new to audio HT systems

[moubrco]

ok so im new to all this type of stuff but i was hoping some2 could help me i wana get a couple speakers and mount them in the ceiling and walls and stuff and i want a sub fer sure but idk what to get i have been looking at cerwin vega subwoofers but idk what to get for speakers i dont want some insane high end speakers just some good and decent ones lol so if any1 could help point me to some good HT speaker companies that would be great and also what would i need to get the speakers and sub hooked up and powered? like do i need a special box with a bunch of rca cable jacks or what??? again VERY new to this just dicided to take the plunge tonight and would like to get started soon b4 i loose interest. i watch some movies but mostley game on my ps3 if that makes any difference

 

[fuzz092888]

Ok, so we need to sort out the extraneous from the essential in your post above, which will make everything much easier to understand.

-You want surround sound?

-You don't have anything? (receiver, speakers, subwoofer)

-Price range

-Size of room you'll be sticking all of this in

If you're budget is like $500 for this whole deal then we've got a bit of an issue, because to get "good" sound in 5.1 surround at this budget is........optimistic. If you want half decent sound at a low budget, I at least, would recommend you start with a 2.0 or 2.1 system and build up from there. If you do it that way you're less likely to make any purchasing mistakes along the way since you're new to this which will save you money in the long run.

 

[runswithscisors]

I take it he didn't like the $130,000 system I specked out in his first thread.

 

[runswithscisors]

ok so im new to all this type of stuff but i was hoping some2 could help me i wana get a couple speakers and mount them in the ceiling and walls and stuff and i want a sub fer sure but idk what to get i have been looking at cerwin vega subwoofers but idk what to get for speakers i dont want some insane high end speakers just some good and decent ones lol so if any1 could help point me to some good HT speaker companies that would be great and also what would i need to get the speakers and sub hooked up and powered? like do i need a special box with a bunch of rca cable jacks or what??? again VERY new to this just dicided to take the plunge tonight and would like to get started soon b4 i loose interest. i watch some movies but mostley game on my ps3 if that makes any difference

May I suggest this Walmart.com: LG Sound Bar with Subwoofer, NB3520A: Home Audio & Theater

Easy to hook up, and from the sounds of "b4 i loose interest" you shouldn't have too much buyer's remorse when you do loose interest.

 

[moubrco]

what i meant in loose interest is i like doing this type of stuff but often its something COMPLETLY new to me so i come to places like this and ask for some assistance, quite often i end up doing it but somtimes i dont get the help i need and just end up saying screw it and forget all about it and as for my budget im 19 and after i pay my bills and rent each month i still have about 600$ left over for spending cash i dont expect to do this over night though ill prolly save up a good 3grand so i can buy and set up a good system with a new tv

 

[runswithscisors]

What size TV are you looking at? This is the time to buy a TV, they are clearing out the 2011s for the 2012 models and there doesn't appear to be any new technology coming out in the 2012s. I'd get the TV now while they are clearing them out. Do you have any stereo equipment at all? The TV's audio out hooked up to a stereo receiver and speakers can be a starting point. Normally I'd say start with a receiver (that "special box with a bunch of rca cable jacks"), and drop your first $600 or so (after the TV) there, but without any speakers, that's a pointless purchase on its own. I'm working with speakers from my old Onkyo HTIB system with towers borrowed from my stereo system. Works well for now until I get my new speakers.

I would personally do something like this:

Assuming you spend more than $1200 on the TV, go to a local bigger store and get the TV. Get it on credit, a lot of places are offering 18-36 months interest free financing right now, and their clearance prices aren't that far off from web retailers.

Now, go get your butt in every retailer you can find and listen to as many speakers as you can while you save up for the audio end of the system. Don't be scared to ask to listen to that pair of $15,000 Martin Logan electrostats, most people who do couldn't afford them, but it gives you a reference. While you are there, if you find a pair of speakers you like, try them out with different receivers, and play around with the receiver's functions and features if you can.

After you find some things you like, narrowed down your choices, made your final pics and hopefully socked away some cash, I'd then get my front right and front left speaker and a full fledged HT Receiver.

Spend the next month or so researching subs. I would personally go internet direct on the sub. After you picked your sub and saved up your cash, go for it. You now have a 2.1 system.

Just three speakers away from a full 5.1 system, now its just the saving game cause you already picked out your speakers and have a functional 2.1 system.

5.1 system done, OK, now you have to decide if you want to stop there or go 7.1, or even 7.2

That's just how I would do it.

