Need help buying a surround sound system!

[Deo]

Hey guys!
I really don't know anything about audio stuff, and I don't want to end up buying into some companies marketing scam (like Bose from what I hear) and losing out on something truly awesome, so I thought i'd seek out the help of the people who know their stuff!

For the longest time I thought Bose was the end all and be all and I was planning on buying one of their home theaters in a box. That was until I read on this website I believe, that it is total crap.

Because of my lack of knowledge, i'd really appreciate some help in picking out the best that's available to me while staying within my budget. There is a catch however, these components can only be purchased through Future shop. I have about $1300 in gift cards there, so I'd really like to use them to get this system. Also, I live in Canada, if that changes anything.

I already have my TV and an Xbox and PS3, so the system needs to support Blu ray. I don't have any receiver yet, so I pretty much need a full audio system. Right now I just have my Satellite, Xbox, and PS3 all plugged directly into the TV. My two rear speakers are going to have to be wall mountable, I already have the top corners of the room wired for the speakers.

So what's the best thing I can get given these constraints? If it's not to much to ask, could you guys even explain to me why it's the best? Thanks!

 

[craig7]

well do you want 5.1 or 7.1 or 7.2?

 

[Deo]

As far as I know, my living room is wired for 5.1. I have 2 speaker cables coming out to the back 2 corners of the room, and that's it. I would like it so my system is capable of being upgraded down the road to a 7.1 or 7.2 system. Would this mean buying a 7.2 capable receiver right now, and adding to it later? Or if I bought a 7.2 capable speaker, I have to use 7.2 from the get go? I'd like to get the longevity out of this system as I can, I don't want to have to upgrade every year.

 

[zumbo]

With a 7.2 receiver, you can run anything below 7.2. From 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1......

For receivers, I prefer Yamaha.

Canadian speakers are superb. Here are a few to audition:
Totem
http://totemacoustic.com/english/
Energy
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/
Paradigm
http://www.paradigm.com/
PSB
http://www.psbspeakers.com/

 

[craig7]

With a 7.2 receiver, you can run anything below 7.2. From 2.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1......

For receivers, I prefer Yamaha.

Canadian speakers are superb. Here are a few to audition:
Totem
http://totemacoustic.com/english/
Energy
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/
Paradigm
http://www.paradigm.com/
PSB
http://www.psbspeakers.com/

well he said he want to use up his gift cards and i dont believe that any of those brands are sold at future shop.

well for recievers we got this http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/denon-denon-7-2-home-theater-receiver-avr-891-avr-891/10145894.aspx?path=94a40db50a152f98e744bc12b49535b3en02
no customer reviews but i believe that denon is a good brand from what i've heard.

also by denon, there is this http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/denon-denon-7-2-channel-hdmi-3d-networking-home-theatre-receiver-avr-991-avr-991/10151023.aspx?path=d6890310e57d45ab793d3d36f856917fen02
more power per channel and it does 3D. good customer reviews too.

now from pioneer: http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/pioneer-pioneer-7-1-hdmi-3d-home-theatre-receiver-vsx-1325-k-vsx-1325-k/10150043.aspx?path=e4f61ccc0bd489acb54355c8fcd6c1a5en02
on sale right now, save $750, does 3D too and THX cetified (not really sure if that is very important)

 

[Deo]

Thanks Zumbo!

I'll be going to take a look at some of this stuff today, is there any specific model of those speakers and receiver you'd recommend? any specific combination that works well together? Or is it all what sounds best to my ear that matters?

I found a Pioneer receiver for sale in the flier, it's 1050 watts and is 3D ready. On sale for $750 ($1400 normally). VSX-1325-K, and it is only 7.1. I'd also like to know what you guys thought of Denon receivers, as far as I can see on the website, it's the only one on sale that supports 7.2. It is the AVR-991.

Thanks!

