5.1 System Upgrade - Need Help

[StarsFan4Life]

Hello all. Well, I decided to watch Transformers on HBO HD tonight and have had enough of not being able to "feel" the movie. I want to be able to feel the bass and my Z-5500 system just is not cutting it.

Now, I love the Z-5500 system because it is what it is. I am using it in my living room as my actual home theater system....yes I know....

Currently my setup is as follows:

* Samsung 50" Series 6 DLP HDTV
Model #: SAM HL50A650

* PS3 as my BLU-RAY player

* Logitech Z-5500 as my surround sound

Now, in todays Fry's ad locally here in Dallas, they have the following HTIB from Onkyo for $399.99:

http://shopping.dallasnews.com...7&subid=23079602&type=

I looked at prices and reviews and this thing sells for $599 easily. I can also pricematch it at CC and get it for $389 out the door. My question is, IS IT AN UPGRADE from the Z-5500? I will not need the DVD player and can possibly sell it.

$400 to spend and want great sound and deep bass that I can feel. What do you guys suggest? I have also seen the Polk Audio 5.1 speaker system on sale for $199, would this be a better choice of speakers and just add a decent receiver to it?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

A 904 for $399 is indeed a good deal.

It is an upgrade from the z-5500s.

It might not live up to your expectations of really feeling the bass though. How big is the room that this is going to be in?

Something you might not have considered is some kind of tactile transducer to add to the system. If you're really looking to feel bass, that's one way to do it for cheap and without the need to crank the system to 11. I set up a system for about $100 including an old stereo receiver and 4 aura bass shakers that attached to my seating.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I cant STOP watching Transformers. I have it on the DVR and its just too damn good with a kickass surround sound system not to watch almost on a daily basis at 90-100 db.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
I cant STOP watching Transformers. I have it on the DVR and its just too damn good with a kickass surround sound system not to watch almost on a daily basis at 90-100 db.

Maybe its legitimate to claim that soundwise its really damn good...but come on...the movie isn't anything special as a whole.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
I cant STOP watching Transformers. I have it on the DVR and its just too damn good with a kickass surround sound system not to watch almost on a daily basis at 90-100 db.

Maybe its legitimate to claim that soundwise its really damn good...but come on...the movie isn't anything special as a whole.

I just LOVE the visuals and sound so much in the film I cant get enough of it. I have seen plenty of Michael Bay films and this one has been the 1st that I didnt hate. I agree there are things in the film that I cant stand, like the idiotic cop who starts to ask questions about doing drugs, heh. But from a pure entertainment standpoint this movie just kicks ass for me, it looks real and the sound and CGI are probably the best in any film to date, at least that I can remember.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
I cant STOP watching Transformers. I have it on the DVR and its just too damn good with a kickass surround sound system not to watch almost on a daily basis at 90-100 db.

Maybe its legitimate to claim that soundwise its really damn good...but come on...the movie isn't anything special as a whole.

I just LOVE the visuals and sound so much in the film I cant get enough of it. I have seen plenty of Michael Bay films and this one has been the 1st that I didnt hate. I agree there are things in the film that I cant stand, like the idiotic cop who starts to ask questions about doing drugs, heh. But from a pure netertianment standpoint this movie just kicks ass for me, it looks real and the sound and CGI are probably the best in any film to date, at least that I can remember.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith in-house fight scene's DTS track was rather surprising when I went back and watched it. If you have access to that...its quite fun.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
I cant STOP watching Transformers. I have it on the DVR and its just too damn good with a kickass surround sound system not to watch almost on a daily basis at 90-100 db.

Maybe its legitimate to claim that soundwise its really damn good...but come on...the movie isn't anything special as a whole.

I just LOVE the visuals and sound so much in the film I cant get enough of it. I have seen plenty of Michael Bay films and this one has been the 1st that I didnt hate. I agree there are things in the film that I cant stand, like the idiotic cop who starts to ask questions about doing drugs, heh. But from a pure netertianment standpoint this movie just kicks ass for me, it looks real and the sound and CGI are probably the best in any film to date, at least that I can remember.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith in-house fight scene's DTS track was rather surprising when I went back and watched it. If you have access to that...its quite fun.

I dont have that on hand but I have seen it and I agree. BTW Transformers is on right now ROFL. I forgot to add I can sit there and listen to Rachel Taylor talk for days on end, her voice is teh sexy hubba hubba.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Guys, may I please ask that we stay on topic here. They should really call this forums ADDAT.

What do you guys suggest I upgrade my system to?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: StarsFan4Life
Guys, may I please ask that we stay on topic here. They should really call this forums ADDAT.

What do you guys suggest I upgrade my system to?

Is your budget set in stone? Cause you can always look into high end USED gear and get great sound without breaking the bank, but its sure going to be more then $399. We need more info to better help you choose.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: StarsFan4Life
Guys, may I please ask that we stay on topic here. They should really call this forums ADDAT.

What do you guys suggest I upgrade my system to?

Going from one HtiB to another(basically) is not a good upgrade in my opinion.

Raise your budget to $600 and get 2.1.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Well, what about keeping the 5 Logitech THX speakers mounted on the wall and replace the sub and control pod with a better sub and a decent receiver?

 

[PurdueRy]

If your going to get a better receiver I would invest in fronts before a sub. I would then run 4.0 until I could afford a decent center channel and sub.

It seems you are money limiting youself. The Z-5500's sub is not horrible for the price paid. I think in order to really "feel it" as you want to do you would have to invest more money than you are wanting to do.

 

[imported_grinder]

If you want to feel the base you will probably need need to spend more than $400 for a new 5.1 system.

$400 may be about enough to get you a sub that will let you feel the base when watching movies like the Transformers.

Depending on how big you room is and the lay out of it will determine how big your speakers and sub /subs need to be.

Audio systems are not cheap that is why many do like PurdueRy said and get a receiver and fronts to start off and work you way up from there.

Check out the first thread on this Audio/ Video Forum, YOyoYOhowsDAjello has a excellent info there on the basics of what to look for , set up and some great links to sites that will be of use to you.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: grinder
If you want to feel the base you will probably need need to spend more than $400 for a new 5.1 system.

BASS, dammit, not "base".

Anyways, I do agree that $400 isn't going to go all that far. I would look on Craigslist to see if you could find a decent set of fronts and subs for $200 (2.1 - entirely possible), and then go hunting for the receiver separately. You _should_ be able to use the speakers (but not the sub) from the 5500s for your surrounds, as I vaguely recall they use red/black wires for connections, but remember that they can only do about 60w each (which is not actually all that bad). You might have to stretch your budget a bit, too, because it's still tricky to find a receiver that has HDMI audio (versus pass-through) for $200.

I wouldn't recommend eBay for that low of a budget - the shipping costs will kill you.