First HT system any advice or recommendations appreciated

[maddogchen]

Moving into my own place and buying everything for my new home theatre systems. I've never had one before and I have a $2500 budget. I only can get a 2.1 system based on the wife acceptance factor.

What do you guys think about my ideas? I'm thinking getting a plasma tv because it gives me the biggest for the price. Yamaha receiver because I'm more familiar with that brand rather than Denon or Onkyo. Two floor standing speakers, the sony's have good reviews on Amazon. And maybe a soundbar in the middle that has a wireless subwoofer? My friend says the Polk 6000 is good.

TV
Panasonic VIERA TC-P60ST50

Receiver
Yamaha RX-V471BL

Speakers
Sony SSF-5000
or
Pioneer SP-FS51-LR

Soundbar?
Polk 6000

 

[dagamer34]

Eh... don't mix a soundbar with seperate speakers. You might as well just build a 2.1 system with really nice floorstanding speakers. Or even a 3.1 with a center channel where most of your dialogue will end up coming from anyway. Subwoofer doesn't really need to be wireless because placement isn't that important as long as it's not in a corner.

Depending on how flexible your wife is, I would buy speaker set that can eventually be converted more easily to a 5.1 setup.

 

[Rio Rebel]

2.1 is great with that budget. Right off the top, forget Sony. They make good audio video electronics, and SOME good receivers, but NO good speakers. Ever. There are lots of good names out there, but to start you off, look at Paradigm, Klipsch, Polk, JBL, Definitive, the list goes on. No Bose, no Sony. You'll thank me later.

Also, lose the soundbar. It's pointless. If your wife will let you go 3.1, and add a center channel, it would be great. If not, get a really nice pair of front speakers and use a "phantom" center. If you get a center, make sure it matches the front pair (same "line" from the same brand).

The sub is very important. Plan to spend $500 on your sub (maybe slightly less, but that's the ballpark). The sub doesn't have to be the same brand as the other speakers, it makes no difference. Once again, there are plenty of brands...to start you off look at Hsu, Velodyne, SVS, Outlaw. I love Paradigm speakers, but not their subs...and I haven't heard a Polk sub that impressed me either.

Check out AVS Forum for tons of info, and listen to them. These guys know what they're talking about.

AND....Read Yoyo's guide at the top of this section! It is outstanding info.

 

[soulcougher73]

I love Paradigm speakers, but not their subs.

I'm the same way. I have Monitor 7 series speakers but a SVS PB-13 Ultra sub. Had a Paradigm sub at first but it was just meh.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm an oldfart on a fixed income, and I'm "building, experimenting, configuring . . ." my . . . "stuff."

That Panasonic TV is $2000 at Buy.com, so if you got it much cheaper somewhere else, I'll tip my hat.

I keep visiting here lately because I'm getting the bugs ironed out of my HTPC and new Onkyo AV/Receiver.

I am freakin' . . . . over-freakin'-whelmed wit dis s***. The receiver connects to my home network, so I have internet radio . . . I've got broadcast FM through Media Center integrating broadcast HDTV, internet TV and Cable-HDTV.

Adding up all the numbers, I spent maybe $1,600 on the TV, Onkyo and 5.1 "Cinema 500" speakers. Mine is only a leetle teeny LG 42" LED-LCD 120Hz, but I'm happier than a pig in s***.

Some of the speaker systems are so compact . . . . I don't understand why you want to limit yourself to 2.1 or 2.0 stereo. What's with . . . .the wife? You don't have to crank the volume all the way up . . . .

 

[maddogchen]

the panasonic tv was going for 1599 on paulstv recently.

I'm gonna drop the soundbar then and buy a center channel and look for speakers and subwoofer then.

thanks

 

[Exterous]

Right off the top, forget Sony. They make good audio video electronics, and SOME good receivers, but NO good speakers. Ever.

:thumbsup: And if any sales person ever recommends Sony speakers run away

There are lots of good names out there, but to start you off, look at Paradigm, Klipsch, Polk, JBL, Definitive, the list goes on. No Bose, no Sony. You'll thank me later.

Also, lose the soundbar. It's pointless. If your wife will let you go 3.1, and add a center channel, it would be great. If not, get a really nice pair of front speakers and use a "phantom" center. If you get a center, make sure it matches the front pair (same "line" from the same brand).

The sub is very important. Plan to spend $500 on your sub (maybe slightly less, but that's the ballpark). The sub doesn't have to be the same brand as the other speakers, it makes no difference. Once again, there are plenty of brands...to start you off look at Hsu, Velodyne, SVS, Outlaw. I love Paradigm speakers, but not their subs...and I haven't heard a Polk sub that impressed me either.

