Beginner buying System for Father

[diamondbacvenom]

Hey everyone,

I've been reading this forum for about the past week and I noticed the amazing advice the members give out so I thought someone could shed some light. Now enough sucking up

Ok, I've been reading about a variety of surround systems but it seems everyone has their personal favorite and I'm in overload right now. I've been testing out systems from all the wonderful overpriced retailers such as Tweeter and Bestbuy and for some reason I feel that they just want to sell me the most expensive system who would have thought? haha.

SO lets get to the details. The room is about 15x20. I'm looking for a 5.1 system and my price range is around 1500$ including speaker wire and all that jazz. Currently he has 8 yr old Bose 301 for the rear speakers but he hasn't used surround in ages so I was looking to get rid of them unless they are decent and I should save my money.

After tons of reading a Bose system is out of the question, I heard too many systems that out perform Bose. I listened to a Definitive system but didn't get what model it was but I'm positive it was the pro cinema series. I was also looking at the Polk RM10 system and the Polk 6600. My father is just a movie guy, he most likely will not use this system for music.

As for receivers I have no idea. I heard you can't go wrong with Yamaha but I wouldn't know. I just want one that I can get the most bang for my buck obviously. All I know is that I want a receiver with a HDMI port I do not need one that can handle multiple zones/rooms/signals as he will never put speakers in a different room.

So what I'm asking is if someone could recommend one of the systems above or if I'm a complete noob and recommend another manufacturer.

So here are the facts:

• Room: 15x20
• System is mainly for Movies not Music
• Price Range: 1500$ for a Complete system (Speakers and Receiver)

 

[jinjuku]

If aesthetics aren't an issue, you could keep the 301's for surround duty.

1st: I picked up the Yamaha 661 with has 2 HDMI inputs for $400 shipped. You can also go with the Yamaha HTR 6060 for about $30 less and get basically the same receiver. They both will do automatic room setup of the speakers with a microphone in the listening position. Onkyo/Denon also make nice receivers. I really like my Yamaha. It replaced a Denon.

2nd: Would you consider some of the internet direct brands like Ascend Acoustics/Aperion/AV123/SVS/HSU? I would also recommend PSB, Paradigm, Mirage as possible brands you could go listen to. Post what city/state your in. Maybe forum members know where you could go demo this stuff.

3rd: What is the height of the room. Sqr footage means nothing. Its all about the volume you are trying to saturate.

For cabling I use monoprice.com. There is also bluejeans cable that I have heard good things about, but not used as of yet.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Johnd]

Welcome to the forum diamond.

Borrowing from Zumbo, I think these speakers will work out in your space and your budget:

The large towers are $449.00 a pair.
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...&product=105.1
The small towers are $319.00 a pair.
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=94.1
The center is $139.00.
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=91.1
The bookshelves are $219.00 a pair.
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=82.1
The sub is $199.00.
http://www.av123.com/products_catego...ofers&brand=57

That leaves approximately $600.00 for the receiver, cabling and interconnects. I would shop and find a good deal on a receiver (I prefer Denon), and you're good to go.

 

[Johnd]

Here's a really decent mid level receiver (at under $400.00!):

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4166655&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.ONK+TXSR605

It's not a Denon, but we can't have everything.

 

[diamondbacvenom]

Oh thank you guys so much. I've heard alot about internet direct brands but its just one of those things I can get weird about. The room is about 9 ft. high. I live in Harford Co., Maryland (farm country as some might say). So I will definitely check out the Denon and Yamaha recievers. I'll just find one with my price range. Does it really matter about the watt output? is there something specific I should look for?

Going back to the internet direct brands if someone could give me some first hand experience I will definitely consider them. Right now I'm still leaning towards buying some Definitives but will def check out the internet brands. Are definitives any good or is there a better brand?

Thank you so much for your replys all this definitely helps.

 

[diamondbacvenom]

Thanks alot John I will definitely check out those speakers. That receiver looks great too. Thanks!

 

[Johnd]

Does it really matter about the watt output?


Are definitives any good or is there a better brand?

1. I personally wouldn't consider anything under 90-100 watts. 60 or 70 watts simply won't push anything but the most efficient speaker to a respectable db level.

