Home Theater Surround Sound advice.

[dxkj]

Pretty much the Title/Summary.

Just got a nice TV, now I need some sound....


and a good 62" tv stand


Update:

I bought the Onkyo's HT-S780 set... 7.1 surround sound and 230 watt subwoofer

110 watts per channel, 7 channels

8 ohm speaker needed.


The receiver looks really nice.... I forget if this was mentioned, but how many watts are the speakers in a HT set usually? 110 watts sounds like a decent amount of push from the receiver.

 

[lancestorm]

For that price I have no recommendations. Not that there are not any (there will be plenty), but I purchase and read about higher priced items.

 

[K1052]

Fluance speakers and a refurbed Onkyo receiver from ecost.com

That is as good as it gets for about $500.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: K1052
Fluance speakers and a refurbed Onkyo receiver from ecost.com

That is as good as it gets for about $500.

Are those pre-packaged sets for 3-400$ at places like best buy fry's etc, bad?

 

[frankie38]

SAve your money and do it right. You can easily spend 500-1000 just on a good receiver.

Budget Proposal

1) 600 receiver
2) 200 center channel speaker , imho this is the ost important one
3) 500 L and R front speaker
4) 500 Powered Sub
5) 200 L and R rear and LR side(7.1)

 

[lancestorm]

Well I do have an opinion of some sort.... get a pair of QUALITY bookshelf speakers for right now and add on as you get the cash. A good quality 2 channel will sound much better than 5 channels that just throw sound everywhere in order to distract you from their crappy sound.

I really like the Klipsch Reference Bookstands...

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: K1052
Fluance speakers and a refurbed Onkyo receiver from ecost.com

That is as good as it gets for about $500.

Are those pre-packaged sets for 3-400$ at places like best buy fry's etc, bad?

Usually.

I much prefer to pick my reciever for the features it offers as well than go with the crappy box that is usually supplied in those sets. I am not big fan of the speakers either most times.

 

[purbeast0]

why not just get the matching TV stand for your TV? matching TV stands always look the best, as long as they go w/your other equipment.

and for $500 you won't get a good home theatre but rather probably something that is a HTIB (home theatre in a box). it will probably consist of 5 satellite speakers that are all the same for each channel, and a sub that sounds just decent.

i recommend piecing together a system over time. just start out and put that $500 into a receiver, and then get mains when you have the $, and then get the rest as you can afford it. its much better in the long run.

but if you don't really care, then you can probably get a box set for about $500. i don't know anything about those though.

 

[dxkj]

I found This

What receiver would I need to drive these effectively?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
why not just get the matching TV stand for your TV? matching TV stands always look the best, as long as they go w/your other equipment.

and for $500 you won't get a good home theatre but rather probably something that is a HTIB (home theatre in a box). it will probably consist of 5 satellite speakers that are all the same for each channel, and a sub that sounds just decent.

i recommend piecing together a system over time. just start out and put that $500 into a receiver, and then get mains when you have the $, and then get the rest as you can afford it. its much better in the long run.

but if you don't really care, then you can probably get a box set for about $500. i don't know anything about those though.

If I buy a receiver for 500 and it just sits there, what is the point of it

So a 200 dollar receiver vs a 500 dollar receiver is a big deal? What makes one so much better than the other?

 

[lancestorm]

For about $500 - 600 you can get a nice refurb'd Denon or H/K receiver. And we are talking a receiver that is normally $1000+ brand new. Speakers is where you REALLY need to spend the money on. Crappy speakers will sound crappy even if you have a $4000 receiver.

I have Klipsch reference in my theater room. They are an older model, the current model to look at is a pair of Klipsch Reference 35's. They are about $1000/pair (less if found on sale somewhere). Do not pair with Onkyo or definitely not Yamaha because of 'brightness' issues.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: purbeast0
why not just get the matching TV stand for your TV? matching TV stands always look the best, as long as they go w/your other equipment.

and for $500 you won't get a good home theatre but rather probably something that is a HTIB (home theatre in a box). it will probably consist of 5 satellite speakers that are all the same for each channel, and a sub that sounds just decent.

i recommend piecing together a system over time. just start out and put that $500 into a receiver, and then get mains when you have the $, and then get the rest as you can afford it. its much better in the long run.

but if you don't really care, then you can probably get a box set for about $500. i don't know anything about those though.

