Inexpensive HT for My Dad?

[GTaudiophile]

I finally convinced him to get a DVD player, and this is what he ended up getting.

He's got four very good speakers in the living room and has decided to make a few additions to make a 5.1 setup. (The current setup includes two KLH super-column speakers and two surround speakers from Bose.) He doesn't like to purchase things online, so I am looking mainly at products from Best Buy, Hifi-Buys, Circuit City, etc. His budget is not too high either, so he's looking more at lower-end products. He's looking to create a satisfactory 5.1 experience only, nothing extraordinary. Long shelf-life and reliability is a must. His current amp from Technics is rock-solid at 25 years old.

How is this for an amp?
Yamaha RXV350 for $199.99

The cheapest amps seem to come from Sony, but I think I'll avoid them.

How are Yamaha subs?
Yamaha 8" 120-watt (30-200Hz) sub for $142

Are KLH subs superior?

What about a center channel speaker?
KLH Platinum II Series 2-Way Center-Channel Speaker for $100
How does that compare to speakers from Yamaha, Wharfedale, Yamaha, Infinity?

Keep in mind, this is not a HT I would design for myself. If it were my choice, you'd see brands like Onkyo, Boston Acoustics, Klipsch, Mirage, etc. Cost, reliability, and satisfactory are words to keep in mind.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Bumpage!

 

[conjur]

30Hz isn't low at all for a subwoofer but for that price and the fact it's only 8" it's not bad.

And, I'd go for this Yamaha instead for the receiver. Adds Pro Logic II.

 

[Tetsuo]

I've got the Sony DAV-FC7 dream system, it's more than sufficient for my apartment

 

[Lithium381]

Originally posted by: conjur
30Hz isn't low at all for a subwoofer but for that price and the fact it's only 8" it's not bad.

And, I'd go for this Yamaha instead for the receiver. Adds Pro Logic II.

30hz before the F3 is pretty stinkin good for a non-audiophile sub! mine only does 35

overall, anything would be fine, between 2-300 would be best for his needs probably, my mom got a 250 set from sony and it's fine! good luck

 

[MazerRackham]

Get a home-theater-in-a-box from costco... they have various versions from Sony and Panasonic and Philips that should fit the bill. They all include an amp, dvd player, and 6 speakers... not a bad deal usually. Plus Costco's return policy is unbelievable... I recently returned a Philips TV that I had already thrown the box away for! They still took it back and gave me cash! Costco rocks.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
Get a home-theater-in-a-box from costco... they have various versions from Sony and Panasonic and Philips that should fit the bill. They all include an amp, dvd player, and 6 speakers... not a bad deal usually. Plus Costco's return policy is unbelievable... I recently returned a Philips TV that I had already thrown the box away for! They still took it back and gave me cash! Costco rocks.

His dad already has a DVD player and two front speakers and the surrounds.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: conjur
30Hz isn't low at all for a subwoofer but for that price and the fact it's only 8" it's not bad.

And, I'd go for this Yamaha instead for the receiver. Adds Pro Logic II.

Re: The Best Buy Yamaha receiver. It seems to have fewer input options.

Re: Subwoofer. Is it really worth $40-60 to drop down to 24/25Hz from 30?

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: conjur
30Hz isn't low at all for a subwoofer but for that price and the fact it's only 8" it's not bad.

And, I'd go for this Yamaha instead for the receiver. Adds Pro Logic II.

Re: The Best Buy Yamaha receiver. It seems to have fewer input options.

What does he plan on hooking up?

Re: Subwoofer. Is it really worth $40-60 to drop down to 24/25Hz from 30?

Oh yeah....the lower the better!!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: conjur

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
Get a home-theater-in-a-box from costco... they have various versions from Sony and Panasonic and Philips that should fit the bill. They all include an amp, dvd player, and 6 speakers... not a bad deal usually. Plus Costco's return policy is unbelievable... I recently returned a Philips TV that I had already thrown the box away for! They still took it back and gave me cash! Costco rocks.

His dad already has a DVD player and two front speakers and the surrounds.

Exactly. We're like half-way there and want to utilize what we have because what he have is quite good:

The KLH Super Columns have these specs:
1x 12" woofer
1x 5" piston driver mid-range
2x Piezoceramic horn tweeters (1 front and 1 rear)

The rear speakers are Bose 301 Series II:
1x 8" woofer
2x 3" tweeters

 

[GTaudiophile]

We're just connecting a DVD player with coaxial or optical connection, but then he has older devices he'd like to connect: CD-player, casette player, LP record player, and maybe also a very old reel-to-reel. So, the DVD player plus 3-4 other players.

 

[amnesiac]

KLH is ass. They are loud, but that's about it.
Not going to comment on the Bose.

You're looking for a receiver, not an amp. Just a technicality
I'd recommend the Onkyo TX-SR501, which I've seen on sale (Ecost maybe?) for <$200. Reliable and not as harsh/bright as Yamaha. However, the Yamaha is VERY solid.

Sub:
Like I said, KLH sucks donkey butt. Their sub is muddy.
You can probably get a 150W 10" sub from Infinity, Polk, or JBL for < $250 easily.
An 8" sub will give no more bass than the currrent tower speakers, and 8" is not nearly enough for a home theater. 10" minimum for a small room, and if you want appreciable boom, a 12".

Center Channel:
Since there are KLH as mains and I don't know what matches with them, you might as well get a KLH center. You might try a BIC center from buy.com, as they're fairly cheap, or maybe JBL because they're pretty neutral.

 

[Adul]

yamaha sub sound pretty descent for the money. My friend has two of them. One dual 8" one and one single 8" sub.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
KLH is ass. They are loud, but that's about it.
Not going to comment on the Bose.

You're looking for a receiver, not an amp. Just a technicality
I'd recommend the Onkyo TX-SR501, which I've seen on sale (Ecost maybe?) for <$200. Reliable and not as harsh/bright as Yamaha. However, the Yamaha is VERY solid.

Sub:
Like I said, KLH sucks donkey butt. Their sub is muddy.
You can probably get a 150W 10" sub from Infinity, Polk, or JBL for < $250 easily.
An 8" sub will give no more bass than the currrent tower speakers, and 8" is not nearly enough for a home theater. 10" minimum for a small room, and if you want appreciable boom, a 12".

Center Channel:
Since there are KLH as mains and I don't know what matches with them, you might as well get a KLH center. You might try a BIC center from buy.com, as they're fairly cheap, or maybe JBL because they're pretty neutral.

While I agree with you, his Bose speakers are around 13 years old and the KLHs are around 20 years old, if not older. All very solid. I'm just saying, they may be of higher quality than current products from both companies. I don't listen to his system too often, so it's hard to comment.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Anymore suggestions?