Super Newbie here, 1.2k budget

[rukawa11]

Two main speakers (left and right) is stereo and is also referenced as 2.0. 2.1 would add a subwoofer, which would greatly increase the bottom end of the audio spectrum and would be a welcome addition for your 35% movies.

thx a lot, i see that u have velodyne subs, ive heard a lot of great things about them how are you liking it.

 

[Sarius]

i listen to literally every kind of music. even in many languages. im gonna use the system for around 65% music and 35% movies.

If I might suggest something a bit different. Given that you indicated that you're not that interested in FM and are primarily interested in music, I'd suggest a good integrated amp instead of a receiver and put as much money as you can into two great stereo speakers than a lesser 5 speaker system. Stereo is, IMHO, still the best way to enjoy music, and I've found that much of the really interesting music is still only available on plain 'ol CD. I would add a HSU subwoofer, probably a VTF-2, but you have to figure out how to balance it to your speakers.

In terms of TV, I've been evolving my Home Theater for over 20 years and what I've found is that the biggest single improvement is being able to run a stereo signal into your music system to bypass the TV speakers. That alone will be a huge improvement. The second biggest improvement is the sub. Going to surround, while nice, is nowhere near as big in terms of your overall enjoyment. I say this as one who has a 7.1 system driven by the Yammy 2500 that folks are suggesting for you. It's very nice, but when I want to really enjoy music, I go downstairs to my 2 channel music only system driven by a Roksan Kandy integrated amp.

So, given that you indicated that you're twice as interested in music as tv, and hint that you listen to a wider variety than just 'head banger' stuff, my suggestion would be to get a system that is the best for your music and then just take the improvement that it will give you for your TV watching which will be substantial. Easier to set up in an apartment too, speaking from my own past experience.

 

[jcsprankle]

thx a lot, i see that u have velodyne subs, ive heard a lot of great things about them how are you liking it.

As you can probably see, my entire system is in need of an upgrade. I'm starting with the speakers and will get a receiver next. The Velo is about the only device that I may keep because it works really well. But, it's only a 10" sub and my room is big enough that I think I need a little more. I have been thinking about replacing the Velo with a 12" by HSU or SVS. But, if I do, it'll be last on my list.

The Velo is a great little sub but it was about $400 when I bought it 7 years ago. I think you can get more bang for the buck going with an HSU or SVS sub.

 

[rukawa11]

If I might suggest something a bit different. Given that you indicated that you're not that interested in FM and are primarily interested in music, I'd suggest a good integrated amp instead of a receiver and put as much money as you can into two great stereo speakers than a lesser 5 speaker system. Stereo is, IMHO, still the best way to enjoy music, and I've found that much of the really interesting music is still only available on plain 'ol CD. I would add a HSU subwoofer, probably a VTF-2, but you have to figure out how to balance it to your speakers.

In terms of TV, I've been evolving my Home Theater for over 20 years and what I've found is that the biggest single improvement is being able to run a stereo signal into your music system to bypass the TV speakers. That alone will be a huge improvement. The second biggest improvement is the sub. Going to surround, while nice, is nowhere near as big in terms of your overall enjoyment. I say this as one who has a 7.1 system driven by the Yammy 2500 that folks are suggesting for you. It's very nice, but when I want to really enjoy music, I go downstairs to my 2 channel music only system driven by a Roksan Kandy integrated amp.

So, given that you indicated that you're twice as interested in music as tv, and hint that you listen to a wider variety than just 'head banger' stuff, my suggestion would be to get a system that is the best for your music and then just take the improvement that it will give you for your TV watching which will be substantial. Easier to set up in an apartment too, speaking from my own past experience.

wow, thats great advice too, now i dont know what to do. haha not that thats a bad thing. i was reading the best receiver for 1000 thread and learning from that thread also. if im still goin the receiver route do know anything about that boston acoustics avr7120 that thing is a beauty to look at? i'm already definitely using my full budget on a receiver and 2 speakers and a sub. the reason i think id rather go with a receiver is because even tho im gonna use the receiver primarily for music, im still going to plug in my xbox, dvd player, cd player into something. if i go the amp route, would i be able to plug all those things to the amp or back of the tv, and have the sounds go thru the speakers that way? sorry if what im trying to say is confusing. (i know, i know "go audition some speakers already!!!!")

 

[Nick250]

IMO stick with a receiver. You get a lot more for your money than an integrated amp. It's the economies of scale working for you. For every ten thousand receivers sold there maybe one integrated amp is sold, if that. There are no advantages to the integrated amp that I can think of. For a given price point the AV receiver will be a superior product and you will be able decode Dolby surround and DTS, you will be able to add speakers for the surround system if you wish. Others may disagree, but that's how I see it.

Nick

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

yeah.....start with your mains (in your case 2 stereo fronts) and your receiver. I would say even skip the sub for now and get yourself the denon or yammy for $400 and that leaves you with $800 for two solid towers....if you throw a $300 sub into that then that'll leave you with just $500 for the pair and $800 will go MUCH MUCH further for a set of towers Im sure the guys have to agree with me there.....You'll want the sub and center and surrounds at some point....(just added my surrounds and still have to add a sub yet).....but the towers are your bread and butter.....dont skimp on them....$800 puts you right in that price range of alot of solid options.....that's my opinion and what I would do and have done and I dont regret it because my sub is just around the corner and it will have been worth the wait!!!

 

[rukawa11]

sorry, i shoulda edited the title earlier. budget wasnt really 1.2k. so far im thinkin about either buying yammy or denon for around 400 or the boston acoustics avr 7120 for 1k. and then i plan on spending around 1.5k for the front 2 speakers and/or sub if i have enough.