Check out AVS Forum for tons of info, and listen to them. These guys know what they're talking about.

AND....Read Yoyo's guide at the top of this section! It is outstanding info.

Yeah - very good post with lost of great info. Definitely make sure the center matches the fronts if you go that route. Depending on how much you decide to spend on speakers you may be able to find some speaker stores nearby that will have ones you can listen to. Often they will let you bring a selection of your own music to test with

A lot of people will buy their components in bursts. Maybe get the fronts and center now but wait and get a bit more cash for the sub type of thing. And maybe you'll get lucky and the wife will like the difference in sound so much that she'll let you add the surrounds down the road! It depends a bit on what you are watching. Not too many TV shows or music will use 5.1 but it can add a lot to movies - esp scary/action ones! Nothing like hearing the killer suddenly run up behind you or the bullets wiz past your shoulder

 

[SithSolo1]

the panasonic tv was going for 1599 on paulstv recently.

I'm gonna drop the soundbar then and buy a center channel and look for speakers and subwoofer then.

thanks

Go shopping in this order:

1) Buy the TV you want and see what you have left over. If you need a blu-ray player and/or media streamer, buy that too. Now at the very least you have a great picture and some sound.

2) Take what you have left and set aside $300-400 for a receiver/cables/etc. The amount is up to you. You may not use all of it but better safe than sorry.

3) Decide on and purchase two main speakers, aka the front left and right, either floor standing or bookshelf depending on room size and WAF. Keep in mind you will need stands/mounts for bookshelf speakers so remember add that to the cost. Also try to see if there is a center designed for the line of speakers you choose before you buy.

4) Use the money set aside in step 2 to buy a receiver for the speakers you chose and any other items the money was set aside for. You can get a better bang for your buck with factory refurbished receivers. If you have money left over, throw it back in the speaker pot.

5) Check your remaining funds. If sufficient, buy a subwoofer. If not, keep saving and get one in a few months. Repeat this step for all remaining needed/wanted speakers.


Speakers that can wait until later, if need be, are as follows: Subwoofer, Center, Surrounds. They should be purchased in that order to maximize the system. There is nothing wrong with buying them now but buying bit by bit can allow you to get nicer pieces over time. You'll also appreciate the improvements additional speakers bring more than if you just start out with everything. I'd personally start with a 2.0 then expand 2.1 > 3.1 > 5.1/7.1 as funds permit.

Also keep this in mind when looking for speakers there is a 99% chance, no matter what you choose or the price, that they will sound better than the built in TV speakers.

All aforementioned advice is my opinion and may or may not reflect the views of the world at large.



**Special note: Make sure your speakers(regardless of actual physical size) are always set to "small" in the receiver and adjust the cross-over as needed for tower/bookshelf speakers.**

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Go shopping in this order:

1) Buy the TV you want and see what you have left over. If you need a blu-ray player and/or media streamer, buy that too. Now at the very least you have a great picture and some sound.

2) Take what you have left and set aside $300-400 for a receiver/cables/etc. The amount is up to you. You may not use all of it but better safe than sorry.

3) Decide on and purchase two main speakers, aka the front left and right, either floor standing or bookshelf depending on room size and WAF. Keep in mind you will need stands/mounts for bookshelf speakers so remember add that to the cost. Also try to see if there is a center designed for the line of speakers you choose before you buy.

4) Use the money set aside in step 2 to buy a receiver for the speakers you chose and any other items the money was set aside for. You can get a better bang for your buck with factory refurbished receivers. If you have money left over, throw it back in the speaker pot.

5) Check your remaining funds. If sufficient, buy a subwoofer. If not, keep saving and get one in a few months. Repeat this step for all remaining needed/wanted speakers.


Speakers that can wait until later, if need be, are as follows: Subwoofer, Center, Surrounds. They should be purchased in that order to maximize the system. There is nothing wrong with buying them now but buying bit by bit can allow you to get nicer pieces over time. You'll also appreciate the improvements additional speakers bring more than if you just start out with everything. I'd personally start with a 2.0 then expand 2.1 > 3.1 > 5.1/7.1 as funds permit.

Also keep this in mind when looking for speakers there is a 99% chance, no matter what you choose or the price, that they will sound better than the built in TV speakers.

All aforementioned advice is my opinion and may or may not reflect the views of the world at large.



