First system for Newbie...

[SmithWesson]

Where do I start? I guess you guys should know that I am an avid music fan. I like mostly R&B, Hip Hop, some Jazz, and Alternative. I am in the market for a nice home theater system that: most importantly enhances the movie/sports experience, plays music well, is moderately priced, good looking, and not a popular brand name(i.e. Panasonic). I want 5.1 surround, and if possible wireless rear speakers (not a must), but the most important aspect of the system will be speaker size. I don't have the room for large speakers, and for some reason I really like the look of small speakers. I have a budget of around $300-$450 for speakers, $300 for sub, and $300-$400 for the receiver. I like the Mirage Nanosat speakers, not that I have heard them or anything but from the reviews, price, look, and availability I think they are nice. I don't have a receiver or sub in mind yet so any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks a lot everyone...

 

[SmithWesson]

Oh! And another thing...I currently have an LG 42" LCD tv, HD receiver from Comcast cable and an Xbox 360. My cable box is connected to my tv with a Monster M1000 series HDMI cable, and My Xbox is connected using a Monster 600 series HDMI. I have one more HDMI port on my tv. I'd like for my receiver to go here, or in the optical port.

 

[alexwakelin]

I would recommend dropping your receiver budget a bit and adding that to your speaker budget. Unless you REALLY need need your receiver to process audio from HDMI, then you would be better off getting a used receiver or an entry level one in the $200 range. Speakers will have the biggest overall effect on the way your system sounds, and you are unlikely to notice a difference in sound between a $200 and $400 receiver. You shouild be able to find a sub in the $300 range, however for that price you could buy two dayton 12 inch subs. Dayton is widely regarded as making the best bang for buck subwoofer. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635 Don't forget to budget for speaker wire/cables as well. Don't buy into the Monster cable hype, Blue Jeans Cable, Monoprice and Parts Express all have reasonable prices on quality wires/cables.

 

[SmithWesson]

Thanks Alexwakelin, do you have any suggestions for speakers? Have you heard about Mirage Nanosats? Can you tell me if Mirage is a respected manufacturerer? Or should I look elsewhere? I've been looking at a lot of speakers but I haven't had the opportunity to audition any of them. Anyone here from the Atlanta area know where I can audition different sets of speakers?

 

[john72953]

MIRAGE is a very well respected speaker manufacturer out of Canada. You should try to audition them though as their sound is rather unique in comparison to Polk, Klipsch, etc. (Those are good brands as well).

John

 

[BoB/335]

Where do I start? I guess you guys should know that I am an avid music fan. I like mostly R&B, Hip Hop, some Jazz, and Alternative. I am in the market for a nice home theater system that: most importantly enhances the movie/sports experience, plays music well, is moderately priced, good looking, and not a popular brand name(i.e. Panasonic). I want 5.1 surround, and if possible wireless rear speakers (not a must), but the most important aspect of the system will be speaker size. I don't have the room for large speakers, and for some reason I really like the look of small speakers. I have a budget of around $300-$450 for speakers, $300 for sub, and $300-$400 for the receiver. I like the Mirage Nanosat speakers, not that I have heard them or anything but from the reviews, price, look, and availability I think they are nice. I don't have a receiver or sub in mind yet so any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks a lot everyone...

Axiom M22's from their Outlet Store at $424 delivered.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html

Outlaw Sub SPECIAL $319 and free shipping.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmcompact.html

Onkyo TX-SR606 $405 from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0015S8PGW/ref=sr_1_1/187-3273254-5911867?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233249953&sr=1-1#

Buy surrounds at a later date. This system (or anything like this) should sound great. Don't cut corners on your fronts or sub.


Just saw that you can get an Onkyo 505 (instead of the 606) for almost $200 cheaper. Either add to upgrade the sub or maybe there's some cheap surrounds for $200.

 

[alexwakelin]

I have not heard the Mirage speakers so I cannot comment, they do seem to be a respected manufacturer though. See if a store in your area sells them so you can listen before buying. Many online vendors (the speaker company is one) will let you listen to speakers in your home and will pay for shipping both ways if you are not satisfied. This is definitely an option to consider. Some people will recommend to start out with a 2.1 or 3.1 system, and then add the remaining speakers when you have saved up a bit more money. A good 2.1 or 3.1 system is likely to be more satisfactory then a cheaper 5.1 system.

 

[shenaniganz]

I may be retarded but I think I have seen the Mirage speakers at best buy. Maybe I'm thinking of something else. I will say go with what alexwakelin said. Start small and when the money is good add on. And almost never buy Monster go to monoprice or blue jean cables way better price for the same outcome.

 

[Midcow2]

One possibilitiy

Where do I start? I guess you guys should know that I am an avid music fan. I like mostly R&B, Hip Hop, some Jazz, and Alternative. I am in the market for a nice home theater system that: most importantly enhances the movie/sports experience, plays music well, is moderately priced, good looking, and not a popular brand name(i.e. Panasonic). I want 5.1 surround, and if possible wireless rear speakers (not a must), but the most important aspect of the system will be speaker size. I don't have the room for large speakers, and for some reason I really like the look of small speakers. I have a budget of around $300-$450 for speakers, $300 for sub, and $300-$400 for the receiver. I like the Mirage Nanosat speakers, not that I have heard them or anything but from the reviews, price, look, and availability I think they are nice. I don't have a receiver or sub in mind yet so any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks a lot everyone...

4 speakers Cambridge Audio S-30s $219 /pair (excellent sound small bookshelf speakers; excellent quality) = $438
http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Natural-Oak/M/B00196SJOI.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

Cambridge Audio S50 Center ~$150 USA =$150
http://www.cambridge-audio.us/summary.php?PID=345

Or if you can't find get third pair of S-30s and use one for center.

1 SVS PB10-NSD subwoofer $429 ( very nice sub!) = $429
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

Yamaha RXV-363 Receiver $199 (quality inexpensive AVR) =$199

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=90956


Total cost = $1,216- $1285 , your budget $900- $1,150



Good Luck!

MidCow2

 

[SmithWesson]

Thank you guys, for pointing me in the right direction. Now I have some other brands to check out. Thanks for all of the insight...As far as the cables go, I bought off of EBAY paid under $50 for both cables. So you think I could get the same quality for less, I'll keep that in mind and check out those other brands as well.

 

[klix58]

Or add this to the list
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR705/Onkyo/TX-SR705-THX-100w-x-7ch-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html
Just my 72 cents worth accounting for inflation and a rebate from the government stimulus package

 

[BoB/335]

Axiom M22's from their Outlet Store at $424 delivered.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html

Outlaw Sub SPECIAL $319 and free shipping.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmcompact.html

Onkyo TX-SR606 $405 from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0015S8PGW/ref=sr_1_1/187-3273254-5911867?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233249953&sr=1-1#

Buy surrounds at a later date. This system (or anything like this) should sound great. Don't cut corners on your fronts or sub.


Just saw that you can get an Onkyo 505 (instead of the 606) for almost $200 cheaper. Either add to upgrade the sub or maybe there's some cheap surrounds for $200.

$1148 total Guess it depends on what kind sound you want .