No budget or Low Budget System

[noaudexp]

Hi, I'm new here and I've done some searching around.

I am putting together a Home Theater system. My wife and I just bought the Samsung LN46A550 46" TV.. we get a C manufacture but it's got a great pic so I'm not too worried about all the stuff I've read on the interwebs.

Now this TV has a great pic but horrible audio.

We sunk a ton of money into the screen (for us) and now we are low on funds. I would like to get a receiver with 3 hdmi in and decent features.

I want a receiver, 4 speakers, a sub and a center channel for 5.1 surround. I'm willing to go 2.1 w/ receiver.

I found a post by gmichael forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48205&highlight=cheap+receiver

sorry for fooling the no links with under 5 posts filter.

I thought the 506 refurb for 160 sounded good. The speakers seem like a good buy.. is there any way I can save more money?

In the end I want fantastic quality for no money. Obv that's not going to happen so clearly I need to scale down the quality and up the money.

I do not fear the reaper nor do I fear the refurb. I do fear ignorance. Sadly when it comes to audio components my knowledge is highly lacking, I am less than 1337 on the audio scene.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[jamie2112]

Well you won't get something for nothing these days. There are some deals to be had right now but we need a real budget to be able to piont you in the right direction.....

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

The 506 is a nice receiver, and I've seen it for $150 new at (I believe) Amazon. That was a couple of months ago, though. So, keep your eyes open and you might see good deals for new gear - even though you don't fear the refurb.

I want to point out that the 506 cannot process audio over HDMI. It is an HDMI switcher only. So, you would need to connect things to the 506 using different audio connections.

 

[alexwakelin]

It would help if you gave us a ballpark budget that you have to work with. I think you might be happier with a 2.1 setup to start out with, since you will get better sound. I think parts express also has these speakers (http://www.parts-express.com//pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-680), or some similar to them offered as a 5.1 system with a subwoofer that saves you a few dollars. I remember seeing a 5.1 set in the last catalog they sent me. Also, how do you feel about building your own speakers? Parts Express and Madisound are both offering some speaker kits right now that are a great value for the money. You will have a hard time finding better sounding commercially available speakers for the same price, and you will have the satisfaction of listening to speakers that you built.

Here's the Madisound kit, you will have to buy or build the cabinets. If built to spec, this kit competes with speakers in the $200 to $300 price range.

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8525

Here's the parts express kit, which comes with cabinets:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-642

IMO, either of these DIY kits paired with a subwoofer would provide superior sound to budget home theater speaker kits, which usually use small drivers (3" or less) in plastic cabinets.

 

[noaudexp]

The wife and I think we can afford around $450 but we are really trying to go cheaper.

As far as building my own speakers.. I've never done it before. I can build a PC and rebuild / fix a washer or dryer or small appliance. I'm good with electronics until we get the soldering stage. I am terrible with woodworking not that we're doing engraving here but just the same if there's any measuring and cutting involved I'm the last guy for the job.

When you say

I want to point out that the 506 cannot process audio over HDMI. It is an HDMI switcher only. So, you would need to connect things to the 506 using different audio connections.

What do you mean?

I thought if my devices came with hdmi ports that they could "process" the audio themselves. I'm sure this is one of those comments that screams of ignorance. Sorry.

I will take a look at the DIY speaker stuff right now.

I want to add that speakers (except sub) will be mounted on the walls. We have children with curious fingers. The sub will sit behind a screen gate in the fireplace -which we do not use.

 

[Adam]

Hey, your assumption about HDMI audio processing doesn't scream ignorance at all! Most people think that. However, the less expensive receivers can't process audio over HDMI.

With those receivers, you can plug your components into the receiver using HDMI and connect your receiver to your TV using HDMI, and then use the receiver to select which component you watch on the TV. You just can't use the receiver to listen to the audio that is coming over those HDMI cables. The lower end receivers will pass the audio on the TV, but you're getting a receiver because you don't think that the TV speakers are very good.

The reason for this is, I'm guessing, that manufacturers wanted to put HDMI connectivity into their lower end receivers, but the costs of putting in audio processing over HDMI were too high to hit the price points for those receivers. I haven't looked into the latest round of Yamaha and Pioneer receivers, so perhaps audio processing has worked it's way into the less expensive receivers this year. I wouldn't be surprised if the Onkyo 507 (which should come out in May) has it, but I also won't be shocked if it doesn't.

 

[alexwakelin]

The Madisound kit comes with an assembled crossover, so minimal soldering is needed. The Parts Express kit does not come with an assembled crossover. Building your own speakers is not for everyone though. A budget of $450 is doable, moreso if you are willing to start off with something like a 2.1 system and add more speakers at a later date.

I would break down your budget like this:

Receiver: $150
1 pair bookshelf speakers: $150
Subwoofer: $100-$150

You will still need to budget a small amount for cables, and if you are buying online, for shipping.

Blue Jeans Cables, Monoprice and Parts Express are all good places to buy quality cables at a decent price.

 

[Adam]

You might consider a system like the Onkyo HT-5100. It's about $400 and comes with everything. You would need to get brackets for wall-mounting the speakers, though.

 

[noaudexp]

ok so that must be why when I try to play Ironman.mkv 720p there's no audio when it's on digital. I'm playing from the WD HD TV device over HDMI.

