*PICS* Is this good for my first Home Theater system?

[cadd]

Alright, I just picked up the Harman Kardon AVR635. It's brand new....just got it home. But that little door panel on the bottom doesn't close flush with the system! Annoys the crap out of me, but I guess I can live with it as long as everything else works. So, now I'm really looking forward to getting some speakers to test everything out.

I'll probably end up getting an Axiom set with a SVS PB10.

Any good places you folks know that carry SVS subs? Will it be a better deal if I purchase online?

Where do you guys find your deals?

I know I'm touching a lot of topics here.....but I truely do not have any experience and I don't want to start a new thread each time.

In terms of speaker wires, I was thinking about getting wires from Axiom as well. They cost $0.90/ft (12 gauge). What do you guys think? Are there better bang for the buck out there. How about the wire for the sub?

 

[jaxvon]

SVS, like Axiom, is an internet direct company. They only sell through their website. If you want to check out one of their subs, you have to buy one and test it out in your home.

As for speaker wire, I wouldn't go for the Axiom stuff. It's too expensive (IMO) for what you get. I'm a fan of Belden wire. It's inexpensive, solidly built, and just works. I bought mine through Westlake Electronic because they have the best price I can find. They carry two versions of Belden 12ga wire. The first link is for the 5000UE, the second for 5000UP. While both are 12ga, the former is less flexible, but also less expensive.

http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&and=0&category=CAB&SUBCAT=all&keywords=5000ue&item_no=BEL-3059
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=Search&search_sent=1&keywords=5000up&and=0&category=all&SUBCAT=all&user_rows=&available_only=&order_by=&category=CAB&item_no=BEL-13255&detail=yes&redir=1

To make your life easier, you should terminate your speaker cable with banana plugs. These are some nice ones for a nice price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/16-24K-Locking-Single-Banana-Plugs-New-SALE_W0QQitemZ9706971232QQcategoryZ32838QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[t3031999]

I think you can only get SVS subs from them directly so it's either phone or online.
I recommend the the sonicwave subwoofer cable from Impact Acoustics. and for speaker cables, I recommend just buying bulk cable and making your own.

 

[jaxvon]

I'm also a fan of the Dayton audio cables that Parts Express sells. Check out their website for some reasonably priced subwoofer cables.

 

[cadd]

Guys thanks for your help. I'll be order the speakers tonight along with speaker cables. Any specific brand of subwoofer cables I should look into? Remember, please be as specific as you can. This is all new to me and I trust your opinion since you guys seem to know your stuff.

Thanks again! I'm getting really excited!

 

[jaxvon]

There's no specific good brand of cable, though there are many overpriced brands. Just look for one with solid construction and good shielding. Dayton cables are pretty good, as are those from Impact Acoustics (the sonicwave ones), Blue Jeans, and Ram Electronics. You can't go wrong with any of these options. And heck, if you can find a good price locally, the Acoustic Research pro cables are good too.

 

[Sheep]

There's no specific good brand of cable, though there are many overpriced brands. Just look for one with solid construction and good shielding. Dayton cables are pretty good, as are those from Impact Acoustics (the sonicwave ones), Blue Jeans, and Ram Electronics. You can't go wrong with any of these options. And heck, if you can find a good price locally, the Acoustic Research pro cables are good too.

I'll back that and the Dayton nod. Excellent prices on those Dayton cables.

SheepStar

 

[cadd]

Dumb question: Why are subwoofer cables unique? Can you use a regular speaker cable to wire to the sub? I'm assuming I can't go wrong with a Dayton sub cable either huh?

 

[jaxvon]

Sub cables are shielded coaxial cables. You should NOT use a speaker cable. Subwoofer signals are low-voltage, low current, and thus are carried over low-level interconnects. A sub cable is just a signal coax with RCA terminations, the same thing as your stereo audio cables, your component video cables, etc.

 

[cadd]

Speakers ordered! Should come mid week next week! Now, I need cables and I should be all set!!!

Alright, I think I'll be getting the 25' Dayton SW-25 subwoofer cable

I also looked at Dayton speaker cables, but have no idea what I really need. Banana? No banana? What am I a monkey?!?

Can someone please please please send me a direct link of exactly what I need? I think I'll just get 100 ft. That'll be more than enough. But too many choices and I bet the more I look into it, and start choosing different things, I'll probably end up with the "wrong" cables.

Also, should I invest in a surge protector as well? Or maybe I should just unplug everything if I'm not using it (except for the TV).

Man, the $$$$ starts adding up real quick!

If you guys have recommendations for a surge protector, can you be as specific as you can.........like a direct link to the product you're talking about?

