New apt, starting from scratch

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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
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I am planning to get a place of my own in a couple months, and am looking at the things I will want for my living room. My budget for the entire thing is $4000. Here is what i'm looking at so far, feel free to offer alternatives, but this will give you an idea of the style I like.

TV:
Pioneer 5020FD. I've been wanting this TV for a long time, in fact I talked my parents into getting one a few months back from amazon for under $2k. But the prices have gone up and they are hard to find now which is a concern.

Panasonic TC-L50V10. This should be out next month and looks good from the G10 reviews. The G10 is an option as well, but I don't really care for the look of it.

Couch:
Black leather sectional with chaise
I've been eying this couch for a while, and love the look. Not sure how reputable the dealer is though, or how comfortable the couch is. But the price is amazing.

TV Stand:
Link
I like this stand, and the price isn't bad, but there are some nice ones at Costco too I recall. I want some closed shelves for movies and games, so the open ones are out.

Sound System:
Sony CT-100
I'd like a full 5.1 system with a receiver, but I just can't see the need in an apt, and if I were to get one, i'd like a nice one like a Denon AVR-789 which would kill my budget with speakers and all.

Tables:
Set of 3
Think these match decently with everything else so far.

Total price of everything but the TV comes out to $1878, which leaves $2100 for a TV. Am I leaving anything out? I have a PS3 and Wii already, so no need for bluray player.
 
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mshan

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2004
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I just bought a Tech Craft CRE60b from thenerds.net and it is well built and looks quite good, especially for the price. Shipping was only $10, but it took them almost a week to get it to me.

I think top, front, and sides are actual hardwood finished nicely, and interior is cheap but solid MDF. Assembly takes a while, but is worth it given the modest price.

 
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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
Originally posted by: mshan
I just bought a Tech Craft CRE60b from thenerds.net and it is well built and looks quite good, especially for the price. Shipping was only $10, but it took them almost a week to get it to me.

I think top, front, and sides are actual hardwood finished nicely, and interior is cheap but solid MDF. Assembly takes a while, but is worth it given the modest price.
Click to expand...

The black would match better(or too much black?). I also like this one from that site. BAY6028
 
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swbsam

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2007
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Howdy,

Nice stuff - pretty pimpin! Only advice I'd give is to go for a 5.1 if you can get the speakers in there. There are some kits that have small speakers and prices. I just like the flexibility of being able to upgrade and grow, vs. being stuck to a soundbar.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...-Polk+Audio-_-82290066 - I found that for $199 and love it for an apartment
 
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s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
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If you have room for a sectional, you have room for actual speakers.
 
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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
Originally posted by: Nohr
This Dayton 5.1 package is currently on sale and is a good deal if you can squeeze a receiver in your budget. Hot Deals thread.
Click to expand...

Yeah I looked at that today. But i'm not sure on the receiver part and my budget. Or running wires. I almost feel like I either want to go all out and get a really nice setup, or go minimalist and get the soundbar. That is why I chose the soundbar.
 
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swbsam

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2007
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Originally posted by: Riverhound777
Originally posted by: Nohr
This Dayton 5.1 package is currently on sale and is a good deal if you can squeeze a receiver in your budget. Hot Deals thread.
Click to expand...

Yeah I looked at that today. But i'm not sure on the receiver part and my budget. Or running wires. I almost feel like I either want to go all out and get a really nice setup, or go minimalist and get the soundbar. That is why I chose the soundbar.
Click to expand...

I think you can find a happy middle ground - buy an economical 5.1 now and then upgrade in time.

But your thought process is exactly what I'm going through now, since we're preparing to move to a smaller place. I'm just going to bite the bullet and do the wiring, since a sound bar is so final of an investment (vs. upgrading pieces and eventually moving to 7.1)
 
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swbsam

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2007
2,122
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Originally posted by: s44
refurb Marantz 4002

Onkyo SR576

Note that neither will upconvert your Wii component video onto HDMI (so you still have to run a component cable to the TV). You have to step up a bit in price for that -- cheapest are the $344 Onkyo SR507 or the Yamaha V565, periodically $330 at the Egg.
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Great receivers, but I feed video direct to the TV and skip the receiver. It might be a bit cumbersome but should do until 7.1 hdmi receivers come down in price.
 
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s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
All the receivers I listed do HDMI audio. For Blu-Ray, not routing the signal through the receiver will give worse sound.
 
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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
I like those Marantz units. So if I were to go with a 4002 along with a set of speakers like the PartsExpress set, that would be about $500 for the audio. Would leave only $1800 for the TV. Think the Panasonic V10 will be around that price? MSRP is $2300. Uhg...
 
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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
After doing a bit more research, i'm looking at some Energy speakers instead of the parts express set (dammit I knew I would end up spending more than I wanted!). Would I be ok going with 4 surround speakers in my apt instead of 2 tower and 2 surrounds? The room wont be all that big. I can get the classic 5.0 set for $199 and then get a sub later. Or get the Tower 5.0 set for $399 and a sub later, big difference.
 
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DisgruntledVirus

Lifer
Dec 26, 2007
11,782
2
76
Originally posted by: Riverhound777
After doing a bit more research, i'm looking at some Energy speakers instead of the parts express set (dammit I knew I would end up spending more than I wanted!). Would I be ok going with 4 surround speakers in my apt instead of 2 tower and 2 surrounds? The room wont be all that big. I can get the classic 5.0 set for $199 and then get a sub later. Or get the Tower 5.0 set for $399 and a sub later, big difference.
Click to expand...

As a *general rule* towers>bookshelf.

Obviously that's subjective, and varies but if you can go for towers they will *usually* be better. Especially if no sub.

Also the Marantz SR5002 I picked up a bit ago (the refurb). I love it. It has it's flaws, but works great for all I need it for.

Oh and link to the Energy stuff?
 
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s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
If you use a sub, there won't be that much difference between a regular bookshelf and a tower.

The Take Classics, though, are mini-satellites that don't go down below 120hz. To avoid bass localization issues, you shouldn't cross over to the sub above 80hz. In a small space it may be OK, but...

My advice: go with full-size bookshelves if you can. Generally you have to pay extra for smaller weaker speakers too, though the $200 Take Classic clearance deal is an excellent price.
 
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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
Hmmm, a lot to think about. Maybe i'll just use the stock speakers that come with the TV for a while and save up for the tower set + sub + receiver.
 
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