Home theater system Newbie!

[gmalone12]

Hey guys I am a first time home owner and am really loving it. I just bought a 55" samsung tv and now all I am missing is some awesome audio equipment.

I want to be able to use the home theater system with my Playstation 3 as well as my AT&T U-verse. I'm not really sure what the best configuration would be to get the most out of it.

My budget is between 200-350 $$, so any advice about where I should start looking and what exactly I'm looking for would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[darien87]

You don't mean that your entire budget is $350 do you?????

You just spent how much money on a 55" Samsung TV and you think you're going to be able to get an audio system for a couple hundred bucks? I hate to burst your bubble dude but all you're going to be able to get for that kind of money is an iPod dock or something like that.

 

[gmalone12]

Really?
I was looking at home theater systems in best buy and there was some that seemed nice and were within that range.

I'm not looking to get a fully customized set up because I wouldn't even know where to start.

 

[timoteo]

Honestly you should save your money & wait until you have at least a $1000 to get stared. That will get you an entry level receiver, a pair of bookshelf speakers & MAYBE a sub. Those BestBuy theater systems are SO bad its a complete waist of $350.

Here is what i recommend you save for. You'll thank us later!!

Yamaha RX-V667 Receiver =$350
2 Infinity Primus P252 speakers=$150 each
HSU STF-1 Subwoofer =$300

Total=$950 plus tax

This will give you a very clean starter setup in 2 channel stereo. The receiver is capable of full surround sound so as you sve up from there you can add a center channel & surround channels.

Since your budget is so low you really need to plan this out right. You need to start with the basics & move up from there. Believe me, this little system im recommending, even though is 2 channel, will sound 100 times better then any of those horrible box sets. Plus with this setup you have a lot of upgrade & expansion options for the future. Where as the box set has no future options & sounds like....you know!

 

[darien87]

Yamaha RX-V667 Receiver =$350
2 Infinity Primus P252 speakers=$150 each
HSU STF-1 Subwoofer =$300

Total=$950 plus tax

Solid starter system recommendation.

And don't forget about the used market. Audio gear can last decades when taken care of properly. Look around on sites like Audiogon for deals. I wouldn't necessarily look at an old receiver though. There have been quite a few changes with audio formats and the like over the last 5 years or so.

Also check audio stores for deals on their demo units. I got my VR 2's from a Magnolia for $300 for the pair because they were the floor models that they were looking to get rid of!

 

[gmalone12]

Point taken!
I will definitely look into the set up you mentioned.
On another note, what is the best way to connect all of these (PS3, TV, HD Cable Box, Home theater system) to where is works seamlessly?
Tell me if this would work:
PS3 to TV using HDMI
TV to HD Cable box using HDMI
TV the Home theatre reciever using digital optical cable

Would that setup give me the "real" surround sound when watching tv and using my PS3???

Thanks in advance and sorry if I am coming off as too much of a newb.

 

[its phillip]

No, you would connect the PS3/cable box/etc to the receiver and then just connect the receiver to the tv.

 

[timoteo]

With a newer receiver like that Yamaha that is HDMI compatible do it this way.
HDMI-PS3 to Receiver
HDMI-Uverse box to Receiver
HDMI- Receiver to TV

Every source hooks up to the receiver, thats why its called a receiver. Then the HDMI output on receiver goes to the TV. This way you never change inputs on TV. You just change the source on the receiver. This setup will give you tru surround for tv & when watching blurays you get true HD audio!!

FYI i am selling a Pioneer Elite VSX01-TXH receiver that is in perfect shape for $250. Ask around or read reviews, its a excellent avr. HDMI compatible, MCACC room calibration...the works!! I can post pics if your interested.

 

[sholling]

Hey guys I am a first time home owner and am really loving it. I just bought a 55" samsung tv and now all I am missing is some awesome audio equipment.

I want to be able to use the home theater system with my Playstation 3 as well as my AT&T U-verse. I'm not really sure what the best configuration would be to get the most out of it.

My budget is between 200-350 $$, so any advice about where I should start looking and what exactly I'm looking for would be greatly appreciated!!!

I agree with the others when they tell you that a HTIB isn't the way to go. Instead timoteo's suggestion is a very solid one.

But if you must have a HTIB then this Onkyo is a decent deal and way better than most. Again I'd rather see you invest in better gear but this beats most of the other HTIB setups and includes a decent enough receiver that you can upgrade the other bits as money allows - that's not the norm for most HTIB systems.

 

[shadyJ]

If you don't intend to build up a full home theater, I'll throw in a suggestion: try a pair of active studio monitors like these Behringer 2031As. They will have a nice crisp loud sound with some acceptable bass. You won't need a separate receiver or amplifier, just hook them straight up to your TV, and they will sound better than whatever other speaker you could afford after you buy a receiver in your $350 budget. It is a simple, inexpensive, high sound quality solution, but the only problem is it wouldn't be easy to expand on later if you wanted to build a full 5.1 system.

 

[timoteo]

The active monitors is not a bad idea. Its not hard to add those to a normal receiver as long as it has pre-outs. The only thing is that most receivers with pre-outs are a little bit higher in price. That would commit him to having to pay a little more later. Unless he got my Elite it has pre-outs!(shameless plug)

The Onkyo is not a horrible option since the receiver can be used with different speakers. Most HTIB have the components matched & made to only work well with eachother. Ive seen nasty little HTIB systems that have 3ohm speakers.

If the OP has his own house & a nice new 55" tv, i have a feeling he is not gonna be happy with a HTIB. Once he gets into it he will want better like all of us. Thats why i think he should plan this out better. He doesnt have to go crazy. With a modest budget thats well spent he can get a killer little system in no time!

