Question about the Basics (Im a noob)

[Shicks18]

Ok so a month ago I bought one of the $100 Insignia Home Theatre Systems (200 Watts). I now want to upgrade but piece by piece since my pockets are a little dry. My question to you professionals are:

1) I want to start by upgrading my floor speakers to some that are 150 watts per channel. Will my Insignia Receiver that came with the Home Theatre System be able to handle those speakers?

2) If it does not then how big of a receiver is needed to house the upgraded speakers? Basically does the receiver ADD sound to the speakers/system or is the Watt # given the amount of watts it can handle?

3) How big of a difference is the HD sound? I currently own a 42" Panny Plasma.

Thanks for your help!

 

[gus6464]

Ok so a month ago I bought one of the $100 Insignia Home Theatre Systems (200 Watts). I now want to upgrade but piece by piece since my pockets are a little dry. My question to you professionals are:

1) I want to start by upgrading my floor speakers to some that are 150 watts per channel. Will my Insignia Receiver that came with the Home Theatre System be able to handle those speakers?

2) If it does not then how big of a receiver is needed to house the upgraded speakers? Basically does the receiver ADD sound to the speakers/system or is the Watt # given the amount of watts it can handle?

3) How big of a difference is the HD sound? I currently own a 42" Panny Plasma.

Thanks for your help!

Hate to say this but my first recommendation is to go return that whole Insignia package and start from scratch again.

Now on to the other questions:

1. Speaker wattage means nothing so don't go by that at all. You first pick out the speakers you want and then choose the electronics that go along with it accordingly.

2. Just because a speaker is rated at 150w doesn't mean that you can put more or less power to them. All receiver does it take the signal that is sent to it by the cd/dvd/bd/hd dvd player and play it through the speakers. Of course when you get into surround sound formats like DD, DTS, TrueHD, DTS-HD, DD+ it gets a little bit more complex but that is the gist of it.

3. If your pockets are king of dry then I wouldn't worry about HD sound from a BD or HD DVD as that can get quite expensive. You are getting into a hobby that can become super expensive very fast so it's best to take your time and figure out what you want first and take it from there.

So now it comes down to what is your initial budget and what do you want to accomplish. If you want a full 5.1 HT setup with high def like BD or HD DVD but don't have the money to pay for it all up front you are going to have to do it in steps. First thing you should start with is a pair of front speakers and a receiver. If you want to eventually have a 5.1 system with BD or HD DVD you should get a receiver that can handle all the HD stuff off the bat.

So first let us know your initial budget for 2 speakers and a receiver and we can go from there.

 

[Shicks18]

Appreciate the help ... it is pretty exciting.

Well I have $400 now. It is tied up with Best Buy and its store credit.

I'm a college kid with a college budget =]. I would ideally like to spend no more than $300 on the 2 front speakers, and buy the receiver at a later date.

EDIT: I'm not looking to have the king of kings when it comes to this stuff. I just want something that can sound clear and get loud =]

 

[gus6464]

Appreciate the help ... it is pretty exciting.

Well I have $400 now. It is tied up with Best Buy and its store credit.

I'm a college kid with a college budget =]. I would ideally like to spend no more than $300 on the 2 front speakers, and buy the receiver at a later date.

Damn the problem is that with that low of a budget there is really nothing good you can get at BB. If you had the money available to use elsewhere like internet or local shop it would a lot different.

 

[Shicks18]

I have like $200 in cash. I see Frys.com has good stuff like the Polk R50's for $60 a piece.

The bottom line is I would be happy with a pair of Sony front speakers for $200 if it would work with my current Insignia reciever, would it work? I know Sony isn't known for their sound. I would also plan on getting an upgraded reciever in a few months as well.. nearly the same price range.

In 2-3 years when I get a full time job I will spend the 2k on a good system.

 

[gus6464]

I have like $200 in cash. I see Frys.com has good stuff like the Polk R50's for $60 a piece.

The bottom line is I would be happy with a pair of Sony front speakers for $200 if it would work with my current Insignia reciever, would it work? I know Sony isn't known for their sound. I would also plan on getting an upgraded reciever in a few months as well.. nearly the same price range.

In 2-3 years when I get a full time job I will spend the 2k on a good system.

Ok since that puts you at around 500-600 I would say keep the Insignia receiver and go for Definitive Technology SM450 for your fronts. They are honestly the cheapest speakers that BBY will carry that are very nice and will set you up for the starter system. That way later on when you get another couple of hundred bucks you can get a center channel that will match them 450's and whenever you get out of college you can move the SM450 to the back for surround duty and go for some BP7006 supertowers or something.

Now I have to warn you that an HDMI receiver capable of doing the HD sound from Blu-ray and HD DVD will run you around $400 for the cheapest one so that should be your minimum goal as far as receiver spending. So first I say head out to a BB with a Magnolia and hear the SM450 to see if you like them.

 

[Shicks18]

Thanks for the advice.

So should the order of these purchases go as follows?:

1) 2 Front Speakers (The SM450's)
2) Center Channel
3) Upgraded 2 front spekears and move the SM450's to the back for surround.
4) HD Receiver

 

[3db]

I wonder if Best Buy in the US carries the same speaker brands in Canada?

Towers
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10074985&catid=20322

Bookshelves

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10074980&catid=20319

 

[gus6464]

Thanks for the advice.

So should the order of these purchases go as follows?:

1) 2 Front Speakers (The SM450's)
2) Center Channel
3) Upgraded 2 front spekears and move the SM450's to the back for surround.
4) HD Receiver

Yes that would be a nice setup to follow but actually I would tweak it a little bit like this:


1) 2 Front Speakers (The SM450's)
2) Center Channel
3) Subwoofer
4) Upgraded 2 front spekears and move the SM450's to the back for surround.
5) HD Receiver

 

[gus6464]

I wonder if Best Buy in the US carries the same speaker brands in Canada?