 

[zumbo]

As far as speakers, it all depends on your budget and size preference. Auditioning speakers is very important. Just get the ones that sound best to you. It would also be a good idea to see up-front if you can try a pair at home. Everything sounds better at home.

I also recommend to audition speakers in 2-channel. Just the mains. This will have you paying attention to the sound of the speakers, instead of a complete system that may not match what you choose as your system. If the mains sound good, the rest of the matching system should perform within your expectations.

Personally, I would buy Denon before Pioneer. However, I flat-out prefer Yamaha.

 

[zumbo]

From what I see on the Future Shop website, I would prefer Energy speakers with either Velodyne, or Martin Logan sub.

 

[Deo]

I've decided to go with 2 Energy RC-70's, they were on sale for 1 grand for two and sounded the best. Good choice? As for the receiver, I'm not too sure. The salesmen recommended a Yamaha HTR- 6295, what do you
Think of that?

 

[zumbo]

Looks nice. Looks as though there is a great discount on that unit as well.

Thought you wanted 7.2?

 

[zumbo]

You need a matching center. If they don't have a matching center, you may have a problem. If they do have a match, you need to get it before they sell-out.

 

[zumbo]

I recommend you try to find this:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/rc-lcr-overview/

 

[Deo]

Yep, thats why I went over my budget by a grand... I feuded to goneith the klipsch RPW-10 sub, it was on sale for 200$, regular price is 600$.

I do want 7.2, eventually, I'm ok with building up my system as the money comes in. I can wait if that means higher sound quality.

Do you guys have any suggestions for the cabling? I bought 50ft of Ellet fish speaker cable, but I still need a sub Cable, and I refuse to spend 100$ on a monster cable.

 

[zumbo]

So, did you get the matching center?

 

[zumbo]

Do you guys have any suggestions for the cabling? I bought 50ft of Ellet fish speaker cable, but I still need a sub Cable, and I refuse to spend 100$ on a monster cable.

I use Bluejeanscable and Monoprice. Don't know about shipping to Canada.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp

 

[zumbo]

The sub is lacking. Maybe it will get you by, and you can sell it to get your money back later. A great sub is one of the most important things in an AV system.

 

[zumbo]

As far as speakers, it all depends on your budget and size preference. Auditioning speakers is very important. Just get the ones that sound best to you. It would also be a good idea to see up-front if you can try a pair at home. Everything sounds better at home.

I meant to say everything sounds different at home.

 

[Deo]

Sorry for the spelling mistakes and not making much sense, I was posting on my phone at the store.

I didn't buy a center speaker yet, I was already way outside my initial budget and it wasn't on sale. I can always add it on later though. I think they do have that exact match there, although the price was around 400$ I think?

As for the sub, I couldn't pass up a deal like that! It sounded decent too! Eventually, when I buy the other speakers, I may replace it if I find it lacking. Maybe next boxing day?

The wire I bought was 16 gauge Rocket fish stuff, Any idea how crappy or good that stuff is?

One thing I keep hearing is mixing different sets of speakers is not good, does that apply to subs too? If so, what would be a good sub to upgrade to to match these speakers? And for my rear speakers, do I need to but another set of the RC-70's? Or can I go with another model in the connoisseur series, or even another make?

I've set up everything but the sub, and it sounds just great! I still need to mess with the settings on the receiver to find what sounds best, but default just sounds amazing. They just blow that Bose system he tried to sell me out of the water!

Thanks!

 

[zumbo]

The center needs to be the one I recommended, and it is very important. It needs to match. It is discontinued.
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/rc-lcr-overview/

Matching the sub doesn't matter.

I prefer to brand/model line match surrounds.

 

[Crazy]

Hey Guys,

I'm on the same boat.

Trying to find out which is better, the Energy RC-70 speakers with a Yamaha HTR6295B receiver for $1640, or the Klipsch VSX-1325-k speakers with a pioneer RF-82 receiver for $1500.

Also, do I really need a sub and an amp?

Thanks guys for helping and your knowledge is appreciated.