Newbie question

[Hackenbush]

A little help for some one with limited knowledge and budget.......

I'm trying to decide whether the budget I'm dealing with , about $800, will point me towards a home theater in a box or would I be better served putting pieces together. The size of the room I'm dealing with is about 18' x 15' and the ceiling is about 20' high. I doubt I'll be able to afford anything cutting edge but, of course, I'd like to get a few years use before replacement.

I'm about 50-50 on the music sound quality/movie watching issue but, of course , I would prefer getting quality in both areas. A 5.1 system would be preferred over a 7.1. I have in place a 47” Vizio that I like , a Wii , and XM radio. The audio I have now is a bunch of mismatched stuff that has go to go. I would prefer any dvd player that's included in a HTIB system to be a multi disk player and wouldn't mind if I had to make seperate puchase for that . I hate getting away from the table during the poker games.

I know this is a basic type question but I've not had verry much success in my searches. If this has been covered in a previous thread, I'd be grateful for some one pointing me there.

Thanks and I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving,
Larry

[L.J.]

This thread may help you out a bit.

The $500 HT challenge!

I'm sure a few more folks will be around soon. These guys are great at putting budget systems together.

BTW, welcome to AR.

[BRANDONH]

A little help for some one with limited knowledge and budget.......

I'm trying to decide whether the budget I'm dealing with , about $800, will point me towards a home theater in a box or would I be better served putting pieces together. The size of the room I'm dealing with is about 18' x 15' and the ceiling is about 20' high. I doubt I'll be able to afford anything cutting edge but, of course, I'd like to get a few years use before replacement.

I'm about 50-50 on the music sound quality/movie watching issue but, of course , I would prefer getting quality in both areas. A 5.1 system would be preferred over a 7.1. I have in place a 47” Vizio that I like , a Wii , and XM radio. The audio I have now is a bunch of mismatched stuff that has go to go. I would prefer any dvd player that's included in a HTIB system to be a multi disk player and wouldn't mind if I had to make seperate puchase for that . I hate getting away from the table during the poker games.

I know this is a basic type question but I've not had verry much success in my searches. If this has been covered in a previous thread, I'd be grateful for some one pointing me there.

Thanks and I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving,
Larry

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=250-502



http://www.parts-express.com/pe/psho...TOKEN=90388092



http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=302-019



http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=302-018



http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-631



http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=250-567



http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=100-021

Total cost 875.95 sorry I went 75.95 over budget but will be a really nice looking and great sounding system.

the only downside for all the items to ship free is that you will have to order each item separately its a drag but worth it for the free shipping.
Also do not worry about the 100 watt rating for the surrounds even though the Pioneer puts 120 watts it will be OK it will not blow the speakers.

[blackraven]

Thats a good post from LJ.

Definitely do not do HT in a box.

Here's an Energy system that will sound good.

Energy ESW8 sub $99 http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENESW8

Energy C100 speakers $149pr http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100

Energy Center speaker CC100 $179 http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC100

Onkyo TX SR506 receiver for $183 http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR506...7983841&sr=8-3

[Hackenbush]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far,.........this will give me better direction.

Brandonh, thanks for the work,

Keep them coming if there are more...

Larry

[BRANDONH]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far,.........this will give me better direction.

Brandonh, thanks for the work,

Keep them coming if there are more...

Larry

Your welcome.
I don't really have much else I can provide.
I wanted to put together a system that you will be proud of and will also sound darn good for music too.
The MTX tower speakers sound very good fact they sound as good as many speakers costing a whole lot more. I use them for the Surround I am amazed at their clarity and the ability to go low a lot lower that I would have thought.
With a Sensitivity of 92 dB for the towers and the center will provide clean and clear dialog complete with the smaller rear set the timbre will all match.
You could get a cheaper DVD player, I liked this one because it has a good video up conversion and with HDMI to your TV you will get a nice picture.
The receivers remote will also control the player too since they are both Pioneer
There is less expensive wire as well.
Also wanted to make a one stop shopping.

Here is also a good place to get quality subwoofer and HDMI, and optical cables that wont break the bank either
http://www.tartancable.com/

[BadAssJazz]

I'd avoid the HTIB as well, unless I absolutely had no other choice and someone was pointing a gun at my head to buy...and even then I'd probably take my chances with the gun jamming.

I like what Blackraven suggests for the Energy Sub and the Onkyo receiver. If we're assuming that the DVD/CD player is a separate purchase and budgeted accordingly, I like the speakers choices from www.av123.com

Same Onkyo Receiver, but a little cheaper $129
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...VER-NEW/1.html

Center $159
http://av123.com/component/page,shop...art/Itemid,37/

Fronts $199 (for the pair!)
http://av123.com/component/page,shop...art/Itemid,37/

Rear $159 - Yes, they're the black version of the above fronts. If you prefer, you could just buy 2 pair and disregard the above suggestion. The other benefit to buying tower rears? No need to buy speaker stands or obliterate your walls trying to mount them...
http://av123.com/component/page,shop...art/Itemid,37/

The Energy sub + Onkyo receiver + Av123 speakers should run you about $800, not counting the shipping. Yep, you'll have to find a cheap 5 - 6 dvd player, but that shouldn't take you too far over budget.

