Extreme newby here...Needs advice!

[sixpackut]

I am finishing my basement and I'm trying to figure out what I should do for a sound system in our TV/Gaming/goof off room. LxWxH is 16x16.5x8. Right now I'm looking at either a yamaha or denon receiver (w/ audyssey), but I'm stumped on speakers, sub, wiring, etc. I've been looking at in-wall/in-ceiling, but I keep bouncing back and forth so the room doesn't become crowded.

I'm trying to keep this part of remodel un 2000, preferrably closer to 1500 would be the best, hoping to put in a 7.1 system. The room has a partial drop ceiling on the leftside and a 4' window on the right.

Where to start, HELP!

 

[sholling]

Up front you may find a square room challenging. For a room that size I'd be looking for tower speakers and a matched center up front because of the size of the room and I'd plan to spend about $500-600 for a Rythmik, Hsu, or Outlaw subwoofer capable of really filling your room with deep visceral bass. Bear in mind that down the road you may need to spend some money on room treatments to break up the odd reflections sometimes found in a square room.

Unfortunately the supply of cheap (because it was discontinued) Infinity P362 towers has dried up you're probably going to be looking at spending more than you have budgeted just to get to 5.1 - which is plenty to stat with. A pair of the replacement model P363 towers will run you about $680, the matching P351 center about $200, and a pair of P163 bookshelves for surrounds about $300. I mention them because they occasionally go on sale for 30-40% off so if you're patient it's doable. Outlaw occasionally has great sales on their well regarded LFM-1 Plus or EX subwoofers as well. I tend to stretch my meager budget by waiting for sales.

If you need to stay on budget and can't wait I'd go ahead and cable for 7.2 or even 7.4 to give you choices about where to put the sub (or two) down the road and just start with the two mains, the center, and the sub for now which along with a decent receiver will reach your $2000 upper limit. You can always come back later and add the other bits as money allows. As for placement and tips there is a ton of information in the Tips & Tricks section of the main Audioholics site.

 

[GranteedEV]

Consider some CHT SHO-10s

 

[psbfan9]

For that size room, this set up would be very good. It has everything you need for just over $1000.00.

Impression Series System--March Madness Sale 3/2012 The "Double Clutch"

For more options;

EMP Tek Impression Series Speakers--March Madness 3/2012

The drop ceiling will make it easy to hide any wiring. If the walls are drywalled or paneled, it's easy to punch holes in the walls and use plates to make it look nice.
Like these.

AV/Audio/Video Wall Plates for In-Wall Audio/Video Cable and Wire Installation

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

 

[agarwalro]

OP, are you any good with DIY? You can try the Zaph Audio in-wall 5.2.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Quality over quantity. Just do 5.1, instead of 7.1. You are not missing anything at all.

5 NHT Absolute Zero for $200 each = $1,000.
Amazon.com: NHT N-AZB Absolute Zero Speaker (Black): Electronics

1 Rythmik FV12 subwoofer = $500.

Denon AVR-2311 for $580.
Amazon.com: Denon AVR-2311CI 7.1 Channel A/V Surround Sound Receiver: Electronics

Or Denon 890 for $550:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AKKFR6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1LE9UIT2XL5IW