Where do I start? (starter speakers?)

[tange1]

I've bought the Onkyo TX-SR706S refurb on sale for 350 - as I understand it that's a great starter receiver. Now a few questions:

Any recommendations on speakers? I don't need top of the line - like I said I'd like something to start out. I'm thinking 5.1 for now since I'm going to have trouble running the wires.

I'm thinking about using the Rocketfish Wireless Rear Speaker Kit for the rears so I only have 2 channels in the rear hence the 5.1.

Should I get stands for the front and rear speakers?

The Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System (Set of Six, Black) received a lot of positive reviews on Amazon for a very reasonable price.


Also - what guage of speaker wire do I really need?

Thanks !

 

[jliedeka]

I'll answer your speaker wire question first since that's the easiest. For most applications 12 or 14 ga wire will be fine. For really short runs you could probably get by with 16-18 gauge. If you go a little heavier than what you need, you'll never have to worry about it.

As for starter speakers, that's a fairly open ended question. It depends on your budget. You should consider a decent sub along with some decent entry level speakers. Some suggestions: a sub from Hsu, SVS or AV123 and Hsu HB-1s, SVS SBS-01s, Infinity Primus 162s or Ascend CBM-170s. My suggestions are biased towards internet direct brands because I believe you can generally get more bang for the buck that way.

I tend to be suspicious of home theater in a box type systems. They are an improvement on the speakers in your TV but not too many sound really good compared to "real" speakers. If you want your system to sound good with music as well as movies, I'd stay away.

I don't know about the wireless speakers you mentioned. They may be fine for surrounds but I would prefer more traditional wired speakers. You trade running speaker wires for running power to the speakers. Plus, I have my doubts about what the sound quality might be like.

Jim

 

[tange1]

I'll answer your speaker wire question first since that's the easiest. For most applications 12 or 14 ga wire will be fine. For really short runs you could probably get by with 16-18 gauge. If you go a little heavier than what you need, you'll never have to worry about it.

As for starter speakers, that's a fairly open ended question. It depends on your budget. You should consider a decent sub along with some decent entry level speakers. Some suggestions: a sub from Hsu, SVS or AV123 and Hsu HB-1s, SVS SBS-01s, Infinity Primus 162s or Ascend CBM-170s. My suggestions are biased towards internet direct brands because I believe you can generally get more bang for the buck that way.

I tend to be suspicious of home theater in a box type systems. They are an improvement on the speakers in your TV but not too many sound really good compared to "real" speakers. If you want your system to sound good with music as well as movies, I'd stay away.

I don't know about the wireless speakers you mentioned. They may be fine for surrounds but I would prefer more traditional wired speakers. You trade running speaker wires for running power to the speakers. Plus, I have my doubts about what the sound quality might be like.

Jim

If it add's much to the equation I'm not a music guy - just movies. I'm in a smaller townhouse - the home theatre area to be is 20 by 14, open on one of the long sides with doors and windows on the other long side.

 

[TjMV3]

What's your price range for speakers? Definitely need to know that before suggesting what you could audition.

 

[Midcow2]

Good Recommendations on subs from Jliedeka, some good inexpensive speakers

I'll answer your speaker wire question first since that's the easiest. For most applications 12 or 14 ga wire will be fine. For really short runs you could probably get by with 16-18 gauge. If you go a little heavier than what you need, you'll never have to worry about it.

As for starter speakers, that's a fairly open ended question. It depends on your budget. You should consider a decent sub along with some decent entry level speakers. Some suggestions: a sub from Hsu, SVS or AV123 and Hsu HB-1s, SVS SBS-01s, Infinity Primus 162s or Ascend CBM-170s. My suggestions are biased towards internet direct brands because I believe you can generally get more bang for the buck that way.

I tend to be suspicious of home theater in a box type systems. They are an improvement on the speakers in your TV but not too many sound really good compared to "real" speakers. If you want your system to sound good with music as well as movies, I'd stay away.

