Audio component selection -- help me choose a large home audio purchase!!

[AndrewR]

If anyone remembers, I had posted a thread about being able to take reduced pricing on anything from Harman Kardon, JBL, or Infinity. I narrowed the choices down and now have an idea on pricing. Since I'm basically starting from scratch, I'm unsure where to drop my cash (what little I have). Please help selecting ONE from the list. Eventually, I want a nice home audio/home theater system, but I don't know what to start with. Here's the list with the prices:

Harman Kardon:
Receivers:
AVR7000 for $900 (really out of my price range though)
AVR500 for $450
AVR300 for $350
AVR100 for $250

DVD5 for $350

HKTS1 Home Theater for $200

JBL:
Simply Cinema home theater for $275

Infinity:
HTS10 for $375
HTS20 for $500
Prelude MTS, each tower for $800 or subwoofer for $1200 (LOLOL!!! Just kidding on that one -- OMG that's expensive!!! that is HALF off their retail price :Q)

Now, would it be better to spend the money on one of these home theater speaker systems (Infinity one for $375 is tempting), and then buy a less expensive receiver/decoder and DVD player? Or, do I buy the high quality DVD player, stick it out with cheap speakers right now (Sony mini component system), and upgrade the speakers/receiver later? OR, do I buy a high quality receiver, a cheap DVD, and wait on the speakers? Money is a factor, if you haven't noticed.

I'm leaning toward the Infinity home theater, a Harman Kardon receiver from their outlet store ($100-200), and a cheapie DVD player for the moment, upgrading in a year or so.

 

[snow]

check out www.audioreview.com

 

[Namuna]

Here's your priority list...

1. Speakers (This is the MOST important part of the Home Theatre)
2. Receiver (Gotta have a decent Receiver to properly juice the speakers.)


DVD ain't even in the list as far as I'm concerned. As long as it's got AC-3 and DTS out. And component out if you're planning to get a TV that supports it.

 

[AndrewR]

Ok, I checked some of these items against audio review, and it seems the Infinity speakers are very highly rated. Namuna, I sat back and thought about it, and I was beginning to suspect what you state (before I read your post -- you confirmed it!). I noticed the other day that there are newer DVD players coming out with new features, better quality, etc. Since I can buy only ONE item with this awesome pricing, the speakers would seem to hold their value the best out of the speakers/receiver/player choice.

I have to head down to Circuit City and see if they have these Infinity speakers set up. My neighbors are going to hate me. Thanks!

 

[billandopus]

Get decent speakers first off. Secondly, get a decent amp section and decoder (ie: a decent receiver ) to send a decent signal to your speakers for good sound. The HK is nice but i've got three words for you. Onkyo, Onkyo, Onkyo. Get the model in your price range and you've bought yourself the best all-around receiver in the world - no sheete.

Good speakers will last a long time and resist upgrading. A good receiver will do the same as the decoding sections will be around for some time. Onkyos are famous for their amp sections and their purity which will last for ages.

A decent DVD player shouldn't cost you that much and you will get a decent picture out of it. Besides, what's a good dvd player without a good tv to boot. Unless you have a decent tv then an expensive dvd player will have diminishing returns whereas the receiver and speaker(s) will marry quite well and compliment each other better at this point in time.

My 2 cents.

Good luck.

 

[Farbio]

andrew, you are headin in the right direction for sure, get some kick ass speakers and an amp that can drive them good, and go from there. infiniti makes some great equipment, but if you have a dealer near you, make sure to check out paradigm, they make some excellent speakers for some great prices. and although just a bit more expensive, you might want to look at b&w, they make some speakers that just shouldn't sound as good as they do for their price...hope that helped a bit

edit: ok, i just reread your first post and i realized i'm an idiot and that you can only go w/ infiniti....so disregard my post