Is this equipment acceptable?

[Achilles]

I moved last year into a new house and had it wired for 7.1 with HDMI going from a cabinet in the rear of the room to the television in the front. I am not likely as true an audiophile as most on this site, but I usually like to go with fairly good stuff (maybe second down from the top). I am now ready to install the speakers and television and I have gotten some quotes from my local HT shop. I am trying not to go overboard with the price, but want a decent surround experience. How would you rate the following? I will use this for blu ray and the kids will use for games. The speakers are in ceiling for WAF. I may have this installed for me as I want to have it integrate with the rest of my house audio/video system and I don't have the time to do it myself. The speakers are my biggest concern of the items below.

Television: I thought I'd go with the sony Z series (46" is as big as I can get) as I believe it is basically the same as the XBR6. I also was looking at the samsung 750 or 850 series.

Receiver: I have a Yamaha RXV-2500 and I bought it when they were around 1 year out from release. I really like the Yamahas, but this one does not have the HDMI. I will need to send everything via the HDMI cable to the TV, so I need the analog upconvert. Would it be OK to go with the cheaper Yamahas RXV-663 or RXV-863?

Speakers: Here I have been unable to find a lot of info. My local salesman recommended I use Speakercraft Aim8 twos in the front and Speakercraft CRs6 twos for the surround and back speakers. (again, I am trying to save money) Remember, I just want a good experience - mainly for blu-ray. I won't be listening to much audio only on this system so I do not need to hear the subtleties between the 1st and 2nd chair of the violin section. I do not want a real tinny, miserable sound, though). Sub would be a 10" paradigm PDR-10 B or possibly Klipsch 10" 420 Watt.
Thanks a lot for your time.

 

[krzywica]

I would certainly go with a Sammy for the TV-the 7 series are really nice my buddy just got one and loves it (46").

As far as the receiver goes you should also check out offerings from Onkyo and Pioneer if yo want HDMI on a low budget....as well as Harmon Kardon.

As far as the speakers go.....I haven't heard of speakercraft too much but they sound like something that would reside on my grandfathers pontoon boat. No offense. I would try and stick with brands that are well known for doing in walls right. Like RBH. And are you going all in ceiling?

 

[Achilles]

Yes,
All in ceiling, except the subwoofer. Center. L and R were to be directional (could point toward the listener) with surrounds and rear nondirectional. Is Sonance any good?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[alexwakelin]

The Yamaha RX V663 is a very nice receiver, if you liked your old Yamaha you will probably be happy with the 663. The main difference would probably be the lack of on screen menus, but if you can live without that the 663 will probably do everything you want.

For speakers, I am not familiar with Speakercraft, but The Speaker Company makes low priced speakers that often compare with other products which cost twice as much.

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/In-Ceiling-C12.aspx

What is your subwoofer budget? You might want to look at subs from SVS or Hsu.

 

[krzywica]

For speakers, I am not familiar with Speakercraft, but The Speaker Company makes low priced speakers that often compare with other products which cost twice as much.

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/In-Ceiling-C12.aspx

What is your subwoofer budget? You might want to look at subs from SVS or Hsu.

I have also heard very good things about TSC. I would also stay away from Sonance if you are on a budget as their stuff is usually ridiculously overpriced. (Think NASA)

I recently purchased the HSU subwoofer in my sig and am extremely happy with it. I have also heard many of the offerings from SVS and they make incredible subs. I would say if you are going to skimp, just don't skimp on the sub if this is mainly for HT.

 

[lsiberian]

I moved last year into a new house and had it wired for 7.1 with HDMI going from a cabinet in the rear of the room to the television in the front. I am not likely as true an audiophile as most on this site, but I usually like to go with fairly good stuff (maybe second down from the top). I am now ready to install the speakers and television and I have gotten some quotes from my local HT shop. I am trying not to go overboard with the price, but want a decent surround experience. How would you rate the following? I will use this for blu ray and the kids will use for games. The speakers are in ceiling for WAF. I may have this installed for me as I want to have it integrate with the rest of my house audio/video system and I don't have the time to do it myself. The speakers are my biggest concern of the items below.

Television: I thought I'd go with the sony Z series (46" is as big as I can get) as I believe it is basically the same as the XBR6. I also was looking at the samsung 750 or 850 series.

Receiver: I have a Yamaha RXV-2500 and I bought it when they were around 1 year out from release. I really like the Yamahas, but this one does not have the HDMI. I will need to send everything via the HDMI cable to the TV, so I need the analog upconvert. Would it be OK to go with the cheaper Yamahas RXV-663 or RXV-863?

Speakers: Here I have been unable to find a lot of info. My local salesman recommended I use Speakercraft Aim8 twos in the front and Speakercraft CRs6 twos for the surround and back speakers. (again, I am trying to save money) Remember, I just want a good experience - mainly for blu-ray. I won't be listening to much audio only on this system so I do not need to hear the subtleties between the 1st and 2nd chair of the violin section. I do not want a real tinny, miserable sound, though). Sub would be a 10" paradigm PDR-10 B or possibly Klipsch 10" 420 Watt.
Thanks a lot for your time.

Your sure the wife won't allow real speakers in the room?

Never hurts to ask. You can even get a KEF egg series which are very small but very good for the size.

I just picked up an HK 247 it's not too bad so far. I haven't run the full tests on it yet, but it appears to be doing decent. For 205 you can't do any better.

Of course one of the poster above is getting my old beauty soon. I still miss that receiver.

 

[krzywica]

Your sure the wife won't allow real speakers in the room?

Never hurts to ask. You can even get a KEF egg series which are very small but very good for the size.

I just picked up an HK 247 it's not too bad so far. I haven't run the full tests on it yet, but it appears to be doing decent. For 205 you can't do any better.

Of course one of the poster above is getting my old beauty soon. I still miss that receiver.

One of the posters above....*points to self*


No really, but I would try and at least get in walls and not in ceilings for the front sound stage at least.

 

[Achilles]

Probably $400-500 for a sub. The Hsu is a little high for me, I think, but I appreciate all the input and will do a little shopping around.

 

[krzywica]

Probably $400-500 for a sub. The Hsu is a little high for me, I think, but I appreciate all the input and will do a little shopping around.

They just went off of sale. They were $499 plus shipping when I got mine. I would also check out Outlaw Audio. You are in the ball park to get an incredible sub for $500 you really can get an earth shattering sub if you look around.

 

[alexwakelin]

Probably $400-500 for a sub. The Hsu is a little high for me, I think, but I appreciate all the input and will do a little shopping around.

You can get a pretty nice sub with that budget.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

They're having a clearance on this model, I don't think you will find a better sub for the money.
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow3.cfm

 

[AVRat]

Ok, to straighten things out a bit. SpeakerCraft is sort of the grand-daddy of in-structure speakers. They have been around awhile and produce high-quality speakers. Your local dealer seems to be recommending a good system w/o trying to oversell you.

Paradigm also offers an AMS150R-30 that may also work for you for the fronts.

Better subs for your budget would be:

HSU STF-2/VTF-1
SVS PB10-NSD (as mentioned above)