I don't know about the wireless speakers you mentioned. They may be fine for surrounds but I would prefer more traditional wired speakers. You trade running speaker wires for running power to the speakers. Plus, I have my doubts about what the sound quality might be like.

Jim

For an HT movie system I would get one of the sub vendors recommended above but the price ranges all over the place from a Dayton Sub 120HT at $139 ( http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635 ) to over $1,000. ( pre-order on SVS PB12-Plus for $999 now, save $200) http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-newpb12plus.cfm

Here are some excellent bookshelf speakers, later you could use them as surrounds or get four for a pretty nice starter system. , Cambridge Audio S30
at $219 per pair delivered. http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Natural-Oak/M/B00196SJOI.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

It all depends on your budget!

Also, if possible auditon the speaKers you are going to buy! It is important that they sound good to you!

Good Luck!

MidCow

 

[DD66000]

For wire, better to go with bulk wire from Blue Jeans Cable or mono price.
Buy all one size, 12ga, times how many feet you'll need total. Then get some banana plugs from Radio Shack, Home Depot, Parts Express, whereever.

As you don't much care about music and just want a fairly cheap speaker system, just look around and do some auditions and get whatever you think sounds best to you for what you want to pay.

 

[Midcow2]

Yes, monoprice banana plugs

For wire, better to go with bulk wire from Blue Jeans Cable or mono price.
Buy all one size, 12ga, times how many feet you'll need total. Then get some banana plugs from Radio Shack, Home Depot, Parts Express, whereever.

As you don't much care about music and just want a fairly cheap speaker system, just look around and do some auditions and get whatever you think sounds best to you for what you want to pay.

Good Recommendations by DD66000 Here are some great and inexpensive monoprice banana plugs: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

 

[DD66000]

Good Recommendations by DD66000 Here are some great and inexpensive monoprice banana plugs: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

The ones I prefer are the RS ones that separate into two pieces. The wire is slipped through the collar piece and then the wire strands are bent over the end, about a 1/16". Then the banana cap is screwed down over the ends of the strands. I find they hold much better than the banana plugs with the two screws coming through the sides.

 

[bandphan]

For wire, better to go with bulk wire from Blue Jeans Cable or mono price.
Buy all one size, 12ga, times how many feet you'll need total. Then get some banana plugs from Radio Shack, Home Depot, Parts Express, whereever.

As you don't much care about music and just want a fairly cheap speaker system, just look around and do some auditions and get whatever you think sounds best to you for what you want to pay.

Running 16/4 for most surrounds is acceptable and cheap, and easier than pulling 12, which in most cases is overkill

 

[DD66000]

Well as I have identical speakers all around I prefer using the same wire, and with a large roll of it don't have to worry about running short of one size and having too much of another.
And buying in bulk is cheaper/ft.

 

[tange1]

I'm a little flexible on my budget but I was hoping to find something that isn't a piece of crap but nothing high end. Middle of the road and again, mostly for DVD, blueray in the future, HD on demand, etc. Could I get a decent setup with 500 or 600 bucks?

 

[DD66000]

I'm a little flexible on my budget but I was hoping to find something that isn't a piece of crap but nothing high end. Middle of the road and again, mostly for DVD, blueray in the future, HD on demand, etc. Could I get a decent setup with 500 or 600 bucks?

Build the system in pieces. Start with a good pair of mains, later add an identical or matching center, then get the surrounds. Or buy the surrounds second and the center last.
That way you'll get a better quality system by spreading out the cost over time.

 

[jliedeka]

You've got a big enough room that you would benefit from a decent sub and "real" speakers. If you are really not that fussy you might get by with one of the better box systems. If you want a better home theater experience, however, you'll probably want to upgrade. You could spend around $1500 (give or take) now for a system that will be satisfying for years or a cheaper box system that you will probably want to replace.

