a 3.1 Home Theater??

[Tackleberry]

Hello, I'm a newbie to most of this. Right now I have a pair of paradigm atoms and want to work towards a 5.1 setup. I gifted my receiver to my brother so I will be buying a new receiver. I would like to spend a maximum of $700 by xmas and will spend 200 of that (probably) on an Onkyo receiver. While I would like to end up with the rest of the 5.1, I think I might be better off just getting a CC170 and a sub and add ADP's in a few months, which oughtta give me a nice setup.

This would essentially be a 3.1 setup, which I have never seen listed. When setup, am I correct in that the receiver will recognize that only the fronts, center and sub are set up and send sound correctly to each???

Any opinions or suggestions are welcomed.

 

[Nick250]

Hello, I'm a newbie to most of this. Right now I have a pair of paradigm atoms and want to work towards a 5.1 setup. I gifted my receiver to my brother so I will be buying a new receiver. I would like to spend a maximum of $700 by xmas and will spend 200 of that (probably) on an Onkyo receiver. While I would like to end up with the rest of the 5.1, I think I might be better off just getting a CC170 and a sub and add ADP's in a few months, which oughtta give me a nice setup.

This would essentially be a 3.1 setup, which I have never seen listed. When setup, am I correct in that the receiver will recognize that only the fronts, center and sub are set up and send sound correctly to each???

Any opinions or suggestions are welcomed.

Your plan seems good to me. The Atoms are great little speakers, I love them. I am not sure what is the best receiver is in that price range so I will let others comment on that. I would suggest after you purchased the receiver add the sub next. It will make a HUGH difference, more so than a center speaker IMO. What is you room size and ratio of music/movies ? A SVS PB10 is a great sub for both movies and music and will fill a fairly large room with strong LFEs. At around $475 or so it's a great value. For a little less the Hsu STF-2 at $399 will probably be a little better rom music buy will not play as low. Anyway before I get carried away, let us know the room size and the movies/music ratio.

Regards, Nick

 

[j_garcia]

The STF-2 is smaller than the PB-10 though, as the PB-10 is fairly large for a 10" sub. The PB-10 is a great sub for the price though. There is also the Onyx X-sub that is just $199. Doesn't go as low, but should suffice and is also very small.

Nothing wrong with a 3.1 setup at all, I've done it before and while it lacks that extra something from the surrounds, it still works well.

I'd actually skip the ADPs and get either another set of Atoms or move up to Titans. Saves money, still gives you great sound.

 

[Tackleberry]

The room is 12 x 19 (carpeted, regular ceilings). Usage will be 85% movies/tv, 15% music. However, the music portion might go up based on great sound. I had put my thoughts on an Onkyo 503 or 504 simply because I wanted to have the entire surround setup. Now that I am leaning towards adding Nice pieces as finances allow, I am willing to spend more on the receiver. Will probably focus on getting receiver and sub first then fill in center/surrounds (likely more atoms).

Have heard a lot about the SVS and Hsu, but not the Onyx. Will look into that one. Any opinions on Bic H100? I have heard good things about it, but perhaps it would be too little for the size of my room.

Thanks for the tips and advice!

 

[j_garcia]

That is a good size room, you may want to consider the PB-10 then if you're after solid, deep bass. Nothing else I've heard will deliver as much as the PB-10 for the price.