Help me pick and choose a home theatre setup

[TallBill]

When I return from Iraq, I'll be looking to do some toy shopping, and a home theatre setup is a must. Keep in mind that I'm not looking to waste any money, so nothing uneccesary. My 27" Tau with no home audio system is outdated.

Anyways, I plan on buying either a xbox 360 w/ a HD-DVD drive, or a PS3 with its blu-ray, or both, so keep that out of the package.

I'm looking for a 32"-42" HDTV, reciever, and either 4.1 or 5.1 surround sound. As well as a way to wirelessly stream mp3's from my desktop.

Also, keep in mind that I could give a rats ass about HD broadcasts. I just want the HD for movies and games. I dont even watch TV.

Total budget for TV + stereo equipment would be $2500 on the low end, $4000 on the high end, not to include the console systems.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'd grab a 5.1 set off of AV123.com in that budget and a nice receiver - maybe budget $500 or $600 for that?

Don't spend too much on the rear speakers, might want to grab their x-ls for that ($219/pair).

Front Left/Right: http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=90.1 - $900
Center Channel: http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=6.1 - $600

The rears would depend on what you want... but the X-LS should be more than enough to enjoy - http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1 - $219

That's a 5.0 setup for $1719, add in a subwoofer and round this all off to about $2k. $500-600 for a receiver puts you at around $2500 + shipping on everything, so maybe $2600 or $2700. The rest depends on your desire for a TV. Remember, these prices are all without any kinds of deals/packages at all. If you go for a full 5.1 setup from AV123.com, call them up and ask for a package deal of some kind.

As for the sub, keep an eye on AV123.com, I know they've been releasing news about some new options and so it's worth to check out. If they don't get something in your price range, this is a great choice at any time: http://svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

The PB10 is a great subwoofer that comes from SVS, nothing to doubt in that subwoofer, it'll probably beat most 12" subs on the market.

 

[biggestmuff]

My personal advice is for you to just hold off right now. Check back in about 6 months. Around 1Q 2007 you'll see new A/V receivers with built-in decoding of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and the DTS higher resolution formats. These receivers will also be HDMI 1.3 compliant. The HDTV market will change slightly by then as well.

You can use this time to be looking at specifications of speakers from different companies that you'd like to audition. Don't "cold buy" a speaker package. Listen to them.

Good luck and stay safe!

 

[Blazin Trav]

Buy the components seperately... I would get a decent sub and really good speakers. It all starts with the receiver, Denon or Yamaha for the receiver IMO.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
Buy the components seperately... I would get a decent sub and really good speakers. It all starts with the receiver, Denon or Yamaha for the receiver IMO.

Speakers are going to be the biggest factor in his choice - it's harder to go wrong with electronics as long as it has the inputs/outputs you want than it is with speakers. With speakers, you could end up with some low end single driver Bose speakers, or something much better from another company. Any reputable brand for a receiver will be fine, speakers are what are of more of a concern IMO.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
Buy the components seperately... I would get a decent sub and really good speakers. It all starts with the receiver, Denon or Yamaha for the receiver IMO.

Speakers are going to be the biggest factor in his choice - it's harder to go wrong with electronics as long as it has the inputs/outputs you want than it is with speakers. With speakers, you could end up with some low end single driver Bose speakers, or something much better from another company. Any reputable brand for a receiver will be fine, speakers are what are of more of a concern IMO.

I guess, but the receiver is pretty much the core of the setup unless he wants more amps by hooking up an amp to the receiver...

True, start with the speakers I suppose.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
My personal advice is for you to just hold off right now. Check back in about 6 months. Around 1Q 2007 you'll see new A/V receivers with built-in decoding of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and the DTS higher resolution formats. These receivers will also be HDMI 1.3 compliant. The HDTV market will change slightly by then as well.

You can use this time to be looking at specifications of speakers from different companies that you'd like to audition. Don't "cold buy" a speaker package. Listen to them.

Good luck and stay safe!

