Help Me Pick A Good HT System

[Speeds5]

Hi all,

I've been browsing around for a while and finally decided that it's time to post and get the audiophiles opinion on a new HT system. We just recently bought a new house and a HT system is very much needed. I'm no expert in sound but I can certainly appreciate a good sound system.

The living room is 18 long x 17 wide x 8.5' tall. We have a 60" TV mounted on the wall and a media console below it where cable box and future receiver would stay. Sitting position is about 13' from the tv.

Budget is in the $1300-1500 range. Would use it for movies for the most part but music as well. I'm thinking a 5.1 would be fine but wouldn't want anything less. Would rather wait for a bigger budget if not feasible. 7.1 would be icing on the cake. Would like to stay away from a HTIB unless someone can tell me the receiver can use better speakers in the future and is customizable.

WAF is definitely a factor here as she doesn't want anything bulky sitting right in the middle of the living room. She actually suggested getting the bose since it's small and seamless but I shut her down immediately. So a bit constrained by that. For example the Infinity p363 i feel might a bit too intrusive, even though everyone raves about their performance. On the other hand a sub like SVS PC12-NSD would be perfectly pleasing ot the eye elbeit big. That might be a stretch for my budget but trying to make you understand where I'm coming from.

Was thinking of spending around 300-500 for a receiver (along the lines of Yamaha RX-V571, Denon avr-1712) and the rest on speakers and sub.

Can you recommend some options on a full system?

 

[zieglj01]

A good sub will cost around $500 - I would not use any Yamaha receivers below
the starting number 6XX.
A good 3.1 to start, will be better than a weak 5.1

Yamaha A800
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A800-7-1-Channel-Audio-Receiver/dp/B003XDU498

HSU Sub
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk4.html

Rythmik sub
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/FV12.html

That does not leave much for speakers
One option - Infinity
http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/infinity_primus.html

Good sound - and nice on the eye
NHT
http://www.nhthifi.com/Absolute-Zero-Black?sc=12&category=3772
http://www.nhthifi.com/Absolute-Center?sc=12&category=3774

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Solid 7.1 System for cheap:
This kit:
Infinity Primus™ Theater 5-pack II Home theater speaker package at Crutchfield.com
for Surrounds and Back Surrounds

Pair of these for mains:
Infinity Primus P162 (Black grille) Single bookshelf speaker at Crutchfield.com

HSU sub is good, but Rythmic FV12 is a better choice

That leaves plenty of cash for avr.... Nothing wrong with yamaha A800, but Denon AVR3310CI with Audyssey MultiEQ XT system is two notches up while still in your budget.

 

[Speeds5]

Thank you for your suggestions, great material to keep me up all night doing research. How would you compare the AVR3310CI against Yamaha RX-1000 and Marantz SR6005.

 

[Alex2507]

she doesn't want anything bulky sitting right in the middle of the living room

Who puts their gear in the middle of a room?

My take is to pick your speakers and buy the surrounds that you plan to use with them to use right now as mains. Spend the rest on the rec'r and work everything else in as the budget allows over the years. May as well only do it once ... just not all at once.

I started out with that little Primus Theater pack and gave it to a friend who subsequently upgraded as well. In a room that size they really aren't gonna get it. However if that's all you're ever gonna want for sound they do sound good for 100 Hz and up.

If it's NHT that you decide on, Swerd has one of their centers for sale in the Classifieds for cheap.

 

[3db]

Who puts their gear in the middle of a room?

My take is to pick your speakers and buy the surrounds that you plan to use with them to use right now as mains. Spend the rest on the rec'r and work everything else in as the budget allows over the years. May as well only do it once ... just not all at once.

I started out with that little Primus Theater pack and gave it to a friend who subsequently upgraded as well. In a room that size they really aren't gonna get it. However if that's all you're ever gonna want for sound they do sound good for 100 Hz and up.

If it's NHT that you decide on, Swerd has one of their centers for sale in the Classifieds for cheap.

I leave the vacuum cleaner out in the middle of the room.

