Brand new and looking to upgrade...opinions?

[jbost002]

Hey there...I'm looking to spend about $400 - $700 on a new home theater audio system. I'm not necessarily looking for an all-in-one solution; I am willing to piece together using components.

Here are my requirements.

1) Stay in the price range ($400 - $700)
2) Linear PCM (LPCM) to decode HD audio from my PS3
3) Some kind of auto-setup device included with the receiver. I'm not a great tuner

Here are a few options I'm already looking at:

1) Onkyo HT-SR800S ($400 approx.)
2) Denon DHT687BA ($700 approx.)
3) Bose Acoustimass 6 ($400 approx. finding a good deal, with a decent receiver $700)
4) Denon DHT487DV ($500 approx.)

Any suggestions? I really like the way that Bose sounds in the store. I'd like to have some really great clarity - loudness is NOT an issue as I live in a townhouse...

Help!

 

[zumbo]

Not a gamer, so you will have to be sure this receiver does what you want.
$169.97
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=87430
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200508&CTID=5000300
$109.88 1pair $211.88 1pair with center on same page.
http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-DV62si-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00006JPDI/ref=sr_1_1/105-2512040-5351637?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1188168796&sr=8-1
$148.88
12" Dayton 150w powered sub from Parts Express.
$38.99
Set-up dvd
http://www.amazon.com/AVIA-Guide-Home-Theater/dp/630551982X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2512040-5351637?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1188169504&sr=8-1

$679.60 total shipped. Your PS3 will act as a dvd player. No need to purchase one. Head to the local Radio Shack to p/u a SPL meter.

 

[Alamar]

I wish I could recommend something killer for your situation but I can't think of an easy solution for your price range.

My suggestion would be to bring some music / DVDs that you know really well and listen to them with the equipment in store. It would be nice if the music and DVDs covered a good range of frequencies from highs to lows.

I would also suggest that you read over the 10 biggest mistakes in home theatre shopping and go from there.

 

[jcPanny]

HT System.

My suggestions is to spend most of your money on the speakers and consider starting with a good 2.1 or 3.1 system and upgrading later to surround sound. The LPCM and auto setup requrements you list will require a $400+ receiver. With the remaining $300 you will be stuck with HTIB satellite type speaker on which you wont be able to hear the difference between DD/DTS and PCM.

There are still some Onix X-series on bstock for $164/pair that would be a good speaker option for you system. They also show up used in the classified section in this price range.

The Yamaha RX-V659 has plenty of features including auto setup, but does not include HDMI for <$300 new.

 

[koala68]

700 is close to what I spend on my starter audio. I have Denon AVR 687 (7x75W have outosetup) for 300 form Circuit City and 6 speakers for 85 a pair. Speakers are Insingnia bookshelf ( 120 W max) which are this week on sale for 60 a pair. Then I spend over 100 on cables but nothing fancy.... 14 gouge from Lowes and some to connect my PC, antena and so on. I wired two of them as center so I have 5.0 because I still didn't buy a sub. But my goal is to buy central and a sub eventually and move those two extra speakers to bedroom. The receiver is two zone so I will have 5.1 and stereo for about 1000. I am looking into Polk center and sub for 350 ... I am still not sure about that.

Anyway, I have PC hooked to decent sound for games, movies and radio and I am kind of happy for the money I spend.