First time serious buyer

[Guernica]

Hey, I hope I'm posting this in the right place...

I am currently looking for a new surround sound system. Right now I have a Sony DAV-HDX285 (out of the box system). I've been shopping around for systems online, and just don't know what system to go with. It sounds like I have two options: get another out of the box system, or build my own by buying a receiver and speakers separately. From what I've gathered, it's better to buy a nice receiver and speakers, allowing one to upgrade as things begin to go out of date as needed. However, my budget is $500 max.

What I need: I need a receiver with multiple (preferably at least 4) HDMI in ports. I also need something that has a higher sound quality than the system I currently have. I also need front right, left, rear right, left, center and subwoofer speakers.

What I want: Wireless rear speakers; I hate trying to run wires. However, this is at the bottom of my wish-list.

Essentially, I would prefer to have a system where I buy a nice receiver and good speakers separately (definitely better than what I have now), but don't know if it is possible to do this with my budget and purchase something that will 1: be better than a $500 out of the box system, and 2: not be out of date within 3-5 years.

I apologize for the long post; I've just been researching and researching online and need some unbiased advice. If anybody could recommend a setup of receiver and speakers that will be in my price range that would be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind, I know next to nothing about specs, speakers, etc. Lastly, my room demensions are roughly: 15 feet by 18 feet, with the couch 15 feet from the TV. Thanks!

 

[markw]

Sory to have to tell you, but someone has to.

For what you want, $500 is an unrealistic number.

Also, wireless speakers are a nice idea, but don't really work all that well.

Add a few hundred and forget the wireless speakers and then we can talk seriously.

 

[Guernica]

Thanks for the reply! So let's say I can get my budget up to $700 and drop the wireless concept; what then would you recommend?

 

[ImcLoud]

$500 is a tough budget most of the time I just recommend a HTIAB system for this budget, which is what you have. But with the sales going one rite now you can get a decent system for $500. As far as wireless surrounds, I wouldn't bother, they still have wires, unless you go battery powered... except now they are larger power wires not thin speaker cable...


Anyway here is what I would buy with your budget...

First your Sub.. $152 Amazon.com: BIC AMERICA Eviction Series RTR-EV1200 12-Inch 475-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer: Electronics

then the receiver- $190 DENON AVR-1612 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Now the speakers - $170 Amazon.com: Jamo S 426 HCS 3 WENGE 5-Piece Home Theater System (Wenge): Electronics

or if you dont want towers-

Amazon.com: Energy Take Classic 5 Pack 5.0 Home Theater Speaker (Black): Electronics

I don't think you will do better for the price... I heard that sub and for $150 you can't do better, it is loud and low will rumble your room... Next the receiver is good for the money and they are shipping it for free rite now, and then the jamo 5.0 rocks, I bought one for my sister as a house warming gift and she loves it, It sounds very good.. I cant think of anything better up to $450 {when you get to the series 2 pioneers, but these are more attractive}... If you don't want towers the energy classics are nice, but close to what you have....
Good luck, and decide fast sales are ending..

I seen you raised your budget to $700 while I was writing this lol, I would just switch out the sub with an HSU STF2 leave everything else the same... http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html but honestly the system above for $500 will get you in the door and you will throw that sony htiab in the trash...

 

[markw]

I did a little searching.

You can get a refurbished Denon 1612 5.1 receiver for about $190

A set of Energy Take 5 speakers for about $140

That leaves about $330 for a subwoofer.

If you up your number a bit. for about $200 you can get a BIC F12 subwoofer. I have one of these and, for the price, it's amazing.

That brings you to about $530 less shipping and no wires and no wireless speakers. Put that last idea out of your head. Others may have other ideas but that's about bare bones entry level imnsho, but it certainly won't suck.

 

[ImcLoud]

You can get a refurbished Denon 1612 5.1 receiver for about $190

A set of Energy Take 5 speakers for about $140

That leaves about $330 for a subwoofer.

If you up your number a bit. for about $200 you can get a BIC F12 subwoofer. I have one of these and, for the price, it's amazing.

That brings you to about $530 less shipping and no wires and no wireless speakers. Put that last idea out of your head. Others may have other ideas but that's about bare bones entry level imnsho, but it certainly won't suck.

Mark did you read my post, lol I have compared the bic eviction and the f12 and for $50 less I would get the eviction, it sounds better IMO... plus side port is nice touch...

 

[Guernica]

So, essentially what I'm hearing is that you both recommend the same receiver; mark says get the refurbished, and ImcLoud says to get the new one. Regardless, they are the same?

Next, I don't want towers. So, the non-tower speakers ImcLound recommended, are they any different than the ones Mark recommended? I have a hard time distinguishing between the speakers and receiver recommended.

Lastly, either setup will be better than the one I have now, and allow for improvements over time?

Once again, thank you SO much for your input and help.

 

[ImcLoud]

So, essentially what I'm hearing is that you both recommend the same receiver; mark says get the refurbished, and ImcLoud says to get the new one. Regardless, they are the same?