 

[zieglj01]

Thank you for your suggestions, great material to keep me up all night doing research. How would you compare the AVR3310CI against Yamaha RX-1000 and Marantz SR6005.

I reccomend, that you do not over spend on your receiver - with your budget

Just stay away from receivers that give you cheap 1 khz specs, on the front
channels, like the Yamaha 571


Amplifier Section

Channel

7.1

Rated Output Power (1kHz, 1ch driven)

105W (8ohms, 0.9% THD)

Rated Output Power (1kHz, 2ch driven)

85W (8ohms, 0.9% THD)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If the P362 ($200 each) is out of the equation, then I also recommend getting that Infinity 5 pack (P152 & PC250) for $300 ($450 if buying separately) + the Rythmik FV12 for $500.

But I would get 2 P362 @ $200 each, 3 P162 @ $85 each, & the FV12 @ $500 each = $1155.

And I think 7.1 is a total waste of money in you room since most of the soundtrack is in the front center & left/right. If you had a 24' x 35' x 15' room, then 7.1 would be fine.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think the Yamaha RXA800 for $434 is fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A800-7-1-Channel-Audio-Receiver/dp/B003XDU498/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322926574&sr=8-1

 

[Alex2507]

Infinity 5 pack (P152 & PC250) for $300

That 5 pack isn't the 150 series, it's the 140 series and the center isn't the PC250, it's the corresponding center for the 140's. You're Primus Kung Fu is weak.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That 5 pack isn't the 150 series, it's the 140 series and the center isn't the PC250, it's the corresponding center for the 140's. You're Primus Kung Fu is weak.

DOH!

I'm not worthy, master Alex!

I didn't even realize they made a 140 series.

So it's even smaller than the P152, which may even be more preferred by his wife.

 

[Alex2507]

The good thing about the 140 series is the use of that fantastic 4" driver shared by the 360 series which provides the incredible bang for the buck mid range ability that is responsible for the rave reviews.

Believe me when I say that being up on the Primus series is not exactly my proudest achievement. It's the result of budget constraints and luck in having stumbled onto deals before anybody really talked about them.

 

[GranteedEV]

Budget is in the $1300-1500 range. Would use it for movies for the most part but music as well. I'm thinking a 5.1 would be fine but wouldn't want anything less.

Why not? For some once in a blue moon sound effects?..Why not start with a good 2.1 w/ 7.1 receiver? You can always add surrounds in the future.

I recommend the EMP e55ti... your wife will WANT these sticking out in the middle of the room:

 

[3db]

The good thing about the 140 series is the use of that fantastic 4" driver shared by the 360 series which provides the incredible bang for the buck mid range ability that is responsible for the rave reviews.

Believe me when I say that being up on the Primus series is not exactly my proudest achievement. It's the result of budget constraints and luck in having stumbled onto deals before anybody really talked about them.

I think you did awesome for finding a system that will smoke many a higher price systems. Nothing wrong with that in my books.

 

[Speeds5]

Unfortunately my definition of a beautiful looking living room is not the same as hers.

Why not? For some once in a blue moon sound effects?..Why not start with a good 2.1 w/ 7.1 receiver? You can always add surrounds in the future.

I recommend the EMP e55ti... your wife will WANT these sticking out in the middle of the room:

 

[Speeds5]

Thanks to all for the recommendations. This has been very helpful. Here's what I have decided so far and would appreciate some feedback on the below questions.

Receiver:
Yamaha A800 - $430 shipped

Speakers:
Infinity Primus package (p140 series sounds like) - $300 shipped

Sub:
Not clear on this one at all. Can someone please give me some feedback on the differences between the HSU and the FV12 subs and why the FV12 is a better choice? Considering my budget would allow, I'm leaning towards the PC12-NSD for $750 shipped (total budget of $1480). Thinking here is that in the future I can upgrade to better speakers and the sub would still be fine.

Total budget with the FV12 would be right at $1180. Would you spend the extra $300 for the SVS fund?