Home theater sound help.

[Kaspian]

Its time to upgrade my 8 year old Yamaha receiver and Sony speakers. There is nothing wrong with them. Its just that time to get new stuff in. I am wide open to suggestions. I would like to stay around $500-$600 for the receiver. And for the speakers around $200/each.

Thank you.

 

[jimbob200521]

I've got this receiver I'm selling. And for what I'm asking, it's very within your budget

As for speakers, do you want bookshelf or floorstanding?

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: jimbob200521
I've got this receiver I'm selling. And for what I'm asking, it's very within your budget

As for speakers, do you want bookshelf or floorstanding?

yhpm

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

So are you just doing a 2.0 system? No sub?

I would be tempted to say spend a little less on the receiver and direct more of the budget towards the speakers.

Is this primarily for music?

 

[Kaspian]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
So are you just doing a 2.0 system? No sub?

I would be tempted to say spend a little less on the receiver and direct more of the budget towards the speakers.

Is this primarily for music?

I'm sorry I should've been a little more specific. I want a 5.1 or 6.1 system. And about my budget, I would like to stay around $500 for the receiver and no more than $200 per speaker (thats center channel, 2 main, and 2 or 3 for the rear channels) [I already have a sub].

The systems' primarily use will be for movies.

Thank you.

 

[Canun]

Originally posted by: Kaspian

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
So are you just doing a 2.0 system? No sub?

I would be tempted to say spend a little less on the receiver and direct more of the budget towards the speakers.

Is this primarily for music?

I'm sorry I should've been a little more specific. I want a 5.1 or 6.1 system. And about my budget, I would like to stay around $500 for the receiver and no more than $200 per speaker (thats center channel, 2 main, and 2 or 3 for the rear channels) [I already have a sub].

The systems' primarily use will be for movies.

Thank you.

Buy a package 6.1 system for $300. I purchased an Onkyo 6.1 system a year ago, and have had zero problems. Nice deep base, crisp sound, and has multiple inputs in the back to wire my cable, antenna, DVD, and PS2 to it.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

So you're looking to spend about $1000 for the 5.0 channels?

Mister Jello knows the internet brands much better, but here are three to consider:
http://svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm
http://axiomaudio.com/epicmidi_125main.html (without the sub)
http://www.av123.com/products_category_pack.php?section=speakers&brand=55 - I didn't like these for movies, but for music they did pretty good for the price. Maybe mister jello will have some comments?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Oh, btw, I used to be an IBA clan member back when I played Tribes - was titled independent bad asses back then (probably different clans, but just thought it was interesting)

 

[Hubes]

Receiver - Onkyo 7.1 TXSR604 Can find it for around $450. Has all the new features, like HDMI not sure if it will decode True HD audio. And there is a $40 off any purchase over 199 floating around somewhere which will bring that down to around 410 without tax, which is a great price.

Speakers - Speakers are a bit harder to suggest, as you really have to go to the store and give it a listen to see if it has the sound that you want. Search around online, avs forums and you can really find some good deals.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
So you're looking to spend about $1000 for the 5.0 channels?

Mister Jello knows the internet brands much better, but here are three to consider:
http://svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm
http://axiomaudio.com/epicmidi_125main.html (without the sub)
http://www.av123.com/products_category_pack.php?section=speakers&brand=55 - I didn't like these for movies, but for music they did pretty good for the price. Maybe mister jello will have some comments?

Well I'm at work so I'm not really at liberty to write out a novel

Those would all be high on my list of internet brands along with Ascend Acoustics.

HSU / SVS would offer nice subwoofers to go with the system.

Something along the lines of 2:1:1 spending on speakers:receiver:sub would be a good starting point for budget, which seems right in line with your $200/speaker + $500-$600 receiver. I'm not sure if you figured in a ~$500 subwoofer as well though.

I have a general audio thread I wrote up, but for some reason I'm not finding it with the search. I know it recently went to archive and I know the title is "General Audio Thread" but it's not coming up.

I wrote some general info about demo-ing and setup suggestions in it that might be helpful. If you can't find it, I'll link you when I get home if you want to take a look.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: Hubes
Receiver - Onkyo 7.1 TXSR604 Can find it for around $450. Has all the new features, like HDMI not sure if it will decode True HD audio. And there is a $40 off any purchase over 199 floating around somewhere which will bring that down to around 410 without tax, which is a great price.

Speakers - Speakers are a bit harder to suggest, as you really have to go to the store and give it a listen to see if it has the sound that you want. Search around online, avs forums and you can really find some good deals.

I'd so jump all over that if it supported ethernet. ; (

 

[Howard]

DIY

 

[Kaspian]

DAjello, I found your "Digital Audio" thread but I couldnt find your General Audio one. So, if you would send/post the link to it. Thank you.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Kaspian
DAjello, I found your "Digital Audio" thread but I couldnt find your General Audio one. So, if you would send/post the link to it. Thank you.

It's pretty poorly put together, but here you go
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1810562&enterthread=y&arctab=y

Oh, and yes, if you have DIY "skillz"... then talk to Howard

I know for a fact I wouldn't have been able to get results like this :laugh:
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/2%20Onix%20Rockets/Rockets.JPG

 

[Kaspian]

Ok, DAjello, good info and recomendations on that thread. How about some recomendations on receivers. What features should I look for?

 

[iliopsoas]

I recommend the SVS 5.0 channel set since you already have a sub.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Kaspian
Ok, DAjello, good info and recomendations on that thread. How about some recomendations on receivers. What features should I look for?

I just want to bring this to your attention even though it's a more than you were thinking of spending ( yes I'm evil :evil: )

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1997245&enterthread=y

You'll probably get good results with just about any receiver in this range you pick from a good manufacturer. I think the speaker choice is going to make a much bigger difference than the receiver choice.

HDMI is pretty much the big new feature that's making its way into this pricerange. Most receivers should have 3 component inputs, a bunch of digital audio connections, a 5.1 (or higher) analog input, etc.

Some may have some auto-equalization features, but my experience with that has not been the best. Even an auto-level setting of the speakers from the receiver has gotten me mixed results. Doing the same test multiple times, I've gotten trim settings that have been off by 5dB or so with nothing changed. With that kind of accuracy, I'd be worried having a receiver changing the equalization of the speakers

An SPL meter and a calibration disc (like Digital Video Essentials ~$17 or Avia Guide to Home Theater ~$40?) will allow you to get a good level setting of the speakers (much better in precision and accuracy than auto-calibration) and help you get the most from your display at the same time.

 

[Pacfanweb]

The easy answer is, get one that sounds good to YOU.

The real answer is, you'll be happy with pretty much any "name" receiver in that price range as long as the features are about the same. Pioneer, Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, HK, etc.

Another good way would be to get a 1-2 year old receiver that's a couple of steps up the ladder. You can find "refurbished" and such in many places. You'll get a decent bit more power for the same money.
IMO, it's always better to have too much power. That way you never clip the amp which can harm the speakers.