Help choosing new home theater setup

[Illusio]

I'm looking into buying a new home theater system. I was originally looking at a Bose system because the wife really wants something small and unobtrusive. (as opposed to my 4 foot high floor standing speakers I currently have). I know a lot of people say Bose is over priced, so does anyone have any recommendations? I also will need a receiver to go with it. My current one is quite old. I?d like it to be able to handle the video switching (so I can run all the video inputs to the receive and just one output to the tv). I?m not a super audophile, so I don?t need anything too crazy, I?d like to stay under $1000 if that?s do able.

Let me know if you know whats good.

 

[montypythizzle]

Just get a nice receiver and some Insignia Bookshelfs.

 

[DBL]

Orb?

 

[kalrith]

I recommend this HSU Research package for $500. You get 5.1 surround with small speakers and an awesome sub. For video switching do you need HDMI? If you do, then try something like this for the receiver.

 

[Illusio]

I do need HDMI as I'm planning on getting a Plasma or LCD tv this year.

 

[SLCentral]

Definitive Technologies ProCinema 600.

 

[kalrith]

Another, less-expensive route is to buy a non-HDMI receiver for between $200 and $300 (there are some recommendations on this page) and to buy an HDMI switcher for $30 to $60 like this or this. I also recommend getting all of your cables at www.monoprice.com. You'll save a bundle, especially with the HDMI cables: less than $10 each compared with over $100 at Best Buy.

I do have one question though. Why do you want to use the receiver for the video switching, other than for ease of cable routing? I originally planned on buying a switcher, until I read that you won't be able to have individual settings on your TV for each source, because the TV will see them as all the same input. However, if you run your cables directly from the source to the TV, then you can have individual settings for each source (ie. a different setting for PS3, satellite TV, computer, etc.).

 

[Project86]

I agree on the switching issue. Switching can be convenient when connecting a few sources to a 27" SD set. When using a nice large HD set, individual sources should have their own settings.

As for the sound setup, the HSU setup mentioned earlier is very nice. The Orbs are nice but expensive. Jamo makes a very nice speaker package like this. They sell it with a integrated DVD/receiver at compusa for $699, I checked it out the other day and it sounds very nice as these tiny systems go. The sub is a bit weak for large rooms though.

Another option is this Micro-Pod set by Scandyna. Great price on them, and they are available in different colors.

Pair those up with any decent receiver from Pioneer, H/K, Denon, Panasonic, or Onkyo, and you would be set.

EDIT to add: I just realized that most people have never heard of the companies I mentioned. Jamo is a high end audio company from Denmark that makes some killer stuff at various price ranges. Scandyna is better known in other parts of the world as well. Both of these speaker sets are extremely high quality, several notches above what Bose sells for any price.