 

[dsharp9000]

hello all. New to the forum and also newbie with home theater systems. Rather than starting a new thread, thought id add to this one as im in similar circumstance as op.

The idea of powered monitor speakers to start with makes sense to me as my budget is small. I guess what im thinking if i got 500 dollars to spend where would you put it... my thinking is in the speakers. I have a small pair of monitor speakers on my computer and must say they sound a lot better than the one on my 58 inch plasma tv .

Once question i have though regard to putting monitor speakers on my tv is my only output on my tv is digital audio optical... not sure how that would work with connecting speakers unless i got a digital converter... and if need one; what would you recommend.

Also would like further input on monitor type speakers as an alternative for those that cant afford full blown system...just wondering if get more bang for the buck going this route (dont have a thousand to spend; but have 500 to spend).

thanks


dsharp

 

[sholling]

The idea of powered monitor speakers to start with makes sense to me as my budget is small. I guess what im thinking if i got 500 dollars to spend where would you put it... my thinking is in the speakers. I have a small pair of monitor speakers on my computer and must say they sound a lot better than the one on my 58 inch plasma tv .

On that tight of a budget my advice is to tackle audio a bit at a time and patiently watch for sales. Infinity's Primus P163 bookshelves are too expensive right now but regularly go on sale for $85-100ea so start with a pair of those and the best receiver you can afford at the time. If you shop well you can find a brand new Denon AVR-1611 receiver for around $350. Later add a good subwoofer and a matching PC251 center

Or if you must have it all now then perhaps the above receiver and this HTIB speaker kit. But a word of warning - they aren't close to the same league as the Infinities. Of course as cheap as these are you could always move them to a secondary room (e.g. bedroom or garage) later and put better speakers in your main room when money allows.

 

[shadyJ]

Dsharp, since you can only deal with optical, I would get a used or refurbished AVR that has a optical input off of ebay or craigslist or something like that, and get a pair decent bookshelf monitors.

Here is a system with new components only that I think would work well for you: Behringer 2031p monitors ($233 shipped here) with a Harman/Kardon 3490 stereo receiver ($310 shipped here). Those speakers have very good bass for bookshelf speakers, as well they should with 8.75" woofers, something to think about since you are going without a sub. The only problem with that system is it can not be upgraded to a surround sound system if you should ever want one, since the receiver only does stereo and the speakers are 4 ohm speakers, which most entry to mid level AVRs do not handle well.

A good alternative would be some Hsu HB-1 bookshelf speakers ($306 pair shipped), with a Yamaha RX-V467 receiver ($215 shipped here), that would leave room to grow if you wanted to expand out to a surround sound system. The Hsu speakers also have terrific bass for bookshelf speakers, as they should since Dr. Hsu is the subwoofer expert. The speakers are a bit more expensive but will work well with lower end receivers, and they sound great as well.

Also to Sholling, for Infinity Primus speakers there is no reason to go with p163 over p162, unless you really love that black grill. Functionally there is no difference, but you can get the p162 for $85 shipped each from Crutchfield. However if I were going without a subwoofer, I would go with the Behringers or Hsus, they have stronger bass than the Primus bookshelf speakers, and you would want as much bass as you can possibly get in that situation.

 

[sholling]

Newegg has the Denon AVR-1712 (7x 90w) on sale for $300 after $100-off coupon code DEN1119A expires 11/20/2011. This is a nice little receiver.

Or they have the Denon/Boston Acoustics DHT-1312BA HTIB for $400 after $200-off code DEN1119B which also expires tomorrow. I'm not sure if I would take these over the AVR-1712 and the Onkyo speakers. The 1712 is a nicer receiver and you could always upgrade the speakers later.

ShadyJ the Berringer 2031P is a fine speaker but it's a 4ohm speaker and not every receiver will drive them. Also going with a 2-channel receiver like the Harmon will foreclose expanding to 5.1 in the future or using the receiver and an HDMI source switch. It's a legitimate choice but not the way I'd go. For me personally I'd rather leave an upgrade path. On the other hand the other hand the Hsu HB-1 is a decent speaker pretty good option.

* Credit to Ben's Bargains for the coupon codes.

 

[shadyJ]

ShadyJ the Berringer 2031P is a fine speaker but it's a 4ohm speaker and not every receiver will drive them. Also going with a 2-channel receiver like the Harmon will foreclose expanding to 5.1 in the future or using the receiver and an HDMI source switch. It's a legitimate choice but not the way I'd go. For me personally I'd rather leave an upgrade path. On the other hand the other hand the Hsu HB-1 is a decent speaker pretty good option.

Yes, I do note the 4 ohm impedance in my post. That suggestion was for a complete system with no intention of upgrading further. That is a very powerful bookshelf speaker system, and the H/K receiver does drive the Behringers to their potential. For $500 with the stipulation of an optical input, I can't think of a system I would rather have.

 

[sholling]

One more idea, the Denon AVR-1712 plus two Infinity P253 towers which I just found on sale at newegg.

 

[zieglj01]

AC4L now has refurbish denon reveivers
Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!

And the A700 is a good receiver
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A700-7-1-Channel-Audio-Receiver/dp/B003XDU49S

The Boston VR1 is a good speaker
http://www.onecall.com/product/Boston-Acoustics/VR1-Black-Ea/Speaker/_/R-101369?t=2

The centers are on Ebay - for future reference
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=boston+vr+center&_sacat=See-All-Categories

This would help to augment the Bass - Outlaw
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/m8.html

 

[afterlife2]

If I get the P253's(not any pro reviews on them) I still need a separate bass?

 

[sholling]

If I get the P253's(not any pro reviews on them) I still need a separate bass?

I'd still plan to buy a subwoofer.