Help me assemble a $2k home theatre system

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: spidey07
wow. Would love to help but with the misinformation spewing forth it will be impossible.

My advice. Save your money for a real home theater and don't try and piece one together bit by bit.

2000 bucks should get you some speakers...we can start from there.

No please, go ahead I wanna hear this...

Not everyone has tons of money to spend on HT. $2000 is more than enough to get a very nice home theater.

No it is not. 2000 bucks gets speakers and IMHO you shouldn't spend anything less.

2000 bucks is severely just touching entry level home theater.

Ok so its entry level to you. But are the speakers he's getting utter garbage? No, many would love to be able to get speakers that nice.

Different people have different expectations, yours are obviously very high. Its cetainly better than any HtiB solution out there

just barely, IMHO.

That's what I'm trying to say. Save your money and get a hometheater when you can afford one. Otherwise you'll just be constantly upgrading.

Can you honestly say you haven't upgraded? New formats come out every few years. There was PL then PLII then PLIIx and in the future DD+ and such. DVI and HDMI switching is just beginning to be available in many receivers. Auto calibration is a huge feature to many people now, and digital amplifiers/receivers are becoming more and more available.

Now I will admit that speakers don't change dramatically, because phyics hasn't changed. But there is usually always something better than what you currently own.

No matter what you buy, at some point you will feel the urge to upgrade to something better. Whether its speakers or a new receiver or seperates, something can and always will be upgradeable.

The important part if that the buyer enjoys it, and I really think he will love the result of his research. especially someone who is just entering into HT tech.

 

[Kremlar]

That's what I'm trying to say. Save your money and get a hometheater when you can afford one. Otherwise you'll just be constantly upgrading.

Then why buy that new Accord? Save up until you can afford that BMW M5!

Some people don't need $2000 speakers.

My HT started with a 13" Commodore 1080 monitor and a pair of Radio Shack powered speakers, to a 20" Sony TV, to a Aiwa mini-system, upgraded my speakers to a 5.1 set of RA Labs, upgraded my TV to a 32" Sony, upgraded my receiver to an Onkyo DPL, upgraded my receiver to a Yamaha DD, upgraded my TV to a NEC DLP front projector, upgraded my sub to a custom-built sonotube, upgraded my speakers to a set of AV123 Rockets, upgraded my receiver to a Onkyo DPL II / 7.1, upgraded my projector to a Infocus DLP, and added some AV123 speakers for 7.1.

I enjoyed every step, and certainly don't regret any of my past equipment. I always bought what I could afford, then sold off my old equipment as I upgraded.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
This thread went down hill fast.

Good luck with everything sygyzy!

tell me about it :disgust:

And I second that! Have fun with your new setup sygyzy!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Kremlar

That's what I'm trying to say. Save your money and get a hometheater when you can afford one. Otherwise you'll just be constantly upgrading.

Then why buy that new Accord? Save up until you can afford that BMW M5!

Some people don't need $2000 speakers.

My HT started with a 13" Commodore 1080 monitor and a pair of Radio Shack powered speakers, to a 20" Sony TV, to a Aiwa mini-system, upgraded my speakers to a 5.1 set of RA Labs, upgraded my TV to a 32" Sony, upgraded my receiver to an Onkyo DPL, upgraded my receiver to a Yamaha DD, upgraded my TV to a NEC DLP front projector, upgraded my sub to a custom-built sonotube, upgraded my speakers to a set of AV123 Rockets, upgraded my receiver to a Onkyo DPL II / 7.1, upgraded my projector to a Infocus DLP, and added some AV123 speakers for 7.1.

I enjoyed every step, and certainly don't regret any of my past equipment. I always bought what I could afford, then sold off my old equipment as I upgraded.

Infocus + rockets, eh? :Q

I trust that your rockets destoy mine since your infocus destoys mine already

 

[Kremlar]

I trust that your rockets destoy mine since your infocus destoys mine already

I have 750s in the front. Your rears are better than mine!

Nice setup BTW!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: spidey07
wow. Would love to help but with the misinformation spewing forth it will be impossible.

My advice. Save your money for a real home theater and don't try and piece one together bit by bit.

2000 bucks should get you some speakers...we can start from there.

No please, go ahead I wanna hear this...

Not everyone has tons of money to spend on HT. $2000 is more than enough to get a very nice home theater.

