Beginner budget $3000, living in Middle east

[adatrao]

Hi guys,
I am a beginner planning to spend $3000, spend in parts within a year. Outright I can spend $1500 and slowly ramp up to set up my Cave (perfect theater *** music experience, with bass shakers etc.).
My biggest bottle neck is that I stay in Middle east (Saudi Arabia).
we have limited options with authorized dealers ONLY for Bose/Onkyo/Klipsch and Yamaha.
if you suggest some good models, I need to get them shipped here.
It would be great if any of you can throw light on sources that can ship with lesser fee.

After some research and window shopping for good offers - I have decided to buy Onkyo TX NR 818.
Reasons for deciding for NR818:

• video upscaling
• Zone 2 and 3 extensions for future
• Network support
• Audyssey XT32, THX certified + Dolby etc.
• with a Discount offer of 25% which ends in two day NR 818 is $1000 here.

Am I on the right path (for my dream home) by choosing Onkyo NR818?
Room size presently - (13 ft* 9 ft*10ft) will upgrade in a years time to twice the size
Movies & Music- 50% each
want some complete advise like "The $2500 Complete System Any Newbie SHOULD Buy! by FR". BTW: it is great start buy again we cant get these products here, so shall i get the same shipped???
Banking on you guys for a sound advise!!!

Thanks...Adatrao

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So which online sites will ship to you?

That way we can virtual shop for you using that site.

For example, if Accessories4less.com can ship to you, then the Focal system would be great.

(Focal 814V x 2) + (focal CC814V x 1) = $1100 (Font L/R/C)

Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!

For surrounds: Focal 705V = $500/pr.
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/14478

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-41245-focal-chorus-705v-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx

Total= $1600.

For subs, get SVS:
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box

 

[FirstReflection]

Hi! I saw your post in my "$2500 Complete System" thread

Your situation is a challenge. Shipping to Saudi Arabia is very expensive. It makes much more sense to buy as much locally as possible.

The TX-NR818 is a fantastic receiver. It might be a little bit of overkill for your budget and room size. But it is never a "bad" choice. You are correct that for other zones, it will only send stereo analogue audio. But this is the same for almost all receivers. Very few will send a digital audio signal to other zones. Especially more than one other zone. And any that do tend to be very expensive.

If you want to send audio to multiple rooms in your house, I'm afraid it still makes more sense to simply have a system in each room. Especially if you want to stream the music wirelessly. It makes more sense to have a little network connected box in each room, and then use self-powered speakers connected to that box.

For speakers, since they are big and heavy, it makes more sense to buy those locally. Do you have access to the entire Klipsch family of products? I'm not a huge fan of Klipsch brand speakers themselves, but Jamo and Energy brands are also part of the larger Klipsch company. You mentioned Jamo is available.

I'd have to suggest that you simply audition what is available to you locally. Both Jamo and Energy make some great speakers. So of those brands are available to you, I'd recommend you have a listen to those.

The biggest challenge is going to be the subwoofer. I know that HSU will ship almost anywhere, but the shipping charges can be very expensive. Still, given how good HSU subwoofers are for the money, it might still be worth it. Out of the brands you mentioned, nothing really comes close to the Internet direct subwoofer brands.

So, as long as the Onkyo 818 fits your budget, it's an excellent choice. For speakers, I'd suggest buying locally, with Jamo and Energy as top choices. And for the sub, it might be worth the high shipping cost to go with HSU. Also look into SVS. I'm not sure what their shipping policy is to Saudi Arabia.

Hope that helps!

 

[adatrao]

Thanks for the inputs

Thanks ton to AcuDefTechGuy (for a quick reply) and FR (for advise).

Dear FR,
Just a quick Q:
Onkyo TX NR 818 vs Denon AVR-3312CI AV Receiver , which would be better?
I remember you mentioning on a thread that Denon is better to Onkyo (if I remember it correctly over heating issue...).
Meanwhile I am reading all the basics, recommended products (incl price ranges) and the dealers in middle east, so that I can some how get your recommended speakers/cables/subs etc. shipped here.
May take time - but will buy the right things slowly.
I will come back to you for more guidance if you don't mind. (I am hell bent to get the best - no compromises)

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest you get local products for anything electronic.

An Onkyo receiver paired with a Klipsh Reference speaker set would be an excellent theater system.

Given that you are in an oil wealth nation I'm betting you have a lot more options if you really look around.

 

[FirstReflection]

My opinion is that, right now, with the current lineup of receivers, the Onkyo TX-NR818, TX-NR1010, TX-NR3010, and TX-NR5010 are all excellent, and very tough to beat.

For lower priced models, I do not like Onkyo's current lineup at all. The TX-NR717 and below are all lacking in features and value, IMO. So that is where I feel Denon is much stronger - in those lower price ranges.

So for me, I would stick with the Onkyo TX-NR818. It's fantastic.

Like I said, I would recommend you buy everything locally, except for the subwoofer. Even with the expensive shipping, you'll likely get better value and performance from one of the internet direct subwoofer companies. But for everything else, it makes more sense for you to buy locally.