In search of a descent surround system

[sepandee]

My parents want a surround system for their living room so they can listen to their classical music and what not! They went to a store and they were suggested these 3 combinations:

1)Vincent SV-129 (amplifier)
> Denon DCD-500
> Bose AM-5 (speakers) eventually AM-53BK
>
> 2) Vincent SV-129 (amplifier)
> Denon DCD-500
> Denon Infinity Beta10
>
> 3) Denon PMA-700 (amp)
> Denon DCD-500
> Denon Infinity Beta10

The first combo is the most expensive, but the speakers are apparently the most powerful and the smallest as well, so my mom loves em. I personally think it's a waste of money. If I remember correctly they told me it costs somewhere around $1500.

So what d'ya think?

Question: the same sets can be moved to the TV room and connected to the TV when needed, correct?

Thanks for helping a n00b.

 

[cfrizz]

I would take 2 or 3 over anything by Bose. They have the smallest crappiest speakers in the world & only succeed because of massive advertising. As you noted, they are also the most expensive. You are paying for the name not because they sound good.

 

[sepandee]

Yeah I got the same answer in another post... and by answer I mean they said BOSE IS CRAP.

here's some more info:
* Budget: $1500USD
* Size of room: at least 1000sq. ft. It's actually 2 rooms in 1, so there's no divide between them. The living room and the room with the fireplace. I think the speakers will go in the smaller room (fireplace), and the sound will just be blasted to the other room. Perhaps I'm wrong and the speakers will be placed all around, which would make more sense.
* Are they looking for stereo speakers, or also to include a subwoofer? I don't know. I don't think they have a preference or even know the difference.

 

[Adam]

Yeah I got the same answer in another post... and by answer I mean they said BOSE IS CRAP.

Here's my two cents. Bose products have their pluses and minuses, just like other products. Personally, I don't think that they are worth the cost, and I honestly wouldn't buy them if they were less expensive because I just don't like how they sound. However, if your mom loves them and likes them more than the other choices, then I'd say that they're the best choice. Unless your dad hates them and his opinion matters. Speaker choices are very personal, and what one person likes...another may hate. So, there are definitely "better" products than Bose out there for the same or less money, but don't discount Bose just because other people don't like them.

 

[Leprkon]

if Mom's making most of the decision, you'll want to look at these. decent sound, high waf


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7753736&st=acoustic+research&type=product&id=1142288271022

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/acoustic-research-home-decor

 

[sepandee]

However, if your mom loves them and likes them more than the other choices, then I'd say that they're the best choice. Unless your dad hates them and his opinion matters. ... So, there are definitely "better" products than Bose out there for the same or less money, but don't discount Bose just because other people don't like them.

haha "unless you dad hates them and his opinions matters." Good one! Right now my opinion matters the most. If I tell them BOSE is not worth it, they'll listen. And I'm a very cost-benefit, utility-oriented type of guy (hence whY i found this forum).

But let's not focus on just whether BOSE is good or not. I don't want BOSE to be a distraction from the main question of this thread, which is, what can they get for $1500?

 

[no. 5]

If it's only for music, they probably won't need a subwoofer; a pair of bookshelf's or small towers that can get to about 40Hz to 50Hz should be enough.

 

[sepandee]

If it's only for music, they probably won't need a subwoofer; a pair of bookshelf's or small towers that can get to about 40Hz to 50Hz should be enough.

then what is a subwoofer for? wouldn't music be as important as movies?
Anyways, the original list didn't include any subwoofers.

 

[no. 5]

then what is a subwoofer for? wouldn't music be as important as movies?

I like to think music is more important then movies , but most music does not go as low as movies, and since one of the big purposes of a subwoofer is to provide the bass frequency's that the other speakers either can't reproduce or can't reproduce well, and as most recordings don't have any bass frequency's lower then 40Hz, a sub may not be necessary - depending on what type of music your parents listen to.

 

[sepandee]

I like to think music is more important then movies , but most music does not go as low as movies, and since one of the big purposes of a subwoofer is to provide the bass frequency's that the other speakers either can't reproduce or can't reproduce well, and as most recordings don't have any bass frequency's lower then 40Hz, a sub may not be necessary - depending on what type of music your parents listen to.

Well they are happy with the crappy speakers on their Hitachi plasma TV. No extra speakers there, so I guess they won't fuss about not having a sub for their music.
Mostly classical music. When my brother and I go to visit, rock and rap tend to be added.
They just want something decent for $1500. Hey, I just noticed I wrote 'descent' instead of decent for the subject line. Whoopsy.

 

[chris92346]

I know you are talking about about surround sound BUT if music is what it is used for most and especially classical music I would HIGHLY suggest magnepans. Magnepan does make a surround sound system but I would recommend the best two channel system they could afford.

 

[sepandee]

I know you are talking about about surround sound BUT if music is what it is used for most and especially classical music I would HIGHLY suggest magnepans. Magnepan does make a surround sound system but I would recommend the best two channel system they could afford.

k you have to be more specific. Tell me something about computers (especially laptops) and I'll know what you're talking about and answer you back. Speakrs and home audio, i have 0 knowledge. Magnepan is a brand. k. I go to the website: what am I looking for exactly?

 

[chris92346]

First do they need a Receiver/Amp?

