Home Theater Surround Sound

[yolifeisGOOD]

hi guys,

i want to buy and setup a decent home theater surround sound system for my parents this thanksgiving, the most i would like to spend is $1,000

***notes***
they currently have a Technics model SA-EX510 120W x 4 reciever, they have had this reciever for over i believe 7 yrs now. i was seeing if i could still use this for my new setup

can someone plz suggest me on what to buy and what brand, plz be specific on what i should buy cuz im new to this home theater scene, thanks guys...

oh and i will be shopping at Frys, if you guys think this is a bad ideas suggest me another place my location is Arlington, Texas
can't buy it online cuz i got to have it set up on thanksgiving day

 

[BigSkreen]

Hey bud posting this questions under the Loudspeakers forum will get you the most responses. My suggestions is go to Fry's, Best Buy, etc and give their speakers a listen pick the ones that sound best to you. There should be a lot in that price range.

I'm not familiar with your receiver but it will likely limit you in video inputs (probably no HDMI or component) and audio. A true surround sound system starts at 5.1 which is 5 regular speakers and 1 subwoofer. The regular speakers will typically be a front right and left channel, a center channel, and a rear right and left channel. An older receiver will not be able to decode some of the high def surround sound.

The center channel is where all the voices should be heard from. The front two speakers do a majority of the rest with the rear speakers "filling in" the sound. For $1k you might be able to find a HTiB (home theater in a box) that will include a receiver in it that will probably give you more options and be a bit easier to set up.

Again I suggest you post in the loudspeaker forum with some of the following:
1. Budget
2. Use (Home Theater, music)
3. Timeline (i.e. you need a local purchase)

 

[watsonville]

I find with Fry's here in CA that that are disorganized. And when you are shopping you should know what you are looking for before going to them. I find them non educated about heir products. You look for something and cant find it.....for instants such as a smalled object, they are always moving their inventory around and then nobody even them dont know where it was moved.

Go to Best Buys......Usually Magnolia....nicer equiptment appear to be an affiliate of theirs. Even in the same store. Best Buys seem more profesional.

Your Center Speaker usually carries most of the audio. Like dialog. Then when the action comes in your main speaker come alive. Then your rear speakers will become active for gun shots, cars screaching around corners. Dont let them become too overbearing otherwise they sound too unnatural. It may sound impressive at first. Everbody does that at first. But you will learn that they need to to be toned down.

 

[KASR]

Are you spending $1K on receiver and speakers or just speakers or just receiver? What size room would this setup go into (you can ballpark the size).

 

[Phil Taylor]

Sorry - just saw this today (a bit late ) ... hope you got your parents taken care of and Happy Thanksgiving. Just curious ... what did you end up getting?