Need Help Setting up a College House HT

[BadgerAVS]

Audophiles/Stereophiles and Audioholics members-alike:

I am a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and want to set up a nice -by college budget standards- home theater set-up for our living room next year. We plan on having two couches with raised/stadium seating. I have already ruled out 7.1 systems after doing research because we will most definitely not have the space necessary for the rear speakers to be behind our seating. Below I will try my best at giving the required details one would need to discern what would be the best set-up for us. In regards to how much money we are willing to spend, let's say around $500 for the speakers and $400 for the AVR. I have done some preliminary research during my study breaks from finals for potential set-ups and will mention them below. We are mainly looking for quality movie audio but will also be using the set-up to play PS3 (eventually PS4)/Xbox 360 on, as well as play music for pregaming on the weekends.

Living Room Dimensions: 17x14; Wood flooring and dry-wall.

Display: Panasonic Viera TC-P50GT30 Plasma HDTV

Speakers:

- Polk RM 510 System $275 OBO
- Polk TL2600 System $425 OBO


AVRs:

- Denon AVR 4308CI $400 OBO
- Denon AVR 2308CI $200 OBO
- Denon AVR 1312 $100 OBO
- Denon AVR 985S No price listed.

Prices are all on craigslist and I would demand to test before purchasing.

Wiring: I have not had time to do research on this, but figured this was the place to go to get guided to the right wiring.

Bass Traps? Given our intended set up, would these be worth the hassle (if done DIY) or purchase?


Thanks in advanced for any help that you guys may offer.

Sincerely,

BadgerAVS

 

[fuzz092888]

Generally speaking you want you budget split to be more like 80:20 speakers to electronics, at least to start with. However, for a budget that low that isn't necessarily realistic. I might suggest a higher end Onkyo HTIB system, at least for now. This will net you a receiver, 5 speakers, and a small "subwoofer" (really its more of a mid bass woofer). The only reason I point you in that direction is that you get a realish receiver which means you can swap out speakers/subwoofer as funds allow.

Your other option is to go with something like the pioneer speakers by Andrew Jones which are far and away better than the polk satellites and around the same price. The downside is you don't have a subwoofer, but there are other options out there.
Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-FS52-LR Andrew Jones Designed Floor standing Loudspeaker (each): Electronics
Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics
Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Designed Center Channel Speaker: Electronics
Amazon.com: Pioneer SW-8MK2 Andrew Jones Designed 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer: Electronics

 

[fuzz092888]

As far as receivers go I think the 2308 would more than sufficient for what you are going to be using it for. As for wiring, just go to mono price and get a couple hundred feet of 14 gauge wire and you'll be fine. They also have stuff to hide the wire by running along the molding if you wish to do that as well. Bare wire is fine as long as you're careful, but banana plugs can be useful. Personally I prefer BJC or GLS locking banana plugs. They're a little more expensive than the mono price plugs, but they don't suck like the monoprice plugs do and they'll last.

 

[BadgerAVS]

Please don't take me questioning your insight as an insult, but while I was doing my research as study breaks for finals, I often found articles and posts that bashed Pioneer/Bose/Sony/Samsung/Panasonic claiming that you were paying for the Brand Name and not quality speakers. It may be only in the higher end models where that may be true, as often times the information was regarding speakers that were higher than our allotted budget but they praised Polk and Klipsch. I just found those exact BS22 (L&R) and Subwoofer models for $100 total (before doing a little wheeling and dealing) on Craigslist. Pending testing them, should I hop on these bad boys?

 

[fuzz092888]

Bose/Sony/Samsung/Panasonic and up until recently Pioneer.

Pioneer SP-PK52FS 5.1 Andrew Jones Loudspeaker System Review | Audioholics

Polk and Klipsch are no different. No, I would take the pioneer speakers over what you have listed. I've even considered picking up the pioneer speakers for myself. If they were crap, I don't think I'd consider adding them to

 

[BadgerAVS]

Alright, like I said, definitely will take your word and expertise, just wanted to gain some personal knowledge along the way. Do you have any sites you would recommend to purchase the 2 Tower speakers and center channel?

I have one more question, and I hate to continue to burden you, but you recommended the 2308 AVR > 4308. I understand the 4308 has that Audyssey MultEQ which when I was looking into receivers, posters said was very desirable. Is it a non-issue based on the low budget speaker/room set-up we're going for? Continuous thanks!

 

[fuzz092888]

Newegg has pretty low prices on them and I've only had good experiences with them.

