60/40...or 70/30...music/movie system...prelim thoughts included, feedback needed.

[onlyshawn]

Several years ago, I started looking at home theater (after spending way too much money in car stereo). I decided that buying at that time was a bad idea. Times have changed.

Now that I'm looking again, I've got a 50" DLP 720 tv (akai-costco special), and no DVD player (we use my old PS2 to play dvd's...aack). I'm not exactly concerned about getting 5.1 or 7.1 (at least, not yet)...either towers or bookshelfs/sub is what I'd prefer. So far, what I've been looking at is:

Receiver: Onkyo 605 (or perhaps the 505...does the 605 get me anything indispensable?). Apparently the xover slope on this is steeper than at least the pioneer that is recommended on the '$1000 system' page here at audioholics. I'd prefer if the receiver had integrated iPod support, but I can work around that if it's not included in an otherwise great receiver

Speakers: I like the look and sound of some Polk RTI8's that i listened to in a local store a while ago, but have seen suggestions to look at HSU Research...their 3/3 sub and a pair of their bookshelfs is about comparable in price to the RTI8's, and I'd tend to believe that they'll be higher quality, is that the case? Anything else I should be considering either in speakers or receivers?

I'd like to be in the near $1000 range for receiver+speakers...obviously less if possible (i'd also appreciate a suggestion for a DVD player that'll play nice with the receiver)...and I've now got to have the wife's approval, but none of you can help with that.

These would be going in a living room (hard wood floors), that's appx 12x30x8. There are 3 standard 3' doors leading into the room, and the primary listening position is mid-way along one of the long walls, with the TV on the opposite wall

I think that that pretty much covers it...let me know if i missed any necessary details. I'm in orlando, so there are lots of dealers, if there's something else I should be auditioning.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...I'm not exactly concerned about getting 5.1 or 7.1 (at least, not yet)...either towers or bookshelfs/sub is what I'd prefer...Receiver: Onkyo 605 (or perhaps the 505...does the 605 get me anything indispensable?)...
I'd like to be in the near $1000 range for receiver+speakers...

I'll take the Onkyo 605 for $400.

The 605 will give you HDMI 1.3 Video & Audio processing, while the 505 only gives you Video, but no Audio.

I'll take the Definitive Technology BP7006 for $850.

The BP7006s are SuperTowers (Front Left/Front Right) that have a built-in 300-watts RMS 8-inch subwoofers. Frequency Response: 17-30,000 Hz (overall) & 29-20,000 Hz (+/-3dB). A pair of these will give you two 8-inch 300-watts RMS subwoofers.

Edit: I think if you were mainly into movies, the satellite + sub will do. But if you are like me and music is extremely important, I would definitely get a full range tower floor standing. The Polk you mentioned is 40-20,000 Hz +/- 3dB. That is not full range to me.

 

[3db]

Since your priority is higher for music than it is for HT

Several years ago, I started looking at home theater (after spending way too much money in car stereo). I decided that buying at that time was a bad idea. Times have changed.

Now that I'm looking again, I've got a 50" DLP 720 tv (akai-costco special), and no DVD player (we use my old PS2 to play dvd's...aack). I'm not exactly concerned about getting 5.1 or 7.1 (at least, not yet)...either towers or bookshelfs/sub is what I'd prefer. So far, what I've been looking at is:

Receiver: Onkyo 605 (or perhaps the 505...does the 605 get me anything indispensable?). Apparently the xover slope on this is steeper than at least the pioneer that is recommended on the '$1000 system' page here at audioholics. I'd prefer if the receiver had integrated iPod support, but I can work around that if it's not included in an otherwise great receiver

Speakers: I like the look and sound of some Polk RTI8's that i listened to in a local store a while ago, but have seen suggestions to look at HSU Research...their 3/3 sub and a pair of their bookshelfs is about comparable in price to the RTI8's, and I'd tend to believe that they'll be higher quality, is that the case? Anything else I should be considering either in speakers or receivers?

I'd like to be in the near $1000 range for receiver+speakers...obviously less if possible (i'd also appreciate a suggestion for a DVD player that'll play nice with the receiver)...and I've now got to have the wife's approval, but none of you can help with that.

These would be going in a living room (hard wood floors), that's appx 12x30x8. There are 3 standard 3' doors leading into the room, and the primary listening position is mid-way along one of the long walls, with the TV on the opposite wall

I think that that pretty much covers it...let me know if i missed any necessary details. I'm in orlando, so there are lots of dealers, if there's something else I should be auditioning.

