A noob to the wonderful world of surround sound

[Pineypower79]

Well I caught the theater bug. I've read a lot of great threads on here so I figured I would join. Seems to be a lot of good knowledge on this site. Anyways I had gotten a set of Bose 301 directs for $50 off a friend. I know some guys say noobs always start with Bose. Well yea when they are that cheap why not? Looking into a Denon Avr-s510bt receiver. More in my budget from what I think to be a nice entry level receiver. So next I'm guessing I can get the Bose 161 for right and left surround. Used on eBay for $60 with brackets. Yes wife won't let me put much out as far as budget. To match for center speaker would have to be vsc-10 which I can also get on eBay used at a decent price. My friend will sell me Polk psw-10 sub for $50. So my question is this a pretty good setup for a rather inexpensive way to start or should I keep my 301s for a stereo only and go another route?

 

[markw]

You gotta start somewhere and for what you're paying for all that, I'd say you did pretty dang good.

You might want to try a "phantom center", whereby you don't use a center speaker. The center sound derived from the two front speakers.

BTW, the 301's are just about the best bang for the buck you'll find in the Bose lineup.

 

[Swerd]

You gotta start somewhere and for what you're paying for all that, I'd say you did pretty dang good.

You might want to try a "phantom center", whereby you don't use a center speaker. The center sound derived from the two front speakers.

BTW, the 301's are just about the best bang for the buck you'll find in the Bose lineup.

This post is uncharacteristically upbeat . It can't be mark . Perhaps the mods should investigate who is posing as markw. (Way to go mark .)

 

[Pineypower79]

Thanks for the response!! So you think if I skip the vcs-10 and just go with 301s and 161's? I wanted to hang the 301s on the same wall as tv. Then hang 161's to walls on right and left. Or should I hang them in rear? I'm not opposed to looking for more speakers though Depends on receiver. Any suggestions on a affordable 7 ch receiver with most the new options? I've been looking at open box deals and store models. Onkyo, Denon, and pioneer. Sony scares me and some onkyo does too. I'm still not sure if onkyo resolved their overheating issue. Leaning more on Denon.

 

[markw]

The 301's should be your front mains and the 161's your surrounds. Assuming a 5.1 system, the surrounds should be on the side walls. See how it goes without the Bose center channel. That speaker never impressed me. But, if you feel you need a center channel, That would PROBABLY be the best match for the rest of your Bose system.

As for suggestions, that depends on what you mean by "new options". A lot of receivers have so many bells and whistles that it pays to know what you actually need. you could wind up paying a lot for stuff you might never use.

But, for shopping, I recommend this place. ...assuming you don't mind high quality, factory guaranteed refubs. Many of us have used them very successfully.

http://www.accessories4less.com/

FWIW, I'm running a Denon 2802 I bought as a "last years model" special in 2002 so my opinion may be a bit biased. You should also consider Marantz and Yamaha as well.

Oh, Rich? Bite me!

 

[Pineypower79]

Yea I have been looking at the marantz but they are little out of my price range. As much research I have been doing I keep coming back to Denon as the more affordable and reliable option. I want the options for Bluetooth and wifi,as well as 2.2 Hdcp ready. Example:

 

[Pineypower79]

Now that's the 5 channel which is def good enough for what I will need. I'm just thinking that down the road I will want to ditch the Bose and do a full out 7 ch system running paradigms. Lol.

 

[Pineypower79]

Update. I have a chance to get mirage omnistat nano's satellites used for under$200. The center channel and one of the satellite speakers are blown. The one sattelite is only slightly blown, but the center speaker's woofer does not play at all. Everything else is in good working order. Is this a easy fix at a affordable repair? Also would a couple of these speakers match nicely to the 301's.

 

[Pineypower79]

Update. I have a chance to get mirage omnistat nano's satellites used for under$200. The center channel and one of the satellite speakers are blown. The one sattelite is only slightly blown, but the center speaker's woofer does not play at all. Everything else is in good working order. Is this a easy fix at a affordable repair? Also would a couple of these speakers match nicely to the 301's.

Thoughts???
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/ele/5445421052.html

 

[KenM10759]

I think you should avoid like the plague something that already has problems. Hold out for something more substantial, they pop up on Craigslist in the metro areas constantly.

