My first HT

[andyj]

After reading all your advices I am getting confused. There is so many choices. I've chosen following HT:
All Klipsch:
Front L/R RB35 - $399.- a pair,
Center RC 35 - $299.-
Surround RS35 - $458.-a pair,
Sub VTF-3 HO - $899.-.
Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR805 or Denon AVR 3806.
It's about $3.000. Is it good choice or I can buy similar quality speakers and receiver for lower price? Is it posible to have decent HT for $2.500? Please help.

 

[rnatalli]

$2.5k will definitely get you a good setup. Have you heard the Klipsch speakers? Have you auditioned others?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The best way to have a great system if you dont have a lot of free money is to buy it in stages. Start out with the AVR and two really good speakers, later add a sub then a center and surrounds.

Some love Klipsch some hate them; not a lot of people in-between. They hurt my ears but thats just me.

 

[bass addict]

Three words.... audition, audition, audition. Then buy the best equipment you can afford. If you can't afford what you really feel you want/need then wait until you can. Buyers remorse is very expensive in this hobby.

 

[andyj]

I have not heard Klipsch yet. I can go to a Klipsch dealer and test them. I also can test Paradigm speakers at the same dealer. How can I test the other ones? You says $2,500 will get me a good setup. Could you give me any suqqestion for that price? What about sub and receiver? Is it good choice or bad? I hope you will find time to reply to this message.

 

[rnatalli]

That's why I asked if you auditioned the Klipsch. You have to get out there and audition as many as possible. About 50-60% of your budget should be spent on speakers. Once you find speakers you like, then you worry about the rest.

 

[andyj]

Thanks Natalli. I agree with you that I need to audition speakers before I buy them. Please tell me where to go for audition. I found one store that sells Klipsch and Paradigm. What about other brands? Where can I audition them? Could you help?

 

[rnatalli]

Check the manufacturer sites themselves. They often have dealer locators. Circuit City carries Bostons and Polks. Magnolia @ Best Buy carries DefTech, Mirage, Klipsch, Martin Logan, and a few others. Then move onto smaller specialty stores in your area.

 

[bass addict]

Why don't you give us a little more information about what you are looking to accomplish. What are your listening habits (music or movies), what size room is it going into, what TV is this going to be hooked up to, and what media do you primarily watch (SD or HD). While you still need to audition this might be able to better point you in the right direction for both speakers and receiver.

I agree with the speaker suggestion. These are one part of your HT that will be with you the longest so you should spend the most amount of money on them and make sure you are completely happy. If you are like me, you will go through 10 different pj's, receivers, hd players, and amps trying to keep up with the emerging technologies. Speakers are one item that will stand the test of time.

Travis

 

[mazersteven]

I have not heard Klipsch yet. I can go to a Klipsch dealer and test them. I also can test Paradigm speakers at the same dealer.

You will get a great idea how different speakers sound with these two manufacturers. Once you audition these you will have a better idea what type of sound you prefer.

 

[bass addict]

You will get a great idea how different speakers sound with these two manufacturers. Once you audition these you will have a better idea what type of sound you prefer.

My money's on the Paradigms.

 

[andyj]

I really aprreciate that you want to help me. Let me give you more information.
1. My music. I like bands like Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits and other rock bands. I also like blues and reagge music. I love rhytm and bass. My favorite instruments are bass guitar, drum and lead guitar.
2. My movies: I like movies like Lord of The Rings, The Gladiator, 300 etc.
3. Size of my room: W-12'; L-26';H-8'.
4. My tv - I've got SONY LCD Projection TV HD-TV Grand Wega 55".
5. I watch Comcast cable HD channels.
I hope I answered most of your questions. I love to watch DVD concerts and movies with special effects. I watch my TV very loudly.
Please give me some suggestions.

Andy

 

[mazersteven]

You really need to get out, and listen to the Klipsch, and Paradigms. I don't know what your budget is for speakers only. But look at the Klipsch Reference series, and the Paradigm Studio series. Take something to take notes on, and write down pros, and cons of your listening experience. Sit and listen to the same songs on both speakers. Sit and really listen without and block out everything around you. Bring your own material to audition (Cd's, DVD's). Take your time and have fun.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Agreed.