Right now we're watching TV on a Sony KV 27HS420 - 27" CRT TV. It has 1 HDMI input. Broadcasting at 1080i
I ordered the mounting bracket for the LCD TV but it has yet to arrive.

Does a digital audio signal go over HDMI? I thought it did because it's High Definition Media or Multimedia Interface. So where's the weak link? Is it the Western Digital or the Sony.. or both? Will I have this same problem when I hook up my LCD TV w/o a receiver that can process audio?

If I want a receiver that can process audio .. how much are we talking price-wise?

 

[alexwakelin]

You might consider a system like the Onkyo HT-5100. It's about $400 and comes with everything. You would need to get brackets for wall-mounting the speakers, though.

Many people on this site try to steer people away from buying HTIB's, but Onkyo is always regarded as the best value for the HTIB option.

 

[Adam]

Many people on this site try to steer people away from buying HTIB's, but Onkyo is always regarded as the best value for the HTIB option.

Agreed. HTIB units are not for everyone, but they definitely have their place. I'm not saying to get it, but I think it's a good consideration with that budget.

 

[Matt34]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/tsat-1000-ht8-b/

plus this:

http://store.audioholics.com/product/1756/69/yamaha-rx-v363-surround-receiver

 

[alexwakelin]

So where's the weak link? Is it the Western Digital or the Sony.. or both? Will I have this same problem when I hook up my LCD TV w/o a receiver that can process audio?

If I want a receiver that can process audio .. how much are we talking price-wise?

It's hard to say where the weak link is. I'm not sure with WD device you are referring to. My guess would be that the Sony is the weak link, my old 1080i Philips TV would not accept audio over HDMI. Your new TV should accept audio over HDMI, assuming that the WD device is sending it. I don't think you are going to see HDMI audio processing in a receiver under $400.

 

[Adam]

I don't think you are going to see HDMI audio processing in a receiver under $400.

Prices are dropping a bit for that capability. The AH store has the Yamaha RX-V465 for $330, and it will do it.

I do think that we'll see that capability in cheaper receivers this year, and I'd expect it to be in ones that are under $300 by Summer.

 

[noaudexp]

I have optical out on my WD HD TV. It's all so confusing. Most of my movies are encoded with x264 I can't even play the 1080p movies on my PC let alone the WD. The pic has massive stutter and seems like too much data for the processor.

I guess optical out won't help either? The WD has that too.

 

[Adam]

I don't know about your particular set-up with that WD component, but optical out is a good choice for a lot of things. Optical digital audio (and coax digital audio) connections are great - you can get Dolby Digital and DTS over those. You just can't transfer the new lossless codecs (like Dolby TrueHD) over those connections. For the lossless codecs, you need to use HDMI. That's where audio processing over HDMI really becomes valuable.

I have a 5.1 system, no HDMI, and nothing that will play the lossless codecs. I think that it sounds great. So, don't sweat it if you can't play lossless codecs. Optical and coax digital connections will still sound great.

 

[alexwakelin]

I have optical out on my WD HD TV. It's all so confusing. Most of my movies are encoded with x264 I can't even play the 1080p movies on my PC let alone the WD. The pic has massive stutter and seems like too much data for the processor.

I guess optical out won't help either? The WD has that too.

Is this your WD player?

http://store.westerndigital.com/store/wdus/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/categoryID.13830600/parid.13092400/catid.13742300

If it has optical out, then you can use that for the audio and the HDMI for the video. WD claims 1080p HD video playback for that player, but HD video playback is far from perfect at this point. It sounds like your PC is in need of an upgrade to be able to play HD video files. It may be as simple as installing a new video card.

 

[lsiberian]

I am a low budget system builder and have a system largely built off ebay and craigslist.


I suggest you buy 4 beta 20s and 1 beta 250 or 360 off ebay.

Then get a Dayton 12" sub, and a Panasonic HE100 off ebay.

If the Beta's are too big for surrounds then pickup a couple of kef eggs from accessories4less for surrounds. Another option is a primus package, but it will cost you more for a lesser speaker. The beta's are the best sub 80 dollar speaker out there IMO. They are superior in build quality to anything else at the price point. Come with metal grills and have very good extension.

Look on craigslist in you area and do a search for KEF, Mirage, and Infinity. Maybe you will find something. Don't buy anything Bose or Monster.

You can always pick up a HTIB from a4less, but the Beta's would be better speakers and the Panasonic HE100 is a very good budget receiver. HDMI isn't even an option in your budget range.

 

[noaudexp]

I've been spending some time trying to find refurb sites. hoping to get that diamond in the rough. So far I have found:

amazon - no duh.
shoponkyo.com
overstock.com
fatwallet.com
therefurbdepot.com

 

[Drako60]

Is this your WD player?

http://store.westerndigital.com/store/wdus/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/categoryID.13830600/parid.13092400/catid.13742300

If it has optical out, then you can use that for the audio and the HDMI for the video. WD claims 1080p HD video playback for that player, but HD video playback is far from perfect at this point. It sounds like your PC is in need of an upgrade to be able to play HD video files. It may be as simple as installing a new video card.

If this is the system you have, there is no sign that it supports audio over HDMI, it may support Dolby 5.1, but the reviews i've read have said it does not support DTS over HDMI you have to use the optical output to listen to DTS.