersteven]

IMO one of the best bang for the buck $1K systems on the market. Just add an inexpensive receiver.

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

 

[Sayguh]

Your posts bring up lots of good questions.

1.) How should one balance their funds? 50% on speakers 50% on receiver unit? rnatalli and mazersteven both seem to imply there is a strong sway towards speakers and less money towards receiver

2.) As an electrical engineer I know what a lot of the acronyms and technical stuff stands for, but as a beginner to the home theatre market I have no clue what to really look for. ie. I know THD stands for total harmonic distortion, and I can tell you how to calculate it, but I don't know if it's a spec i should keep an eye on, or if Watts is more important, or what decoder to look for (I've herd DTS is the best for 5.1, and anything with the word HD for 7.1). Anyway, what should I look for in a receiver? What about speakers?

3.) I keep reading that tall tower speakers will generally give a better sound than the tiny little ones, although in my price range I keep finding only small little speakers. Should they be avoided? My current basement can do either tower or small ones as I have cabinets on either side of the TV

4.) How much does the market change? I was shopping around for computer parts a few months ago saying I was going to buy in September and everyone said not to even bother shopping around that early. Should I just wait until I'm ready to buy before shopping? Or does this market not change too quick?

5.) Nobody really addressed the question of the best buy bundle in the original post. Is it any good? If not, why not? If it's good, why?

Really I'm just trying to learn as much as possible and I really appreciate everything you guys have said so far :-D Looks like I've found a great forum!

 

[mazersteven]

1.) How should one balance their funds? 50% on speakers 50% on receiver unit? rnatalli and mazersteven both seem to imply there is a strong sway towards speakers and less money towards receiver

This is true. This is not written in stone. But your electronics budget should be about 50% of your speaker budget.

 

[mazersteven]

3.) I keep reading that tall tower speakers will generally give a better sound than the tiny little ones, although in my price range I keep finding only small little speakers. Should they be avoided?

Bookshelf speakers tend to cost less then towers in the same speaker family. So you can sometimes step-up to the next level of speaker series and get better quality sound from bookshelf speakers then the lesser series tower speaker.

Example

Paradigm Studio 20's vs. Paradigm Monitor 7

 

[bandphan]

I second the svs. Also check out Emotiva, Ascend Acoustics, and av123.

 

[mazersteven]

4.) How much does the market change? I was shopping around for computer parts a few months ago saying I was going to buy in September and everyone said not to even bother shopping around that early. Should I just wait until I'm ready to buy before shopping? Or does this market not change too quick?

Items like Receivers, and Televisions change all the time. Your new receiver and television will be out-dated before you get them home.

Speakers, and Amps technology is pretty stable.

 

[mazersteven]

5.) Nobody really addressed the question of the best buy bundle in the original post. Is it any good? If not, why not? If it's good, why?

Best Buy Sucks

In My Opinion

 

[bandphan]

Ive was in their Mag store in Boca Raton yesterday, and I would not trust them to sell something to my worst enemy. There is no level of training whatsoever( im sure there are a few exceptions ). I go in on occasion to see if there are any new products, and demo the sales staff(since they are not on commision and would rather be texting their freinds) and half the time I get no greeting Ive addressed this with there store manager twice, and on a corporate level and have never once received any response that would imply they cared about me or my money. My clients bring them up all the time so I have to know what the competition is up to. They are not in the home theater buissness

 

[Sayguh]

One last quick question then I'll stop bugging you guys and hit up more research. In your opinions, and keeping in mind my budget, should I shoot for a 5.1? or 7.1? I'm pretty sure the answer is going to be 5.1 since I'll get a better quality set up, but just wanted to make sure.

 

[mazersteven]

In your opinions, and keeping in mind my budget, should I shoot for a 5.1? or 7.1? I'm pretty sure the answer is going to be 5.1 since I'll get a better quality set up, but just wanted to make sure.

You answered your own question.

5.1

Or use the whole budget for just your mains L/R, and build from there.

 

[pweller]

Have you considered buying used? There are lots of things to choose from on craigslist, and most of it is at least 50% off retail prices. I think most people's knee-jerk reaction is to buy new, so the used stuff is plentiful and usually pretty cheap. I've seen $1000 systems on craigslist only a few years old selling for $400 or less.

It's just something else to consider.

 

[Matt34]

I would look at just picking up mains and a receiver and build up to a 5.1 as funds permit.

My recomendations for speakers to audtion would be:

Boston VR-2/3 ---can be had at a discount due to discontiuned series
Infinity Primus 362--- Fry's regular sells these for $99ea.
AV123 X-SLS---- B-stock classics can go for as low as $160/pr+shipping

 

[Audioholics]

$600 with free shipping

AND free 5 year extended warranty, AND free tech support for life.

Try calling Amazon for tech support, lol.

 

[allargon]

like Clint said... like Tom said... stay away from satellites (except the orbs) unless you have no space