I would use the money to start with a pair of really good tower speakers and add the surrounds, sub, and center channel in subsequent years. I choose the tower configuration over sub/sateliite configuration for music because I feel that you get a better integration with bass and mids with towers than you would with sub and sat. I know many would disagree with me on that point but there is a good number of members here that prefer towers for their main speakers. That would be my approach.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would use the money to start with a pair of really good tower speakers and add the surrounds, sub, and center channel in subsequent years. I choose the tower configuration over sub/sateliite configuration for music because I feel that you get a better integration with bass and mids with towers than you would with sub and sat. I know many would disagree with me on that point but there is a good number of members here that prefer towers for their main speakers. That would be my approach.

I agree with you.

If $1,000 is the limit, I would get the Onkyo 505 for $230 (onecall.com) and get a pair of Def Tech BP7006 for $850 = $1,080. For many people (those who don't desire the ultimate lowest powerful below 20 Hz bass), the two 300-watts subwoofers in a pair of BP7006 will be more than enough.

The 42" tower Def Tech BP10B (similar price) actually has better overall specs without the powered subwoofers. Stereo Review Lab Test (Julian Hirsch) measured the BP10B on-axis freq resp as 20 Hz - 20 kHz @ -5dB & 25 Hz - 20 kHz @ -3dB.

So if you are going to buy an awesome dedicated subwoofer in the long run, the BP10B may be better. But I still love those built-in subwoofers!

 

[rnatalli]

I also agree that it'd be better to start off with some good tower speakers and addon later, but it's possible to get an entire system done for under $1k. I recently posted to someone in a similar situation the following configuration:

av123 x-ls bookshelf = $165/pair x 2
av123 x-cs center = $129
av123 x-sub = $199
Total = $658 + Shipping

Spend the rest on a receiver and cables from monoprice. This is only one possibility and a good one, but there are others you could do as well.

 

[onlyshawn]

thanks a lot for the input, gentlemen. now...here's a wrench...

av123forum.com***showthread.php?t=24756

av123 has the 2 bookshelf pairs, the center, and the sub, PLUS a "1707" receiver (who makes it?) and a dvd1740 dvd player (again, who makes it?) for 999+shipping. purty schweet.

i do like the tower idea, but I'm afraid my wife will not like how big they are.

 

[3db]

an arguement in your favour

thanks a lot for the input, gentlemen. now...here's a wrench...

av123forum.com***showthread.php?t=24756

av123 has the 2 bookshelf pairs, the center, and the sub, PLUS a "1707" receiver (who makes it?) and a dvd1740 dvd player (again, who makes it?) for 999+shipping. purty schweet.

i do like the tower idea, but I'm afraid my wife will not like how big they are.

If you are going to put your front bookshelves on a stand (required for optimal placement for both music and HT), the foot print that a bookshelf and stand will take up is no less than a tower. It just looks like less becuase of the skinny stand but they both take up teh same floor space. You didn't factor the price in for speaker stands either... so... I think you should audition some towers and bring the wife along with you. She may not be so opposed to the idea if she's made part of the decision making process.

 

[onlyshawn]

It just looks like less

...and that's all that matters. Good point on involving her, though.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I also agree that it'd be better to start off with some good tower speakers and addon later, but it's possible to get an entire system done for under $1k. I recently posted to someone in a similar situation the following configuration:

av123 x-ls bookshelf = $165/pair x 2
av123 x-cs center = $129
av123 x-sub = $199
Total = $658 + Shipping

Spend the rest on a receiver and cables from monoprice. This is only one possibility and a good one, but there are others you could do as well.

You mean the x-sls towers for $239/pr x 2?
So total = $806 WITHOUT the grilles?
But he will need the grilles because his wife will not be happy! So that's another $50? Plus S/H?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...and that's all that matters. Good point on involving her, though.

Not only that, but speaker stands will cost you $50-$200 a pair!
I have 4 speaker stands for 4 bookshelf speakers for my surrounds and that cost me $300!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

thanks a lot for the input, gentlemen. now...here's a wrench...

av123forum.com***showthread.php?t=24756

av123 has the 2 bookshelf pairs, the center, and the sub, PLUS a "1707" receiver (who makes it?) and a dvd1740 dvd player (again, who makes it?) for 999+shipping. purty schweet.

i do like the tower idea, but I'm afraid my wife will not like how big they are.

