What I want... don't know the lingo.

[Nickthegrip]

I'm a noob.

I know what can be done, but don't really know how to do it. I want to buy an AVR and will explain what I'm looking for. If one of you knowledgeable people out there can help, I'd appreciate it. As background I don't watch alot of movies, but do watch sports like its my job.

I have a Hitachi 42" HDTV plasma, 3 HDMI outs, with a Bose (I've learned, bad stuff) 5.1 surround system. I've got an HDTV cable box (HDMI), and a crappy DVD player. Throughout my house there are five other speaker spots, one of which is at the end of a long run (if that matters) by the pool.

I want a receiver that can have me watching a movie on the TV, and my wife listening to music elsewhere. I don't blast music, but like it loud enough, especially outside.

I'm looking in the $500.00 range, and was interested in the Onkyo 674, but if you think there's better for less out there, let me know - the best I found was $558.50 for the 674. I have no brand loyalty...

Last set of questions - I'm really confused as to HDMI passthrough, or if it even matters to me. Would i need a speaker switcher to run what I'm talking about here?

Also - thanks to Buckeyefan1, he's helped me already on pricing on the 674, thanks for taking the time.

 

[zumbo]

Another option:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/538999334

Specs:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200015&CTID=5000400&ATRID=1020&DETYP=ATTRIBUTE

I came across this unit looking for someone else. Looks like a bargain.

Just a little more $$. $569.88 shipped.
HDMI
120W x 7
Pre-outs for all channels
New
Authorized dealer
37 lbs

Onkyo is 25 lbs. The Yamaha is a great deal heavier.

 

[MDS]

If the goal is 5.1 in the main room and stereo in one other room at the same time then the Onkyo or any similar receiver with Zone 2 capabilities will do it.

If you want 5 other rooms, then there is no receiver that can do it directly. You'd need a speaker selector connected to the speaker outputs for zone 2 and probably impedance matching volume controls in each room as well. There are whole house audio distribution systems available but that will get expensive real quick.

 

[Nickthegrip]

Clarification

I'd want to watch surround in one room, and have the other speakers in other rooms play music.

The maximum that would be playing would be four other sets of speakers - is that possible, or am I not able to get that performance with my low price point?

 

[MDS]

You won't be able to do surround in one room and music in 4 other rooms with a receiver at any price point. Surround + stereo in one other room is possible with any zone 2 equipped receiver.

If you want the receiver to power zone 2 (but have that one 'zone' actually be four rooms instead of 1) then you will need a speaker selector and impedance matching volume controls. If the receiver has zone 2 pre-outs (that Onkyo does) then you could buy an additional amp for zone2 and if you happen to find one that has 4 sets of speaker outputs that can be driven at the same time then that would work.

Either way...you will have to spend more than just the cost of the receiver to achieve 4 separate rooms.

 

[jcPanny]

House speakers

I would recommend a Behringer A500 Amp ($180) and impedance matching volume cotrols to power your your 4-5 pairs of Zone 2 speakers.
Since you have plenty of HDMI inputs on the TV, a zone 2 receiver w/out HDMI like the Yamaha RX-V659 (about $400) would work well and keep you closer to your budget.

 

[Seth=L]

I would recommend a Behringer A500 Amp ($180) and impedance matching volume cotrols to power your your 4-5 pairs of Zone 2 speakers.
Since you have plenty of HDMI inputs on the TV, a zone 2 receiver w/out HDMI like the Yamaha RX-V659 (about $400) would work well and keep you closer to your budget.

The Yamaha HTR-5990 is a three zone receiver. The deal at Vann's is a good deal. That receiver will blow the Onkyo out of the water on all fronts but ease of use. I believe they both offer the same HDMI features, but just as well the Yamaha has more inputs and has preouts for all channels, zone 2, and zone 3. The Yamaha has a significant advantage in power. IMO, the Yamaha represents the best value between these two receivers, and I haven't seen any better bargains anywhere else.

 

[Nickthegrip]

Ok, so to do what I want to do, I'd need zone one set to my surround sound, then zone 2 going into an amp, which powers a speaker switch? That speaker switch then controls speaker sets 1-4 on zone 2, with the amp hopefully providing enough power for them. i think thats what you all have told me...

Now I have to learn what impedance matching volume controls are, and what they do.

Last, I don't quite get the suggestion that I don't need an HDMI in the receiver like jcpanny said - don't I want the receiver "controlling" everything, or am I off base? If I am, I would guess I could save considerable money not getting HDMI stuff, but it sure is simple, kinda like me.

Off to study volume controls, thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[Nickthegrip]

Ok, now that I know what impedance matching volume controls do, I'm confused once again. Do I have to wire these things throughout my house, or is there a way to hook them up just after the amp?

I'm handy, I can pull wire, etc, but the house was wired by the previous owner. Finding all of that stuff is gonna be a nightmare.

Please tell me theres an easier way than installing a whole bunch of boxes around my house.

 

[jcPanny]

Wring VCs.

Nick,
Normally you would install the VCs in the same room as the speakers so you can conveniently adjust the level or turn off the sound in each room. It is common to wire 14/4 (14 AWG, 4 conductor) speaker wire to the VC and 2 x 14/2 from the VC to each speaker. The low voltage remodeling boxes you find at home depot or lowes allow you to cut a hole in the drywall and install the box to hold the VC and coverplate. They don't have to be secured to a stud like AC power boxes and the back of the box is open.

If you don't want/need to adjust the level in each room, use a speaker selector with the impedance matching feature and wire directly to each speaker.

 

[Nickthegrip]

Gah.

Thanks for the reply - looks like I'm gonna have to go with the latter, as I don't believe I can get speaker wire from the receiver to all of the VCs...

Oh well. Got any recommendations for a speaker selector with the impedance matching feature?