Need help finding a 5.1 receiver

[jonsd]

I am in the process of upgrading my entertainment center. I purchased a 61" Samsung DLP, Speaker Craft cieling speakers, Speaker Craft dual 8" center channel, 12" subwoofer. What I am looking for is a great sounding 5.1 receiver that wont break the bank. Will I lose any sound if I purchase a 6.1 or 7.1 and hook it up to 5.1 speakers? It should also have a/b speakers so I have outside sound. I would also like it to have all the latest and greatest hookups as I want to run the tv, pc, cd, dvd, tivo and just about anything else you can think of to it. Any suggestions?

Next I would also like to get an idea of ceiling speaker placement.
Thanks for your help.

jonsd

 

[Cygnus]

You will not loose any sound buying a 6.1 or 7.1 receiver, and hooking up a 5.1 setup to it. You can try the Denon AVR-1705, which is a 6.1 receiver. It has:

6.1 channels.
A/B speaker switch (allthough i dont know how well it works, havent tried it yet.)
2 optical ins and one out
1 coaxial in
more analog RCA jacks then you probably need.

Dolby Digital EX
Dolby ProLogic IIx
DTS NEO:6
DTS ES Descrete

I have this receiver, and I am currently only running three speakers (left, right, center) and i love it!

 

[jaxvon]

First off, what's your budget?

I hope they're not too expensive, but honestly, your best bets would be the Denon AVR-4806 or the Yamaha RX-V4600. Both of them offer Component video and HDMI I/O, as well as multi-zone operation, room EQ, as well as a boatload of other goodies. Since you want to hook up so many video devices to your TV, I think you might be better off with the Denon because of its ability to switch DVI as well (which would be an input from your PC).

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Whats your budget?

You wont lose sound by going with 7.1 and only using 5.1. What you will be able to do (with the right Receiver) is take advantage of the dual room/dual source feature. That way you can play two different things. in one room you can watch a movie while playing music outside from the same receiver. your budget will help us with our recomendations.

On the least expensive side I would recommend the Pioneer 1015-$369 on ebay. from what ive read good bang for the buck. Also check in the deals section of the forum. there is a link for a Denon 3805 listed at ubid.com. Great receiver! youll see posts all over this forum about it. right now there are 20 listed and is about $450 (closing tomorrow.) if you can get it below $700 then its a steal (paraphrasing from Buckeye)

 

[jonsd]

my Budget

I would like to stay around $500 bucks but can go up to $700.

Are there any good sites to configure speaker design?

 

[korgoth]

Marantz sr8400 for around $600 on ebay, HK 630 on ebay for $500, Denon 2805 for about 550.

im not sure about the other two but, i the hk has multi zone, so instead of a/b you just hook 2 speakers to the surrounds back outputs, and can play a seperate source than the rest of the 5.1 set up, while using a seperate zone 2 remote.

im pretty sure they all have that.

 

[jaxvon]

Well I guess I went a bit over budget. In that range, a refurb HK on ebay is a good option (AVR635 or 7300). As well, a good deal on a Denon refurb from Ubid (AVR-3805) is another option.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I would like to stay around $500 bucks but can go up to $700.

Are there any good sites to configure speaker design?

All these guys are correct. And they are all great bargains. The best right now is probably the Denon 3805. Ubid's auctions always run over. It may exceed your $500 budget. If it does, then I like the Pioneer 1015 for the money.
www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10434535

What do you mean "configure speaker design"?

 

[jonsd]

Speaker Design

Thanks for all the good feedback. I got in on the Ubid Denon, hopefully i can pick one up for around $500.

Speaker Design:

I have a separate center channel that is a dual 8" cone and that was the best SpeakerCraft had for Center Channel. Also I have 4 8" round Ceiling speakers, that I am replacing my bose acoustimass 15 with.

My concern is how close should the ceiling speakers: front (R/L) be from the sitting area, and the Back (R/L) should be above or behind the sitting area.

Thanks again,

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Speaker Design:
I have a separate center channel that is a dual 8" cone and that was the best SpeakerCraft had for Center Channel. Also I have 4 8" round Ceiling speakers, that I am replacing my bose acoustimass 15 with.
My concern is how close should the ceiling speakers: front (R/L) be from the sitting area, and the Back (R/L) should be above or behind the sitting area.

What is SpeakerCraft? What are these 4 8" round Ceiling speakers? Something department stores use for a pa system? Are they full range, or is it a midbass driver with a whizzer cone in the center for high frequencies? Are these 8" speakers going in the ceiling, and pointing straight down?

 

[jonsd]

I work for a company that has relationships with SpeakerCraft so I am trading in my bose acoustimass 15 for
4 cieling 8" AIM 8
http://www.speakercraft.com/our_products/aim/aim_five.html

1 center channel 2 Each 8" Aluminum/Magnesium Woofer (AIM Monitor Four LCR )
http://www.speakercraft.com/our_products/aim_mon/cent4.html


1 - 12" subwoofer BassX-12
http://www.speakercraft.com/our_products/ps/basx12.htm

I know nobody is big on Ceiling speakers but I cant pass this deal and they really sound good. What I need to know is how to set them up ideally to get the best sound out of them.

The Room Size is 15X15.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[jonsd]

Any thoughts on this?