Rate my audio system - Setting up a 5.1 Theater system

[Cattlegod]

I've spent the past three days researching receivers and speakers, the result is as follows:

I plan to use the system for:
40-50% Gaming on the latest gen systems
20-30% Music
20-30% Movies


Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR604
Speakers: Ascend CBM-170 SE for both front, center and both rear channels
Sub: Ascend Hsu VTF-2 MK 2

350 - receiver
1,359 - speakers
230 - speaker stands

1,939 total for the entire audio system

Later I plan to upgrade my fronts to some higher quality floor standing models in the future and make a 7.1 system. My only worry is if my receiver have enough power for them and if I should bother. The cost of the stands kind of annoys me, however, each speaker weights 14lbs and is almost a cubic foot.

What do you guys think? My only other thought was to forgo the bookshelf fronts and order some floorstanding models right away (saving 115 dollars on a pair of stands to invest in a floorstanding model) But I'm worried it might not sound the best like the floorstands might overpower the rest of the system, that and I have no idea what floorstands to use.

edit: Before anyone says, I have consulted avsforum.com too, just wanted to see what ATOT thought.

edit2: after receiving feedback from avsforum and here, I have decided to go with the 340 SE front and center with 170 SE as the surround. I will not upgrade the front speakers to floor standing speakers in the future.

 

[olds]

tv?

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
tv?

Have a Samsung 50" DLP that I purchased last year and not having quality sound to go with it is driving me nuts.

 

[VenomXTF]

Ascends are amazing, but I would go with a 340SE for the center. The 170s were never meant to work as a center channel. Also check out the Panasonic XR55 or 57 for the receiver.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: VenomXTF
Ascends are amazing, but I would go with a 340SE for the center. The 170s were never meant to work as a center channel. Also check out the Panasonic XR55 or 57 for the receiver.

Yeah, I checked those receivers out, but they do not have all the inputs the Onkyo has. I'm pretty set on the Onkyo. I will take note on the 340SE for the center though, do you think it is worth the extra 110 bucks?

 

[bigdog1218]

Building your own stands is pretty easy, you could save yourself a lot and theres plenty of DIY info on the web.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: bigdog1218
Building your own stands is pretty easy, you could save yourself a lot and theres plenty of DIY info on the web.

That is a good idea and something I really haven't considered. I'm sure I could do it much less than 230 bucks. Hmm.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The Onkyo 674 has better reviews at Crutchfield than the 604, I haven't checked AVSForum.com on them though.

That sounds like the right allocation of funds for speakers vs. receiver.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: VenomXTF
Ascends are amazing, but I would go with a 340SE for the center. The 170s were never meant to work as a center channel. Also check out the Panasonic XR55 or 57 for the receiver.

Yeah, I checked those receivers out, but they do not have all the inputs the Onkyo has. I'm pretty set on the Onkyo. I will take note on the 340SE for the center though, do you think it is worth the extra 110 bucks?

definitely. I have a very similar setup, except with HTM 200 rears. I wouldn't give up the CMT 340 SE center for the world.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The Onkyo 674 has better reviews at Crutchfield than the 604, I haven't checked AVSForum.com on them though.

That sounds like the right allocation of funds for speakers vs. receiver.

I was looking at that as well.

The differences are:

200 bucks
5 watts / channel
up/down scaling (don't need this because my TV does this)
transcoding all signals into HDMI (very nice feature, but my Harmony remote will swtich the inputs automatically).
the OSD doesn't show up over HDMI on the 604 - not a big deal for me, just an extra step.

All in all, I decided that I didn't really need the extra bits the 674 gave. The only think I'm concerned about is if it pushes enough power.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Before you buy a whole system of Ascend, I would recommend just getting a single pair of 170s to try them out to make sure you like them.

You'll still get in on package pricing with the "extender purchase plan"
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/purchase/expurchplan.html

HSU is having a 20% of STF model sale right now. Just for comparison

Buying from Ascend
STF-2 = $415 shipped with your package pricing
VTF-2 = $515 shipped
STF-3 = $635 shipped

Buying from HSU
STF-2 = $346 shipped (on sale)
VTF-2 = $526 shipped (regular price)
STF-3 = $532 shipped (on sale)

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/

At these prices, I would give the STF models a hard look since a STF-3 from HSU would cost you about the same and the STF-2 from HSU would be significantly cheaper than your current plan on a VTF-2 from Ascend.

