Need Home theater audio Setup Advice

[rudyyr]

Hello all,

I am new to the Home theater world and have had an onkyo sr605HTIB for two years now. I am moving into a new house and the HTIB was ok for an apartment, but I need something nicer. I am looking at a getting a receiver preferably 7.1(I am open to any brand <$900). I also need some speakers. I will be connecting this setup to my panasonic plasma 1080p and my panasonic blu-ray(I haven't purchased these yet). I have gone to Best Buy and they were selling me a Denon 988 IIRC? and some Klipsch speakers for around $2000 total. I just need some options cuz I feel like I can get something better.

Anyways, I am looking at spending around 2000-3000 for the receiver and speakers(Do I need an amp?). I have done so much research that I am overwhelmed and very confused now. I am looking at suggestions, so if you guys have any.. I would really appreciate them.


regards,
rudyyr

 

[grizzlyman]

Reciever and speakers

Hey I know what you mean by being overwhelmed the more I learn the more my head hurts. Now onto the important stuff. Yamaha makes the cheapest priced receiver but don't let the price fool you it is a very good receiver. You should look for a 120-140 watt receiver if it fits your budget. For speakers I recommend Polk audio http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/
I listened to a lot of speakers and my Polk's sound just as good or better then other speakers like Focal, Definitive Technology, and Vienna. You really don't need an amp a 120-140 watt receiver will push you speakers good enough. Buy tower speakers for your fronts because they sound better than the smaller ones. You'll want to match your speakers or at least you fronts and center. If I were you I'd buy a good set of towers, center and a good receiver and cheaper surrounds and subwoofer for now, better towers and center (which reproduces 50-60% of movie soundtrack) will make your whole system sound better. You can always upgrade later. You eventually want to get a good subwoofer because most speakers can't reproduce low frequency's as good as a subwoofer can. Some good subwoofer companys are HSU, SVS,Axiom,and Elemental design. You should find a high end audio dealer to listen to speakers and get more advice because Best Buy just hires anyone and most of them aren't very knowledgeable in home audio. Than find the speakers that you like and go online to check for pricing also receiver and subwoofer most of the time you can find them cheaper online than in a store. In the end let your ears tell you what you like.

 

[bandphan]

dedicate more of your budget for speakers, thats the end of the chain. Listen to alot of brands, as they are your ears and you should like the sound. Consider your space and what you want, ie towers, bookshelves 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 ect. The aforementioned post makes a subjective statement on what is personal preference. DT, Focal, and Vienna make exceptional speakers and tend to be mid>high end just decide for yourself. timbre matching(same mid tweeter makeup) the lcr is a good idea as stated. As for power you will find alot of recomendations based on features, just consider getting a unit the has preouts, so if and when you want to add more power you can.
good luck and have fun

 

[Halon451]

Hello all,

I am new to the Home theater world and have had an onkyo sr605HTIB for two years now. I am moving into a new house and the HTIB was ok for an apartment, but I need something nicer. I am looking at a getting a receiver preferably 7.1(I am open to any brand <$900). I also need some speakers. I will be connecting this setup to my panasonic plasma 1080p and my panasonic blu-ray(I haven't purchased these yet). I have gone to Best Buy and they were selling me a Denon 988 IIRC? and some Klipsch speakers for around $2000 total. I just need some options cuz I feel like I can get something better.

Anyways, I am looking at spending around 2000-3000 for the receiver and speakers(Do I need an amp?). I have done so much research that I am overwhelmed and very confused now. I am looking at suggestions, so if you guys have any.. I would really appreciate them.


regards,
rudyyr

Take a look at the new Yamaha RX-V663 - I don't believe it's out yet, but when it is, you'll be able to pick it up for a price of around $500. This will leave you with a minimum of $1500 to a maximum of $2500 for speakers and sub based on your budget range. As mentioned, allocated the largest portion of your budget to the speakers, and choose the receiver best suited to drive them.

The Klipsch series are good, but some (including myself) think they are a little too bright - this may lead to fatiguing after some time of listening to them. Plus the horn-loaded tweeters they are known for tend to be directional, affecting off-axis listening.

For a sub, anything from SVS or Hsu. They are probably the two most top championed brands here, and deliver performance far beyond the price tag associated with them. For a good sub from either company, look at spending a minimum of $600 to $800. So that leaves $1700 for speakers. This is not a bad budget to work with and should leave you with a fantastic system.

Sounds like you've already been out there a bit - the best way to evaluate whether a speaker is good for you is to go listen to it and bring some audio sources that you are familiar with and are of known good quality. Some things to avoid - pushy big box store salesmen, white vans, and anything with the letters B-O-S-E.

Good brands to take a look at: Paradigm, PSB, AV123, SVS. These include many I have not heard so I can't really give you an honest opinion on them, other than many folks here swear by them - I do own the SVS and I'll say they are some of the best speakers I've owned.

Best of luck! Keep us posted!

 

[Davemcc]

I'm going to offer an alternate vision to grizzlyman's advice. Tower speakers are certainly not required as fronts. A good bookshelf/subwoofer system can offer the same quality sound as their tower counterparts and often cost substantially less, allowing more budget to go to other components. Case in point, my new Dynaudio Focus 140 bookshelves cost me $1800, but the Focus 220 tower is $3K. That difference alone would pay for an awesome subwoofer, yet I still get all the dynamics, imaging and quality of the 220's. Bass is not even an issue since the 140's extend down to 41Hz but since I'm crossing over to the sub at 80Hz anyway, it's a moot point at best. I've sacrificed nothing. In fact, in some ways I may have gained because bookshelves are far less susceptible to cabinet resonance.

Second, I would advise not to get a cheap sub at first only to upgrade later. It's a waste of money to buy something that you know pre-purchase is already scheduled for replacement. Find out which subs are suited to your room size and listening tastes, then choose the best one for you within your budget. I would rather delay the purchase of surround speakers to a later date than skimp on the mains or sub. The sub is the beating heart of the system and provides the tangible effects that can make or break an otherwise fine system.

You're doing right by auditioning and shopping, but let your ears judge when it comes to speakers. They are a very subjective choice and what pleases others may not please you. By all means, choose your speakers first then fill in the other components around that selection.

 

[rudyyr]

Thanks guys..I really appreciate your help...I am loking at getting the Yamaha RX-V663, because for the price it has very good features(when it finally goes on sale). I am looking at some polk speakers(towers,center and rear) except that, I am looking for a different subwoofer..which i will test a few brands before I decide. I will start with a 5.1 system and then add 2 satellites more later to make it a full 7.1 system..any input? thanks so much...it seems like I am getting alot closer to my needs!

regards,
rudyyr

 

[newb]

Seconding some previous thoughts

I too thought the Yamaha 663 would be a great receiver....bummer it's not out yet (I now have the Marantz SR 4002 in my possesion) and since I don't have all the HD stuff to go with it I'll not miss the 1.3 repeating. But hold fast, looks like a great receiver.
Again, Av123 has some great speakers at a reasonable price but the shipping...WHEW!
Check out Aperion, $2500 will buy a sweet system with true hardwood veneer over HDF cabinets, great sound( at least what I've read up on), accessory discounts, and a thirty day free trial with shipping both ways. What's to lose?
And no, I'm not an agent for Aperion, just trying to navigate my way through this too and they look fun as well as decent bang for the buck.

 

[mazersteven]

Again, Av123 has some great speakers at a reasonable price but the shipping...WHEW!
Check out Aperion, $2500 will buy a sweet system with true hardwood veneer over HDF cabinets, great sound( at least what I've read up on), accessory discounts, and a thirty day free trial with shipping both ways. What's to lose?
And no, I'm not an agent for Aperion, just trying to navigate my way through this too and they look fun as well as decent bang for the buck.

I have to shake my head when I read that people let the cost of shipping motivate their purchase.

 

[newb]

Rebuttal

Shipping was not the only factor, Some of the benies are in my favor and quality is about equal, so apples to apples.
Either way, both are good values IMHO.

 

[mazersteven]

and quality is about equal, so apples to apples.

First time I have heard that.