Looking at building a home theatre system

[Semmens0607]

I am a college student looking into building a home theatre system. I want to start out with a 2.1 system and just add speakers as the years roll on by. I was looking at the klipsch f3's and the 12" sub. Any ideas on a better system that i could purchase. ive heard bad stuff about the klipsch. I listen to music watch movies but mostly play video games. I have a pretty good listning ear but in best buy trying to pick out all the little things with a ton of other tv's and speakers playing is kinda hard. Somebody please help thanks

 

[Adam]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

Good or bad talk about Klipsch that I've seen just comes down to whether or not the person liked how they sounded. So, the question becomes...do you like them? With Best Buy, you can bring them home and check them out - if you don't like them, just return them. At least when I used to go there, they didn't have a restocking fee on speakers (but you should check that out, if you haven't already).

Do you have a specific budget for your system? Also, do you already have the electronics to drive the speakers?

 

[Semmens0607]

I do not really have a specific budget but 2000 will be the max right now. I would like to get as much for that as i can right now.. and if thats just the reciever and a couple bad behind bookshelf speakers and a sub thats fine. I gotta have the sub because i plan on watching a lot of movies and playing alot of games this year in college. I also need help with a reciever.. the whole set up actaully. How is the yamaha soavo series.. too much differnt shtuff to choose from

 

[jamie2112]

Adam makes valid points, How much do you have to spend? What will you be running these with? Best Buy is not the best place to buy speakers. They don't carry many brands. I think they carry Polk, Martin Logan-these are good, and Klipsh which I hate the sound of personally. If you can and if you have the money go audition as many speakers as you cab before buying. Be sure to bring CD's of your own so you know what you are listening to...

 

[mazersteven]

Try to stay out of the big box stores if you can and audition speakers in specialty stores if possible. JMO

When you audition bring your own material (DVD's CD's) that you are familiar with and take notes. Take your time and have fun with it.

Sound characteristics are very personal. What sounds good to me might sound horrible to you.

 

[jamie2112]

Well I would say get the Yamaha VX-663 because you won't need to upgrade for a while as it has most of the features that you will need if you ever decide to go 5.1 or so.This will run you $389 so that leaves plenty to get a pair of speakers and a sub.

 

[jamie2112]

For $1600 you can get a good sub and a great set of speakers. There are alot of speakers in your price range that are considered very good.....Shoot gotta run ...

 

[Semmens0607]

I was thinkiin about a 7.1 system for the future. There are a lot of recievers that lookt he same but cost from 300-900 bucks. how do i knoaw what to look for. i will be runnin around town tomorrow to check out a couple specialty stores. any brand i should pay attention to a little more? as of now klipsch is out because of all the bad i hear about it.

 

[mazersteven]

There are a lot of recievers that lookt he same but cost from 300-900 bucks. how do i knoaw what to look for.

Pick your speakers first. They are the most important part of your system. After your speakers are selected then you can select a receiver with the power requirements and features you'll need for your system.

 

[fredk]

If you are serious about buying for the long term, then I think you are going about it the wrong way.

Establish what level/quality of sound you like and then figure out what it costs. If you figure out whatever you like is over your budget right now, you have a decision to make: save up to buy what you want (up your budget), buy used (if you can within your budget, revisit the objective of buying for the long term.

Don't buy a receiver until you know what speakers you want. The 663 is a great budget receiver, but may not drive some speakers (4ohm load).

Don't ditch Klipsch (he, that rhymes ) because of what you read, ditch them because you don't like them. There is significant variation in what people like.

[/start rant] If you read what the guru of preceptual research, Dr. Toole has written, you will note that he writes that once properly trained people overwhelmingly prefer a speaker with a flat frequency response (slightly rolled off on the high end). Read the part in bold. Read it again and think about what it implies and how that fits with what people post here day after day. [/end rant]

I feel better now.

If you read through posts here, you will see a number of speakers recommended over and over again. Trust your ears. Good luck with your search.

 

[Semmens0607]

Do loud speakers have pretty good bass in themselves or not. i can afford 2 loud speakers a reciever and either a center speaker or bass... which would be bettter the center speaker or the bass

 

[jamie2112]

Do loud speakers have pretty good bass in themselves or not. i can afford 2 loud speakers a reciever and either a center speaker or bass... which would be bettter the center speaker or the bass

Ummmmm lets see more bass or dialog.....Hmmmmmm uh BASS......

 

[Semmens0607]

Good idea since i play more video games and watch movvies than listen to music... maybe i will splurge over my budget and get a center speaker too.. hmm.. decisions decisions

 

[mazersteven]

Good idea since i play more video games and watch movvies than listen to music... maybe i will splurge over my budget and get a center speaker too.. hmm.. decisions decisions

Center channels speakers are not for music. They are for dialogue, and voices for movies.

 

[Semmens0607]

so when you play music the center speaker doesnt have voices? now your confusing me. if i play games and movies what is better center speaker or sub? or buy a cheaper system and get them both?

 

[mazersteven]

so when you play music the center speaker doesnt have voices? now your confusing me.

You can play music 2 ways.

1) 2 Channel Stereo--Music is only played through your main left, and right speakers.

2) Multi Channel --Music is played through all of your speakers.

 

[mazersteven]

if i play games and movies what is better center speaker or sub?

or buy a cheaper system and get them both?

Only you could answer these 2 questions.

I can tell you I went without a sub in my HT for over a year. But I will say the sub has had the biggest impact in my movie viewing experience.

I PM'd you a system with both center, and subwoofer for the $2K budget.

 

[Semmens0607]

yeah im looking into getting those loudspeakers and center speaker and sub actaully but what about a reciever for that set up... sweet speakers by the way nothin but good reviews

 

[mazersteven]

what about a reciever for that set up...

Get a receiver with the features you need, and this amp

Behringer A500
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHA500

But you should audition some speakers on your own.

 

[Semmens0607]

what does it mean to audition speakers? that confused me too