 

[jaxvon]

For speaker cable, you should buy 150ft to be on the safe side. Yes, it sounds like a lot, but you'll have happy to have extra "just in case". Banana plugs are a good idea, see my post with the westlake and eBay links. And finally, for a surge protector, Tripp-Lite makes some that won't break the bank.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4004157
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10377522&SearchEngine=PriceGrabber&SearchTerm=10377522&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=15890

 

[cadd]

I guess I'll have to walk over to J&R after work today again to pick up the Tripp-Lite.

Thanks for the link!

Can you explain how banana plugs work? Or provide me with a link that explains it? I'm assuming you somehow put it on the speaker wires and then it plugs in (like a headphone jack) to the receiver?

But isn't this just a "one time deal". Once I plug in all the speaker wires to the receiver (my receiver has knobs where I turn the thing and a whole opens up), I normally wouldn't have to mess with it anymore right?

 

[jaxvon]

Yes, that's true. But with an AV receiver, the binding posts are so close together that using bare wire is a giant pain in the butt. Banana plugs simplify this. The link that I provided for banana plugs is for locking ones. Once you assemble them, there is a small metal jacket that you turn to make the plug end expand. This will ensure a snug fit in the binding posts.

 

[kleinwl]

For speaker cable, you should buy 150ft to be on the safe side. Yes, it sounds like a lot, but you'll have happy to have extra "just in case". Banana plugs are a good idea, see my post with the westlake and eBay links. And finally, for a surge protector, Tripp-Lite makes some that won't break the bank.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4004157
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10377522&SearchEngine=PriceGrabber&SearchTerm=10377522&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=15890

A) I avoid Buy.com like the plauge. They have very poor customer service for returns (see reseller ratings).

B) I like APC for batter back ups.... the reviews of their product tear downs are very good. In any case the Cost of a surge protector is low (unless you want a battery back up... which is always nice). An 11 outlet APC surge protector (3400 joules AC suppression) UL rated is only $35 at newegg.com.

C) In the case of a surge protector I would agree w/ jaxvon and get a trip-light HT10DBS that comes with a $500,000 protection warrenty (10 outlets - 3475 Joules AC suppression/ 140V clamping) for $85

 

[jaxvon]

A) I avoid Buy.com like the plauge. They have very poor customer service for returns (see reseller ratings).

B) I like APC for batter back ups.... the reviews of their product tear downs are very good. In any case the Cost of a surge protector is low (unless you want a battery back up... which is always nice). An 11 outlet APC surge protector (3400 joules AC suppression) UL rated is only $35 at newegg.com.

C) In the case of a surge protector I would agree w/ jaxvon and get a trip-light HT10DBS that comes with a $500,000 protection warrenty (10 outlets - 3475 Joules AC suppression/ 140V clamping) for $85

I didn't research that link too hard. Sorry if Buy.com is a shady company. There are many other great places to buy the HT10PowerBar if you think you need it. Otherwise, the HT10DBS should be FINE.

 

[cadd]

Jaxvon,

I think I'll be getting the 25' Dayton SW-25 subwoofer cable EDIT: substitute the *** for "parts express"

I also looked at Dayton speaker cables, but have no idea what I really need. Banana? No banana? What am I a monkey?!?

Can someone please please please send me a direct link of exactly what I need? I think I'll just get 100 ft. That'll be more than enough. But too many choices and I bet the more I look into it, and start choosing different things, I'll probably end up with the "wrong" cables.

Thanks!

 

[cadd]

There are many other great places to buy the HT10PowerBar if you think you need it. Otherwise, the HT10DBS should be FINE.

Huh

Isn't the HT10PowerBar = to the HT10DBS?

 

[cadd]

How about this wire combo. Will this do? For Subwoofer & regular speakers? Can someone please take a look?

100 ft of speaker wires


25 ft of Subwoofer cable. Is this cable good for a subwoofer? I'm just a bit concerned because it doesn't say "subwoofer cable" anywhere. Can someone please respond today? I would like to place my order already?

I'm assuming these will be fine for my system. Does anyone see any issues with these two types of wires?

Thanks!!!

 

[cadd]

Alright everyone. This is directed to each & every person in these forums.......especially those who responded to this theads & other threads that I participated in:

Thank you SO MUCH, for your help, advice & opinions. Thank you for putting up with a newbie like myself. I think I pretty much ordered everything I needed. So now, the waiting begins and the fun will begin as each component will slowly come in.

I'm sure I'll need to start a thread over at the Home Theater forums to make sure everything is setup correctly.

I also plan to purchase a SPL meter so I can calibrate my system correctly......I'm sure I'll need advice on that when the time comes.

But this has been a WONDERFUL experience and you folks played a tremendous part of it. I find the members here to be nice, VERY knowledgeful & very helpful. I look forward to learning a lot more from you folks.

Thank you again!
Cadd

 

[Sheep]

No problems Sir, thats why we do it.

When all said and done, post some pics for us!

SheepStar