QuixoticWoLF
07-17-2006, 11:38 PM
So I'm putting together a new system, and I've got a ton of questions. I've got a somewhat meager amount of money to spend on a new system, right now I'm looking to spend under 1000 bucks max. I need a new receiver, and I'm looking to have two zones of speakers, one for my PC and one for my TV.
Now, I have two JBLs I bought off ebay a long time ago, LXE990s, I know nothing of them but they sound alright, done me well. Also got a few Infinity Sterlings I've been using for surround. I'm looking to get a voicematched set of speakers for surround, maybe a sub, and maybe some rear speakers to set up a second surround zone. Because I listen to a lot of MP3s off of my computer, I would like to have good mains for at least stereo output from my computer, and have been shying away from the idea of buying one of those powered 5.1-in-a-box packages for PC, and would like to have my setups share the same sub (presuming of course I get one.)
So here are my questions. First off, for the say 200-500 range, are there any A/V receivers I absolutely must consider or steer away from? Right now the most attractive receiver in the range as far as cost vs features is the Pioneer VSX-816, but I've heard some mixed things about Pioneer and could certainly spend more money on something that was higher quality or provided two zones of surround I could switch between.
Second off, what is the best way to run these two areas of surround? Both would be used for a lot of music, CD and MP3 primarily, DVDs and console games on the TV, more games on the PC. Should I look into getting a seperate audio only receiver for my computer perhaps, or are any of these powered 5.1 in a box systems actually decent quality, good for music and won't sound tinny with a little POS 75 watt plastic sub?
And finally, what sort of speakers should I look at? I've been eyeing these Infinity Primus speakers, it would be nice to get some sort of "voicematched" system, I'm thinking of getting some of the 150s as surrounds/mains for my desktop. I've heard some good things about JBL, Klipsch and Polk Audio in my price range, I'm particularly attracted to these JBL S38s, but they are probably outside my budget if I intend on getting decent surround speakers or a more quality receiver or a decent sub. My budgeting is fairly flexible, but I would like to spend as little as possible. As much as I love music and high fidelity systems, I've been doing fine for years with my JBLs and Sony MDR 7506 headphones, I'm not all that picky, I just want something good for the price.
Now, I have two JBLs I bought off ebay a long time ago, LXE990s, I know nothing of them but they sound alright, done me well. Also got a few Infinity Sterlings I've been using for surround. I'm looking to get a voicematched set of speakers for surround, maybe a sub, and maybe some rear speakers to set up a second surround zone. Because I listen to a lot of MP3s off of my computer, I would like to have good mains for at least stereo output from my computer, and have been shying away from the idea of buying one of those powered 5.1-in-a-box packages for PC, and would like to have my setups share the same sub (presuming of course I get one.)
So here are my questions. First off, for the say 200-500 range, are there any A/V receivers I absolutely must consider or steer away from? Right now the most attractive receiver in the range as far as cost vs features is the Pioneer VSX-816, but I've heard some mixed things about Pioneer and could certainly spend more money on something that was higher quality or provided two zones of surround I could switch between.
Second off, what is the best way to run these two areas of surround? Both would be used for a lot of music, CD and MP3 primarily, DVDs and console games on the TV, more games on the PC. Should I look into getting a seperate audio only receiver for my computer perhaps, or are any of these powered 5.1 in a box systems actually decent quality, good for music and won't sound tinny with a little POS 75 watt plastic sub?
And finally, what sort of speakers should I look at? I've been eyeing these Infinity Primus speakers, it would be nice to get some sort of "voicematched" system, I'm thinking of getting some of the 150s as surrounds/mains for my desktop. I've heard some good things about JBL, Klipsch and Polk Audio in my price range, I'm particularly attracted to these JBL S38s, but they are probably outside my budget if I intend on getting decent surround speakers or a more quality receiver or a decent sub. My budgeting is fairly flexible, but I would like to spend as little as possible. As much as I love music and high fidelity systems, I've been doing fine for years with my JBLs and Sony MDR 7506 headphones, I'm not all that picky, I just want something good for the price.