Help with new sound equipment

grizzlyman

grizzlyman

Audioholic Intern
I have just got into the home theater scene not to long ago. I've looked around at a lot of components. Right now I have a 42 inch Hitachi plasma with 1080i, an XBOX 360, a Sony receiver with 80 watts per channel, Polk RT-400 towers, Cerwin-Vega front and surrounds, and a Denon subwoofer. My setup sounds good with plenty of bass. But I would like to upgrade everything at one point. I'd like to get Definitive technology speakers and subwoofer. I don't know if I want a preamp/processor and an amp or a reciever with another amp. I would like to have HDMI conversion to 1080p with HDMI 1.3. Also I want a power conditioner. The speakers I'm looking at range from 600 to 300 watts. I also want good wires to hook everything up. Any help with certain brand names or components will greatly be appreciated. Also where to buy home theater products will great help.
 
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AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
It would help to know which specific speakers you're considering. You may want to also consider subs from HSU, SVS, Axiom, Epik, Elemental Designs (eD).
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
... But I would like to upgrade everything at one point. I'd like to get Definitive technology speakers and subwoofer. I don't know if I want a preamp/processor and an amp or a reciever with another amp. I would like to have HDMI conversion to 1080p with HDMI 1.3. Also I want a power conditioner. The speakers I'm looking at range from 600 to 300 watts. I also want good wires to hook everything up. Any help with certain brand names or components will greatly be appreciated. Also where to buy home theater products will great help.
Firstly, wires can be had from BlueJeans here, maybe even at an additional discount, monoprice parts express, etc. Don't need expensive wires, unless you wire the whole neighborhood:D
Are you also planning a TV upgrade, although if you get the same size, most likely additional resolution may not be visible, screen too small.
Def tec speakers tend to have amps in them for the low end. If yours will too, no need to separate amps, a good receiver will do you just fine.
 
grizzlyman

grizzlyman

Audioholic Intern
Speakers

I was considering BP7001SC fronts, C/L/R 3000 center, and BPVX/P surrounds. I would like to add a subwoofer to the system. Think a 1000 watts subwoofer be to much? Eventually I would like two subs. Also is there any speakers out there that will sound better than Definitive Technology around the $3000 range? The reason I like them is they have amps already in them. Thanks for helping me with question.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
Also is there any speakers out there that will sound better than Definitive Technology around the $3000 range?
That is a question only you can answer. What sounds good to one person, might sound terrible to another. That is why it is recommended that you get out, and audition speakers using your own material (CD's & DVD's) that you are familiar with.


Here are systems that would give the Def Tech's a run for it's money.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=10.1

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-mts01.cfm

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=816&sc=ht
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
Steven forgot to mention the Paradigms Studio series; I know he was thinking about them but just forgot to list them.

Or maybe even a smaller Sig series...
 
B

BobSD

Audioholic
I have the Def7001s, and the 2500def for the center, and def surround, with a total of 1500, plus 1500, plus 300 watts for the low range and did not think I needed to add a sub-woffer. After talking to Dave G. on this site I decided to try out a sub and they only had the Def super cube 2, I wanted to try out the super cube 1, But after hooking up the S.Cube 2, 1250watts of power, I bought the S.C. 2, It really added a new dynamic dimension, you really feel the floor rock when listening to music that calls for it! I am a Definitive speaker fan, and they are not cheap but worth every $$. I turned down the low range on the mains to see the difference the sub made and to get more highs and mids out of the mains. It worked and I could not tell where the bass was coming from, what a sound and I just bought a Onkyo 875 and not hooked up yet to see how they will sound, right now I have my Denon2805, 100 watts PC A/V Receiver. Hope this was helpfull! Have a good Christmas!!
 
grizzlyman

grizzlyman

Audioholic Intern
Well I have a 1,100 square room I'm going to put the subwoofer in.
 
B

BobSD

Audioholic
My listening area is 27ftX23ft, but that takes in the kitchen and dinning room, open floor plan. I like soft jazz, but have a large taste for music, Paul Hardcastle puts out a sound that incoporates the whole sound spectrum especially a good bass. But the music that really sound like the musicians were live in the room was Frankie Yankovic playing polka music. Also Stars & Stripes marching music. I buy about one new CD a week and my library has grown so fast every time a play a CD I do not remember hearing it. I use Jean-Michel Jarre,"Aero" as my test CD when I go to audio places to hear there speakers. But you can NEVER buy new speakers and bring them home and get the same sound, so I make it a deal that if I bring these speakers home I can return them if the sound is not what I expected!! Some one on this thread mentioned Paradigm speakers, the owner is trying to get me to buy, but with the addition of this sub woofer, it will be a while before I try something new.Plus the wife needs time to get over this purchase!lolo
 
Z

ZoFo

Audioholic
APC for Power Conditioner

I would look hard at the APC H-15, not just a surge protector but a true power conditioner with voltage control. Has two high-current plugs for you amp & sub - very important that your conditioner does not clamp down during high draws on at least one plug for your amp.