[Hackenbush]

Will the sound quality suffer if a 7.1 system is used as 5.1? Is that one of the options with the Onkyo?

Larry

[blackraven]

Go with a 5.1 system over 7.1. You'll save money and won't know the difference. I use a 3.1. I started with a 5.1 but thought it wasnt worth having another pair of speakers in the room.

Also, check out www.oppodigital.com for a universal player. The 980 is better for audio and the 981 is better for video and both will play SACD's. They are well worth the money.

[BRANDONH]

Will the sound quality suffer if a 7.1 system is used as 5.1? Is that one of the options with the Onkyo?

Larry

It will not suffer sound quality.
I will say that my mom has a similar Onkyo unit its OK sounding nothing special and IMO lacks dynamics and punch.

Found the Pioneer for a little less but you pay for shipping here
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015VS28U?...0&linkCode=asn
of free shipping from here
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...ctiveda8744-20

[blackraven]

Here's a Yamaha receiver that I prefer over the pionner.
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-593...8004945&sr=1-8

About 3 years ago I bought similar priced pioneer and Yamaha receivers for my kids and the Yammy is easier to use and sounds better IMO.

[Hackenbush]

All,

Once again, thanks for the help.

An issue I've got to consider is the height of the center speaker. I believe this is ideally placed directly above or below the television.The television is placed on a console and the bottom of the screen is roughly 5" from the console, so any speaker placed on the console in front, can't be more than 5" in height. Above the screen doesn't appear to be an option for me.

The MTX, Energy and X-CS Encore center speaker that have been suggested all exceed 5".I guess I could raise the screen by placing something on the console for the tv stand to "stand on" but , other than cinder blocks I'm having trouble coming up with an idea.

Any alternate center speaker or tv base that might do the trick here?

Larry

[BRANDONH]

All,

Once again, thanks for the help.

An issue I've got to consider is the height of the center speaker. I believe this is ideally placed directly above or below the television.The television is placed on a console and the bottom of the screen is roughly 5" from the console, so any speaker placed on the console in front, can't be more than 5" in height. Above the screen doesn't appear to be an option for me.

The MTX, Energy and X-CS Encore center speaker that have been suggested all exceed 5".I guess I could raise the screen by placing something on the console for the tv stand to "stand on" but , other than cinder blocks I'm having trouble coming up with an idea.

Any alternate center speaker or tv base that might do the trick here?

Larry

will this help for above screen mounting and still have at least 7 1/2 inches to spare?



http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=OMCCH1

[Hackenbush]

That would solve the problem!! I didn't know such a thing existed.
I was already thinking about ways to decorate the cinder blocks.

Thanks again,
Larry

[BRANDONH]

That would solve the problem!! I didn't know such a thing existed.
I was already thinking about ways to decorate the cinder blocks.

Thanks again,
Larry

I have set up many HT for friends they tell me how much and I can usually keep them with in 50.00~100.00. Everyone I have done it for has been very pleased.
The system I have picked will not let you down including the speaker wire.
I so did not want to see you go with smaller drivers especially for the center that is where all the dialog comes from and small speakers will lack the low levels for male vocals.
And sound thin for sports!
And then we would run into timbre matching.

I will through out there again that the MTX will rock your world they are an amazing speaker everyone will think they cost 5 times what you paid.

The Yamaha that was recommend earlier is also a good unit, I do love Yamaha!
But for this application I still have to stick to my guns with the Pioneer it will deliver a lot more drive mated with the MTX and that sub...I wanted to go bigger but it was going to go way over budget of 800.00 but a sub is something that can be upgrade later but it in combination with the towers which have a very good bass range they will sound wonderful and give you a better movie experience and sound good for your music pleasure

[blackraven]

I currently have my center channel on the floor standing on its side next to the TV. It's not optimal but it does the job until I mount it on the wall.
Have you thought of putting up a shelf on the wall behind the TV to put the center speaker on.

Brandon mentioned speaker wires. Check out www.bluejeanscable.com for speaker wire and HDMI cables if you decide not to go with MTX. If you buy their bare wire its about 0.80cents/ft. The HDMI cables are a bargain as well.

[BRANDONH]

I currently have my center channel on the floor standing on its side next to the TV. It's not optimal but it does the job until I mount it on the wall.
Have you thought of putting up a shelf on the wall behind the TV to put the center speaker on.

Brandon mentioned speaker wires. Check out www.bluejeanscable.com for speaker wire and HDMI cables if you decide not to go with MTX. If you buy their bare wire its about 0.80cents/ft. The HDMI cables are a bargain as well.

This site will save you a lot of money on quality HDMI cables.

http://www.tartancable.com/hdmi-cables/index.htm

[Hackenbush]

Have you thought of putting up a shelf on the wall behind the TV to put the center speaker on.[/QUOTE]

A shelf behind is not an option because of stairs directly behind the positioning of the tv. Thanks for the wire link

Larry

[BRANDONH]

Checking back to see what you decided to do.

[Hackenbush]

brandonh,

I was called out of town on family matters and had to put everything aside. I was beginning to lean towards the Yamaha RX-V663 for my receiver for the HDMI 1.3 capacity
and some Polk speakers ,but I know that will destroy the budget


I will have to wait until the holidays are over before I can get back to this but still am going to do something.

Thanks,
Larry