Calling all AV gurus: BUDGET UPDATE

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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
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Here's the deal. He wants a high-quality HDTV setup, and he wants a surround sound system and all the other jazz that you need for watching movies, playing games, etc. That is, I need the speakers + receiver, TV, DVD player, etc. To discuss the TV a little bit, depth of the TV isn't a problem... it doesn't have to be flat on the wall or anything, so some 40" deep monstrosity is 100% OK. I haven't been on top of the products lately, so I don't really know what's going on. Also, if someone could direct me towards a good place to buy cabling, or a site that discusses all those snake-oily things like power conditioners and whatnot (I assumet they're snake oil, by default), that would be nice. There was a site linked here a while back, but I foolishly forgot to bookmark it.

The only troublesome thing is that he refuses to give me any sort of concrete budget, so if you all could recommend various setups in varying price ranges, it would be much appreciated. If nothing else, give me some idea of the TV's I should be looking at, sites that review them, and places to buy them (off- and online).

Updated budget: about 3k for TV, 1k for speakers + sub.

Thanks ATOT,
Ruff_ilb
 
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CellarDoor

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2004
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Regarding the speakers, is there a certain type of setup your dad wants? Does he want little satellite speakers, bookshelves, or floorstanding speakers and bookshelves?
 
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ruffilb

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2005
5,096
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Originally posted by: mribnik1
Regarding the speakers, is there a certain type of setup your dad wants? Does he want little satellite speakers, bookshelves, or floorstanding speakers and bookshelves?
Click to expand...

I don't think he cares.
 
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lizardboy

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2000
3,488
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You really need to get a rough budget if you ant people to help you. AVS is a great resource as someone mentioned.
 
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ForumMaster

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
7,792
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tell your dad that he has to make a choice. what you're giving us is way to general. that said, i also recommend AVSforum. your dad needs to tell us what budget he has, what surround sound setup he wants, and what sort of tv he wants. i suppose a good ol' 42" Westinghouse would suite him fine. it's cheap and good. i do hope your dad understand that this could easily be in the $5k range atleast.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: everman
AVSForum has more info than you need, it's a great site for this kind of thing. I can't really suggest anything myself.
Click to expand...

I agree; AVS Forum is the place for any HT questions. BUT, they will say this (I'll save you the trouble...I used to post there quite a bit).

Without a BUDGET in mind, it's impossible to make recommendations.

I've had quite a few folks come to my apt and watch movies on my system (108" DLP projector, 900-watt subwoofer, good 5-speaker surround, etc) and they've said "OH man! I want this!!!"

But then when I tell them how much I've got invested, they puke.

Good Home Theater is not cheap. Just going with say, a RPTV and a decent DVD/5.1 surround setup will set you back an easy $4K.

Home Theater In A Box (HTIB) is for college dorms and small dens converted to a "movie room."

For REAL Home Theater, you've got to be prepared to give up space and money.
 
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conehead433

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2002
5,569
901
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Onkyo 790 HT in a box($440), 42" Sony LCD($1399). Philips 642 ($50) or any number of Upconverting DVD players with the Oppo 971($200) leading the way. Prices based on current Circuit City prices with exception of the Oppo. Also you'll need some good 16 guage speaker wire instead of using the wires that come with the Onkyo system. Additionally you might consider better front speakers(Polk R50s for ex.) and component cables if you went with the Philips player. Maybe this will give you a starting place. You can spend a whole lot more money without getting much better results.
 
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Meuge

Banned
Nov 27, 2005
2,963
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0
Here's a "bang-for-buck" list:

Display: Sceptre 37" LCD TV(1920x1080 = 1080p) - $1500
Receiver: Panasonic XR-70 digital receiver
Speakers: Klipsch Reference
  • 2xKlipsch RB-61 Bookshelf Speakers for Fronts - $800
    1xKlipsch RC-62 Center - $500
    2xKlipsch RS-62 Surrounds - $800
Subwoofer: SVS
  • SVS PB10-ISD - $400

Total: $4000... but a good dealer should give you at least 15% off on the speakers/receiver.

I know the cost may seem a bit high at first glance... but this is not a "home theater in-a-box" type of a setup. This will ROCK. If you want to save some money, you can downgrade to 5-series components... or try to pick up the last-series models on clearance, specifically the RB-25/RC-25/RS-25 speakers. You may save as much as $1000 if you can find those.

The receiver, for $300, is pretty much the best you can get for that price. The next jump up would be one of the better Yamahas/Denons/Harman-Kardons in the $500-600 range.

As far as cabling is concerned, just buy the Dayton brand from PartsExpress.com - you don't need anything more expensive than that.

I am not a specialist on DVD players, so you'll have to take someone else's advice on that, but when it comes to audio, I know my ******.
 
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Meuge

Banned
Nov 27, 2005
2,963
0
0
Originally posted by: conehead433
Onkyo 790 HT in a box($440), 42" Sony LCD($1399). Philips 642 ($50) or any number of Upconverting DVD players with the Oppo 971($200) leading the way. Prices based on current Circuit City prices with exception of the Oppo. Also you'll need some good 16 guage speaker wire instead of using the wires that come with the Onkyo system. Additionally you might consider better front speakers(Polk R50s for ex.) and component cables if you went with the Philips player. Maybe this will give you a starting place. You can spend a whole lot more money without getting much better results.
Click to expand...
HTiB systems are undiluted crap. Please don't waste this money. If you don't have the finances to get the entire 5.1 system... then get the same receiver and subwoofer, but only purchase the fronts. Then you can add the center, and surrounds later.
 
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conehead433

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2002
5,569
901
126
Your Dad may not be an audiophile like some of the posters here. I have an Onkyo HT770 system with a Panasonic AE700 Projector and a 129" diagonal screen. I couldn't be happier with it. And although I might have preferred something better some of us have to go for a less expensive setup.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
I'd get a Samsung DLP TV, either 46" 720p HLS-4666 ($2,000 with 4-year extended warranty) or 50" 1080p HLS-5087 ($3,000 with 4 yr ew). Extended warranties are a very good idea for HDTVs since repair costs are typically $500-1,500.

Onkyo HTIB in the $300-500 range is fine for non-audiophiles. The next step up is a $250-400 reciver (Onkyo is good there) and separate $600 - $1,000+ speaker set.
 
speg

speg

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2000
3,681
3
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www.speg.com
I am in the progress of a building a nice HT on a budget.

Sony 42A10 (a nice 720P RP LCD)
Logitech Z-5500 (these are computer speakers, but boy are they sick!)

Shop around and you should be able to get them for <$2000. Now they're not going to stack up to a pro's HT setup, but if you're Dad "doesn't care" about the details and has left everything to you I don't think he'll care about this either.
 
zephyrprime

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,512
2
81
DLP rear projectors are the best budget compromise.

Try monoprice for a cheap cables. Monster and etc are ripoffs. Especially if your connections are going to be all digital and they really should be in this day and age.

Try thes speakers from outpost for a great bargain:
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3292811;jsessionid=Jxe+0LeMxEKPSFUrnrjU9Q**.node2?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4463996?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I only know about good cheap setups so if you're looking for something higher end, I can't help you.




 
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