Wont be buying anything for at least 8 more months, if not more. Thanks for the input. Keep it coming

 

[Tiamat]

I would recommend you make a trip to local dealers and get a grasp on how different speakers sound, well different! Get a grasp on the type of sound you enjoy, whether it be something like Vienna Acoustics, bowers and wilkins, paradigm, def tech, klipsch, etc.

They all sound vastly different and it would be good to know what you like since this is an investment that should last you years if not decades.

For electronics, strive to get all the features you want and know what size room your speakers will be in. The larger the room and farther away you sit from the speakers, the more wattage you will need. I am a separates guy, so I would never consider receivers, but instead separate preamp, processor, and amplifier. It all depends on your budget. For smaller overall budget (<5k$), a receiver is probably going to serve you decently.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

There's some suggestions in this thread that would be applicable to the higher end of your budget
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1978213&enterthread=y

Don't think about 4.1 unless you're the only one that's ever going to watch it and you'll be sitting right in the sweet spot (so you could get away with a phantom center).

Getting out and trying some different options in person is going to be key for getting something that fits your own taste.

I think I'm required to mention Front Projection as an option
720p should continue to improve and there might even be 1080p options in 8 months that you could consider. If you have a dark room and want a cinematic experience, it's the only way to go IMO.

 

[TallBill]

Well I cant really listen to in store setups at the moment, however found this dealer near my house. In my tiny audio experience, I know that I love the sound from Klipsch speakers.

Anyways, i found this nice little package.

http://www.barrettshometheater.com/products.cfm?catID=86&prodID=1171

5.1 Klipsch setup for $1700.

Matched up with a reciever like this Pioneer VSX80TXV would work fine right?

I'm pretty much a n00blar at all of this, and barely understand the need for all video/audio inputs to go through one box (the reciever), then to the tv.

Anyways, if I bought the $650 reciever and the $1700 speakers, that'd leave ~$1700 for a TV. Maybe not possible right now, but should be easier in 8 months. Toss in a PS3/360, and bam, we're having some fun.

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
There's some suggestions in this thread that would be applicable to the higher end of your budget
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1978213&enterthread=y

Don't think about 4.1 unless you're the only one that's ever going to watch it and you'll be sitting right in the sweet spot (so you could get away with a phantom center).

Getting out and trying some different options in person is going to be key for getting something that fits your own taste.

I think I'm required to mention Front Projection as an option
720p should continue to improve and there might even be 1080p options in 8 months that you could consider. If you have a dark room and want a cinematic experience, it's the only way to go IMO.

If you go FP or DLP, make sure you don't see rainbows first.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: apac

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
There's some suggestions in this thread that would be applicable to the higher end of your budget
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1978213&enterthread=y

Don't think about 4.1 unless you're the only one that's ever going to watch it and you'll be sitting right in the sweet spot (so you could get away with a phantom center).

Getting out and trying some different options in person is going to be key for getting something that fits your own taste.

I think I'm required to mention Front Projection as an option
720p should continue to improve and there might even be 1080p options in 8 months that you could consider. If you have a dark room and want a cinematic experience, it's the only way to go IMO.

If you go FP or DLP, make sure you don't see rainbows first.

Don't have to worry unless the FP is a DLP one. No problems with an LCD or CRT FP.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Well I cant really listen to in store setups at the moment, however found this dealer near my house. In my tiny audio experience, I know that I love the sound from Klipsch speakers.

Anyways, i found this nice little package.

http://www.barrettshometheater.com/products.cfm?catID=86&prodID=1171

5.1 Klipsch setup for $1700.

Matched up with a reciever like this Pioneer VSX80TXV would work fine right?

I'm pretty much a n00blar at all of this, and barely understand the need for all video/audio inputs to go through one box (the reciever), then to the tv.

Anyways, if I bought the $650 reciever and the $1700 speakers, that'd leave ~$1700 for a TV. Maybe not possible right now, but should be easier in 8 months. Toss in a PS3/360, and bam, we're having some fun.