 

[chris92346]

Okay was just looking... they need an amp. So for your budget they probbaly could get the Mg 12s and a decent reciever.

 

[sepandee]

Okay was just looking... they need an amp. So for your budget they probbaly could get the Mg 12s and a decent reciever.

K got it. Question: why 2 speakers instead of a 5-speaker system? I know you said if music, then... But I'll need to convince them to buy a 2 speaker system instead of a surround one.
Now what do you recommend as an amp?
And CD players: should I really fuss over these or just buy what seems to be in the right price range?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

K got it. Question: why 2 speakers instead of a 5-speaker system? I know you said if music, then... But I'll need to convince them to buy a 2 speaker system instead of a surround one.
Now what do you recommend as an amp?
And CD players: should I really fuss over these or just buy what seems to be in the right price range?

Go with a two channel stereo setup now, for music and movies. It's a good way to see if you want to upgrade to a full surround sound setup.

Reciever: Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc. Get a surround sound RECIEVER that you can add speakers too later, after the 2 channel stereo setup. A reciever is an AM/FM tuner, a Pre Amp, and Amplifiers all in one box. Spend $500-$700 here, it's worth it.

Speakers: Skip the Bose speakers, they are over priced and I know it, I have some 301's. Get some small bookshelf speakers (Mom will like ) I'm biased but here I suggest Hsu Research HB-1's ($129.00 each). Click Here for website. Your going to want a small sub with small main speakers. The sub can be put in the corner, hidden away. It has it's own amp, and your reciever should have a sub out jack on the back. I have a Velodyne Minivee that is small, but expensive at $800.00 but it rules. Bought mine at Circuit City.

DVD Player: Buy what ever you want here, but something that match's the reciever is nice, sometimes you can use the reciever remote for both if they are same brand...Sometimes. You can play DVD's, CD's, etc. all from this unit.

 

[gus6464]

Does your best buy have a magnolia? If it does you could check out the mirage omnisat v2s. They are as small as bose and sound a lot better. Or you could also go for the tower omnisats if you are doing 2ch setup.

 

[sepandee]

Does your best buy have a magnolia? If it does you could check out the mirage omnisat v2s. They are as small as bose and sound a lot better. Or you could also go for the tower omnisats if you are doing 2ch setup.

Best Buy? Lots of Best Buys where I'm at, but none where my parents live. They're in Iran, and to amuse my American friends, I will make up a mock story: if Best Buy sets foot on Iran, it will be burnt down to the ground to the words "Allah o Akbar" (which is actually Arabic, not Iranian). We will then bring out all our hidden nuclear bombs and aim them at Atkinson, Nebraska, for no real good reason.
No but seriously, no best buys. Most of the products are imported from Dubai, and I'm pretty confident that they should be able to find almost everything.

Go with a two channel stereo setup now, for music and movies. It's a good way to see if you want to upgrade to a full surround sound setup.

Reciever: Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc. Get a surround sound RECIEVER that you can add speakers too later, after the 2 channel stereo setup. A reciever is an AM/FM tuner, a Pre Amp, and Amplifiers all in one box. Spend $500-$700 here, it's worth it.

Speakers: Skip the Bose speakers, they are over priced and I know it, I have some 301's. Get some small bookshelf speakers (Mom will like ) I'm biased but here I suggest Hsu Research HB-1's ($129.00 each). Click Here for website. Your going to want a small sub with small main speakers. The sub can be put in the corner, hidden away. It has it's own amp, and your reciever should have a sub out jack on the back. I have a Velodyne Minivee that is small, but expensive at $800.00 but it rules. Bought mine at Circuit City.

DVD Player: Buy what ever you want here, but something that match's the reciever is nice, sometimes you can use the reciever remote for both if they are same brand...Sometimes. You can play DVD's, CD's, etc. all from this unit.

That's breaking the bank.

 

[Davemcc]

Go with a two channel stereo setup now, for music and movies. It's a good way to see if you want to upgrade to a full surround sound setup.

Reciever: Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc. Get a surround sound RECIEVER that you can add speakers too later, after the 2 channel stereo setup. A reciever is an AM/FM tuner, a Pre Amp, and Amplifiers all in one box. Spend $500-$700 here, it's worth it.

Speakers: Skip the Bose speakers

DVD Player: Buy what ever you want here

Pretty much as above. If listening to music is the prime use of the system, you can get much higher quality from a two channel system for this budget and still use it for TV and movies.

Look to spend about $1k on a pair of full range floorstanding speakers, Energy RC-30 comes to mind as a good choice to look at if you are doing the auditioning for your parents.

Match something like that with a decent Yamaha or Onkyo for around $400 and cap it with a $100 DVD player. All but the cheapest DVD players will be OK when using digital outputs to the receiver.

Where does shippping to Iran fit into the budget? That's extra, I hope.

 

[sepandee]

Where does shippping to Iran fit into the budget? That's extra, I hope.

No shipping. It will be purchased in Iran.
Everyone's telling me something different. No agreements on brand names, no agreement as how much to pay for what. Someone says $200 on speakers, $800 on amp, another says $400 on receiver, $1000 on speakers.
All of a sudden, learning about laptops (which is what I did the whole month of May) sounds a lot easier.