Advice needed on new home theater

[umaronly]

Hi everyone

I am new here, and looking for advice on my upgrade. I have recently begun to upgrade my old home theater setup which was very basic. Let me note it down:

1. Sony 29" CRT 100Hz television
2. Logitech Z5500 5.1 speakers with built-in amp
3. Basic sony progressive scan dvd connected to the tv via component cables.
4. Nintendo Wii connected via component cables
5. Digital cable

This system has been with me for about 3 years now and I have been able to save up some money for an upgrade. My first buy is the Panasonic TH-50PV80 plasma television, and a new pioneer upscaling dvd player. Now what I am looking for is to upgrade my amp and speakers to give significantly better sound and imaging compared to the logitechs. My current installation is in the living room which is 18' x 14' x 10'. The speakers are wall mounted at about 8 feet height all around. The sub is placed to the right of the TV about 3.5 feet away. My sofas are placed on the remaining 3 sides of the room but we normally sit on the sofa directly in front of the TV about 10 feet away. To the left of the TV there is an opening to the corridor which goes to the back towards other rooms.

Now, where I live the kind of equipment that is avialable is scarce to say the least. Most of the systems on offer are budget models only, some of the brands available:
1. Polk Audio
2. Bose
3. KEF
4. Infinity
5. Jamo
6. Marantz
7. Denon
8. Sony
9. Yamaha
10. Pioneer
11. Onkyo

These too are mostly 2008 or older models available. With such limitations and looking at the cheapest possible upgrade of AV receiver and speakers, need your recommendations please. I was looking at the KEF KHT3005 speakers since they are wall mountable and discreet like the logitechs, but I can also go for floor standing ones if they are cheaper/ better bang for the buck.

 

[ack_bak]

Hi everyone

I am new here, and looking for advice on my upgrade. I have recently begun to upgrade my old home theater setup which was very basic. Let me note it down:

1. Sony 29" CRT 100Hz television
2. Logitech Z5500 5.1 speakers with built-in amp
3. Basic sony progressive scan dvd connected to the tv via component cables.
4. Nintendo Wii connected via component cables
5. Digital cable

This system has been with me for about 3 years now and I have been able to save up some money for an upgrade. My first buy is the Panasonic TH-50PV80 plasma television, and a new pioneer upscaling dvd player. Now what I am looking for is to upgrade my amp and speakers to give significantly better sound and imaging compared to the logitechs. My current installation is in the living room which is 18' x 14' x 10'. The speakers are wall mounted at about 8 feet height all around. The sub is placed to the right of the TV about 3.5 feet away. My sofas are placed on the remaining 3 sides of the room but we normally sit on the sofa directly in front of the TV about 10 feet away. To the left of the TV there is an opening to the corridor which goes to the back towards other rooms.

Now, where I live the kind of equipment that is avialable is scarce to say the least. Most of the systems on offer are budget models only, some of the brands available:
1. Polk Audio
2. Bose
3. KEF
4. Infinity
5. Jamo
6. Marantz
7. Denon
8. Sony
9. Yamaha
10. Pioneer
11. Onkyo

These too are mostly 2008 or older models available. With such limitations and looking at the cheapest possible upgrade of AV receiver and speakers, need your recommendations please. I was looking at the KEF KHT3005 speakers since they are wall mountable and discreet like the logitechs, but I can also go for floor standing ones if they are cheaper/ better bang for the buck.

What is your budget?

 

[umaronly]

I can stretch is up to max 1200 US Dollars but would like to restrict myself if possible to about 800.

 

[droht]

I can stretch is up to max 1200 US Dollars but would like to restrict myself if possible to about 800.

I'd stretch budget a bit if you can, and look used. There is an Ascend 5.0 set up in classifieds for $450 + shipping. In your room I'd go with an A2 -300 sub from Elemental Designs for $350 shipped. You can save a few bucks used here as well, with something like Acculine A-sub for $190 + shipping from classfieds, but I really think the A2-300 is well worth the added cost. You can snag a new Yamaha RX-V465 AVR for $330 shipped from Audioholics. That would put you right around $1200. You could get a cheaper receiver, especially if you look for a refurb. Something like Onkyo TX-SR506, for $199 + shipping from shoponkyo.com.

There are certainly other options out there, but if you want bang for buck value I think buying used is a great way to go. The added benefit is that if/when you want to upgrade again you can re-sell this stuff and not take a total bath.

Good luck with purchase!

 

[lsiberian]

1. Polk Audio
3. KEF
4. Infinity
5. Jamo
6. Marantz
7. Denon
9. Yamaha
10. Pioneer
11. Onkyo

but I can also go for floor standing ones if they are cheaper/ better bang for the buck.[/QUOTE]

Can you not order online?

If so www.accessories4less.com has great deals on KEF products.

buy together(
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/SR4002-receiver-80w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2794&seq=1&format=2

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ1BLKA/KEF/iQ1-2-Way-5.25-Bookshelf-Speakers-Black-pair-NEW/1.html
)

When you get more funds add this
(
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1974/66325/dayton-sub-120-12--150-watt-powered-subwoofer

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023601&p_id=621&seq=1&format=2(can be shorter if you need less
)
Add Surrounds phase
(
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ8DSBLKA/KEF/iQ8DS-2-Way-5.25-Dipole-Surround-Speakers-in-Black-Pair-NEW/1.html
)

Add center last
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ2CBLKA/KEF/iQ2C-2-Way-Center-Channel-Speaker-in-Black-NEW/1.html

This would be a great sytem IMO.

But if you can afford the KEF 3005 system it's the best small speaker system I've heard. The sub is very boomy though.