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Home theatre systems

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:30 pm
by kunkstyle
Anyone here in the know on home audio? I'm looking at buying a new surround receiver, 7.1 capable, hdmi inputs, in or less than the $1000 range. Any suggestions/opinions? It'll be running a set of Klipsh RF5's.

Re: Home theatre systems (kunkstyle)

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:44 pm
by wyatt89
any color combo you are looking for? i am quite fond of these, i have an older version of this http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...etail you should check it out, its a great receiver for the money.not the highest power unit but low thd, 2hdmi inputs and one out lots of other crap in it too I have a set of Bowers and Wilkins DM2 MK2's for speaks though >:}here is a cheaper one too http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...29684 ive had great experiences with h/k yamaha makes some good cheap ones too

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:02 pm
by zionzr2
I'm a huge fan of Harmon/Kardon and an Infinity speaker package.Should easily get a 7.1 system for $1K or less.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:16 pm
by WaveAction
for recievers, im a fan of the Yamahashttp://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...21742

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:23 pm
by Sublimewind
Big fan of the Klipsh, nice to see you didn't fall for the "Blows" crap.... I use to work for a high end home audio shop and Klipsh was there LOW line..!!! Ohhhh some of the crazy things i've seen.... Ever hear of Krell?? I've seen there 10k$ CD transport, mated with the 5k$ D/A converter... I can't really help, but, there is a lot of good out there.. I have a really nice catalog at home, that has some really nice stuff in it, that is a little more on the "higher" end, but the prices aren't that bad... I'll find it and try and get back with the site URL for ya...

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:57 pm
by WaveAction

Re: Home theatre systems (kunkstyle)

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:42 am
by bull77
I was just going to post a similar question when I saw this topic -- don't mean to jump in on your question but,I'm looking for a surround system for around 500-600. Our tv room is small (14' by 9') and we don't really want wires running everywhere. So we were looking at wireless systems and --- I know, I know --- the Bose cinemate system --- thoughts??Bose:http://www.futureshop.ca/catal...19701S ... al...19701

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:49 am
by Sublimewind
Blows, not Bose... I would go there... Honestly, I have an all in one Panisonic, it was cheap, like 160 on FleaBay and it amazes me all the time, it's a 5 disc carisel model, that does everything including optical input from either Xbox or PS2, it also has a USB input... Last night watching Shoot'em up... I could feel the bass in the floor and couch... Sure, it's not the best by any means, and i've been in from of the best and honestly, I really like what I got for the money...

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:59 am
by wyatt89
please no bose unless you are gonna get some old ones that are floor standers... bose 601's are pretty gangster...i have some really nice paradigm "bookshelf" (definitely don't sound like bookshelf's) speakers called titan version 2's that are pretty cheap if you can find them that sound great, also for good towers check out the paradigm monitor 7'swhats wrong with wires, its really not that hard to conceal them...

Re: (Sublimewind)

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:02 am
by wyatt89
lol, you think krell stuff is expensive, you should see the price on these babies :Dhttp://www.bowers-wilkins.com/...sc=hfi have some b&w's but i wouldnt spend over 60k on them

Re: (wyatt89)

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:13 am
by kunkstyle
Quote, originally posted by bull77 »I'm looking for a surround system for around 500-600. Our tv room is small (14' by 9') and we don't really want wires running everywhere. So we were looking at wireless systems andI wouldn't bother with wireless - any type of wireless system is going to encode the audio to stream it to the speakers, resulting in a loss of quality. You're better to find a way to run speaker wire along the baseboards, under the carpet.I've got mine running in a conduit across my living room to under the couch. Doesn't look spectacular, but sounds good.

Re: (kunkstyle)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:25 am
by bull77
I'd rather not run cable if I have to -- would an average consumer actually notice the decreased quality? The main reason why I'm looking at the Samsung systems is because of the 'USB host' feature. Basically it will play most video formats that are on a usb key or drive when connected to the dvd player. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What...pport

Re: (bull77)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:09 am
by kunkstyle
Depends how much of an audio guy you are. I'd pit myself somewhere between the average consumer and an audiophile. I can tell the difference, but my wife can't. Can you hear (or care) the difference between hardwiring an aux device and using an fm transmitter? Slightly more dramatic example, but it's a good starting point. Maybe I'm blind, but where does it say that Samsung from futureshop is wireless?+1 to what Sublime said. Stay away from Bose. Even if they tell you that they can reproduce 5.1 out of a single speaker *snicker*.

