7.1 <= $1k Thoughts?

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A

Acidsniper

Audiophyte
Alright, so here's what I'm looking for:

7.1 Surround
Full HDMI support (video & audio decoding not passthrough)
3+ x HDMI Inputs (PS3, Cable, Xbox & Wii)
1080p upscaling (didn't buy a 70" tv for 480i lol)
<= $1k in cost for full system

So after much looking around and research I've come down to going this route (sorry for no links but I don't have 5 posts yet :/):

Receiver:
$600ish around the net - Sony STR-DA2400ES

Speakers & Sub:
$300ish around the net - Onkyo SKSHT750

Then between the 14 gauge wire, bannana plugs, wall and ceiling mounts, that should get me rather close to $1k if not just slightly over.

So what are your thoughts? I have read around these forums and various review sites trying to find the right set up with all the options I need. I'm not a novice when it comes to electronics at all, but it's time to upgrade the 15 year old system.
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
I would say that you are not even close. Almost all your money should be spent on the speakers and Onk is not known for making good speakers.

What are your goals with this system? (movies, games, music...% of each)

How big is your room and how is it set up? 5.1 would save you some money.

Cables and wires are cheap, just use Monoprice.

Can the budget flex up at all?
 
A

Acidsniper

Audiophyte
ParadigmDawg said:
I would say that you are not even close. Almost all your money should be spent on the speakers and Onk is not known for making good speakers.

What are your goals with this system? (movies, games, music...% of each)

How big is your room and how is it set up? 5.1 would save you some money.

Cables and wires are cheap, just use Monoprice.

Can the budget flex up at all?
Click to expand...
It's going to be a pretty even split between gaming, tv, sports and movies so it's hard to pinpoint it really.

The room is about 23' x 12', that's why I am aiming for a 7.1 instead of a 5.1 since I do not want to install into the cieling so the additional surround speakers will help to "fill the room".

The budget is slightly flexible, but wanting to stay as close to $1k as possible.
 
A

Acidsniper

Audiophyte
ParadigmDawg said:
Take a look at these systems which would absolutely blow away what you are looking at. Just add a Onk 605 and be done with it.
Click to expand...

Those are nice setups, however a couple of issues.

1. Those speakers are far too big, I'm wanting a more "minimalist" type set up with wall mounted speakers not stands.
2. The Onk 650 only has 2 HDMI inputs
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
"FILL THE ROOM" will occur by using the right LCR speakers, very little sound comes through the surrounds. I would always opt for fewer 'quality' speakers vs. more, 'inferior' speakers. My main listening room is 30x18 and 5.1 (well it's actually 5.2) works just fine in there. Take a look at the link I provided above and see what you think.

Holy cow, I just saw that you are from Arlington...I am sure we can find something that works for you. Us Metroplex men stick together!
 
A

Acidsniper

Audiophyte
ParadigmDawg said:
"FILL THE ROOM" will occur by using the right LCR speakers, very little sound comes through the surrounds. I would always opt for fewer 'quality' speakers vs. more, 'inferior' speakers. My main listening room is 30x18 and 5.1 (well it's actually 5.2) works just fine in there. Take a look at the link I provided above and see what you think.

Holy cow, I just saw that you are from Arlington...I am sure we can find something that works for you. Us Metroplex men stick together!
Click to expand...
Haha yeah, gotta love this weather today :(

I looked at the links you gave above, and although those speaker setups would work perfectly for a normal set up, I'm looking for more of a "low profile" type set up. Any ideas?
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
Yes, we can come up with ideas around wall mounted speakers. Just keep in the back of your mind that when you go this route you have to spend more money to equal what you can do with a free standing speaker.

Do they have to be wall mounted? How big can the sub be? Is this a WAF issue?

My wife set a rule of no speakers over 12'' tall, can't be any further than 4'' from the wall and no cutting holes in the wall.

This is what I came up with as I wear the pants in this house!

 
A

Acidsniper

Audiophyte
ParadigmDawg said:
Do they have to be wall mounted? How big can the sub be? Is this a WAF issue?

My wife set a rule of no speakers over 12'' tall, can't be any further than 4'' from the wall and no cutting holes in the wall.

This is what I came up with as I wear the pants in this house!

Click to expand...
It's definately a WAF issue as well as a space issue. Living in an apartment with limited floor space and bookshelf options leads me to desire a wall mount system over a bookshelf / freestanding / floor stand option.

If it was up to me I'd be all over floor speakers with 2x 12" subs and the works but due to the WAF it has to be a more tastefull minimalist set up.

I have enough room to have a standard size 10 sub enclosure so that's not an issue, it's more about the speaker size, location and mounting options while staying within budget. It's understandable that the required cost will go up depending on the equipment which isn't too much of an issue, but I have to stay <$1500 for the whole set up.

Love the set up BTW, if I was doing it "my way" that's pretty much the route I would go. :D
 
T

Tiguron

Audioholic Intern
The TSAT-1000-HT8-B System reviewed on the main page looks like a decent mirco system. You can always add two more sat's if you want 7.1. I am a fan of the Mirage Omni or Nano sat micro systems (look at vanns or crutchfield), but the bass is a bit weak.
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
If we start looking at HTIB type systems, I will leave it to someone else to guide you as I don't keep up with them.
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
ParadigmDawg said:
"FILL THE ROOM" will occur by using the right LCR speakers, very little sound comes through the surrounds. I would always opt for fewer 'quality' speakers vs. more, 'inferior' speakers. My main listening room is 30x18 and 5.1 (well it's actually 5.2) works just fine in there. Take a look at the link I provided above and see what you think.

Holy cow, I just saw that you are from Arlington...I am sure we can find something that works for you. Us Metroplex men stick together!
Click to expand...
+1. The front three is huge in importance. I'd say something like 90% of the importance of the experience. And that's coming from a 7.1 user.

ParadigmDawg said:
These Ascends are really nice and can be wall mounted. Phil has some for sale in the classified section.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html
Click to expand...
+1. A nice thing about using these to "fill up a room" is their excellent off axis response for the money. However, they are a bit boxy and not super sexy. Easy to wall mount though.
 
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