No it is not. 2000 bucks gets speakers and IMHO you shouldn't spend anything less.

2000 bucks is severely just touching entry level home theater.

Ok so its entry level to you. But are the speakers he's getting utter garbage? No, many would love to be able to get speakers that nice.

Different people have different expectations, yours are obviously very high. Its cetainly better than any HtiB solution out there

just barely, IMHO.

That's what I'm trying to say. Save your money and get a hometheater when you can afford one. Otherwise you'll just be constantly upgrading.

Can you honestly say you haven't upgraded? New formats come out every few years. There was PL then PLII then PLIIx and in the future DD+ and such. DVI and HDMI switching is just beginning to be available in many receivers. Auto calibration is a huge feature to many people now, and digital amplifiers/receivers are becoming more and more available.

Now I will admit that speakers don't change dramatically, because phyics hasn't changed. But there is usually always something better than what you currently own.

No matter what you buy, at some point you will feel the urge to upgrade to something better. Whether its speakers or a new receiver or seperates, something can and always will be upgradeable.

The important part if that the buyer enjoys it, and I really think he will love the result of his research. especially someone who is just entering into HT tech.

Sure I've upgraded, but only the cheaper stuff like pres and amps and sources.

The speakers however are the most important by far and one shouldn't skimp to try and fit a budget. But like I said, that's my opinion.

To me 2000 bucks on speakers is just getting started in entry level stuff like rockets, etc.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Kremlar

I trust that your rockets destoy mine since your infocus destoys mine already

I have 750s in the front. Your rears are better than mine!

Nice setup BTW!

Woohoo, I won at something

Nice setup youself

 

[mboy]

Sp spidey, what's your setup then?

 

[sygyzy]

I am back guys! I didn't forget you all.

My speakers and amp shipped today. I suspect they'll be here tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.

Dumb question - How do I install banana clips on the wires? There is a screw end I can remove and a little slug that is in the middle that slides out. Uh, what do I do?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
I am back guys! I didn't forget you all.

My speakers and amp shipped today. I suspect they'll be here tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.

Dumb question - How do I install banana clips on the wires? There is a screw end I can remove and a little slug that is in the middle that slides out. Uh, what do I do?

Mine were just crimp on.... but bump for you

 

[sygyzy]

Ok, I got everything up and running. I have a question about the In/Out setup of the AVR.

With each device, you MUST choose a component video intput. There is no "none" selection. So say for Video One, I renamed that to ReplayTV (since the remote is labeled VCR). I have audio going in optical 3 and S-Video in Video 1 in the back. I have transcoding on (or whatever their fancy name is on the OSD, and set to AUTO). There are no component cables being used with the device. But if I were to leave it at the default Component 1 setting, it'd interfere with my X-Box. In fact, I tried this and sure enough, with both devices on, my X-Box displayed on the screen. The other choices for Component are Component 2 and DVD.

So what I did to get around this was set all my S-Video or Composite devices to Component 2 since nothing is plugged in there. Then it automatically used composite or s-video as needed.

What if I end up with a third component device and fill all the slots (Component 1, 2, DVD)? Then when I ran setup, I would be forced to choose an active one and it would end up showing me the wrong output for a particular device.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Hmm... I didn't have to do something like that for my receivers. Mine both had only two component inputs though. If I had to do what you were doing, I'd be screwed.

So, bump for you

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: rleemhui

Originally posted by: sygyzy
My God. The 1015 has everything going for it. It has upconversion, 3 component inputs, inputs through the front, and 120W per channel for $449 with free Fed-Ex 3 day from One Call. What am I missing here? Comparable HK would be the 625 for $700. What is going on?

People have said that that receiver is the same as the 52tx. A very pricey receiver. Personally, I along with some others, don't believe this whatsoever. There has not been any tests to test the 1014 or 1015 for REAL power output. People just assume it has the same amp section as the 52tx. Personally I don't think a few features make all the difference between a receiver that costs over $1000 to one that costs $400.

With the advent of the problems with power surges killing 1014's I think that this might be something that shows that maybe my opinion might be right. A company simply cannot put out a receiver that is the SAME(at least in the most expensive section) as a much higher class receiver but charge a low price. That wouldn't be smart buisness.

Just my opinion though.

If you ask on AVS or HTF you will see most people recommend either HK or Denon when the choice is put out there, and I think the reason is simple. Quality.