Next, I don't want towers. So, the non-tower speakers ImcLound recommended, are they any different than the ones Mark recommended? I have a hard time distinguishing between the speakers and receiver recommended.

Lastly, either setup will be better than the one I have now, and allow for improvements over time?

Once again, thank you SO much for your input and help.

Here's another idea, I have a used set of cbm170's with a cmt340 center $400 for all 3 {hardly used}, then use your sony fronts as surrounds, then upgrading would be easy and you don't have to scrap anything ..... You won't find anything better sounding than them...

 

[Guernica]

I appreciate the offer, however am looking to buy new from a store with this... However, back to my previous questions:

you both recommend the same receiver; mark says get the refurbished, and ImcLoud says to get the new one. Regardless, they are the same?

The non-tower speakers ImcLound recommended, are they any different than the ones Mark recommended? I have a hard time distinguishing between the speakers and receiver recommended.

Lastly, either setup will be better than the one I have now, and allow for improvements over time?

 

[ImcLoud]

I appreciate the offer, however am looking to buy new from a store with this... However, back to my previous questions:

you both recommend the same receiver; mark says get the refurbished, and ImcLoud says to get the new one. Regardless, they are the same?

The non-tower speakers ImcLound recommended, are they any different than the ones Mark recommended? I have a hard time distinguishing between the speakers and receiver recommended.

Lastly, either setup will be better than the one I have now, and allow for improvements over time?

The avr I linked is refurbed also, I believe they are the same....

and the speaekrs are the same too, I searched for thm on newegg but didnt find them so I figured they were sold out but they didnt put classic in their add so they didnt come up for me... i would buy them from newegg for $20 less for sure..

So you are good... Bic sub $150, Take 5 $140, Denon AVR $190, will sound awesome for under $500

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for the reply! So let's say I can get my budget up to $700 and drop the wireless concept; what then would you recommend?

I would get the refurbish receiver that markw reccomended.

And, this system will be way better than that Sony system.
Acoustic Energy - use to list for around $2000 ..................
Holiday price under $500
ACOUSTIC ENERGY AEGO AE12 5.1 Home Theater Speaker Package Gloss Black | Accessories4less

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/brand/ACOUSTIC+ENERGY/results/1.html

Also, I am not worried about this sub sounding like a wimp

 

[Guernica]

Ok cool, so your only disagreement was on the sub. Thanks so much for your input. And this will for sure be better than my setup now, or an "in the box" all in one setup? Initially Mark said it wasn't possible, so I'm hesitant moving forward, but optimistic.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would get the refurbish receiver that markw reccomended.

And, this system will be way better than that Sony system.
Acoustic Energy - use to list for around $2000
ACOUSTIC ENERGY AEGO AE12 5.1 Home Theater Speaker Package Gloss Black | Accessories4less

Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!

Also, I am not worried about this sub sounding like a wimp

Same receiver in both posts, lol...

 

[zieglj01]

Same receiver in both posts, lol...

As the Audio World Turns.

 

[ImcLoud]

Ok cool, so your only disagreement was on the sub. Thanks so much for your input. And this will for sure be better than my setup now, or an "in the box" all in one setup? Initially Mark said it wasn't possible, so I'm hesitant moving forward, but optimistic.

Read the reviews, both subs are very close, I like the cheaper one mostly because its cheaper by 25% and it has a side port, which I like for placement issues... you wont hear a difference though and the f12 is always $200 and the one I mentioned is on sale a little bit...

I think it will smoke a htiab for sure, dont forget the msrp on the sub is $480, msrp on avr is $350, and $350 for the speakers so the systems msrp would be well over $1000.... {of course msrp doesnt mean a ton, but it puts it into perspective}...

Go for it, whats the worse that could happen, you hate it {tell a4l it dont work} return it all and keep the sony... no harm done... jk

 

[Guernica]

Sweet! Looks like I found my setup, thanks! Lastly, you said, "I think it will smoke a htiab for sure." What is the htiab, and what was meant by this statement? Thanks!

 

[ImcLoud]

Sweet! Looks like I found my setup, thanks! Lastly, you said, "I think it will smoke a htiab for sure." What is the htiab, and what was meant by this statement? Thanks!

htiab = Home theater in a box

"smoke it" means run it through the grinder, lay it on the paper, roll it into a cylinder shape, light it with a tie die bic lighter {or a zippo with a leaf emblem on it, depends on a few variables} , and smoke it...

Seriously though, you will enjoy this system, it is going to be night and day from what you had... Make sure you take your time and setup the receiver rite, set your front speakers to small, go through the room eq, and pay close attention to sub placement, its going to take 3 more threads to get you all finished up, lol....

 

[markw]

Semantics?

Initially Mark said it wasn't possible, so I'm hesitant moving forward, but optimistic.

If you insist on NIB from a store, it isn't. Likewise, you specified wireless rears.