DD 5.1 & DTS...can't get enough of it

[virtuamike]

Here's some good movies to demo your system:

Air Force One (get Superbit if you can, for the DTS)
5th Element (again, try to get the Superbit version so you can hear difference in DTS)
Das Boot (looky, another Superbit DTS)
Apollo 13 (duh, DTS)
Saving Private Ryan (you really have to ask what I'm gonna say?)
Stargate (get the latest release for . . . DTS)
The Mummy (Ultimate Edition, DTS)
Die Hard (Ulitimate Edition, DTS trilogy)
Heat (errrr, only DD)
The Perfect Storm (DD, water effects are awesome)
Toy Story (DD too, but must-see)

Heh, I built my system on a college student budget too, went all Energy (C2 fronts, AC300 center, Take2 rears, EXL-S12 sub) and spent a little over $800 on speakers. Receiver and video could really use the upgrade though, the Yamaha just doesn't put out enough power for the speakers and my round TV sucks.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
HT, done correctly ROCKS completely.

Of course, part of the "correctly" is making sure your neighbors are dead so they can't call the cops. :|

I know, I won't bother getting a good set of speakers, because I live above an old lady, in a neighboor hood of old ladies, in a town of old ladies, in a state of... old ladies.

I'm severely out numbered.

 

[kyutip]

I've just watched Die Another Day in DTS 5.1 ES.
The sound is way louder than normal.
I have to dial down the volume to 50% with my Pioneer VSX-D850S.
At 75% volume, I can feel the wall rumble 🙂
I use Polk speakers.

 

[ndee]

OK, can you guys recommend me a HT Setup for about $400?

 

[RupTheKid]

If you think the SVS stuff is good, you definitely need to check out the VMPS Larger subwoofers. A single Larger has more output at 20Hz than a pair of 16-46CS. I just completed a system setup/design for a client who opted for a pair of Larger Subs + LCR's all around - absolutely amazing. You know when the foundation is shaking that the subs are alright 😉.

 

[kyutip]

ndee,
With $400 your selection is really limited.
Your best shot is an all-in-one HT.
I seem to remember a Sony HT setup for around that price a while back.

 

[Marauder-]

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Paulson
I prefer my surround sound system over the theaters... lets just say when watching the original matrix and being able to feel each bullet come out of the machine gun and hear the blades of the hellicopter as if they were directly over your head... yeah.. you don't get that in the theaters...

Rock ON! that's my exact rationale/feeling behind HT. 😎 Ya'gotta FEEL IT, dammit. If 'ya can't FEEL IT, turn it off.

Hell yeah that was the sole reason for me dropping 350 on the SVS and it has been worth every penny so far, its rocking my inards the way ti should be.

How on earth did you get an SVS for $350!!!?!??!

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: kyutip
ndee,
With $400 your selection is really limited.
Your best shot is an all-in-one HT.
I seem to remember a Sony HT setup for around that price a while back.

OK, what about.... $500 or $600 dollars? I already have the 16:9 TV and the DVD Player.

http://www.ndee.ch/livingroom.gif

That is how my living room looks like. Where would I position the speakers the best? I could put the sub under the sofa.

 

[Marauder-]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: Paulson
I prefer my surround sound system over the theaters... lets just say when watching the original matrix and being able to feel each bullet come out of the machine gun and hear the blades of the hellicopter as if they were directly over your head... yeah.. you don't get that in the theaters...

Pics..or specs at least?

By the way...did ayone else see "Matrix Reloaded" in a theater where the volume was way too low?:|

<brag>I watched it w/ about 50 other people TOTAL in the Coronet in SF</brag> I LOVE winning contests! 😀

 

[Marauder-]

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: kyutip
ndee,
With $400 your selection is really limited.
Your best shot is an all-in-one HT.
I seem to remember a Sony HT setup for around that price a while back.

OK, what about.... $500 or $600 dollars? I already have the 16:9 TV and the DVD Player.

http://www.ndee.ch/livingroom.gif

That is how my living room looks like. Where would I position the speakers the best? I could put the sub under the sofa.

DO NOT GET an allinone HT - that's just absolute crap. For a $500 total budget - I would try to get a used receiver spending about $200for that while spending the rest on a set of $250 Fluances. I don't usually recommend them b/c they're not really all that great but they will knock the socks off any All-in-one HT and pretty much anything else in their price range.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Marauder-

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: kyutip
ndee,
With $400 your selection is really limited.
Your best shot is an all-in-one HT.
I seem to remember a Sony HT setup for around that price a while back.