Newegg.com - andrew jones

The 2308 has MultEQ and the 4308 had MultEQ XT. I would put any extra money towards a competent subwoofer since I don't think the added features of the 4308 are really necessary for a college environment, whereas a subwoofer will definitely be appreciated. When it comes to the differences between the EQ and XT, I doubt you guys will notice a difference and I personally believe that a few well placed room treatments would make more of a difference than audyssey.

 

[macddmac]

Nice work Fuzz!
Badger, You could also go with the pioneer front three and and spend the difference on a better ( not great) subwoofer.
when you're ready for the rears, I have a pair of nib pioneer bs-22's ill sell you for the 69.00 I payed plus shipping. Wisconsin? We could probably get that done for 90.00 total. Get your room-dogs to kick in 30.00 each and you're rolling
Cheers, Mac

 

[fuzz092888]

Nice work Fuzz!
Badger, You could also go with the pioneer front three and and spend the difference on a better ( not great) subwoofer.
when you're ready for the rears, I have a pair of nib pioneer bs-22's ill sell you for the 69.00 I payed plus shipping. Wisconsin? We could probably get that done for 90.00 total. Get your room-dogs to kick in 30.00 each and you're rolling
Cheers, Mac

$69? My ears just perked up a little

 

[macddmac]

Thought they wood ( pun intended )

 

[BadgerAVS]

Nice work Fuzz!
Badger, You could also go with the pioneer front three and and spend the difference on a better ( not great) subwoofer.
when you're ready for the rears, I have a pair of nib pioneer bs-22's ill sell you for the 69.00 I payed plus shipping. Wisconsin? We could probably get that done for 90.00 total. Get your room-dogs to kick in 30.00 each and you're rolling
Cheers, Mac

I love the offer but I'm able to get the SW-8MK2 and BS-22 (Left and Right) for $80 on craigslist. I will of course be sure to test them but would you happen to have any of the other parts of the AJ series for sale?!

 

[macddmac]

I love the offer but I'm able to get the SW-8MK2 and BS-22 (Left and Right) for $80 on craigslist. I will of course be sure to test them but would you happen to have any of the other parts of the AJ series for sale?!

I don't , sorry. But if the cl thing doesn't work out, I'll match their price delivered.
Cheers, Mac

 

[BadgerAVS]

Unfortunately, the 2308 AVR was sold. A Marantz NR-1402 for $200 was posted recently, how does that fare compared to the Denons? Are there any model AVRs that would compliment the Andrew Jones speaker system I should search for on craigslist?

 

[fuzz092888]

Unfortunately, the 2308 AVR was sold. A Marantz NR-1402 for $200 was posted recently, how does that fare compared to the Denons? Are there any model AVRs that would compliment the Andrew Jones speaker system I should search for on craigslist?

The Marantz is a good receiver, compares favorably to the 2308. I'd skip that and go with the 4308, but that's just me. Yamaha makes good receivers as well, usually with less features, but more robust power supplies than the competition depending on the model you're looking at.

 

[jotham]

BadgerAVS,

You are getting great advice from these folks. The Andrew Jones Pioneers are the way to go for the speakers. Amazon usually has reasonable prices and a great return policy if you need it.
Monoprice or Parts Express for any cables you need.

Personally, I would avoid craigslist for a receiver for a couple of reasons. Receivers are quickly changing and new models have features that you might actually desire in a college environment. I'm not suggesting that new equals better but in the case of receivers, it does mean new features.

Craigslist, in my opinion, is filled with folks who think their receivers are worth more than they actually are. Plus, you have to wonder why they are selling the receiver and how they treated it. Lastly, you won't have any sort of warranty.

Given your environment, I would go with a Yamaha as they are built like tanks (in general) and can possibly handle a little more abuse. I like Onkyos but they require careful feeding and handling. Denon is also awesome but they are about $100 more than their competitors for the same features, though they are built really well.

Again, for most people, more features are unnecessary, but in a college environment, the ability to do Airplay, or plug in via USB, or stream over a network connection may actually get used.

So, just looking today, here's a receiver I think would meet your needs.

Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-V573 7.1-Channel Network AV Receiver: Home Audio & Theater

good luck,

Jotham

 

[BadgerAVS]

Does anyone know of a good site where you can buy third party electronics, aside from craigslist? I'm really looking to get the full set up of the Andrew Jones Pioneer set but can only find the center and two bookshelfs for sale on CL.