First Home Theater, looking for advice.

[Cir542]

Hello Audioholics,

I'd like to thank you for taking your time to read my post . So currently I've been trying to figure out what would be the best manner to start a HT system. I was considering obtaining a ct150 because it's sounds pretty decent and it won't cause much commotion living in an apartment. But I figured if I'm going to spend money on a HT system, I might as well purchases a receiver and speakers separately. I plan on setting up a 2.1 system and building it into 5.1 in the next 2 years.

Not sure if the following information helps in regards to picking out the correct receiver, but here is my current setup: LG 47LW6500, DVR, PS3, and Xbox 360. I mainly need a receiver that can do DTS decoding.

My spending limit is about $500 +- 75, this consists of a receiver, sub-woofer, and either a sound bar or speakers. The dimension of my TV room is 9ft by 12ft.

I saw the Pioneer VSX-821-K on newegg for $175, and it seems like this item is fulfilling on all requires that I ask for, but if there might be a better item please guide me in that direction .

Thanks again for read and the suggestion. Sorry for the possible fragments and grammar errors.

 

[zieglj01]

This would be better than that Sony ct150 soundbar package.
Boston/Denon 591 system
DENON DHT-591BA 5.1 Home Theater System w/ Boston Acoustic Speakers | Accessories4less

 

[Cir542]

This would be better than that Sony ct150 soundbar package.
Boston/Denon 591 system

Thanks for the quick reply. I took a look at the link and that receiver is very limited on the optical input which would cause an issue for my PS3 and the 360. Aren't home theaters in the box very limited on what can be added to the setup at a later time? This is the man reason why I get the receiver and speakers separately.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for the quick reply. I took a look at the link and that receiver is very limited on the optical input which would cause an issue for my PS3 and the 360. Aren't home theaters in the box very limited on what can be added to the setup at a later time? This is the man reason why I get the receiver and speakers separately.

I mainly reccomended that as an alternate to the Sony Soundbar thing.
The Pioneer is a decent receiver - if you want Soundbar, then look at
this from Boston.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSTVEEM25B/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-TVee-Model-25-Sleek-Sound-Bar-and-Wireless-Subwoofer/1.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for the quick reply. I took a look at the link and that receiver is very limited on the optical input which would cause an issue for my PS3 and the 360. Aren't home theaters in the box very limited on what can be added to the setup at a later time? This is the man reason why I get the receiver and speakers separately.

Why do you need optical inputs. I know ps3 has hdmi and I not 100% sure about your xbox, but my elite 360 (fat) has hdmi port
hdmi carries both audio and video and it can transfer hd audio, which optical spdif would not (due to studio's restrictions)

 

[Cir542]

Why do you need optical inputs. I know ps3 has hdmi and I not 100% sure about your xbox, but my elite 360 (fat) has hdmi port
hdmi carries both audio and video and it can transfer hd audio, which optical spdif would not (due to studio's restrictions)

The slim has a optical out. The reason why I need optical out is because of dts, it doesn't get transfers over hdmi. I use ps3mediaplayer rather than a htpc.

I mainly reccomended that as an alternate to the Sony Soundbar thing.The Pioneer is a decent receiver - if you want Soundbar, then look at
this from Boston.

Thanks again , I'll take a look when I get home .

Sent from HTC Sensation 4g.

 

[Cir542]

zieglj01

I took a look at the Boston more closely and it seems like a good pick. It has the ability to act as stand alone or be connected to a receiver. I'll try to find a local store to test it out.

Are there any other types of receivers you recommend?
Thank you.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

How about Pioneer system:
Pioneer SP-FS51-LR
Pioneer SP-C21
Pioneer SP-BS21-LR
subtotal: $219.97 w/free ship (from newegg with coupons)

if you get find Pioneer VSX-821-K for $175 again - that would a good deal...
the only sub remains...
Not much good subs in your budget, but Bic F12 is a decent choice

 

[zieglj01]

zieglj01
I took a look at the Boston more closely and it seems like a good pick. It has the ability to act as stand alone or be connected to a receiver. I'll try to find a local store to test it out.
Are there any other types of receivers you recommend?
Thank you.

With your tight budget, the Pioneer receiver is fine - Look at the
Pioneer speakers from post #8

 

[PENG]

I always recommend the Yamaha RX-V667 for a <$500 budget. I have seen it sold for under $400 quite often but at the moment it is $499.99 at Amazon.com but you could still get better prices elsewhere, such as:

Buy.com - Seller listing for Yamaha RX-V667 A/V Receiver

not sure if they are an authorized dealer though.

I think it may be better to spend a little more and get this Yamaha and then just go for a cheap sound bar and subwoofer for now.