How big is your room (volume, openings to other rooms)? That's probably going to be one of the best determinations of what sub you should get.

I think I have to mention SVS just on principal I'm sure you've found them looking on AVSforum and such, but HSU is supposed to be quite a match for Ascend.

As for floorstanders overpowering your system, you should calibrate it and then you should be in good shape. If you're using 340s for the front three speakers you should have no problem anyway.

Pick up either DVE or AVIA and an SPL meter to help you calibrate your system. I just did a calibration of my own after getting my screen up and moving my speakers around a bit and things are looking and sounding great

I don't mean to add yet another thing for you to buy, but they might make good little gifts to ask for for Christmas?

If you do go from 5.1 to 6.1/7.1 in the future, make sure to keep going with Ascends all the way around for the best results.

 

[sandorski]

Bose not mentioned...:thumbsup:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Bose not mentioned...:thumbsup:

Now it was

 

[fitzov]

too much $

 

[Cattlegod]

Thanks for all the replies.

I just ordered the HSU STF-3 from HSU direct with the 20% off.

I think I'm going to pick up the Ascend speakers next. I should be able to get 340's across the front and 170's across the back with stands for the 340s for under 1200.

I'm trying to find the best price for the Onkyo 604, but Circuit City has been sold out for the past week I've been checking. They have it for $322.

 

[Excelsior]

If you have tools and are handy at all, you should consider building a sub. You can get much more performance for the $$$.

edit: or not, cause you just bought the HSU.

 

[iliopsoas]

Just get Bose. It's so much better than what you listed and you'll still be within budget.

LOL

 

[moks78]

Hsuresearch is having a holiday/clearance sale on the STF-2 & STF-3 subs - 20% off (thanks to typhoid)

www.hsuresearch.com

Check it out...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
tv?

Have a Samsung 50" DLP that I purchased last year and not having quality sound to go with it is driving me nuts.

Upgrading to Directv drove me into my current HT system. Watching TV has never been so good. I could never go back to using TV speakers...in fact, I haven't used my TV speakers in years.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: moks78
Hsuresearch is having a holiday/clearance sale on the STF-2 & STF-3 subs - 20% off (thanks to typhoid)

www.hsuresearch.com

Check it out...

He already got an STF-3 from them

 

[moks78]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: moks78
Hsuresearch is having a holiday/clearance sale on the STF-2 & STF-3 subs - 20% off (thanks to typhoid)

www.hsuresearch.com

Check it out...

He already got an STF-3 from them

Hehe! Missed that one.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: moks78

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: moks78
Hsuresearch is having a holiday/clearance sale on the STF-2 & STF-3 subs - 20% off (thanks to typhoid)

www.hsuresearch.com

Check it out...

He already got an STF-3 from them

Hehe! Missed that one.

It was a good suggestion though if I do say so myself :laugh:

 

[moks78]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: moks78

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: moks78
Hsuresearch is having a holiday/clearance sale on the STF-2 & STF-3 subs - 20% off (thanks to typhoid)

www.hsuresearch.com

Check it out...

He already got an STF-3 from them

Hehe! Missed that one.

It was a good suggestion though if I do say so myself :laugh:

Wanted to get one myself but it has to wait...hope they have a similar discount when I'm ready to grab one.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: moks78

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: moks78

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: moks78
Hsuresearch is having a holiday/clearance sale on the STF-2 & STF-3 subs - 20% off (thanks to typhoid)

www.hsuresearch.com

Check it out...

He already got an STF-3 from them

Hehe! Missed that one.

It was a good suggestion though if I do say so myself :laugh:

Wanted to get one myself but it has to wait...hope they have a similar discount when I'm ready to grab one.

Used is another good option if you're into that sort of thing.

Audiogon and Videogon have them once in a while in addition to the FS/FT areas or some different audio forums.