home theater recommendations

[Sho'Nuff]

Hey there, after finally buying a new t.v. (a 50 inch panasonic PZ700U plasma), I am in the market for a home theater. I'm looking for recommendations for a 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 setup with a receiver. I do not need video upconversion in the receiver, because both of my sources (FIOS receiver and PS3) already do that. I do want HDMI switching, capability for up to two 2 channel sound zones outside of the main theater room, ipod compatibility, and, if possible, streaming media capability. As for speakers, I am just looking for some good recommendations. I won't buy a set on someone's word without hearing them.

And yes, I saw the general home theater thread and product recommendations. I'm more interested in hearing what receiver speaker combos they have and why they do or do not like them.

 

[sdifox]

read the sticky! http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2099593&enterthread=y

 

[Illusio]

Any requirements on the speakers? Towers, bookshelf, satellites? WAF?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: soxfan
I'm more interested in hearing what receiver speaker combos they have and why they do or do not like them.

You mean like a "Home Theater In a Box" recommendation?

What's your budget?

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: sdifox
read the sticky! http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2099593&enterthread=y

"And yes, I saw the general home theater thread and product recommendations. I'm more interested in hearing what receiver speaker combos they have and why they do or do not like them. "

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: Dark Jedi
Any requirements on the speakers? Towers, bookshelf, satellites? WAF?

I'd like towers for the fronts, but due to space constraints (main setup will be in an odd shaped room that is ~ 13X15) and the wife acdpetance factopr, I think bookshields or compacts are all I am going to be allowed to get.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: soxfan
I'm more interested in hearing what receiver speaker combos they have and why they do or do not like them.

You mean like a "Home Theater In a Box" recommendation?

What's your budget?

Maybe. I'm open to a HTiB, but I'd rather have better ocmponents than what those typically include. Budget is ~$3-4k for sound. I already have video, as mentioned in the OP

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: soxfan

Originally posted by: Dark Jedi
Any requirements on the speakers? Towers, bookshelf, satellites? WAF?

I'd like towers for the fronts, but due to space constraints (main setup will be in an odd shaped room that is ~ 13X15) and the wife acdpetance factopr, I think bookshields or compacts are all I am going to be allowed to get.

you can fill 13x15 with satellites and sub. Key is what kind of sound you like. Have you gone into a store and auditioned speakers? My taste in sound probably does not coincide with yours perfectly so it is better if you have an idea what kind of sound you like first then we can give you a few suggestions along those lines.


athony gallos will definitely pass WAF.


http://www.roundsound.com/

 

[nsafreak]

Whoops, missed your budget post and was posting asking for it. $3-$4k is a pretty good sized budget to work with just for audio. Since we're working within bookshelf sized speakers there are still a fair number of options available:

Fronts:

Paradigm Atom Monitor v.5s (I personally have these and love them)
Omnisate Mirages (if you want something really small but nice sounding)
AV123 X-LS Encore Monitors
Nohr (can't remember specific models but they have some that are small like Bose but sound tons better)

Center:

AV123 X-CS Encore
Paradigm Studio Center


Rears:

Omnisat Mirages
Paradigm Monitors

Subwoofer:

HSU Research VTF-3
SVS (with a 10" sub)


Receivers:

Harman Kardon AVR-437
Denon 3803


I'm sure some folks will make different recommendations but that's what comes to mind with the parameters given. Personally I have the most experience with Paradigm, they're a great bang for the buck but there are other options that may be better.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: nsafreak
A budget would definitely be nice. We could easily recommend something that would do an excellent job but be outside what your budget is for this system.

he replied to yoyo citing 3-4k

 

[erwos]

Um, FYI: your PS3 does not upscale PS3 games. It will do it for PS1 and PS2 games, as well as media. But, if you pop, for example, Resistance in, it's not going to output in 1080p. I'm wrestling with this issue, too.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: soxfan

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: soxfan
I'm more interested in hearing what receiver speaker combos they have and why they do or do not like them.

You mean like a "Home Theater In a Box" recommendation?

What's your budget?

Maybe. I'm open to a HTiB, but I'd rather have better ocmponents than what those typically include. Budget is ~$3-4k for sound. I already have video, as mentioned in the OP

With $3k-4k, a HTiB shouldn't really be considered, as the brands to look at in that range aren't going to come as packages by default. That's not to say you can't get good package deals, but it wouldn't be an "all in one box" sort of setup. In general over $1000 I think the HTIB options should be avoided since you have so much more freedom for product choices at a higher range.