What are you using for a search method? I might click on the main "For Sale" header, then click the top search bar and type in something broad like "speakers". You'll get a wide range from car speakers to guitar amps to boom boxes, but somewhere in there you'll spot photos of more complete systems.

Good luck.

For giggles, I found this fairly quick and though not great, it's half that price and all of it works.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/ele/5442758519.html

Or, twice the price and 4 times better:

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/ele/5434010967.html

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Those Infinity speakers should make nice HT setup indeed. Would stay away from something that is broken already.

 

[markw]

Yeah, you don't want to buy something that's already broken. Fixing them will be more trouble and cost more than they are worth.

As for that Denon you're looking at: Is it from an authorized dealer? What type of guarantee comes with it? Who would do any repairs if needed?

 

[Pineypower79]

Ended up getting Klipsch quintet 3"s for $200 New inbox off eBay. Now will those match the 301 if I use them as front mains or is it pointless? I'm bidding on Yamaha rx-v479 receiver new at $330 but that will prolly change. I have Polk psw-10 sub should I go bigger? Room is only 12x18 lol

 

[KenM10759]

When you come here for some information, that is good. There are many very helpful, knowledgeable people here. You should be PATIENT.

You jumped on the Klipsch Quintet. It'll be OK but believe me that Infinity set would have been the best value out of anything posted here.

I'm out of suggestions.

 

[Pineypower79]

Yea I suppose I did jump on it pretty quick. The ifinitys were a little to much money. Plus the wife doesn't want speakers on stands cause we have little ones in same room. It was on this site I read about klipsch as far as quality at a good price. I really do appreciate everyone's input and your all good people. Mark I didn't get the Denon. I'm still on hold. I think I'm going to purchase through A4less. They seem to be the best for pricing and a reputable company. I thank you for showing me them. I'm open to all suggestions and I can always resell those quintets lol. You know I'll be upgrading in a year anyways.

 

[KenM10759]

I would have found the money for that Infinity system because it includes a small subwoofer of reasonable quality. Moreover, the speakers are front ported so you could a) screw them to the stands and push up against a wall or b) set them anywhere on anything as they have "feet", or c) mount them to a wall. Overall, a fairly good price for an above average set that would make you happy for a longer time.

With the Klipsch kit you now have, I'll warn you now that the first time you hear a properly set up system of even modestly better speakers you'll be shopping again. Klipsch is well known here and have some very good home theater products at a wide range of levels. Those you got are meant to compete with the lower priced HTIB kits at the local Target or Walmart and do well against those. Best of luck.

 

[Pineypower79]

In your opinion do you think that I made a better choice then sticking with the Bose 301's and 161's?

 

[KenM10759]

Take the grills off the Bose and compare the size and quality of the drivers and tweeters. If you could open them up and look at the quality of the crossover components and circuits, you'd also see a big difference. Bose also prefers to "reflect" sound, both in and out of the speaker cabinet, while other more conventional designs let the speaker drivers and tweeters do the talking directly. Don't take my word, use Google or Bing to find reviews of each.

I cannot endorse nor condemn your choice of the Klipsch set over the Bose. Your ears will be doing that for you.

 

[Pineypower79]

I need to just get my feet wet before diving in I guess. Assuming I'm starting out with a entry level system there's no doubt that home theater expands to whatever level you want to take it to. Trying to please my ears and please the wife at the same time can be tricky.($$) I have the one that doesn't care nor appreciate good sound quality. As for reading reviews and research I made the decision to not go for the Bose and stick with the quintets. The evidence don't lie as far as quality and craftsmanship. Will I be back to the drawing board again? Yes cause I'm a guy. We always want bigger and better. Lol. Thanks again Ken. You actually went out of your way to look on Craigslist for me to find deals for someone you don't even know. That means a lot and your a good person for that. Now for more receiver research

 

[Pineypower79]

I cancelled klipsch order lol. I need to settle down and be patient like you said. Also I need to stay away from fleabay I think. Lol. I'm new to this and uneducated so it's better I head the advise from the ones that have the experience and know. I'm going to start by going out and listening to different systems.