 

[runswithscisors]

i wana get a couple speakers and mount them in the ceiling and walls and stuff

You are 19, and you want to put speakers in the wall. I hope you don't rent. I would be reluctant to even put them on the wall if I rented. Personally, I'm not a big fan of in wall/in ceiling speakers.

 

[runswithscisors]

What size TV are you looking at? This is the time to buy a TV, they are clearing out the 2011s for the 2012 models and there doesn't appear to be any new technology coming out in the 2012s. I'd get the TV now while they are clearing them out. Do you have any stereo equipment at all? The TV's audio out hooked up to a stereo receiver and speakers can be a starting point. Normally I'd say start with a receiver, and drop your first $600 or so (after the TV) there, but without any speakers, that's a pointless purchase on its own. I'm working with speakers from my old Onkyo HTIB system with towers borrowed from my stereo system. Works well for now until I get my new speakers.

I would personally do something like this:

Go to a local bigger store and get the TV. Get it on credit, a lot of places are offering 18-36 months interest free financing right now, and their clearance prices aren't that far off from web retailers.

Now, go get your butt in every retailer you can find and listen to as many speakers as you can while you save up for the audio end of the system. Don't be scared to ask to listen to that pair of $15,000 Martin Logan electrostats, most people who do couldn't afford them, but it gives you a reference. While you are there, if you find a pair of speakers you like, try them out with different receivers, and play around with the receiver's functions and features if you can.

After you find some things you like, narrowed down your choices, made your final pics and hopefully socked away some cash, I'd then get my front right and front left speaker and a full fledged HT Receiver.

Spend the next month or so researching subs. I would personally go internet direct on the sub. After you picked your sub and saved up your cash, go for it. You now have a 2.1 system.

Just three speakers away from a full 5.1 system, now its just the saving game cause you already have a functional 2.1 system.

5.1 system done, OK, now you have to decide if you want to stop there or go 7.1, or even 7.2

That's just how I would do it.

 

[runswithscisors]

Or if you want a system spelled out for you that fits your budget, here you go.

Infinity Bookshelves $109.99 each, x 2
Infinity Towers 329.99 each, x 2
Denon 5.1 receiver 349.99
Infinity Center Speaker 199.99
Toshiba 50" TV 1,099.99

10% off audio gear with TV purchase, total price on above at Crutchfield: $2246.93 with free shipping

Outlaw LFM-1 EX sub $649

That leaves around $100 of your $3000 budget to go to Wal-Mart and get a BluRay player, a couple HDMI cables, and a roll of speaker wire.

Enjoy!

 

[fuzz092888]

go with the LFM-1 plus it's on sale

Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus Powered Subwoofer

 

[norml4721]

new to audio and video

Hi :

It sounds like you do not have a lot of cash. Go to Ebay and check out some used stuff (as you would say) For example there is a 5.1 Focal speaker system for sale for $250.00 That is 2 front speakers 2 rear speakers and a sub woofer. These are small speakers from a very good speaker company. They sold for around $1200 when they were new. Then you can pick up aa decent used 5.1 receiver for about the same money. Read someof the posts for amplifyers. Maybe a Denon or Pioneer Elite, or onkyo etc, Etc.

This is just one example that I saw on Ebay about 20 minutes or so ago.. Anyway you get the Idea. Stay away from the brands that make TV,s. Like Sony or samsung etc. They make OK tV,s but there audio stuff is not so good.

Just a thought. Good luck

Norm L

 

[runswithscisors]

go with the LFM-1 plus it's on sale

Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus Powered Subwoofer

Good call on a budget system, I missed that one.

But then again I'm not exactly spending great deals of time picking out a system for this guy and he hasn't even told us how big his room is.

All that said, if it was my system, and my $$$, and I decided to go with Outlaw, I would drop the extra $150 for response down to 16hz. But then again I have four 12"s in my front main speakers, so ya, I like BIG bass

 

[fuzz092888]

I hear ya, but with tight budget and all I figured I'd throw it out there

 

[afterlife2]

This is a great deal with coupon code SCORE2 150$ expires today so hurry: Denon AVR 1312 (Denon AVR1312), Paul's TV - Find the Best Deal on a Home Theater Audio Receiver

You can start with these:
x2: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSA360WHA/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-A360-3-Way-Dual-6.5in-Floor-Standing-Speaker-EA-White/1.html

Center speaker:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSA225CGB/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-A225C-2-Way-Center-Channel-Speaker-Black/1.html

Rears:
x2: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044UHVOK/ref=pe_54710_23787940_pe_vfe_dt1
All under $650.00

or these Rears:
x2: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSA26WHA/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-A26-2-Way-6.5in-Bookshelf-Speaker-Each-Gloss-White/1.html