Belkin Pure AV are also nice although I did have one go out on me - half of the plugs (4 on the audio side) went dead after a year but this was their bottom of the line model.

The APC User Manual tells you NOT to unplug during thunderstorms, its not necessary. All Monster power conditioner User Manuals tell you to unplug during storms which makes me wonder about how confident they are of their product and waranty coverage.
 
B

BobSD

Audioholic
Really Good point you bring out!! It is easy to forget to protect your investment. You get alot of bad storms out your Way and all over texas!! I bought something that was going for $129, and no one would pay that much so they reduced the price to $97 so I bought it. Its called a Monster clean Power circuitry, Model HTS800. Also protects you phone and sat input. But I do unplug when a real bad storm is approching if I am home. " Thanks "!!
 
grizzlyman

grizzlyman

Audioholic Intern
Wires

Are monster wires any good? Thats all I use or what do you guys think. Sorry if I ask a lot of questions on here but I just want to buy the best sound system I can with what I can afford and I really appreciate all your guys help. I read a pre/pro and an amp will sound better than just a receiver anyone believe this? My buddy wants a receiver and a 5.1 setup for around $500 - $600 what would be the best setup for this. I know it won't sound very good but it will sound better than his TV.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Are monster wires any good? Thats all I use or what do you guys think. Sorry if I ask a lot of questions on here but I just want to buy the best sound system I can with what I can afford and I really appreciate all your guys help. I read a pre/pro and an amp will sound better than just a receiver anyone believe this? My buddy wants a receiver and a 5.1 setup for around $500 - $600 what would be the best setup for this. I know it won't sound very good but it will sound better than his TV.
Monster Cable is just as good as any other cable, it isn't hard to design cables. Monster is however, overpriced considerably. Belkin, RadioShack, and Acoustic Research all offer less expensive cables of similar build quality. Cables don't determine sound at all, unless they are faulty or poorly made with messed up specs (not common in the slightest).

What is the total budget for audio (speakers first, receiver second, cables last [room treatments would be second, but in this budget I don't think it is something you or your friend necessarily want to get into right away. The treatments can always be added later after the system is put together])?
 
grizzlyman

grizzlyman

Audioholic Intern
budget

I'm looking to spend about $7500 not at all one time mind you over the course of time. About $3250 a pair for fronts, $1250 for center, $1500 for surrounds, $1500 for subwoofer. $3500 for receiver and external amp. $5500 for pre/pro and amp. I'd like to start with at least start at 200 watts coming from amp and pre/pro or receiver. This is just a figure I might spend that much I might not I just would let to get the best for what I pay for. Room acoustics are going to be hard for me cause I'm setting the system up in my basement which is 1100 square feet of open space with block walls. For my buddy I think I'll start him with a Yamaha RX-V361 receiver http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=552118&CTID=5000300
and he just wants bookshelf speakers for the rest of the set up. He'll never want room acoustics either he just wants something more than the tv.
 
OttoMatic

OttoMatic

Senior Audioholic
Hi there,

I would pass on the Definitives. I had a pair, and they were simply too brash for music (for me). They were fine for movies, in general. You have a very nice budget, and you should seriously shop for speakers as much as you can.

I would recommend you seek out the following brands for a listen:

Vandersteen
Focal
Triangle
B&W
PSB

You'll have to seek these guys out via their websites for dealers in your area, but you will find that the different speakers have different flavors. I find that speakers make the biggest impact as to differences in sound (amps and preamps have a sound, but it's much, much more subtle than speakers). Speakers and the room itself will define your sound more than anything else in your system.

For pre/pro and amplification, I would suggest the Integra 9.8 (I think the Onkyo clone is the 885?). I've been looking at it heavily lately, and it looks very, very nice. It may be a little hard to get hold of (high demand), but at $1,600 it's the leader of the pack. For amplification, there are tons available on AudiogoN that will get you 200 WPC on 5 or 7 channels for around $1K.

Anyway, my recommendations...

Good luck, and happy holidays.
 
AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
A few more ?? Grizzly. Could you provide the dimensions of the area (L x W x H)? And are you planning to put in front projection? I would also forego the DT Supertowers in lieu of non-powered L/Rs and put more $ into two good subs. There are still some of the SVS PB12-Plus/2s left ($2400). Their PB13-Ultras will run <$1000 more.

Cables from monoprice or Blue Jeans run less than Monster's.
 
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