WHich part of the 5.1 can I skip for the time being?

[larry7995]

I am piecing my system together also. I already had a Yamaha RXV1500 which is a fairly nice receiver, but it won't do 4 ohm speakers, so I bought an Outlaw monoblock for the left side and connected it to the left main, (I have Radio Shack pa speakers with a horn and a 15 at the moment). I also bought a plasma tv stand http://www.standsandmounts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2767 that accomodated a VP-150 center and I took the top glass off and sat my 27" crt on the rails so as not to break the glass, and I bought my VP150 center channel. Next month I will buy my first M80 for the side that I have the Outlaw 2200 ready for and that's the way it's going for me. Little by little. Then after I get the mains bought I may get a subwoofer amp and turn one of my PA speakers into a 500 watt subwoofer for $340. If that doesn't sound too good, or I can't stand the look of those ugly PA speakers in my HT room, then I will save up for the Axiom sub or an SVS. Then I have to get my 52" LCD
Since LCD prices are supposed to drop 30% in 2007, I figure it made sense to work on the audio before the video.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Sorry to hijack, but I can only post responses right now. I didn't get my registration email, and I can't contact an administrator because I am not registered! Any idea how to get past this catch-22?

 

[Nick250]

Also, you must hear at least a few other brands before you decide what you will stick with. Paradigm and B&W are a good start. Edit: after reading the Paradigm thread... just listen to the Paradigms, but don't actually buy them .

As a Paradigm owner I would not rule them out after that thread. It's one particular incident where one person got sold speakers from an unauthorized dealer. I have Paradigm Studio 20's, Atom's and Mini Monitors for five years and they have been flawless in sound and build quality. If you listen a Paradigm speaker and you like it's sound and it's from an authorized dealer, go for it IMO.

Nick

 

[j_garcia]

I owned quite a few Paradigms also (at least 7-8 pairs) and never had any problems with any of them either. They should be on your audition list, just make sure it is an authorized dealer before you buy.

 

[majorloser]

I would consider getting a 3806. It will sound the same as the 4306, but you will have funds in reserve to buy an external amp if it is necessary.

Nick

Just what I was going to suggest

Topspin,

You can pick up an external amp to power the 4 ohm speaker loads for about $200 per stereo amp.
Buy good quality mains and center channel speakers.
Buy the Denon 3806
If money allows buy good quality surrounds.
Then look at a powered sub.

Just remember, don't skimp on any speaker. If you can't afford what you want, hold off. You can still have a great sounding theater with just the front three speakers. The mains are the MOST important part of a 5.1 system, but they're not everything. The weak link speaker can be very noticable or sometimes annoying to listen to.

Look at this as a "project in the works". Every little piece you add will just enhance the listening enjoyment. I've been building a home theater piece-by-piece since Dolby Pro Logic was the "latest and greatest" thing out (almost 20 years). And I'm still not completely satisfied

ENJOY THE DISEASE........I mean HOBBY

EDIT: BTW, HDMI switching isn't a necessity, either. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[j_garcia]

Just remember, don't skimp on any speaker. If you can't afford what you want, hold off.

I agree. It took me a few years to get my whole system to a level that I am satisfied with, upgrading one piece at a time.

 

[emorphien]

Just remember, don't skimp on any speaker. If you can't afford what you want, hold off.

Agreed, it's important to get what you need to satisfy your listening requirements and to get what you want as well. If you can't afford everything that meets your needs/expectations, just buy a few of the pieces so as not to sacrifice any quality. You can always get the rest later.

 

[elmirafudd]

Good start

Most people forgo the subwoofer first and the center speaker second (you can create a phantom center in most receivers, controllers and DVD players). It won't hurt to add either later, you will lose the lowest bass sans subwoofer and you will lose the ability to push up the dialog's volume independently of the the fronts and surrounds in the other.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I would probably buy the mains first, then the surrounds (unless of course you purchased them together). I'd probably add the center next and buy the sub when I could. Of course, sub-then-center will also work.

My sister has a Denon 3802 (my hand-me-down! ) driving 7 Monitor Audio speakers (5i's front, 12i center, Bronze BFX side surrounds & a pair of 3i's in rear) in a pretty large room with no sub. I can't say the bass rattles your ribcage, but there's surprising heft without the sub.

Likewise, I've heard good systems without a center. Still, for movies I think a center really helps, both with dialog intelligibility and dynamics. It's hard to say which I could live without best, but I think if it's not a matter of if but when, I'd start with the 5 speakers and add the sub when budget permits.

 

[abefroeman]

I figured it out

alright, here is what you should do:

1. Buy a used stereo pre amp from ebay for $120. (You can sell this when you get the receiver in the spring.)
2. get the Behringer power amp that was already suggested. But get it here for $160:
www.limited goods.com/itemView.php?Prod=A500 (remove the space)
3. Lastly, get the mains you want. Get the sub too, if thats your thing.

Then when spring comes along:
1. Sell the preamp
2. Buy the receiver you want and run the Behringer for your mains using your preouts.
3. Buy all the other speakers you want.

Why this is a good idea:
You will never be listening to crappy sound because your mains will have the power they need. If sh*t happens and you need to put off the rest of the home theater for a year, then you will have a high quality setup for that year.

 

[Nestor]

I've had my mains for about 12 years now. They should be number 1 IMO.

I'm with majorloser on this one. Your center channel is going to be the most critical for matching with your mains. Then surrounds.

Bass is good, but I think you can do without it. It was only recently that I added one to my system.

Ultimately, your listening priority should steer your decision.