If I buy a receiver for 500 and it just sits there, what is the point of it

So a 200 dollar receiver vs a 500 dollar receiver is a big deal? What makes one so much better than the other?

The internal components quality will lead to better sound. There might be more connections, more Dolby/DTS options, more watts per channel, etc. But don't get me started on "watts" and receivers. Basically, I would avoid Sony and others as much as possible. They are so full of sh!t with their wattage figures. Yammy's, H/K, and Denon get my thumbs up.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: purbeast0
why not just get the matching TV stand for your TV? matching TV stands always look the best, as long as they go w/your other equipment.

and for $500 you won't get a good home theatre but rather probably something that is a HTIB (home theatre in a box). it will probably consist of 5 satellite speakers that are all the same for each channel, and a sub that sounds just decent.

i recommend piecing together a system over time. just start out and put that $500 into a receiver, and then get mains when you have the $, and then get the rest as you can afford it. its much better in the long run.

but if you don't really care, then you can probably get a box set for about $500. i don't know anything about those though.

If I buy a receiver for 500 and it just sits there, what is the point of it

So a 200 dollar receiver vs a 500 dollar receiver is a big deal? What makes one so much better than the other?

The internal components quality will lead to better sound. There might be more connections, more Dolby/DTS options, more watts per channel, etc. But don't get me started on "watts" and receivers. Basically, I would avoid Sony and others as much as possible. They are so full of sh!t with their wattage figures. Yammy's, H/K, and Denon get my thumbs up.

So basically everyone in this thread is telling me you cant get something decent for 500


I have listened to movies and TV on 2 internal speakers of a Symphonic off brand 27" TV for the last 2 years, so anything is really an improvement

so receiver + front speakers is where i should start

 

[lancestorm]

OP, do what you want to do. I cannot stand the sound quality from HTIB systems. Maybe this is not a factor for you (starting to sound like it). And also, you need to think about your budget. So first decide what you want to get out of it, then the money, and then let us know again in this thread what you really want to do or how important quality sound is to you. (Then again "quality" is an individual thing too...)

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: purbeast0
why not just get the matching TV stand for your TV? matching TV stands always look the best, as long as they go w/your other equipment.

and for $500 you won't get a good home theatre but rather probably something that is a HTIB (home theatre in a box). it will probably consist of 5 satellite speakers that are all the same for each channel, and a sub that sounds just decent.

i recommend piecing together a system over time. just start out and put that $500 into a receiver, and then get mains when you have the $, and then get the rest as you can afford it. its much better in the long run.

but if you don't really care, then you can probably get a box set for about $500. i don't know anything about those though.

If I buy a receiver for 500 and it just sits there, what is the point of it

So a 200 dollar receiver vs a 500 dollar receiver is a big deal? What makes one so much better than the other?

The internal components quality will lead to better sound. There might be more connections, more Dolby/DTS options, more watts per channel, etc. But don't get me started on "watts" and receivers. Basically, I would avoid Sony and others as much as possible. They are so full of sh!t with their wattage figures. Yammy's, H/K, and Denon get my thumbs up.

yea, what this guy said. its better to have a good receiver that will last a long time than get a crappy one you won't be happy with. i have had a receiver for like 6 years that is still holding VERY strong. it was an $800 yamaha receiver i got when i worked at Best Buy, and this thing still rocks. Infact my whole setup from when i worked at Best Buy still rocks ... pic of setup.

i was going to go the route you are trying to go, but since i worked at BB for a month i saved my checks (it was my 2nd job at the time, i was working 2 jobs at once) and put a months worth of money into my system. it was a hard month of working, but it was way worth it to get a nice setup

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: purbeast0
why not just get the matching TV stand for your TV? matching TV stands always look the best, as long as they go w/your other equipment.

and for $500 you won't get a good home theatre but rather probably something that is a HTIB (home theatre in a box). it will probably consist of 5 satellite speakers that are all the same for each channel, and a sub that sounds just decent.

i recommend piecing together a system over time. just start out and put that $500 into a receiver, and then get mains when you have the $, and then get the rest as you can afford it. its much better in the long run.

but if you don't really care, then you can probably get a box set for about $500. i don't know anything about those though.

If I buy a receiver for 500 and it just sits there, what is the point of it

So a 200 dollar receiver vs a 500 dollar receiver is a big deal? What makes one so much better than the other?

