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Need a new Surround Sound system - Suggestions?

F

fuxxociety

Senior member
I've been doing a lot of thinking, and my existing audio system in my living room isn't cutting it. (It's so old I can't find a web link)
It was just a Sony R2600, all-in-one tuner/tape/5-disc cd changer, with 2 big speakers(10" woofers)

Anyway, enough of that. Time for something new, and a little more up-to-date. The thing is, I know NOTHING about home audio.

I'm looking for something that I can put in place, and be able to switch between all my devices with just the reciever(Including video). The DVD players with built-in surround sound will not fit my needs.

At the moment I do not have anything with component video output. In the future, this will certainly change.

Seeing as how I'm just getting started, spending $1000+ dollars is not rational.
I can justify around $350 for the base system for now. (Reciever, Speakers, (sub?))
 
Originally posted by: fuxxociety
I've been doing a lot of thinking, and my existing audio system in my living room isn't cutting it. (It's so old I can't find a web link)
It was just a Sony R2600, all-in-one tuner/tape/5-disc cd changer, with 2 big speakers(10" woofers)

Anyway, enough of that. Time for something new, and a little more up-to-date. The thing is, I know NOTHING about home audio.

I'm looking for something that I can put in place, and be able to switch between all my devices with just the reciever(Including video). The DVD players with built-in surround sound will not fit my needs.

At the moment I do not have anything with component video output. In the future, this will certainly change.

Seeing as how I'm just getting started, spending $1000+ dollars is not rational.
I can justify around $350 for the base system for now. (Reciever, Speakers, (sub?))
Click to expand...

My first thought would be to get something like an Onkyo HTIB, the 790 for example.

That doesn't do Component upconversion though iirc, so although it will do video switching, you will need to switch the input on your TV as well if you change connection types for your different sources (component vs. s-video vs. composite)

You can also piece together a system, but getting a good 5.1 system for $350 will be rather difficult.
 
I don't even _need_ all 5 speakers for a 5.1 unit.. just the L and R + sub for now, if the speakers are sold seperately..

I saw some units at Best Buy, and Fry's Electronics that were decent, but I'm not sure what brands are better than others anymore.

I know this puts the thread at risk for a flamewar, but even a brand name suggestion would be helpful..

From experience I know that (most) Pioneer and (all) RCA stuff is crap.

Sony's were decent..

Denon and Onkyo were highly suggested, at least 10 years ago..

Are these assumptions still (relatively) true? Or do I need to go to an A/V store and listen to the high-pressure commission-sales "expert" again?😀
 
For a budget receiver your choices are generally Onkyo and Pioneer for the low end of the range (under $200).

For a big more, you might be able to work in something like a Panasonic digital unit, an HK, etc. Onkyo and Pioneer continue to be solid choices.

Your receiver choice isn't going to have as much impact on your final sound as your speakers are going to have.

$350 is going to be tough to get a receiver, sub, and speakers (even just two decent ones) on their own.

If you like the sound of your current speakers, you might even think about just getting a new receiver that can do all the connections you need.

Before you decide what you want to do, you should probably go out and listen to some different options and see what's out there.

A good set of bookshelf speakers is going to run you $200 or more.

A budget sub can be had for $150.

A budget receiver will be $150 or more usually.

If you must do all three, I would say something like:

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/496549...SxGnyZ0fjn8L7t2v1LXhmlWLgL78WXQRdRmLf9!1080334634!-1726023859&site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
or
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...insignia&type=product&id=1138085354138


+


http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-633
or
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-635


+


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-Ho...atOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
or
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-...atOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Ideally you'd want to spend more of your budget on speakers, but it's hard to get a receiver or sub at all for much less than that.

Down the road the first set of speakers could move to surround duty while you get something better for the front three speakers.

More options open up if you're willing to go refurb / used too.
 
Don't buy an all-in-one system. You will be just as disappointed, if not more so. Save your money and gradually build a nice system from scratch.

My suggestion is to start with just a good receiver and a pair of good floor standing speakers. Floor standers have good range except for deep bass, and you will get a taste of what a real audio system can do. You can then, at your own pace, upgrade with a center channel, subwoofer, rear channels, bigger receiver, etc.

Check out the avsforum.com audio section, they can give you more advice as to specific models and such. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=88
 
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