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[etecnifibre]

Looking for advice on a new home theater setup as we are getting ready to move. Right now, I have a Pioneer VSX-D602S, some Cerwin Vega DX-7's, some crappy RCA speakers for the rear and a small Bose speaker for the center channel. I don't listen to a lot of music on my stereo anymore (I bought most of this stuff back in the mid-90's and I'm now 35, so no more house shaking music unless it's in my headphones.

I've been thinking about the Bose system V20 which doesn't seem terribly popular here. The main thing I like is being able to hook outdoor speakers up as well without a separate receiver. Our new house has a beautiful deck with a pool and I need speakers out there, but not too much because of neighbors, since I'm sure we'll be doing quite a bit of entertaining.

Any advice is appreciated. I'd like to keep my indoor budget around 2 grand or less. I am TOTALLY out of the loop when it comes to this stuff. All I know is that my 15 year old system will rock the house, but I'd like something more up to date with HDMI connectivity.

 

[jinjuku]

Welcome to AH. I believe the main gripes you will find with Bose here:

Speaking from personal experience they are way too expensive for the quality they put out and their bass (subwoofer) output is absolutely a joke across their entire line up. Doesn't even matter if it is their $4k system.

You need a receiver that can do two zones. 5.1 in the house and 2.0 outside. What kind of run length are you talking about for the outside?

Are you doing any critical listening? Music/HT percentages? volume of inside space the 5.1 will be setup for?

 

[etecnifibre]

Welcome to AH. I believe the main gripes you will find with Bose here:

Speaking from personal experience they are way too expensive for the quality they put out and their bass (subwoofer) output is absolutely a joke across their entire line up. Doesn't even matter if it is their $4k system.

You need a receiver that can do two zones. 5.1 in the house and 2.0 outside. What kind of run length are you talking about for the outside?

Are you doing any critical listening? Music/HT percentages? volume of inside space the 5.1 will be setup for?

Run length, I assume, means listening area? The deck is probably about 60' long, with the main listening area on the side of the pool nearest the house and in the pool. I can either mount two speakers on the deck coming off the upstairs or get some landscape types to sit on the deck.

I've had the Bose Acoustimass system before, but it was the 400 series, IIRC (one small base module and two sat). I also bought it in the mid-early 90's, and wasn't terribly impressed with the base, but in a Navy barracks room, it was plenty.

I'd really like to replace the Cerwin Vega's simply because they are furniture. They sound fantastic, especially for my type of music (Metallica, GnR, etc), but I just don't jam like I used to. The system will be mainly used for watching TV.

If I DID plan to go with the Bose, I'd certainly get the factory renewed ones. I bought a JVC professional VCR like that and it was just like buying a new one at half price.

Edit: As for the upstairs space, not sure yet. We're waiting forever and a day to close on this house. Going on 6 weeks now.

MORE: I have also had the Bose 301 speakers, again, early 90's. The sound was crisp and sharp, but as you mentioned, not a lot in the way of bass.

 

[jinjuku]

Run length means how long a cable from your receiver to the speakers outside.

 

[AVRat]

For the best HT experience you definitely want a capable sub and right now the OUTLAW LFM-1 Plus is an excellent deal, but it's only good till 9/30. I wouldn't hesitate!

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1plus.html

An Onkyo 607 for under $400 will suffice for the receiver.

You could consider an SVS SBS-01 sytem. https://svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

For outdoor speaks: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-KHO-7-Outdoor-Loudspeaker-White/dp/B0011YR8UE/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1253809884&sr=1-3

 

[Soundman]

If I DID plan to go with the Bose, I'd certainly get the factory renewed ones. I bought a JVC professional VCR like that and it was just like buying a new one at half price...

..MORE: I have also had the Bose 301 speakers, again, early 90's. The sound was crisp and sharp, but as you mentioned, not a lot in the way of bass.

Do not consider anything Bose. The downside to Bose is more then just Bass output. There are so many great speakers out there and I'd hate to see you throw your money away. Please read this in it's entirety before moving forward: http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

 

[Alex2507]

There are people here who have Bose and that's great. However should they start recommending Bose I wouldn't trust them ... especially around my wife and neither should you. There is plenty you can read about all sorts of speakers by using the search function. The main thing is to go and listen to some. Not for nothin' but looks count too.

The Bose are kind of nice lookin'. What's your wife's name again?

 

[lsiberian]

If your looking to size down on your inside speakers.

Look into the KEF 3005 series or the Mirage Nanosats.