The internal components quality will lead to better sound. There might be more connections, more Dolby/DTS options, more watts per channel, etc. But don't get me started on "watts" and receivers. Basically, I would avoid Sony and others as much as possible. They are so full of sh!t with their wattage figures. Yammy's, H/K, and Denon get my thumbs up.

So basically everyone in this thread is telling me you cant get something decent for 500


I have listened to movies and TV on 2 internal speakers of a Symphonic off brand 27" TV for the last 2 years, so anything is really an improvement

so receiver + front speakers is where i should start

considering most people on this forums are techies and like electronics, i would have to assume that the sound quality you get at $500 for a complete system will DEFINITELY disappoint you.

someone like my mom could maybe deal with a HTIB system, but to people who are into audio and video (and it seems you are into video if you picked up a 62" TV), a $500 system will DEFINITELY disappoint more than make you happy.

 

[thegimp03]

Yeah best idea is to build it up over time, rather than get some home theater setup from Fry's on sale for less than 400 bucks and be unhappy with it later and have to replace everything.

 

[dxkj]

Ok I gotcha. I guess I was looking at it from the wrong angle.




So a good receiver and 2 good front speakers to start with.... and then build it slowly over time.



If you guys tell me a full surround 6.1 HTIB will not be as nice as a receiver and 2 speakers up front i believe you (good ones that is)

Someone linked me fluance speakers, are these just glorified HTIB speakers, or are they any good?

 

[lancestorm]

Fluance speakers are big HTIB speakers. For the money, they might be the best in their price range. But it is far from quality sound.

 

[lancestorm]

OP, I really suggest you go to your local hi-fi dealer. Do not buy anything. Just take a cd you know by heart and listen to their different speakers. Find some speakers that sound good to you!! DOn't let price or the dealer tell you differently. Listen for what sounds great to your ears. Go home. Then try some other stores or go back and listen again. Then consider purchasing... Here are some stores I found for Klipsch Reference dealers:

SOUNDS UNLIMITED
10220 GRAND AVENUE
FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PHONE: 847-455-6166

SATURDAY AUDIO EXCHANGE
1021 WEST BELMONT
CHICAGO, IL 60657
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PHONE: 773-935-4434
FAX: 773-935-1210
www.saturdayaudio.com

HOMERUN TECHNOLOGIES LLC
910 S. MICHIGAN AVE #1111
CHICAGO, IL 60605
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PHONE: 773-248-4830
FAX: 773-248-4831
homerun-tech.com

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: lancestorm
OP, I really suggest you go to your local hi-fi dealer. Here are some stores I found for Klipsch Reference dealers:

SOUNDS UNLIMITED
10220 GRAND AVENUE
FRANKLIN PARK, IL 60131
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PHONE: 847-455-6166

SATURDAY AUDIO EXCHANGE
1021 WEST BELMONT
CHICAGO, IL 60657
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PHONE: 773-935-4434
FAX: 773-935-1210
www.saturdayaudio.com

HOMERUN TECHNOLOGIES LLC
910 S. MICHIGAN AVE #1111
CHICAGO, IL 60605
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PHONE: 773-248-4830
FAX: 773-248-4831
homerun-tech.com

I bought my TV from Tweeter, are their speakers usually overpriced?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: lancestorm
Fluance speakers are big HTIB speakers. For the money, they might be the best in their price range. But it is far from quality sound.

Klipsch Cinema 6 SystemKlipsch Cinema 6 System

Complete 5.1 Speaker System

Five Satellites and a RW-8

Powered Subwoofer.

Are klipsch HTIB pretty crappy too?

 

[lancestorm]

Read my edited message.

Actually Tweeter will carry the Klipsch brand. Try other brands as well. I just have Klipsch in my theater, that 's why I keep mentioning them. Not sure about price, every once in a while they will have some deals I am sure.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: lancestorm
Fluance speakers are big HTIB speakers. For the money, they might be the best in their price range. But it is far from quality sound.

Klipsch Cinema 6 System

Complete 5.1 Speaker System

Five Satellites and a RW-8

Powered Subwoofer.

Are klipsch HTIB pretty crappy too?

Not crapp. But again, it is HTIB and has its limitations. No HTIB can stand up to seperates like we are suggesting.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: lancestorm
Fluance speakers are big HTIB speakers. For the money, they might be the best in their price range. But it is far from quality sound.

I mentioned them because they present the best value for the buget he specified.

Even those would be a world better than the integrated TV speakers he has been using.