Newbie Question....

[zkc]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum...
I am currently building a new home and my builders audio/video guy is trying to convince me to put in a surround system with all of the components hidden in the pantry. The system consists of a Marantz SR5600 receiver and X number of speakers with all of the wiring and installation done for the TV, receiver and speakers (ceiling mounted).

I've never had anything but the "surround sound in a box" systems from Best Buy, etc... and he is telling me that this will blow all of that away. He is telling me that this will run me $2,500 for everything but again I'm new at all of this and have no idea if this is a fair price or if I need all of this...

At some point I will finish my basement with somewhat of an entertainment/theatre room, should I just wait until then to do a good system???

Thanks for your help...

 

[mytzen]

Where is this $2500 system going in your house? If its in your living room and you plan on having a entertainment/theatre room in your basement then you may want to hold off on it. I would think that the entertainment room in the basement would be your primary system so you would want to put most of your money into that and use a more simple setup in the living room.

What is your overall budget for both rooms? Also what speakers included in that $2500 price, you will probably want to shop around to make sure that you are getting everything at a good price.

 

[zkc]

Thanks for the reply. This will be in our living room area and the only reason I'm thinking about doing it is because it will probably be 4-5 years before I actually get around to finishing the basement.

I finally got a quote in writing and it includes the following:
1-Marantz SR-5600
5-Proficient In Ceiling 6.5" directional speakers
1-RBH Dual 8" Powered Sub
All labor and wiring
Total cost $2,299.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The price is typical. Not great, not lousy. I am a big fan of getting it all done when building is going into place, but in-wall/ceiling speakers kind of sit towards the bottom of the spectrum for audio quality. If you don't mind bookshelf/on-wall speakers you can do a lot better. Yet, the wiring still must be in place. If you are comfortable with hooking everything up yourself and cutting a few holes in ceilings/walls to place some speakers, than you can have them do the wiring, and YOU do the actual install. Good deals can be had online if you are up for it.

The real kicker to all of it is the cabling... Not for the speakers, that's easy. Kind of set in stone: This is where the speakers go, this is how many will be wired (7.1 or 5.1?) and here's the wiring. But, your TV needs wiring run to it and it should be a good bit of wiring! Component video feeds (1 or 2?) composite video feeds, audio feeds (?), DEFINITELY: HDMI FEED! If you aren't having your TV located right where the gear is located, then those runs of cabling alone can (and should) run hundreds of dollars on their own. A big recommendation is to run a piece of conduit from the head end (where you have your gear) to the display location so you can add new cables later on if you need to.

I personally put all my gear for my family room in the basement, then locally placed a DVD player, VCR, and PS2 in the family room, then ran all the cabling behind walls. The basement is a great location to put my main gear and the basement to family room access (conduit) leaves it easy for me to add new cabling.

 

[E-6]

Just curious as to the dimension of the room? Also, have you read some of the reviews of some of the equipment on this page? (very informational)--helped me in some of my decison making. I was a "stereo in a box" person not long ago and let tell you, all I can say is WOW. This web page and it's members are very supportive. Good luck on your decision.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum...
I am currently building a new home and my builders audio/video guy is trying to convince me to put in a surround system with all of the components hidden in the pantry. The system consists of a Marantz SR5600 receiver and X number of speakers with all of the wiring and installation done for the TV, receiver and speakers (ceiling mounted).

I've never had anything but the "surround sound in a box" systems from Best Buy, etc... and he is telling me that this will blow all of that away. He is telling me that this will run me $2,500 for everything but again I'm new at all of this and have no idea if this is a fair price or if I need all of this...

At some point I will finish my basement with somewhat of an entertainment/theatre room, should I just wait until then to do a good system???

Thanks for your help...

You have come to the right place for some good advice, snake oil free, or mostly so

How far are you along construction? At least it sounds like you may not be ready to wire in a week or so, hopefully. Haste makes waste and be remodeling before you finish.

As BMX... stated, avoid ceiling speakers like a plague. They are ok for background music.

Planning is key, as BMX... so implied, to get the right wires to the right location and with some backups here and there plus expansion for the near future.