Those are your best bet for small speakers and do better than Bose.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5003/Marantz/SR5003-Dolby-TrueHD-/-dts-HD-Master-Audio-AV-Receiver-FREE-SHIPPING/1.html

Black
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFKHT3005BLKSE/KEF/KHT3005SE-5.1-Home-Theater-Speaker-Package-in-Black/1.html

Silver(cheaper but almost sold out.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFKHT3005SLVSE/KEF/KHT3005SE-5.1-Home-Theater-Speaker-Package-in-Silver-NEW-/1.html

both packages fit your budget.


For outdoor get JBL or Yamaha speakers.

For wire get this.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2821&seq=1&format=2

16 gauge may do the trick, but I'd go with 14 just to be safe.

 

[etecnifibre]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I need to find a place to listen to some of these systems. If anyone knows of a good store in Louisville or Cincy, Indianapolis, let me know.

OK, for the outdoor, is there a system that will do what the Bose will as far as being able to listen to a separate source while someone is upstairs watching a movie?

Alex, my wife is pregnant right now. She's not in the mood, I can tell you that! Plus, she's a Hoosier, not sure if she'd dig a Spartan.

Another question, would I be just as well holding onto my Cerwins and just getting a new receiver and a new center/rear speakers?

 

[rnatalli]

My favorite small speakers include Orbs, Nanosats, and the Aperion 4 lineup. All better than Bose and probably less expensive.

 

[jinjuku]

I live in Louisville. Just moved here in July. There is Ovation Audio/Video on Shelbyville east of Hurstbourne Parkway.

Let me know if you want to meet there and do some evaluating.

 

[etecnifibre]

I live in Louisville. Just moved here in July. There is Ovation Audio/Video on Shelbyville east of Hurstbourne Parkway.

Let me know if you want to meet there and do some evaluating.

I may do that. I come to Louisville about once a week to scrap a car.

I'll send a PM with my cell number. Is east going towards downtown or towards 265?

 

[jinjuku]

I may do that. I come to Louisville about once a week to scrap a car.

I'll send a PM with my cell number. Is east going towards downtown or towards 265?

east is going towards 265... Will give you a call.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just make sure your AVR has at least 2 zones.

I run a pair of cheap (50 buck) Duals outside on zone 3. When your yard is nice, everything sounds good.

Yes, this was just a shameless way to show off my pool again...sorry!!!!!!!!!!

 

[etecnifibre]

What about the Pioneer Elite line? I bought a $600 Pioneer receiver 15 years ago and haven't had the first issue with it. Has the Dolby Prologic, etc.

 

[jinjuku]

What about the Pioneer Elite line? I bought a $600 Pioneer receiver 15 years ago and haven't had the first issue with it. Has the Dolby Prologic, etc.

Pioneer is still a good choice. So is Marantz, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo (though they do tend to run a bit hot), Yamaha...

You will need something with zone 2 output.

 

[etecnifibre]

Pioneer is still a good choice. So is Marantz, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo (though they do tend to run a bit hot), Yamaha...

You will need something with zone 2 output.

OK, just in browsing online, I think I like the Pioneer VSX-23THX. Now, it has 3 zone outputs, this means I can connect my outdoor speakers and listen to music outside while watching a movie inside? But, I'd have to go upstairs to adjust volume or change the station for the outdoor speakers, correct?

 

[jinjuku]

OK, just in browsing online, I think I like the Pioneer VSX-23THX. Now, it has 3 zone outputs, this means I can connect my outdoor speakers and listen to music outside while watching a movie inside? But, I'd have to go upstairs to adjust volume or change the station for the outdoor speakers, correct?

Isn't it fun when you keep chasing the rabbit down the hole.

There are two zone output types:

Line level (this is pre-amp level signal meant to go to another amp)

Speaker level (run a cable right to your speakers)

Line level is more flexible but drives your costs up. With line level you can put another amp where ever you need and adjust volume.

 

[etecnifibre]

Isn't it fun when you keep chasing the rabbit down the hole.

There are two zone output types:

Line level (this is pre-amp level signal meant to go to another amp)

Speaker level (run a cable right to your speakers)

Line level is more flexible but drives your costs up. With line level you can put another amp where ever you need and adjust volume.

Like I said, I'm WAY out of the loop on all this. I've had basically the same setup for the last 14 years or more.

 

[etecnifibre]

Looks like the guys from Century Entertainment and Furnishings in Louisville are gonna COME TO MY HOUSE and give me some ideas, and probably do a full install and get everything up and running. Probably gonna end up with a Paradigm system, some in-wall and in-ceiling speakers.