Not saying the Pioneer is bad, but I don't think its up to the level of quality of a 435 or 635.

Plus I think the Pioneer is uber fugly lol.

If you like the sound of kilpsch speakers you would definitely like the Axioms. They use metal dome tweeters so they do tend to be "brighter" but then again, the HK is supposed to be "warmer" so they might balance out to a pretty neutral sound.

You can't go wrong with Axiom because they offer a trial period where you can try them in home. Not sure how long its for but they do have quite the following. If you read any professional review of them you will see that most all conclude that they have no right to sound as good as they do for the money.

But in the end, its your speakers. As long as your happy, you made the right choice. Whats right for me or Jello might not be right for you(I don't own the axioms however, I did consider them at one point before deciding to learn to make my own). Although I bet you any of these options will blow you away.

BTW most agree that the Auto setup and EQ of the HK is superior to Denon's and Pioneers equivalent offerings.

If you have any more questions, again feel free to follow up. My previous post was short because I was at work again

Note: The HK 435 and 635 have 3 component ins, and inputs in the front.

HK fanboy.


Enough said.

Lets see, I looked at each the 1014, the Denon 1905, 2105, 2805 and I analyzed which I liked best. I bought it. Its my first high end receiver.

Somehow I don't think thats equivalent to being a fanboy. I was torn between the Denon and the 435 and ended up going with the HK for its Parametric EQ. Some people love their Denon's some people love Yamaha, some love HK, some love Pioneer. Its all a matter of opinion of what you think sounds best, and what fits your needs.

Probably wouldn't call me a fanboy if I said to get the receiver you like best. Instead of doing that why don't you suggest a receiver and give your opinion on it? I think that would be more helpful. Notice I didn't trash all the other receivers, people have opinions, deal with them.

lol, relax man. I didn't think you would take it like that. I already did suggest a receiver, earlier in the thread. All you said in your 2nd post of this entire thread was:

"The HK will blow away most receivers. It has the processor of the 635 and power output is more than sufficient for even the most high end of systems. I will be picking one up shortly. It is a steal for the price. If you want you can go up to the 635 for the extra 10 watts and video upconversion, but if you ask me its not worth it, but it depends how much you can stretch your budget and what your needs are.
"
If that isn't fanboy talk, then I don't know what is.

What's even funnier is calling HK "hi-end"

lol

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
I am back guys! I didn't forget you all.

My speakers and amp shipped today. I suspect they'll be here tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest.

Dumb question - How do I install banana clips on the wires? There is a screw end I can remove and a little slug that is in the middle that slides out. Uh, what do I do?

It depends on the plug. Some are crimp, others are twistlock.

 

[sygyzy]

Here's a new question for you guys:

Since my TV has no OUTPUTS and is only connected to the receiver to act as a monitor, how do I assign it a device on the HK remote? For example, Video 2 is labeled and assigned a device type TV. Though everything is configurable, it means by default, you should plug your TV into Video 2 and it expects what you plug in to be device type: TV. This is fine and dandy if I had a standard TV and needed to use it's internal tuner. Instead, I have the display acting only as a monitor.

I want to be able to control my TV (mostly turn on and off more than anything). But I cannot because if I were to "assign" it to Video 2 (TV), it would try to "switch" to Video 2 and right now my X-Box is there.

The only solution I can think of is to leave Video 2 connections in the rear empty, thus wasting an entire input just for the ability to turn the TV on and off.

Am I missing something? If I am unclear about something, please let me know.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

So you have your receiver doing sound for when you're watching tv? What about selecting "CD" as the input of something like that. Then you can have it switch to that audio source only and you should be able to have your remote learn functions from the tv remote still on that setting.

 

[sygyzy]

The only way for me to watch "TV" is through my DirecTV receiver. I cannot receive any over the air signals. I do not have cable. Only DirecTV. So there is no such thing as watching TV without the receiver. I am not sure what you mean with using CD as input?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
The only way for me to watch "TV" is through my DirecTV receiver. I cannot receive any over the air signals. I do not have cable. Only DirecTV. So there is no such thing as watching TV without the receiver. I am not sure what you mean with using CD as input?

Oh, I thought you were were trying to watch tv via an antenna attached to the tv and wanted to control it with your remote but didn't want to waste a spot with video input for something that doesn't have video going to the receiver.