Definitely hold off on the receiver decision until the last minute since that's where a lot of changes are happening now.

Klipsch + that Pioneer would work fine.

Klipsch has a rather distinct sound though, so make sure that's a sound you really like before getting too set on them

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Klipsch has a rather distinct sound though, so make sure that's a sound you really like before getting too set on them

90% of my klipsch experience was with their computer speakers. If their regular ones sound like the computer line, then I love that sound. I'll definitely try before I buy, and by no means am set on any model/brand yet. Like I said, I got time.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Klipsch has a rather distinct sound though, so make sure that's a sound you really like before getting too set on them

90% of my klipsch experience was with their computer speakers. If their regular ones sound like the computer line, then I love that sound. I'll definitely try before I buy, and by no means am set on any model/brand yet. Like I said, I got time.

Klipsch comptuer speakers are so nice because they're practically the only game in town

There are a TON of great alternatives to their "real" speakers that you should check out.

 

[apac]

Do the klipsch computer speakers actually use the Tractrix Horn tweeters? I didn't think they were large enough for that.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Well I cant really listen to in store setups at the moment, however found this dealer near my house. In my tiny audio experience, I know that I love the sound from Klipsch speakers.

Anyways, i found this nice little package.

http://www.barrettshometheater.com/products.cfm?catID=86&prodID=1171

5.1 Klipsch setup for $1700.

Matched up with a reciever like this Pioneer VSX80TXV would work fine right?

I'm pretty much a n00blar at all of this, and barely understand the need for all video/audio inputs to go through one box (the reciever), then to the tv.

Anyways, if I bought the $650 reciever and the $1700 speakers, that'd leave ~$1700 for a TV. Maybe not possible right now, but should be easier in 8 months. Toss in a PS3/360, and bam, we're having some fun.

Excellent speaker choice IMHO, but definitely go have a listen. I've been a total Klipschwhore for twenty years.

I'm looking at this Squeezebox to stream mp3's to my HT. I'll update the thread if I get it.

Be safe over there, mang!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: apac
Do the klipsch computer speakers actually use the Tractrix Horn tweeters? I didn't think they were large enough for that.

Klipsch calls them "MicroTractrix? Horn tweeters"

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: iRONic

Originally posted by: TallBill
Well I cant really listen to in store setups at the moment, however found this dealer near my house. In my tiny audio experience, I know that I love the sound from Klipsch speakers.

Anyways, i found this nice little package.

http://www.barrettshometheater.com/products.cfm?catID=86&prodID=1171

5.1 Klipsch setup for $1700.

Matched up with a reciever like this Pioneer VSX80TXV would work fine right?

I'm pretty much a n00blar at all of this, and barely understand the need for all video/audio inputs to go through one box (the reciever), then to the tv.

Anyways, if I bought the $650 reciever and the $1700 speakers, that'd leave ~$1700 for a TV. Maybe not possible right now, but should be easier in 8 months. Toss in a PS3/360, and bam, we're having some fun.

Excellent speaker choice IMHO, but definitely go have a listen. I've been a total Klipschwhore for twenty years.

I'm looking at this Squeezebox to stream mp3's to my HT. I'll update the thread if I get it.

Be safe over there, mang!

I JUST read about a new Logitech device for this, but cant find it anywhere. Maybe its not in stores yet.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: TallBill

I JUST read about a new Logitech device for this, but cant find it anywhere. Maybe its not in stores yet.

Post a link if find one before leave. Will you have intarweb access over there?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: iRONic

Originally posted by: TallBill

I JUST read about a new Logitech device for this, but cant find it anywhere. Maybe its not in stores yet.

Post a link if find one before leave. Will you have intarweb access over there?

I already am "over there"

Anyways, I found the ariticle that I read, and its the "Wireless DJ" from logitech. Check their website for more info. Its MSRP is $250. Looks like a great device.

Wireless DJ

 

[iRONic]

Ooops, dint thibk you left yet. My bad.

Thanks for da link.