Towers
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10074985&catid=20322

Bookshelves

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10074980&catid=20319

They carry that Synergy line here in the US but let's face it, they aren't very good for the price. He is better off starting off the bat with a Def Tech system and upgrading it. That way his beginning purchase (SM450) doesn't get wasted when it's time to upgrade to tower fronts.

 

[Shicks18]

Gus -

I just saw on their website they only carry the SM350's. Those bad boys are priced at $500 a pop !!! Got any less expensive alternatives? This is my first complete home theatre system (including the TV) and I will eventually move this set up to a less used room in a few years when I start my second theatre system. So I am okay with some mediocre stuff here. Once again I truely appreciate all your help.


EDIT: So I just realized they are $500 for the pair!! Sorry!! I will look into the 350's if you think they are still adeqaute.

 

[gus6464]

Gus -

I just saw on their website they only carry the SM350's. Those bad boys are priced at $500 a pop !!! Got any less expensive alternatives? This is my first complete home theatre system (including the TV) and I will eventually move this set up to a less used room in a few years when I start my second theatre system. So I am okay with some mediocre stuff here. Once again I truely appreciate all your help.


EDIT: So I just realized they are $500 for the pair!! Sorry!! I will look into the 350's if you think they are still adeqaute.

The 350's are good too but you can probably get the 450's for $500/pair as well if you talk to the guy. I would also check out the Klipsch RB-51 was well which are $300/pair.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7973552&type=product&id=1157067061370

Just go to the store with a music mix of the stuff you listen to and try both out. Just tell the guy you are starting out a nice system and he will let you hear whatever you want. Ohh yeah and if you decide to buy either remember; Say NO to service plans!!!!!

 

[Shicks18]

I am interested in those Klipsch's especially for the price. I will have to listen to the way they sound with a cd I bring in. Have you have heard or used those speakers?

 

[3db]

They carry that Synergy line here in the US but let's face it, they aren't very good for the price. He is better off starting off the bat with a Def Tech system and upgrading it. That way his beginning purchase (SM450) doesn't get wasted when it's time to upgrade to tower fronts.

I guess there's the 1st difference in Best Buy Canada and teh US. BB in Canada doesn't carry def tech. I was of the understanding that he wanted to use his BB credit. Its the only thing I could come up with here in Canada

 

[DavidG]

From what I see on BB's website, the $100 200 watt Insignia receiver is only a 2 channel receiver. It looks like you need to change up the order of your purchases in order to be able to use them. It won't do you any good to purchase a center, subwoofer, or rear surrounds before you have a receiver that is capable of playing them.

I agree that you should start with your front speakers first, but you might want to think about saving for a new receiver sooner than you originally planned on.

 

[Shicks18]

Hmm so you can have a 5.1 Surround Sound System with the receiver only being 2 channels?

This is what I am workin with: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254337&type=product&id=1169512522336

It says 5.1 Ch.

Gus or David for about $600 tops what are some good front speakers I could get? Mainly limited to Best Buy cause of Gift Cards and store credit.

 

[gus6464]

Hmm so you can have a 5.1 Surround Sound System with the receiver only being 2 channels?

This is what I am workin with: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254337&type=product&id=1169512522336

It says 5.1 Ch.

Gus or David for about $600 tops what are some good front speakers I could get? Mainly limited to Best Buy cause of Gift Cards and store credit.

Man that receiver is pretty wimpy for lack of a better word. Honestly I would return the receiver and the whole shebang and get the $100 credit back.

You said you have around $200 cash so I would scrape a little more money and go for this:

http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V661_910W_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224773-rsearchone.html

That would leave you with $500 in best buy store credit in which you can buy those Def Tech SM350 or SM450. Even in 2ch that starting setup will smoke the crap out of that insignia package.

 

[John Bailey]

While I would agree you don't have much of a receiver, I would keep it and put as much as you can toward the best speakers you can get at Best Buy. I've not been interested in any of their speakers, but I've heard fairly good things about the Def Tech's. I would get those and start listening and watching so you will get a feel of what important to you.

John

 

[DavidG]

Sorry Shicks, when you said 200 watt Insignia receiver I was thinking of this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254612&type=product&id=1169512582154

I didn't realize this was a HTIB Insignia integrated surround sound system. However, after looking at the specs I believe you will still need to bump up when you purchase a surround sound "receiver." I don't believe that your current system allows for an LFE out to an active subwoofer.

I would first see if you can still return the HTIB if you still have the packaging. Then you could purchase an inexpensive receiver such as the Yamaha HTR-6030 or Onkyo TX-SR505. Both can be found online for under $200, so you can use your cash for that. I would then work on starting with 2 decent speakers first and add a subwoofer, center, and surrounds later when you save up more money.

If you are sticking with BB only speakers you are limiting yourself, but I can understand that you have gift cards and store credit. I suggest getting out and auditioning the speakers for yourself, but I would start with Definitive Technology, Klipsch, and JBL, in that order.

Have fun trying out the speakers you are auditioning.

 

[Seth=L]

IMO, you could get the Klipsch Bookshelves and the Insignia NS-R5100 for near your store credits, just add about 30-40 bucks. I have the Insignia NS-R2000 powering my Boston Acoustics HD10s and it sounds great (which is a stereo receiver). They are both made for Best Buy by Sherwood and are rebranded as Insignia.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8254621&type=product&id=1169512522811