The Studios are really nice and you can get into the 20's and the center that goes with them at your price range with enough left over to get a SVS PB12-NSD (I think would fill your space) then just add some cheap surrounds and you are on your way.

...or you may like the Klipsch

You really need to get out, and listen to the Klipsch, and Paradigms. I don't know what your budget is for speakers only. But look at the Klipsch Reference series, and the Paradigm Studio series. Take something to take notes on, and write down pros, and cons of your listening experience. Sit and listen to the same songs on both speakers. Sit and really listen without and block out everything around you. Bring your own material to audition (Cd's, DVD's). Take your time and have fun.

 

[alexsound]

I really aprreciate that you want to help me. Let me give you more information.
1. My music. I like bands like Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits and other rock bands. I also like blues and reagge music. I love rhytm and bass. My favorite instruments are bass guitar, drum and lead guitar.
2. My movies: I like movies like Lord of The Rings, The Gladiator, 300 etc.
3. Size of my room: W-12'; L-26';H-8'.
4. My tv - I've got SONY LCD Projection TV HD-TV Grand Wega 55".
5. I watch Comcast cable HD channels.
I hope I answered most of your questions. I love to watch DVD concerts and movies with special effects. I watch my TV very loudly.
Please give me some suggestions.

Andy

Ok. "I watch my TV very loudly" Love that comment.

I will try to contain my favoritism towards Klipsch and reiterate what all the other people have been suggesting. Go audition both and others if you can.
Then you can get the Klipsch system

I didn't say how hard I would try to contain my favoritism.

 

[dem beats]

Ok. "I watch my TV very loudly" Love that comment.

I will try to contain my favoritism towards Klipsch and reiterate what all the other people have been suggesting. Go audition both and others if you can.
Then you can get the Klipsch system

I didn't say how hard I would try to contain my favoritism.

Have you ever heard of klipsch?? they are the bbq sauce...

I love the shamless love man... I feel the same way about energy, at least the RC series.... I heard them and fell in love and i got the GAF aproval.

I guess what i'm saying here is it's personal. you will like whan you like.

Audition as much as you can and someone here said it best, buy in stages and buy the best you can afford. this will delay the onset of upgraditis. I'm on my way to subwoofer number 3 here pretty darn soon... all because I didn't spend my time and hear all my options and opinions.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

After reading all your advices I am getting confused. There is so many choices. I've chosen following HT:
All Klipsch:
Front L/R RB35 - $399.- a pair,
Center RC 35 - $299.-
Surround RS35 - $458.-a pair,
Sub VTF-3 HO - $899.-.
Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR805 or Denon AVR 3806.
It's about $3.000. Is it good choice or I can buy similar quality speakers and receiver for lower price? Is it posible to have decent HT for $2.500? Please help.

Andy,
I'd say you have made extremely wise decisions with a budget in mind.

You've obviously done your homework in advance!!!

 

[andyj]

Andy,
I'd say you have made extremely wise decisions with a budget in mind.

You've obviously done your homework in advance!!!

Good advices from all of you. The great webside and the great people. Thanks!!!!!!! What do you think about Cambridge Soundworks? They are on sale now and for $1,500 I can buy decent set of speakers. Please advise. This weekend I will go to couple of stores to audition Klipsch, Paradigm and more speakers. Someone told me to consider Paradigm STudio. Just $5,000. I wish I could buy them. I will have more questions after the weekend. I also will need your help with the wire and HD DVD player. So far every message from you was very helpfull. Thank you again and ask fo more.

 

[andyj]

I forgot to ask you a question. What kind of speakers should be most or less expensive? Should I spend most money on sub or center or front or rear? Thanks.

 

[avaserfi]

I forgot to ask you a question. What kind of speakers should be most or less expensive? Should I spend most money on sub or center or front or rear? Thanks.

If you are going for primarily 2 channel music listening try and spend the most of your money on your front two speakers. Then get a good sub after that focus on the center and surrounds.

If you are going for multichannel music you will ideally want a good sub and the same 5 speakers surrounding you so all things are equal.

For a movies only I would spend a big chunk on the sub then split the main parts of the money around the front three speakers and the last bit on the surrounds.

Mix and match my views as you need, but IMO if you want a great movie experience you need an amazing sub!