Re: (kunkstyle)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:41 am
by bull77
Ya I could notice the difference between those - ie: ipod connected directly to stereo or Ipod connected to fm transmitterThe Samsungs actually require an add-on wireless device, so they're 'wireless ready'."The optional rear-channel wireless module (SWA-3000) does away with cables running between the receiver and rear-channel speakers to offer a cleaner appearance and no tripping hazards."http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/...21262

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:43 am
by WaveAction
actually alot of the samsungs are upgradable to wireless rear speakers, you gotta get this chip like thing, almost similar to a modem port in your computer that sends out the signals to the rear speakers, i had the exact kit as the one bull77 mentioned but a grade below, mine didnt come with the standing speakers, but just the satellite style. and as for it saying wireless..here ya go..this is at the bottom of the screen"FEATURES:With 1000 Watts of audio power coming at you, you're guaranteed one of the fullest audio experiences available in home theatre technology. It features a centre speaker, two front tall-boys, rear satellite speakers, and a sub-woofer to output the low-end that adds life to your listening experience.The HT-TX52 combines the convenience of multi-disc playback capability, including DVD-AUDIO, DVD-VIDEO, VCD, CD, MP3-CD, WMA-CD, DivX, CD-R/RW, and DVD-R/RW formats, with a sophisticated FM tuner, all in a single player.Connect to your high definition display using the HDMI interface and the HT-TX52 will up-convert your standard definition DVDs to a rich, robust image resolution.Enjoy media files such as pictures, movies and music from an MP3 player, digital camera or USB memory by connecting the device to the USB port of the home theatre.The optional rear-channel wireless module (SWA-3000) does away with cables running between the receiver and rear-channel speakers to offer a cleaner appearance and no tripping hazards. The AV SYNC function corrects any of the audio/video lag that sometimes occurs with high definition technology."

Re: (WaveAction)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:45 am
by bull77
Cool --- I'd probably go with the lower model to avoid have the tall speakers in the frontHow do you find the speakers and do you use the front usb port?

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:47 am
by WaveAction
actually i returned the system cause it wasnt for me, i need a bigger reciever for my ps3, hd satellite reciever and my computer..yes i use my 42" for my computer monitor..lolthis is the model i hadhttp://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/...20311

Re: Home theatre systems (kunkstyle)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:56 am
by scott_h
I can't rattle off any of the current model numbers, but for receivers I'd recommend looking at: Onkyo, Yamaha, HK, Denon. You should be able to get one heck of a receiver for $1k, and can probably get something to suit your needs for quite a bit cheaper. I have an Onkyo with HDMI switching that I only paid $399 for (on sale). I also have a Yamaha. I have been very pleased with both.

Re: (WaveAction)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:57 am
by bull77
thats another concern of mine. The low end surround systems don't have enough hdmi inputs/outputs. I need enough ports for the rogers hd box, blu-ray, and dvd player. i like the features of the samsung but I also want the most out of my tv (46" samsung lcd) --- and keep it under 1000I'll probably end up getting a separate receiver with multiple hdmi inputs and purchase speakers on their own. Just have to keep an eye out for deals . I really like that usb function of the Samsung, saves time having to burn dvds.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:02 am
by WaveAction
im eventually gonna buy a yamah reciever, just dont know what kinda speakers, maybe jbl or infinity..whats some other suggestions that arent to high up in the money category($500 or less) but are half decent, my rooms only small(10'x10')

Re: (WaveAction)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:15 am
by wyatt89
Wave, these are pretty nice sounding for the money, ive always liked mirages, they kind of remind me of the old bose direct-reflecting speakers (they dont take up half the room of one though)http://www.crutchfield.com/S-L...MN350they are on sale for 150 each right now, if you can find some cheap bookshelfs for the back and a decent center, those shouldnt be hard to find although you shouldnt skimp too much on the center if you are watching a lot of movies...

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:39 am
by WaveAction
nice speakers and all wyatt, but i really dont have the space for them lol, i mean, in my 10'x10' room, i got my computer desk, queen size bed, and my dresser, trying to find good bookcase speakers, but my main priority right now is a receiver

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:22 am
by wyatt89
oh i thought you meant that you had a dedicated room not it was full of other stuff, sorry about that...just so you know, its kinda hard to find a receiver that has more than 2 hdmi inputs, http://www.crutchfield.com/S-L...MN350 that one has 3, its kinda expensive though...i got my two paradigm titan v2's for about $200 (american) and they sound terrific with awesome low end for such small speakers, you should see if you can find some...

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:50 am
by WaveAction
well i've found yamaha's(which is my prefered choice) with 2 hmdi inputs, which is enough for me, really just need 1 for my ps3, my HD satelite reciever doesnt have hdmi so i'd be running either my components which im running now, or optical...and just to let you know, that last link was for those Mirage floor speakers again lol

Re: (WaveAction)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:44 am
by wyatt89
oops haha, sorry about that, it was a link to the cheapest 3 hdmi input receiver i could find, (which was about 700 bucks) good luck on your search...optical is sound only btw...

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:32 am
by WaveAction
yea i know it's sound only, but im sure that optical would sound better then component for a 5.1 surround sound correct?

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:58 am
by kunkstyle
Correct. Below HDMI your next best option is optical/component or optical/dvi.

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:13 pm
by wyatt89
yup and its pretty clean with one thin cable, just protect the ends when you are installing or moving them around

Re: (wyatt89)

Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:33 pm
by kunkstyle
Or step on them. I've toasted one that way.