New home, new home theater speakers setup wanted.

[Zeze]

I'm a relatively casual guy who likes to watch movies. I gotta get me some real speakers than using TV speakers.

1. I don't like the hassle and mess of rear speakers. I'd rather spend more on a quality 2.0 or 2.1 set.

2. Looks do matter. I haven't bought a TV console yet. I like the look of thin free-standing ones. Or bookshelf speakers will do, on the console.

3. I do like bass, although I prioritize rich mid & crisp highs over shaking the house.

4. Will need receiver and the whole shebang. I currently only have the 65" HDTV with Chromecast attached to it.

Budget is $500+ If you make very compelling argument to spend XXX more, I may consider it.

 

[Zeze]

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S770...p/B00LU0GOUO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

This looks good?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Is that $500+ for the speakers, or is that $500+ for the (preprocessor+amplifiers/receiver)+speakers+subwoofer?

Also need an idea of room dimensions and openings/exits to other rooms.

 

[Zeze]

Is that $500+ for the speakers, or is that $500+ for the (preprocessor+amplifiers/receiver)+speakers+subwoofer?

Also need an idea of room dimensions and openings/exits to other rooms.

$500+ for a total solution. All I have now is just HDTV & Chromecast dongle.

This is for living room which is connected openly to kitchen and dining room. Livingroom alone is about...

25' x 15'

 

[razel]

If you are fine with a quality 2.0 or 2.1 then I'd spend it on a quality mains. One that was is the latest reincarnation of one the Stereophile's least expensive Recommended Components. The $300 for a pair NHT SuperOne 2.1. At least with that you will not be needing to replace the speakers until your amp starts to get past 1000watts or $3k in price. It'll be with you for a long, long time.

From there you can spend the rest on your receiver and enjoy a quality 2.0 for now and build speakers or surrounds later if you wish to continue.

 

[skriefal]

Any $500 "5.1 + AVR" in a box will ultimately be disappointing. At least consider a pair of Pioneer SP-BS22-LRs and a separate receiver. Might even be able to add the SP-C22 center speaker and still be under $500. (The NHTs mentioned above will be even better.) You can always add the other speakers and a decent subwoofer later. And you'll have something that will be much better than any $500 box system.

 

[Zeze]

What are your thoughts on S7700 as I linked above? $800 home theater in a box.

It seems to get good reviews online, esp avsforum.

 

[sdifox]

http://www.monoprice.com/mobile/pro...categoryid=10906&subcategoryid=1090601&cpncd=

Wait til it is back in stock.

 

[cmdrdredd]

If you are willing to spend more SVS offers a 5.1 setup that would have much better sound quality especially the sub. You just need a receiver.

http://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1

 

[Aharami]

I have a Onkyo HTIB (S5500) in my living room (have a GR Research 7.2 channel home theater in the basement, so wanted to limit the budget for living room). While it's not a bad system, you're gonna outgrow it fast. Sub is underpowered, and while speakers are ok, they aren't all that great

This Pioneer system will be way better than the Onkyo one
http://www.cnet.com/products/pioneer-sp-pk52fs/

You can either buy it as a package from pioneerelectronics.com for $630 or piece them together from amazon for $569 and free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - two of these towers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2EI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of this center
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2LG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of these pair of surrounds
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2PC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of this sub

And I'd get a decent AVR with Audyssey calibration.

 

[Aharami]

much much better sub
http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M

 

[destrekor]

I have a Onkyo HTIB (S5500) in my living room (have a GR Research 7.2 channel home theater in the basement, so wanted to limit the budget for living room). While it's not a bad system, you're gonna outgrow it fast. Sub is underpowered, and while speakers are good, they aren't all that great

This Pioneer system will be way better than the Onkyo one
http://www.cnet.com/products/pioneer-sp-pk52fs/

You can either buy it as a package from pioneerelectronics.com for $630 or piece them together from amazon for $569 and free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - two of these towers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2EI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of this center
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2LG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of these pair of surrounds
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2PC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of this sub

And I'd get a decent AVR with Audyssey calibration.

Yes, this, very much this.

http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/pioneer-sp-pk52fs

I have a basic set, but once I am ready to move on, those are exactly the speakers I have in mind. I'd also be upgrading to an Atmos-capable receiver and using the Atmos add-ons that are in that same family of speakers.

My only problem is deciding whether to wait to get an affordable UHD-capable Atmos receiver, or just get a standard Atmos receiver and not worry about UHD/4K for the near future.

