Started New HT setup, Help me finish

[Crackerballer]

Hey guys, I am new to the site, and have just started purchasing stuff to build my HT system. The first thing I bought was a Sony 7.1 STRDE898B Reciever (100w x 7) I liked it because of the price and features of being digital and such.

Is this a good reciever, or should I send it back and go with something different. I am a big movie buff, and will hopefully be buying either a 50'' DLP projection TV or a flat screen plasma in a month or so. The system will be in smaller rooms (my bed room or perhaps a living room, nothing over about 16x16) and is primarly used for DVD's and gaming (Xbox 360 and some PS2)

I want clear sound. Really loud is not necessary. I am a bass junkie (hopefully going to get a good powered sub)

I am new to the game. Total budget for receiver, and speakers is gonna be about 1600-2000. I was thinking going entirely JBL Northridge, E100 (x2) E50 (x2) E35, E10 (x2)

Any input you guys give is appreciated. I am open to websites, guides, etc. I want a quality system that will last awhile and let me enjoy great audio movies (Master and Commander, Days of Thunder, etc)

[Lensman]

Welcome to the forums! If you do a search, you'll find Sony receivers are not among the better considered brands by regulars here. Most will recommend Denon, Yamaha or Pioneer in that price range. Pioneer's latest offerings have been garnering particularly good comments.

Before you spring for those JBLs, a couple of notes: First, most veterans here will caution you away from floorstanding speakers in this price range. Higher quality bookshelves mated with a decent sub will almost always outperform them as, in this price range, floorstanders invaribly make sonic compromises that result in poor midrange reproduction - which is the area of sound you'll actually be hearing the most.

Second, believe it or not, your budget actually will allow you to transcend the world of mass-market offerings at big box stores and enter the realm of high-end audio.
Check your phone book for local audio dealers and visit a few with some of your favorite movies/music. Odds are you'll find something much more impressive for the same amount of money.

[Crackerballer]

Thanks Lensman, any particular model of pioneer yamaha or denon you would recommend? I will return the reciever once it comes friday, and swap it for something a little nicer.

I am looking into the Pioneer VSX-1015TX 7.1 CH Receiver, it is THX Select 2 with 120w a channel. It is a little more expensive than the Sony, but that is not a huge deal.

[GMichael]

Hi, welcome to AR.

The Pioneer you are looking at has received some good reviews. Here are a few links for information on it. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

Also take a look at the Yamaha line. http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/r...eiver_main.htm

The RX-V series and HTR series are parallel except for a few differences. The RX-V line has a few higher priced models and are only available through audio stores. The HTR models are available through on-line dealers as well as Best Buy type stores, so you may be able to get a better deal on one. The HTR's are usually rated for more power but that's only because the rating system that they use on them is not the same.

There are many other good brands as well.

Anyway, have fun listening. Welcome to the club.

[Eric Z]

I recommend going with yamaha, denon, onkyo, or pioneer. i'm sure the sony will work well for you, however, why not get more bang for your buck. I have the Yamaha 5760 (aka 650) and 657 (aka 5860)- these are last years model and this years model. The msrp of the 657/5860 is $499, but you should be able to get it for around $420 or so (may be a bit cheaper).

I also have heard great things about the pioneers, but have no personal experience with them. denons seem to be a bit pricier, but are good receivers, too. Onkyos are affordable and compete with the others as well.

If you spend $400 on the receiver, that leaves you with $1200-$1600 for speakers. I agree with lensman and bfalls regarding checking out speakers at a higher end audio store- also, as they said, stick with companies that only make speakers.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

[Kam]

good reccomendations by all, i'd also toss in marantz for a receiver (but i am a biased marantz owner since i've gotten in to the hobby ). and i'd also toss in nht. you could get 5 Super Zero's and two subs in your budget, and that would be a pretty kickass system. i use the superzero's as my surrounds and am also a huge nht fan (although at 6ohms, they can be a little harder to drive than 'regular' speakers).

also, another thing to consider, is if you are in this for the long haul, rather than spend all 1200-1600 on all your speakers, maybe spend it on just your main two speakers. listen around and find a set you love but is out of your range NOW where you can only buy the two main speakers. then just wait, and over time build your system into something you really really love. it might be kind of odd, as you'll have a 7 channel receiver but only 2 speakers, but if you do your homework in picking the speakers, you'll be more than happy with their sound until you can add a center and surrounds later. although this method takes a lot of patience, it can be very rewarding in the end.

peace
k2

[bfalls]

I find the Sony receivers a little lean in their power supplies. You have a pretty large room, so unless you purchase efficient speakers you're going to draw on the receiver to fill the space. I believe the Sony's use ICs instead of disctete outputs which reportedly sound less natural and don't dissipate heat as efficiently. I've read reports where their power supplies have run out of steam during loud scenes (explosions etc.) distort and have blown the rear suround speakers. Purchasing a powered sub will help since bass draws a lot of power. At 100W/ch (if the specs can be believed) the receiver may be adequate to drive the mid/highs to all 5/7 channels. For movies I prefer a Yamaha or Denon. They seem more dynamic and have the guts for larger rooms. I have one of each in rooms measuring 12.5'x25' and have no problems filling them without cranking the volume control very high, usually less than 1/3 to 1/2 the range.

There are a lot of choices in speakers. Be patient and listen to as many as you can in your price range. Stay with a brands from a companies who build speakers. Don't buy Denon, Onkyo etc speakers thet're usually a compromise and have less quality cabinets and drivers. They serve their purpose for the less discriminating who don't have or want to spend the money for a serious home theater. JBLs are OK and after you've listened to others you find them to your liking buy them, but I feel after serious auditioning you'll find a better fit. Klipsch' are a good value for home theater combining good dynamics, sound and efficiency. Also check out PSB, Paradigm, Jamo, Cambridge Soundworks. All have lines in your price range and provide good sound for your dollar.