Newbie receiver shoppin'

[hchytd]

Hi all,

This is my first post and I apologize in advance if this has been asked and answered to exhaustion before. However, I am putting together my home theater/music room in my basement and am trying to finalize what A/V receiver I will be purchasing to power the whole thang.

The room is very open (but carpeted) and roughly 12 x 15 (with a large hallway to the side). I am going to purchase the Aperion 533-PT Towers and Aperion Center speaker, a couple in-wall rears (not sure which yet), a 50" panasonic HD plasma, and an xbox 360 (as my dvd and cd player) by February '06. The only remaining item I am unsure of is the A/V receiver. Ultmately, I would like to spend @$500 or less (and will use pricegrabber to get low price).

So, HDTV, dvds, gaming, and music will be the major uses.

I realize it is subjective, however, what A/V receivers do y'all recommend in this price range and why?

Thanx mucho in advance,

-Tiffany

PS I have heard good things about the Pioneer VSX-1015TX (for the price)?
Any thoughts?

 

[beta5alphamu]

look into yamaha, onkyo, harmon kardon , or denon

in terms of which ones you set your budget at 500 so you would have to see which ones fall under and then ask about those on your list and what you'll mostly use the receiver for

good choice on speakers

 

[jcPanny]

Concerning your new speaker setup, keep in mind that the surround speakers in a 5.1 setup should be on the sides of the listening position. Sounds like this might not be feasable in your room.

For $500, look for the Yamaha RX-V1500. It should work great with your new speakers.

 

[hchytd]

Thank you both for your help!

So, y'all would go with yamaha, denon, onkyo, and harmon kardon over pioneer? Okay.

I'll look into the RXv-1500 too.

jcpanny, I have 2 prewired sockets to the left and right of the wall behind the coach I will be sitting on to watch/listen to the stereo and tv. Do you foresee a problem with my 2 rears to be "in-wall" in those locations?

Thanx again,

-T

 

[jcPanny]

Dolby setup

I was trying to indicate Dolby's intention of having the surrounds on the sides of the listener in a 5.1 setup.

Since you have the room is prewired and it probably isn't possible to add wiring for surrounds a good compromise would be a dipole/bipole speaker like the Aperion Intimus 534-SS. Get a bracket so that they are angled to point at the couch from the rear wall. They will also provide the proper tonal match for your front and center channels.

 

[hchytd]

Thanx JC,

I guess my question is, "Isn't it also entirely appropriate (in the 5.1 listening arena) to have the 2 rear surround speakers mounted "in-wall" (if they are indeed still on the left and right side of the listener and pointed/angled from the wall (immediately behind) at the listeners ears)? Or no?

Anyone else agree/disagree?

Thanx again JC for bringing up this topic to me,

-Tiffany

PS Supposedly, Aperion will be releasing their new inwalls next month ($298 a pair).