 

[Aharami]

Yes, this, very much this.

http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/pioneer-sp-pk52fs

I have a basic set, but once I am ready to move on, those are exactly the speakers I have in mind. I'd also be upgrading to an Atmos-capable receiver and using the Atmos add-ons that are in that same family of speakers.

My only problem is deciding whether to wait to get an affordable UHD-capable Atmos receiver, or just get a standard Atmos receiver and not worry about UHD/4K for the near future.

with 4K blu rays coming out this year, I think it is worthwhile to get a 4K AVR (if you plan on the AVR to be the switch between all the inputs). Otherwise you'd have to connect the video and audio separately for each input

 

[Aharami]

and although I've never heard an in-home Atmos setup, personally, I'd get a 4K capable AVR over an Atmos capable one. I have those top firing speakers (rears, surrounds), and sound is very dependent on placement. So if you don't have a near perfect setup, you might not get the full benefit of an Atmos setup.

 

[destrekor]

and although I've never heard an in-home Atmos setup, personally, I'd get a 4K capable AVR over an Atmos capable one. I have those top firing speakers (rears, surrounds), and sound is very dependent on placement. So if you don't have a near perfect setup, you might not get the full benefit of an Atmos setup.

So you have top-firing without actual Atmos support? I don't think you could truly compare them. I've heard Atmos offers wonderful added dimension, obviously if you set it up correctly.

And if I get another receiver, it for sure will have Atmos, no way I'm not getting the latest audio support even if I were to never use it.

But sure, UHD-BD is on its way, but I don't know how long it will be before I even watch UHD. I have no plans to buy a UHD TV in the foreseeable future, because my next TV is for sure an OLED (or better if such a thing comes out), so it's going to be awhile before I can afford to replace my Panny Plasma. So I just don't know if my next AVR upgrade will make myself ready for UHD whenever I am ready. Of course it is the centerpiece, and everything connects to it for me, so that support will be necessary whenever the time comes around. But I'll have to see what actual AV connections it has, if those are capable of 60hz UHD or not.

 

[Aharami]

ah gotcha. Thought you had a UHD TV already

 

[Aharami]

and my next HT that I build will definitely have Atmos with in-ceiling speakers

 

[cmdrdredd]

Atmos is very room and setup dependent. If it's off by a little bit the effect is ruined.

As for AVRs all current models I know of can pass 3840x2160 @ 60hz

 

[sdifox]

I have a Onkyo HTIB (S5500) in my living room (have a GR Research 7.2 channel home theater in the basement, so wanted to limit the budget for living room). While it's not a bad system, you're gonna outgrow it fast. Sub is underpowered, and while speakers are ok, they aren't all that great

This Pioneer system will be way better than the Onkyo one
http://www.cnet.com/products/pioneer-sp-pk52fs/

You can either buy it as a package from pioneerelectronics.com for $630 or piece them together from amazon for $569 and free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2S4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - two of these towers
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2EI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of this center
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2LG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of these pair of surrounds
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NCD2PC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER - one of this sub

And I'd get a decent AVR with Audyssey calibration.

That breaks 500 all in requirement.

 

[Zeze]

That breaks 500 all in requirement.

Im willing to spend to spend more. Hence the $800 set I linked.

This looks like a good start. As I mentioned I do care about looks. Are there ones with prettier face and better finish?

Like white or copper colored woofers. Those are nice.

What do you recommend for receivers- WiFi is a very nice to have in 2016 I realize.

 

[sdifox]

Im willing to spend to spend more. Hence the $800 set I linked.

This looks like a good start. As I mentioned I do care about looks. Are there ones with prettier face and better finish?

Like white or copper colored woofers. Those are nice.

What do you recommend for receivers- WiFi is a very nice to have in 2016 I realize.

Whaat are the dimensions of the room?

 

[Zeze]

Whaat are the dimensions of the room?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37980082&postcount=4

 

[sdifox]

25x15 is a pretty big place. The Andrew Jones set is not bad for the money. You seem to want betyer looking speakers and those are either just pretty but average soubd quality ir yiu are spending oodles of money to get both looks and function.

 

[Zeze]

What are your thoughts on these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290208

- floor standing like I wanted them
- nice face (white & black)
- good reviews

Throw in a sub + receiver, all set. Right?

Is there such thing as 3.1? (L / R, sub and center channel). Is that an awkward thing and I should either stick to 2.1 or 4/5.1?

 

[mdram]

what i did

infinity primus pc363 x2 (@100 each onsale)
infinity primus pc351 @ 150 onsale
klipsh sub12hg 199 onsale

avr of your choice