HELP! Indoor/outdoor sound setup

[LITT]

Hi everyone. New to the board. I just moved to Phoenix and am looking to do an indoor/outdoor sound system set up. I'd like to keep it under 500-600 or so. I'm somewhat of an A/V n00b so I'm not overly technical but I was thinking about looking at a 2 zone AVR to set up approx 3 or 4 outdoor speakers and a modest indoor set up. I have read alot about speaker switches; would it be easier to use a switch and/or a 2 zone AVR? Any ideas on set up and equipment would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Six hundred is a pretty tall order for a two-zone AVR with 5.1 indoor speakers and a few outdoor speakers.

I have read a lot about speaker switches; would it be easier to use a switch and/or a 2 zone AVR?

A speaker selector switch would be mandatory. The challenge might be finding an AVR in your price range that has on-board amplification for its Zone 2 output. I suggest searching the manufacturer’s web sites for their lower-tier receivers and see if you can find one.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think I spent 25k on my indoor/outdoor set up.

Not sure why I said that, it's not helpful at all...

Hey WaynePflughaupt, I just realized you live in Katy, I was there last week.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Well, next time you're going to be in the area, give me a shout. I'm sure my gear doesn't compare to yours, though...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[LITT]

I have been looking online and it appears my initial budget is not feasible. 25k is not as well. What would be a reasonable price for a moderate set up

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The only way to even try to answer that would be if we had all the info you have.

Size of main room?

What you want to do in main room?

Constraints other than budget?

Music, video or both?

Something like this would get you started and allow you to upgrade as needed.

Onkyo TX-SR608 ~$430
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR608-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B003BIFOL8

SVS SBS-02 ~$200 for inside
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

SVS PB12-NSD ~$600 for inside
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm

Polk Audio Atrium 45 All-Weather Speakers ~$100
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Atrium-All-Weather-Speakers/dp/B00006I5O1/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277951528&sr=1-2

Wires and cables from Monoprice

You can slowly add surrounds for indoors along with a center channel. The sub is totally dependant on the size of the room you may need more or less.

This is my outdoor system. The speakers cost all of $59 as I don't think you need to spend a lot on outdoor speakers. It is all controlled by IR remote, you can see the little eye in the ceiling.

All the gear is inside and the IR eye controls audio and video outside.

I have been looking online and it appears my initial budget is not feasible. 25k is not as well. What would be a reasonable price for a moderate set up

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Naw man, all your stuff is cool custom made gear and you know way more about all this than I do so I would love to check it out.

. I'm sure my gear doesn't compare to yours, though...

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[LITT]

the room is pretty large. about 22x14 with 12 foot ceilings. we only use it about 8 days/month so nothing exorbitant is needed. i would say indoors would be mostly TV/Movies and outdoor music. i was looking on amazon and saw a sony HTIB

i would link it but apparently i need a few more posts. its the sony htss360 5.1 ($220)

and these yamaha outdoor speakers are about 50% off

again, cannot link. yamaha ns-aw350w on amazon ($85)

ordering 2 sets of the outdoor speakers + the sony home theater set up + switch would keep me under 450. any thoughts on these products?

 

[LITT]

after reading some things here and around it seems that AVR won't really be any help.

there is a pioneer i found (vsx820k - $275) that is receiving good reviews and the outdoor speakers i posted earlier seem to be decent as well. that will put me at about 450 and room for a 5.1 system down the road for <200

 

[ParadigmDawg]

IMO the outdoor speakers will be fine. The Pio AVR seems pretty nice but I don't see a zone2 which I would really try to get vs using a speaker selector and the Onk has a better auto-cal.

Low end Pio's have been taken a beaten on here lately, search around.

 

[LITT]

are there cheaper onkyo's that have zone selectors?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am sure since I listed a 2010 that is 3D capable, look for a 2009 model.

'Accessories for less' is an authorized refurb seller that many people purchase from.

http://www.accessories4less.com/

are there cheaper onkyo's that have zone selectors?

 

[Rickster71]

What if you don't do an 'All in One' system?

I have separate setups for my HT and another for outside, and one in my bedroom, office, etc.
Since the outdoor system won't be for critical listening, you could use an MP3 player as a jukebox and a used receiver.
Use the money saved to add to HT system someday. Just a thought.

 

[LITT]

What if you don't do an 'All in One' system?

I have separate setups for my HT and another for outside, and one in my bedroom, office, etc.
Since the outdoor system won't be for critical listening, you could use an MP3 player as a jukebox and a used receiver.
Use the money saved to add to HT system someday. Just a thought.

i thought about this and i really believe that we will best be served having better outdoor quality. this is a vacation home for us so we will be spending time outside/by the pool/firepit/cooking/entertaining

 

[LITT]

I am sure since I listed a 2010 that is 3D capable, look for a 2009 model.

'Accessories for less' is an authorized refurb seller that many people purchase from.

http://www.accessories4less.com/

ty for all your help. i am checking this site now.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That is one way to do it but I prefer to have one "brain" that controls my bedroom, living room and outdoors.

I would spend the $435 on the AVR and outdoor speakers now and do the inside later.

What if you don't do an 'All in One' system?

I have separate setups for my HT and another for outside, and one in my bedroom, office, etc.
Since the outdoor system won't be for critical listening, you could use an MP3 player as a jukebox and a used receiver.
Use the money saved to add to HT system someday. Just a thought.

 

[Rickster71]

i thought about this and i really believe that we will best be served having better outdoor quality. this is a vacation home for us so we will be spending time outside/by the pool/firepit/cooking/entertaining

I agree on the sound quality part. I was just trying to help keep within your $500 - $600 price point.
I'm deeper in-pocket, counting only my two outdoor speakers.

 

[LITT]

yamaha speakers : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001VHARY/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

pioneer receiver: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-820-K-Audio-Video-Receiver/dp/B0039XQL2G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277989378&sr=1-3

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think tht AVR is just one zone.

yamaha speakers : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001VHARY/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

pioneer receiver: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-820-K-Audio-Video-Receiver/dp/B0039XQL2G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277989378&sr=1-3

 

[LITT]

I think tht AVR is just one zone.

I concur. I have been looking at onkyo's

if i get a 2 zone AVR, i have no need for a speaker switch, correct?