So... you have the DirecTV going to the receiver and have it set as an input? What do you need to control on the TV? Couldn't you just pick some random buttons on the HK remote and have them learn the TV funcitons under the DirecTV profile (whatever input that is).

Kind of amusing... I'm setting up my Harmony 880 remote as I'm typing this

 

[sygyzy]

Did you get the $175 deal for the 880? Tell me how you like it. I might buy it.

For the TV, I need it to do two things ONLY: 1) Power 2) Zoom.

I guess you are right, I could make the reassign some buttons while in DirecTV mode to power it on and off. I hate doing that though. When my old roommate was here, we sat there and he mapped my X-Box keys to his Denon remote. He said "Ok. so what do you want the Back button to be? Currently I am not using OSD, so how about that?" You know how lame that is? To try to remember that OSD means Back?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Did you get the $175 deal for the 880? Tell me how you like it. I might buy it.

For the TV, I need it to do two things ONLY: 1) Power 2) Zoom.

I guess you are right, I could make the reassign some buttons while in DirecTV mode to power it on and off. I hate doing that though. When my old roommate was here, we sat there and he mapped my X-Box keys to his Denon remote. He said "Ok. so what do you want the Back button to be? Currently I am not using OSD, so how about that?" You know how lame that is? To try to remember that OSD means Back?

Mine came to $183 shipped I think. I'm getting my new DVD player sometime this week, so I'm not going to bother getting everything perfect on it until I get all the components together that I'm going to have for a while (It's organized by activities and it keeps track of what components are involved, so I think if I set everthing up how I want it, I'll have to make some major changes once a component changes).

I also might have to put a mirror up or some reflective surface near my component rack so that when I start an activity the signal can get to my components as well as my projector at the same time.

The reason I'm thinking reassigning buttons would be nice is that if you're on a current mode, you don't need to keep switching back and forth to do certain functions. The tricky part is finding good buttons to reassign though as you've mentioned.

Something that was really annoying with my old HK was that I couldn't set the volume to go to the receiver for all inputs. I would have been able to do it if I had a second HK remote that I could learn volume up and down from for all inputs .

So, even when I had everything learned from all my remotes, I still had to switch to AVR to adjust the volume

Something has already kind of come up on my Harmony though. For one "Activity" I just wanted to have the receiver be on and set to a certain audio input that my computer is connected to. It wanted a name for the activity so I chose "Digital Music" but then it kept asking me for the model of the computer I had and wanted to learn the functions of the remote I had for it. It wouldn't let me just say "it doesn't need a remote".
I ended up lying to it and making a "Play tape" activity and said I had a tape deck that didn't have a remote. Then I renamed "Play tape" to "Computer"

I'm sure I'll get all the kinks out over time.

 

[sygyzy]

From what I have seen about the 880, it seems like you can do macros pretty easily. Like if you press "Watch TV, it can turn on your tv, your receiver, turn on your cable or satellite box, and switch to the appropriate video input."

That would really make things alot easier!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
From what I have seen about the 880, it seems like you can do macros pretty easily. Like if you press "Watch TV, it can turn on your tv, your receiver, turn on your cable or satellite box, and switch to the appropriate video input."

That would really make things alot easier!

Yeah, everything seems to be working great except for right now it doesn't seem to like to switch my receiver input to DVR/VCR for when I'm using my VCR for a tuner (or if I ever decided to watch or VHS tape )

It can switch my receiver to DVD input and TV input just fine... and it can switch to VCR input if I go through the Device menu on the remote, but for some reason it doesn't want to do it yet when doing the macro for starting the watch tv or watch video activity.

I'm sure I'll figure it out.

The online program is pretty nice compared to trying to set stuff up through on OSD or finding codes for devices.

 

[sygyzy]

Can you post a screenshot of the on screen program?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: spidey07

What's even funnier is calling HK "hi-end"

lol

What's funny is that people can't understand that some people consider $600 a lot of money to spend on a receiver.

Can you get a receiver/seperates that cost $5000? No problem. Is it worth the $$$$ for everyone, hell no.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Can you post a screenshot of the on screen program?

What's a good free screenshot utility program?

(I used to have one, but I seem to have lost it and I didn't use it enough to remember what it was called)

I just tried fraps but for some reason it doesn't seem to like me.