 

[Cir542]

How about Pioneer system:
Pioneer SP-FS51-LR
Pioneer SP-C21
Pioneer SP-BS21-LR
subtotal: $219.97 w/free ship (from newegg with coupons)

if you get find Pioneer VSX-821-K for $175 again - that would a good deal...
the only sub remains...
Not much good subs in your budget, but Bic F12 is a decent choice

That setup doesn't seem like such a bad idea at all. If my budget it was a tad bigger, what would you change or add in it?

With your tight budget, the Pioneer receiver is fine - Look at the
Pioneer speakers from post #8

Thanks for the all the input zieglj01.


Also, which system might sound better? The all Pioneer setup state in post #8, the Denon DHT-591BA or the BA TVee Model 25?

 

[zieglj01]

That setup doesn't seem like such a bad idea at all. If my budget it was a tad bigger, what would you change or add in it?
Also, which system might sound better? The all Pioneer setup state in post #8, the Denon DHT-591BA or the BA TVee Model 25?

The Pioneer speakers, will out perform the little Boston speakers.
There are no bigger Boston speakers, in your price range.
This is a real good deal.
Newegg.com - pioneer speakers

If you were to add to the budget - then I would get the Yamaha 667
receiver - there is a refurb at Newegg, and a B-stock on Ebay. It does
well power wise, in surround mode.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Rx-V667-7-2-Channel-Home-3D-Receiver-Rxv667-/280706960601?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item415b704cd9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115339

If you can work around one optical input - then I would look at the 791 here
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR791/DENON-AVR-791-7.1-Channel-A/V-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html#!specifications

I own both the 667 and 791 - and they are nice.

Save up for a decent sub.

 

[Cir542]

The Pioneer speakers, will out perform the little Boston speakers.
There are no bigger Boston speakers, in your price range.
This is a real good deal.
Newegg.com - pioneer speakers

If you were to add to the budget - then I would get the Yamaha 667
receiver - there is a refurb at Newegg, and a B-stock on Ebay. It does
well power wise, in surround mode.
Yamaha Rx-V667 7.2 Channel Home 3D Receiver Rxv667 (027108936109) | eBay
Newegg.com - Refurbished: YAMAHA RX-V667 7.2-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver

If you can work around one optical input - then I would look at the 791 here
DENON AVR-791 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

I own both the 667 and 791 - and they are nice.

Save up for a decent sub.

hmm, I thinking I can deal with one optical input rather than two. The AVR-791 and RX-V667 seem exactly the same beside the number of optical and hdmi connection and the price range.

I think I'm going to get the AVR-791 along with the pioneer speakers, seeing how it will be under 500, and probably next month I'll be able purchases a decent sub.

Out of curiosity, zieglj01 which of those receivers do you prefer?

 

[zieglj01]

Out of curiosity, zieglj01 which of those receivers do you prefer?

The 791 seems to do a better job power wise, in the surround mode.
Also, the video picture coming through the Denon - seems to be a
little more clear and sharp. However, both receivers are a winner.

 

[avnetguy]

hmm, I thinking I can deal with one optical input rather than two. The AVR-791 and RX-V667 seem exactly the same beside the number of optical and hdmi connection and the price range.

The 791 is missing full pre-outs but that only matters if you plan on adding an external amp later on.

Steve

 

[Cir542]

The 791 is missing full pre-outs but that only matters if you plan on adding an external amp later on.

Steve

Thanks for pointing that out, I don't think I'll be needing an external amp for quite some time.

The 791 seems to do a better job power wise, in the surround mode.
Also, the video picture coming through the Denon - seems to be a
little more clear and sharp. However, both receivers are a winner.

Alright then, It seems like I'm definitely going with the 791.

I can't wait to set up these ht system.

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for pointing that out, I don't think I'll be needing an external amp for quite some time.

Alright then, It seems like I'm definitely going with the 791.
I can't wait to set up these ht system.

Good Luck - have fun.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

or what? I get no thanks for suggesting speakers?

 

[avnetguy]

or what? I get no thanks for suggesting speakers?

Ah come on, everyone knows the AVR is what *really* matters.

What do speakers do anyways but "wiggle wiggle wiggle".

Steve

 

[avnetguy]

The slim has a optical out. The reason why I need optical out is because of dts, it doesn't get transfers over hdmi. I use ps3mediaplayer rather than a htpc.

Just curoius here, as I use my PS3 instead of a HTPC as well, what the deal on DTS is? I have both my xbox and ps3 connected via HDMI and haven't run into any audio problems. Wiki says DTS gets decoded to LPCM for both the opitcal and HDMI outputs.

Steve