And will your wife like that subwoofer? That's a total of 6 speakers if you include the one separate subwoofer.

If your wife wants LESS speakers, I would just get a pair of BP7006, which already has the 300-watts subwoofers built-in. So it's like 2 towers and 2 subwoofers, except you only SEE 2 towers. You can still watch movies in Stereo 2.2 mode (that's two front towers + 2 subwoofers).

 

[GlocksRock]

I'd save up for at least the BP7004, you will be better off with the bigger subs and mid drivers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'd save up for at least the BP7004, you will be better off with the bigger subs and mid drivers.

Yeah, the bigger the better.

Julian Hirsch tested the BP10B (similar price to BP7006) with a response of 20 Hz - 20 kHz @ -5dB (Stereo Review Lab). I've always wondered how that was possible without a powered subwoofer.

Have you tried setting the subwoofer to OFF in your receiver and let the receiver send all the bass to your BP10B? How does it sound?

 

[onlyshawn]

...where does one get these def techs? I see their dealer page on the site, but is there anywhere available online or at cheaper prices? Their 'prices' page is, I assume, MSRP, which is at $600 each, while acudeftechguy mentions a pair being $850 (425 each).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...where does one get these def techs? I see their dealer page on the site, but is there anywhere available online or at cheaper prices? Their 'prices' page is, I assume, MSRP, which is at $600 each, while acudeftechguy mentions a pair being $850 (425 each).

I got mine at my local Ultimate Electronics store. They matched the price from digitalcraze.com. If you don't have one, you can order them from digitalcraze.com.

Do you have a local Home Theater store like Magnolia HT at Best Buy or similar?

Before buying, you should listen/audition first.

 

[GlocksRock]

Yeah, the bigger the better.

Julian Hirsch tested the BP10B (similar price to BP7006) with a response of 20 Hz - 20 kHz @ -5dB (Stereo Review Lab). I've always wondered how that was possible without a powered subwoofer.

Have you tried setting the subwoofer to OFF in your receiver and let the receiver send all the bass to your BP10B? How does it sound?

No, but I have listened to some music in pure direct mode where the only the front l & r play full range, and now that I got my new Emotiva amp, I have some real power for it. While it sounds good, I am very limited on placement options so I can't really experiment too much with where they can be put, so I think they have a lot more potential for good bass. But I haven't tried that for any lfe heavy movies. I supposse I could just jack up the bass a little bit via the tone controls, but anything less that a dedicated subwoofer just wont cut it for me after having my SVS plus series sub, that thing is amazing, it pairs up very well with the def techs crossed over at 80 hz. I do tend to find def techs specs to be a bit inflated when it comes to frequency response, but they still sound amazing.

 

[GlocksRock]

...where does one get these def techs? I see their dealer page on the site, but is there anywhere available online or at cheaper prices? Their 'prices' page is, I assume, MSRP, which is at $600 each, while acudeftechguy mentions a pair being $850 (425 each).

keep an eye on audiogon.com and videogon.com as well as ebay and even craigslist, unless you can find a dealer and want to pay a lot more for new speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No, but I have listened to some music in pure direct mode where the only the front l & r play full range, and now that I got my new Emotiva amp, I have some real power for it. While it sounds good, I am very limited on placement options so I can't really experiment too much with where they can be put, so I think they have a lot more potential for good bass. But I haven't tried that for any lfe heavy movies. I supposse I could just jack up the bass a little bit via the tone controls, but anything less that a dedicated subwoofer just wont cut it for me after having my SVS plus series sub, that thing is amazing, it pairs up very well with the def techs crossed over at 80 hz. I do tend to find def techs specs to be a bit inflated when it comes to frequency response, but they still sound amazing.

Def Tech only advertises the OVERALL frequency response. That's why I have to look at actual Lab Reports---like the one I mention from Stereo Review Lab Test on the BP10B by Julian Hirsch.

 

[GlocksRock]

They are some amazing speakers for the money, I just wish I had the room (and budget) for the super towers that you have... I would love to hear your setup along with a reference trinity sub!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

They are some amazing speakers for the money, I just wish I had the room (and budget) for the super towers that you have... I would love to hear your setup along with a reference trinity sub!!

FYI, the Trinity goes down to 16 Hz @ -3dB.

So if you could have FOUR BP7000SCs OR 2 BP7000SCs + 1 Trinity, which would you pick (if money were not a factor)?