Starting to build surround system from scratch. Help.

[31football]

I purchased a 73" Mits DLP TV for my large open family room. I am prewired for rear in-ceiling speakers and would like to do floor standing fronts with center and separate sub. I have done some limited research but it all gets so confusing. My budget allows for approximately $3,000 for the 5 main and 1 sub. I figured appx. 1,200 front, $400 center, $800 rear, $600 sub. Don't know if that will do it but that is about all I have. Oh, plus about $700 for receiver. Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.

 

[kelley_aj]

Before you get sent to the search function. There is a great discussion going on in this thread.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62179

 

[m_vanmeter]

just a couple of quick observations... center should be roughly equal value to the fronts (it is a very important speaker) and the rears and sub should be switched, value wise. Sub much more important than rears (or really over-the-shoulder "sides" in a Dolby Labs 5.1 setup). If your primary use for the system is movies, then the surrounds carry only minimal ambient and positional audio effects.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

One option would be to get FIVE identical NHT Classic Three speakers plus the NHT U2 Dual Subwoofer system for a total of $2,850 (free S/H).

And then return that 73" Mitsubishi and get the 82" Mitsubishi for $3,600 (free S/H).

 

[sholling]

I have to agree with putting most of your money into the front 3 and the sub. Those four are going to be doing 95% of the work. The front 3 have to be an acoustic match which means that the center is probably going to cost you slightly more than one of your two mains (mains = L&R front). I'd cut the budget for the surrounds to $200-300 and put the extra money into the sub and center. Frankly the size of the room is going to dictate the budget for the sub. How many cubic feet is the entire space?

 

[AVRat]

^^^^ +1 ^^^^

 

[BESLC]

I would take a serious look at Aperion

Given your budget I would take a very serious look at Aperion. In terms of quality and bang for the buck, you certainly can't go wrong considering Aperion.

With Aperion there are multiple packages , or you can custom configure a system to fit your needs. Given the amount you have to work with you could have an excellent setup. You can call them and discuss your room, they are very knowledgeable.

I personally have an Aperion setup, my feelings are you could spend a lot more and get a lot less in terms of quality and value when you compare with Aperion. Their customer service is excellent.

As for receivers, I would take a look at the Pioneer VSX-23TXH Elite or the Pioneer VSX 1019 AH-K. The VSX-23TXH was just reviewed here. The VSX 1019 is getting good reviews as well. Both the receivers can be had below the $700.00 you have set aside, shop carefully you will find some decent pricing on both.