**Special note: Make sure your speakers(regardless of actual physical size) are always set to "small" in the receiver and adjust the cross-over as needed for tower/bookshelf speakers.**

In now way "diss-ing" your advice. I once -- maybe still -- believe that I have a "fine ear." I suppose a "real audiophile" would want to buy the speakers individually or in pairs. Me? I didn't want to trouble myself.

There's "brand name recognition," and like someone said -- "run away from Sony" may be a reliable tune.

I looked at several 5.1 systems -- Klipsch, Polk-Audio, etc. -- with 100W/channel capability, and then found these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20Cinema%20500

But the rest is explained in my review there -- posted almost two weeks ago and still the most recent. It seems many other reliable or known resellers are offering them for less than $400, and I got mine for $323.

Not being a big hot-dawg on this forum, I can only say they are great for this room. I chose the receiver and THEN the speakers to match, and I think I spent $200 more on the Onkyo TX-NR616 than I might have spent for a lesser model or another make.

I just don't feel guilty about it, and I'm as happy as a pig in s***.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Assuming you are still looking at 2.1 or 3.1 and not all 5 (which I suggest and you originally expressed):

The most important speakers for music is the front pair. If you are focused on movies, you can get away with 5 equal smaller speakers and a good sub. If you are only focused on music, then you can spend your money on the front pair. But if you want both, it gets more expensive, because the movies demand 5.1 or 7.1 and a good sub that can reach down for low frequencies...and the music demands high quality fronts and a tight sub, which means you are now spending more on the center (to match the fronts) and the sub (to get one that is both tight AND low).

I wanted both, and I found few ways to cut corners and save money. One way is to get cheaper speakers for the surrounds. They don't have to match the front 3 (it is much more important for the front 3 to match). You also don't need the same brand sub as the speakers - in fact, there's no need at all. You don't match a sub to speakers by tonal quality. Finally, look USED! Speakers that are well maintained last a long, long time...and you can often find quality speakers for 1/2 or 1/3 of the price used, which are a MUCH better value than new but cheaper quality speakers.

Good luck!

 

[JackBurton]

I'm the same way. I have Monitor 7 series speakers but a SVS PB-13 Ultra sub. Had a Paradigm sub at first but it was just meh.

Paradigm makes some awesome subs, you just gotta pick the right one. Nothing I'd recommend that's within the OP's budget though.

 

[Howard]

Do you have control of the lighting in the room? Plasma TVs usually have glass screens, sometimes glossy, which glare significantly with a lot of light.

Anyway, the better the TV, the better the experience. You get diminishing returns faster with speakers than you do with TVs.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Do you have control of the lighting in the room? Plasma TVs usually have glass screens, sometimes glossy, which glare significantly with a lot of light.

Anyway, the better the TV, the better the experience. You get diminishing returns faster with speakers than you do with TVs.

True, but 6 years from now, your receiver will be lacking some new feature but your speakers will still be as good as the day you bought them.

 

[Howard]

True, but 6 years from now, your receiver will be lacking some new feature but your speakers will still be as good as the day you bought them.

I don't even want to talk about speakers. Speakers are like assholes.

 

[maddogchen]

I think I'm pretty set on getting the Panasonic TC-P60ST50. I can control the lighting in the room enough for any glare. And there is no light that shines directly at the TV.

What do guys think about this speaker set? These Polk speakers seem to go on sale on Newegg a lot.


Polk Audio Monitor70 Series II for floor speakers
Polk Audio CS2 Series II for center speaker

And I probably need to wait a bit on the sub...

 

[SithSolo1]

For the usual sale price they are not bad. My friend bought that same front 3 and it sounded fine to my ear. He has enjoyed them for about a year now and has been very pleased with the purchase. He waited about two months to get a sub but said it made a big difference when he got it.

 

[jhansman]

Don't know any of the specs of the receiver you chose, but I'd make sure it has an ethernet port. If you ever decide to connect it to your router, you'll be glad you did. While my Pioneer has something called "Airplay" (wireless connectivity with ONLY Apple devices), I never use it because I don't have to. I can stream all my media to my receiver using open source apps via ethernet. Fast and it works.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Those are good speakers. You'll enjoy them very much, and you'll really hear a difference in movies when you add a sub. When I was first getting into home theater, I bought floorstanding speakers because I thought I wouldn't need a sub. That's just not the case - the minor extension you get with floorstanding speakers does not come close to making up for the lack of a subwoofer. But you're doing the right thing getting good equipment rather than trying to get everything and sacrificing quality.