OK, what about.... $500 or $600 dollars? I already have the 16:9 TV and the DVD Player.

http://www.ndee.ch/livingroom.gif

That is how my living room looks like. Where would I position the speakers the best? I could put the sub under the sofa.

DO NOT GET an allinone HT - that's just absolute crap. For a $500 total budget - I would try to get a used receiver spending about $200for that while spending the rest on a set of $250 Fluances. I don't usually recommend them b/c they're not really all that great but they will knock the socks off any All-in-one HT and pretty much anything else in their price range.

I paid $200 for mine...Kenwood VR-407 receiver, 2 mains, 2 surrounds..KVS-54 center & powered sub -- works okay for me...not exactly rich, but maybe I'll upgrade after I finish my degree..

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: Marauder-

Originally posted by: ndee

Originally posted by: kyutip
ndee,
With $400 your selection is really limited.
Your best shot is an all-in-one HT.
I seem to remember a Sony HT setup for around that price a while back.

OK, what about.... $500 or $600 dollars? I already have the 16:9 TV and the DVD Player.

http://www.ndee.ch/livingroom.gif

That is how my living room looks like. Where would I position the speakers the best? I could put the sub under the sofa.

DO NOT GET an allinone HT - that's just absolute crap. For a $500 total budget - I would try to get a used receiver spending about $200for that while spending the rest on a set of $250 Fluances. I don't usually recommend them b/c they're not really all that great but they will knock the socks off any All-in-one HT and pretty much anything else in their price range.

Depending on your situation an all-in-one home theater package might be the best option. I was on a low budget (as low as possible) and I wanted to put it in my room, so I didn't need really expensive and big speakers. So I went with a Pioneer all-in-one HT (the exact model number escapes me at the moment, I'll update with the number) and it works well for me. If you're on a budget and aren't looking for the greatest, an all-in-one system might work well for you.

 

[tkdkid]

Originally posted by: ndee
OK, can you guys recommend me a HT Setup for about $400?

The onkyo hts 650 is widely regarded as the best complete system in that range at $499. Even the nuts over at hometheaterforum.com admit that it sounds pretty good. I have one, the speakers are big but they sound great.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: Marauder-

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Paulson
I prefer my surround sound system over the theaters... lets just say when watching the original matrix and being able to feel each bullet come out of the machine gun and hear the blades of the hellicopter as if they were directly over your head... yeah.. you don't get that in the theaters...

Rock ON! that's my exact rationale/feeling behind HT. 😎 Ya'gotta FEEL IT, dammit. If 'ya can't FEEL IT, turn it off.

Hell yeah that was the sole reason for me dropping 350 on the SVS and it has been worth every penny so far, its rocking my inards the way ti should be.

How on earth did you get an SVS for $350!!!?!??!

It had to be used...no way he got that price new

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: tkdkid

Originally posted by: ndee
OK, can you guys recommend me a HT Setup for about $400?

The onkyo hts 650 is widely regarded as the best complete system in that range at $499. Even the nuts over at hometheaterforum.com admit that it sounds pretty good. I have one, the speakers are big but they sound great.

daaaaaaaaaaaamn, can't get them here in stupid Switzerland :frown:

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: Marauder-

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Paulson
I prefer my surround sound system over the theaters... lets just say when watching the original matrix and being able to feel each bullet come out of the machine gun and hear the blades of the hellicopter as if they were directly over your head... yeah.. you don't get that in the theaters...

Rock ON! that's my exact rationale/feeling behind HT. 😎 Ya'gotta FEEL IT, dammit. If 'ya can't FEEL IT, turn it off.

Hell yeah that was the sole reason for me dropping 350 on the SVS and it has been worth every penny so far, its rocking my inards the way ti should be.

How on earth did you get an SVS for $350!!!?!??!

It had to be used...no way he got that price new

Yes it was new and no I cant tell you how I got it because I was sworn to secrecy..... seriously though they said if I ever told how I was able to manage that they wouldnt ever sell to me again and I dont want that to happen.

EDIT: You wanna make it even burn more? I also got it retuned to 22hz for free and a free svs t-shirt and free shipping on top of the $350 price... Haha, told ya you would be pissed.