NEED HELP BUYING A HOME THEATRE SYSTEM(a/v noob)

[barzul611]

ok guys i need help completing my home theater system. i have a denon avr-1708 receiver a 40 inch Samsung LCD screen. the room it is to be set up in a long one around 24ft x 12ft. x 11 ft.

the requirement is basically for movies and rock music. so guys i need suggestions on the speakers for a 5.1 surround setup or even 7.1. towers or book shelves are not a problem though i would prefer towers for the front left and right output. i sub is needed and budget is 2k. ive got a phillips dvd player, a ps3 and sattelite tv as sources.
thanks a lot

 

[Davemcc]

We may need a bit more info first. Budget? Towers vs. Bookshelf vs. on wall? Are looks a consideration? You want a subwoofer as well? What other source components are you using?

With the 1708, you should limit your shopping to 8 ohm speakers, preferably with a reasonable sensitivity, say 87dB or higher.

 

[mazersteven]

Rock on.

X-Series 5.1 Sale with MFW-15
http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,282/category_id,21/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

 

[mike_wassell]

There are plenty of good systems with subs in that price range. I would suggest Looking at entry level systems from Energy, PSB, Axiom, Atlantic Technology, Paradigm, and etc. I would take a long look at the Focal Chorus. I really like focal products they have a good rep for high quality audio products. Just Google these companies.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Or something from Axiom...
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic50_main.html

or maybe Aperion...
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/4-Series,35.aspx

Really, speaker selection is often a very involved process which is often judged best by your own ears. There are any number of articles on tons of different speakers, but my general philosophy is that you get what you pay for from most major speaker manufacturers of quality reputation (ie: not Bose).

 

[rnatalli]

Speaker selection is very subjective. Get out and listen to as many as you can. Don't forget ID brands like Axiom, Av123, Ascend, and Aperion. What type of sound do you typically like? Have you heard speakers before that you really like and what were they? That'll help us narrow the field a little.

 

[3db]

I really love the sound of PSB's Image series speakers and they are excellent for critical music listening. They also have teh ability to crank very loud for HT purposes. Thats my personal choice but what I think a good speaker should sound may not agree with yours. So audition as many as you can.

Here's my audition strategy...

What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

 

[mazersteven]

I would take a long look at the Focal Chorus.

With a $2K budget.

 

[PSWii60]

Ive got a 5.1 Aperion 6 series in my theater. My room dimensions are similar to yours 24x12x8. They blow me away with HT. I just upgraded my front towers to Paradigm v.4 100's. Strictly because I love how they sound in direct two channel for music. Check out my thread if you want to see pictures of the Aperion's.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

This needs repeating, as I agree 100% .

I really love the sound of PSB's Image series speakers and they are excellent for critical music listening. They also have teh ability to crank very loud for HT purposes. Thats my personal choice but what I think a good speaker should sound may not agree with yours. So audition as many as you can.

Here's my audition strategy...

What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

 

[elbichofede]

I had good experiences with Samsung

 

[3db]

Try the concert series as listed here;
http://www.psbspeakers.com/Image-home-theater-systems


The PSB sub is not bad but you could probably do better with HSU, SVS, or Outlaw. Taking the PSB sub out of their speaekr package should save you $500 to put towards the subs I've mentioned.

 

[mike_wassell]

With a $2K budget.

Yes you are right new Focal Chorus speakers would be over budget however I have seen some used Focal Chorus in this price range on Audiogon and eBay. Late model used speakers can be a great bang for the buck. I have bought used before without any problems. I made my used purchases on Audiogon.

The PSBs are great recommendation.

Auditioning is the way to go! However I bought my Focal Electra’s on the word of an audiophile friend and reputation. I have never been happier with any speakers. I have owned PSBs, B&Ws, and M&Ks. All were great speakers but the Focals were my favorites. And I emphasize MY FAVORITES – everyone has their own favorites. Speakers are very personal.

Mike

 

[AVRat]

Ascend Acoustics (SALE) CMT-340 SE/ CMT-340C SE/HTM-200 SE plus stands ($1058), with a set of Emotiva ERD-1s ($300) for side surrounds runs about $1360 right now. That leaves enough for an Epik Knight sub.