Some help with Home theater audio please

[mongoman]

I'm new to this forum and in reading some of the old posts I've become very impressed with the knowledge of some of the regulars, so here's the question.

I'm looking to add a decent home theater system to my home, I already have a Sony 50 inch plasma so that part's taken care of. My Wife keeps trying to steer me to a Bose lifestyle 28, but i just can't do it. I've read too many bad reviews and in my own research found the lack of inputs and outputs pretty disturbing.

I'm trying to keep in the 2-3k range and my only product to avoid is Denon, I have an annoying as hell friend that keeps bragging about his Denon receiver and i Just can't validate him by buying one for myself, I'd never hear the end of it.

My living room is 14 x 20 the sound i need would be contained in about a 14 x 16 area.

I would appreciate any recommendations as to a reciever and speaker combo. I looked at and like the Pioneer elite series VSX-80TXV and VSX-82TSX recievers but i'm completely clueless about speakers.

Thanks in advance
Shawn

 

[billy p]

1) You can love your wife but don't use her advice. BOSE s....!!!!
2) Listen to your friend for h/t denon is excellent so are yamaha and pioneer.

Do not over spend on you avr, you have the most to gain by spending the money on you fronts then center,sub and surrounds.
So budget 3/4 for speaker and 1/4 towards avr.
Look and listen for yourself I could give you 10 brands it's all up to you.The listening room you have is avg so bookshelfs and a great sub would be a good starting point. These are all good recommendations for on-line retailers also do some ground work as well.
1) www.av123.com
2)www.ascendacoustics.com
3)www.svsound.com
4)www.axiomaudio.com

 

[AVRat]

The Pioneer 80 should work fine. Are there size limitations for the sub or speakers? Do you/wife prefer bookshelfs or floorstanding speakers?

I’m also guessing that the couch is against the wall making surround speaker positioning/type an issue. Do you prefer mono-poles or bi/di-poles for surrounds?

An SVS PB10-NSD should work well in your space.
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

Shop around to see what brands are available in your area. Seek out specialty audio shops, they carry gear for all budgets.