For the multizone, are you looking for video for the other zones as well or just 2 channel audio?

For audio, would you be looking at

5.1(7.1?) + 2 + 2 then?

The mid to upper Onkyo and Denon units should be able to handle that.
(Maybe an Onkyo 875 or a Denon 4308CI?)

For the second outside zone you may need to get another amp or receiver to power the actual speakers but the receivers should be able to give you line out that you can run there.

I'm not sure what your plans were for actually wiring it all though...

If you're looking to do video to these other areas, then it's going to take a higher end unit to get it all routed how you want it afaik. With your budget though that shouldn't be too much of an issue though.

I definitely agree that you should audition speakers for yourself.

For the sub, I think you would be safer just picking out a well reviewed good bang for the buck unit. Your room is going to have huge implications for bass, so demoing it might not be very helpful unless you do so in your own room.

Some great options can be had from
http://av123.com/index.php?pag...m_virtuemart&Itemid=37
http://www.svsound.com/
http://www.hsuresearch.com/
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/
http://www.edesignaudio.com/index.php?cPath=2_41

Several of those tend to be rather ugly and large units though...

Some have some really nice veneer options though that might give you more leeway for the WAF aspect of things.

Do you have some good AV&HT type stores in your area to demo products?

Otherwise... you might consider getting your receiver (and possibly sub) first and then ordering a few pairs of internet direct speakers to demo in your own home and decide which ones you like the best and build up your system around it.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Here is a sample of what I would go with.

Denon 2808 $1200 http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AV...&qid=1204826266&sr=1-6

for speakers I am an avid fan of Focal speakers, they just vanish when setup correctly, very smooth response. Almost sound ethereal in their sound. I think they have some of the best speakers for most price ranges $1000<. Paradigm would be a close second as they have a great sound as well.

For a Focal set I would go with
Focal 716 $900/pair for fronts
Focal CC700 V $350 for center
Focal 706 $550 for rears

$3000+sub+cables

If you went bookshelf's you should be able to get into the 800 range which will be a bit better.

I would go with a 10 inch sub personally (8 doesnt give enough punch, and 12 is too sloppy) which you can get a solid sub for around $300.

For the sub there are many options, Focal would work but I like Paradigm a little better in the sub area. SVS also is good.

http://www.focal.tm.fr/
www.paradigm.com

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Where are you located? There's a few internet-only speaker brands which are absolutely fantastic for the price (I'm on some av123 X-MTM towers with an X-CS center right now), but because they are internet direct, you can't audition them in a store. If you visit these companies websites/forums, you can probably find someone in your hometown who has some and will audition them for you (audiophiles love to show off their equipment). The nice thing about this is that you can hear the speakers removed from any store noise in a natural, home environment (and you can bring your own audition material).

Hearing the speakers in person is definitely recommended, but unless you are an extreme audiophile (and the fact that you're willing to spend 4k on speakers does suggest that you are), you're not going to be disappointed with any of the offerings from the highly recommended companies (av123, edesign, Polk, Paradigm, etc.). I bought my av123 gear sound unheard (that's the audio equivalent of sight unseen, right?) and I love them.

The other option is to just do exactly what YOyo tells you, because he is a God.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy

The other option is to just do exactly what YOyo tells you, because he is a God.

False

 

[Muadib]

Onkyo TX-SR875$1100
Paradigm Studio 20 2 pair $1620
Studio CC-590 $810
MFW-15$600

Thats $4130 for one sweet 5.1 setup. A tad off of your 4k limit, but the Paradigm prices only takes 10% off the list price. When I bought mine, I got 15% off, but I know someone who got 20% off his setup. You could also go with a cheaper sub if you wish.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Onkyo TX-SR875$1100
Paradigm Studio 20 2 pair $1620
Studio CC-590 $810
MFW-15$600

Thats $4130 for one sweet 5.1 setup. A tad off of your 4k limit, but the Paradigm prices only takes 10% off the list price. When I bought mine, I got 15% off, but I know someone who got 20% off his setup. You could also go with a cheaper sub if you wish.

Also if you have a home theater store near you that sell the equip they generally give you a package deal. The one near me will give 10% on a 2.0+receiver and 15-20% on a bigger system. If you have any home audio/theater stores near you I recomend going to them and talking with them (I spent about 5 hours in one near me last saturday ). You can audition the speakers, look at the receivers in person, and also talk pricing. As I said a lot of home theater stores will give you package discounts on a complete setup.