Back to the wire issue, I'd recommend 12 or 14 gauge wire. You don't need to pay more than 60 cents a foot and can probably find something a lot cheaper. You might want to check out the bulk wire at a hardware or home improvement store. Otherwise, Blue Jeans is a no-brainer.

Jim

 

[tange1]

You've got a big enough room that you would benefit from a decent sub and "real" speakers. If you are really not that fussy you might get by with one of the better box systems. If you want a better home theater experience, however, you'll probably want to upgrade. You could spend around $1500 (give or take) now for a system that will be satisfying for years or a cheaper box system that you will probably want to replace.

Back to the wire issue, I'd recommend 12 or 14 gauge wire. You don't need to pay more than 60 cents a foot and can probably find something a lot cheaper. You might want to check out the bulk wire at a hardware or home improvement store. Otherwise, Blue Jeans is a no-brainer.

Jim

I did all the measurements of the room (going around a door) and came up w/ over 220 feet of total cable when I measure the longest runs to the back and multiply by 4 (for 7.1 channels, just in case I go that way) then add the longest possible area I would put the front channels. Guess I'll be getting a 300 foot spool or so. Mono price has 14 ga, 300 feet for $52.65 - good price?

Also - one other question. I know speakers wont come w/ cables so what cable do I need for a powered sub? Do I need connectors ?

Oh and my receiver came today!

EDIT: Anyone have any advice on cable hiding? I was thinking about going down by the trim, maybe with a plastic cable hide in the same color?

Edit2: Any thoughts on front speaker stands?

 

[jliedeka]

For your sub you need what amounts to a long single interconnect, that is, a coaxial cable with an RCA jack on either end. Often they are sold as subwoofer cables. I got mine from Blue Jeans but I would expect monoprice would have something as well.

 

[tange1]

For your sub you need what amounts to a long single interconnect, that is, a coaxial cable with an RCA jack on either end. Often they are sold as subwoofer cables. I got mine from Blue Jeans but I would expect monoprice would have something as well.

Thanks, Ive found several cables. I'm still torn about if I should get 14 or 16 ga? My longest run is 50 feet or so.

 

[tange1]

Apparently I can only edit a post so many times. Anyway - I like what I read about the SKS-HT540 by Onkyo. I know that I don't have to go w/ speakers made by the same folks who made the receiver but the speakers seem well reviewed for the price. I'm only worried it might be TOO much for the house. I'm in a town house.

 

[mlail]

redo

Build the system in pieces. Start with a good pair of mains, later add an identical or matching center, then get the surrounds. Or buy the surrounds second and the center last.
That way you'll get a better quality system by spreading out the cost over time.

I too am struggling to create better sounds for movie watching. However I like to listen to music as well. My last speak setup is a 5.1 Focal setup and 2 mains (JBL) 405's. In Tweeters the Focals sounded great. However when I connected them at home they were a little flat. Adding in my older JBL's and the sound was great. Now my JBL's are dieing and I would like a good 7.1 system. Suggestions please!

Another question, how do you match the center channel with the mains? Yes I admit that I have limited knowlege. Heck I just read that I should make sure my receiver should be twice the wattage of my speakers. I always thought that I wanted the speakers to be twice the receiver. Lost and confused, even after reading many postings here.

Thanks

 

[skers_54]

Apparently I can only edit a post so many times. Anyway - I like what I read about the SKS-HT540 by Onkyo. I know that I don't have to go w/ speakers made by the same folks who made the receiver but the speakers seem well reviewed for the price. I'm only worried it might be TOO much for the house. I'm in a town house.

I wouldn't get Onkyo speakers. I had an HTiB (which these speakers are essentially from) from them and they are definitely lacking. The sub that came with it was the same as the one in that package. It could play loud, but was very one-notey. The other speakers mentioned in this thread will be MUCH better. Onkyo makes good electronics but speakers are a completely different beast.

Here's some recommendations for wire size based on distance and speaker impedance.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable