New in Audio Systems (help)

[luongo01]

Hello,

Im quite the newbie when it comes to Audio. I've been doing a ton of research lately with different Audio systems, HTIB's, speakers, and self-assembling systems from scratch.

1. Systems from Scratch cost just too much for my budget

2. I read in the end, HTIBS are generally crap.


My budget is about 800 dollars, maybe 820 if im scraping. Now with a system from scratch.... I really am not experienced to know how to build on properly. I found a good deal here in Canada for a 5.1 speaker set called Klipsch Quintet II MicroSystem. Its on sale here in Canada to the same price as in the USA. About 299 dollars. Now with getting those speakers...that does not include the 600dollar matching Sub or a receiver (400-600dollars). With this package im looking at well over 1000dollars. Now when reading the specs of these speakers including reviews... i see many good things, including something called "horn-loaded". Now me being a newb, I really am stumped to what that really means. I know it has to do with better sound quality. Now with this system all together over 1000$ and these horn-loaded speakers, is it worth the price against something like lets say....

Onkyo HT-SR800 7 x 110W 7.1-Channel Home Theater System....

This price tag runs at about 700dollar. Now, Im in canada and forced to pay our ridiculus *** prices. And I dont want to go to a USA website to buy a system, pay for the delivery, then duty fees at the border...by then, im paying the price i would be paying here.

Anyways.... I hear wonderful things about the Onkyo HT-SR800 7 x 110W 7.1-Channel Home Theater System. And I heard it is a GREAT system for the price and among one of the top HTIBs. Now with this being in BARELY my price range, and reading absolutley almost perfect reviews... Iam very tempted to go with this system.

Now in comparison with the Onkyo HT-SR800 7 x 110W 7.1-Channel Home Theater System VS the Klipsch Quintet II speakers. Which one in the end has better sound? AND...

Does the Onkyo HT-SR800 have horn-loaded speakers. I have not been able to verify this. I dont know how much difference that means, how much better the sound is with horn-loaded speakers, or if the Klipsch speakers are worth the difference in cost in comparison with the sound quality and cost against the Onkyo.


What do I do? Do i got for the big bucks, save a bit and Get the Klipsch speakers, sub and reciever seperate at well over 1K.
Or is the Onkyo JUST as good, and pick that up for about 700-800CAD.


HELP lol thanks....

I want something really good. Good crystal clarity, good sound, good sub.

I have 820 dollars.


Thanks again....

Justin (Luongo01)

 

[bpape]

My recommendation is to get a receiver and dvd player you can afford and initially get just a 2.1 setup (main speakers and sub). Then add additional speakers as you can afford them.

This allows you good sound and better quality now while still staying in budget.

Bryan

 

[3db]

Welcome aboard fellow Canuck!!

Hello,

Im quite the newbie when it comes to Audio. I've been doing a ton of research lately with different Audio systems, HTIB's, speakers, and self-assembling systems from scratch.

1. Systems from Scratch cost just too much for my budget

2. I read in the end, HTIBS are generally crap.


My budget is about 800 dollars, maybe 820 if im scraping. Now with a system from scratch.... I really am not experienced to know how to build on properly. I found a good deal here in Canada for a 5.1 speaker set called Klipsch Quintet II MicroSystem. Its on sale here in Canada to the same price as in the USA. About 299 dollars. Now with getting those speakers...that does not include the 600dollar matching Sub or a receiver (400-600dollars). With this package im looking at well over 1000dollars. Now when reading the specs of these speakers including reviews... i see many good things, including something called "horn-loaded". Now me being a newb, I really am stumped to what that really means. I know it has to do with better sound quality. Now with this system all together over 1000$ and these horn-loaded speakers, is it worth the price against something like lets say....

Onkyo HT-SR800 7 x 110W 7.1-Channel Home Theater System....

This price tag runs at about 700dollar. Now, Im in canada and forced to pay our ridiculus *** prices. And I dont want to go to a USA website to buy a system, pay for the delivery, then duty fees at the border...by then, im paying the price i would be paying here.

Anyways.... I hear wonderful things about the Onkyo HT-SR800 7 x 110W 7.1-Channel Home Theater System. And I heard it is a GREAT system for the price and among one of the top HTIBs. Now with this being in BARELY my price range, and reading absolutley almost perfect reviews... Iam very tempted to go with this system.

Now in comparison with the Onkyo HT-SR800 7 x 110W 7.1-Channel Home Theater System VS the Klipsch Quintet II speakers. Which one in the end has better sound? AND...

Does the Onkyo HT-SR800 have horn-loaded speakers. I have not been able to verify this. I dont know how much difference that means, how much better the sound is with horn-loaded speakers, or if the Klipsch speakers are worth the difference in cost in comparison with the sound quality and cost against the Onkyo.


What do I do? Do i got for the big bucks, save a bit and Get the Klipsch speakers, sub and reciever seperate at well over 1K.
Or is the Onkyo JUST as good, and pick that up for about 700-800CAD.


HELP lol thanks....

I want something really good. Good crystal clarity, good sound, good sub.

I have 820 dollars.


Thanks again....

Justin (Luongo01)

What I would do in your place if you can't wait to increase your budget is wait for a good sale to come on at Futur Shop or Best Buy. Sometimes they sell Athena packages for $600.00 and a Yamaha HTR6030 for about $299.00. Similarily, Best Buy does the same thing.


The other option is to buy used from e-bay or used from a reputable audio dealer.

$800.0 is not alot of money but its doable with patience. Your right about HTIB. Stay away from that sh?t. The only HTIB I saw that was actually decent was a promo 5 years back between NAD and PSB.

Other members on here have shopped off the web but I don't know the details about taxes, duty and stuff but off the internet from the US. I also don't know how warranty works either. Maybe someone could step up to the plate here and gives us a quick spiel.


Good luck.

 

[OttoMatic]

Another thing -- don't necessarily assume that "horn loaded" means "better sound." Klipsch is famous for using horn drivers. Some like them, some find them bright or aggressive. I recommend you give them a listen before buying, and compare them with some other options in your price range.

I agree with bpape in that you should get a receiver and DVD player and a 2.1 speaker system. It's better to build up with quality from the beginning rather than trying to get it all at once with a 5.1 speaker system.

 

[luongo01]

How does a ps3 hook up to a receiver? Can I simply use that as my dvd player?

and what about this sale at Future Shop

futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=BDL10002333&logon=&langid=EN


This comes with the receiver, and Yamaha speakers.... you can view the speakers when you scroll down... Would the klipsch speakers I mentioned at the beginning of the post be better than these Yamahas?

Ok lets say I disregard this all... based on how much you guys all know... i have 800 bucks.... tell me what you THINK i should go out and start with.

Brands, models etc.


Thanks for your help so far.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

How does a ps3 hook up to a receiver? Can I simply use that as my dvd player?

and what about this sale at Future Shop

futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=BDL10002333&logon=&langid=EN


This comes with the receiver, and Yamaha speakers.... you can view the speakers when you scroll down... Would the klipsch speakers I mentioned at the beginning of the post be better than these Yamahas?

Ok lets say I disregard this all... based on how much you guys all know... i have 800 bucks.... tell me what you THINK i should go out and start with.

Brands, models etc.


Thanks for your help so far.

Yamaha doesnt make good speakers so I would bump that option.

If I were you I would build a system over time. You could start with some decent main speakers and a mid level AVR and build from there over time. Look at something like the Athena ASF2.2 which you can get for 200 bucks online and a Yamaha RX 659 which will run you about 300 bucks. Something simple like this will blow away a HTIB and yes, you can use your PS3 for the CD player.

 

[rnatalli]

See my response in your other thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36895

 

[rnatalli]

Just remembered you didn't want to buy from any US sites so most of my advice is useless. Sorry...

 

[luongo01]

No its not useless....i will still consider it...I thank you for your help

I havent ruled out USA websites entirely.


Justin

 

[jcPanny]

Canadian Speakers

luongo,
Check out some of the canadian manufacturers for better prices. Paradigm, PSB, Axiom, Energy, Athena and others are made in Canada. Based on the current exchange rate and reduced shipping charges prices on the Canadian Axiom site are less than the US one.

There are also Canadian distributers for SVS and HSU speakers and subs.