2. Some people love deftech...others hate 'em. I have never owned any, but I believe their quality is acceptable. You must then listen with your own ears and compare with other speakers to evaluate the sound differences in varying speakers. Good luck.

 

[diamondbacvenom]

Hey, thanks alot. Its a shame I can't demo the AV123. They sound amazing from what I've read. This system is for my father for the holidays so it will be hard explaining why I'm setting up a surround system when he comes home from work. haha.

So It looks like I'm set. If someone has experience with both Deftech and AV123 I would love to hear their opinion or if someone can share an opinion they heard.

Thanks for everyones help. It is nice to hear opinions from people who aren't getting paid to sell you things.

 

[jinjuku]

Alot of the internet direct brands will let you demo for 30 days and then send them back if you don't care for the sound. Call them up and ask about the demo policy.

You need to audition speakers. Years ago I auditioned PSB/Mirage/Paradigm and went home with PSB. Others may have chosen Mirage, and others Paradigm. It's all what sounds good to you.

Far as you feeling a bit 'hinkey' about internet brands mentioned here: They are all reputable. No need to feel put off. You can safely take the plunge.

Far as your budget, Don't spend more than $400 on a receiver. You need to put the money into your speakers. The usual split is 70% speakers / 30% receiver. Allocate about $100 for misc. stuff. At the $400 mark for a receiver I think the degree of separation in sound quality is minimal. They will all have close to the same output and sound. Now $4K on the other hand...

Since AV123 has already been linked to... Look at this Aperion setup.

Also Axiom. To get the price into your range, drop the QS4 dipole surround speakers and get two more M2's or a pair of the M3's for front l/r and M2's for the rear l/r. A difference of $34 dollars in over all cost. This will leave you about $300 for a sub.

Check out the Parts Express Sub-120 at $150 shipped, Get two . One hell of a deal! If you want to tighten up the bass output on these, stuff the ports with a sock.

 

[Adam]

Diamond, you've gotten a lot of good advice from these fellas. I can't really add to it except for to give some personal experience. I took the plunge on internet brands mentioned around here and tried SVS for my sub and Emotiva for an amp. SVS has exceptional customer service, and Emotiva certainly has above average service. I have a friend who bought Aperion speakers and loved them, so I recommended them to Gimpy Ric (a member here), and he seems quite pleased with them as well.

It's true what they've been saying...speaker preference is very subjective, so you need to audition. One thing, though, is that you'll want to make sure that your dad likes them. Tough for a holiday present, no doubt, but he might not like exactly the same sound as you. My advice would be to narrow down the list of candidates and then order some near the holiday. That way, you've got a nice gift for him, you can set it all up for him, and if he doesn't like it, you can still send it back. Aperion has a 30-day no-risk trial (so you pay nothing, not even shipping) on their systems, and AV123 has the same deal on their bookshelves. You can check with the other companies, as some will make you pay shipping if you return things (which is actually quite fair). It's not important to match the speakers to the sub in terms of companies, so you can mix and match. For aethetics, though, it may be best to stick with a set from one place.

Anyway, happy hunting!

 

[Audioholics]

The new Onkyos are looking to have tremendous bang for the buck with respect to HDMI and power... We're working on getting more in for review now.

 

[diamondbacvenom]

You guys are awesome. Thanks again.

 

[diamondbacvenom]

Ok so here is what I've come up with.

You guys did a great job convincing me to buy internet direct brand. Now I have the challenge of choosing which and trying them out. Now I've heard SVS makes great subs so if I decide to build my own set, should I get the SVS PB10 sub or how do the other internet direct subs compare?

 

[jcPanny]

SVS subs

SVS makes great subs and the 10" model would be good for your application. I am using their SB12-Plus. Check out the SVS 5.1 package in white or silver on sale for $800.
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_silver.cfm

If you want floorstanding main speakers, real wood veneer, and better music performance, than the AV123 X-series is a great option. They don't currently have any 10" subs in the $400 price range but two of the X-subs might work well in your room or a 10-12" sub from SVS or Hsu.

 

[diamondbacvenom]

Thanks panny. I was planning on buying black but hell at that price I would make the silver work haha. But yeah I think I narrowed it down to getting the SVS PB10 sub (100%) and either the SBS-01 system, AV123 X-series, or Peridigm Cinema 110 series for speakers.