Recommendations for home theater system?

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ryudo
Thanks for all the advice. AVSforum has been a big help too. You're right, my budget is increasing. I haven't had any sort of home theater system for 3 years now, having put off purchaces till "next year". Before that, I had a Onkyo receiver, Sony CD player, and nice speakers for about 15 years. But I miss the sounds.

So I decided to get back into the swing of things and decided that $500 would be a good cutoff as a budget. But reading AVS forum has convinced me to look at the home theater as a long term investment, especially the speakers. I haven't read a single negative thing about the Fluance speakers yet. I can see them lasting me 10 years. The receiver is something I can replace in 3-4 years if I choose. So I am willing to spend a little more now because I'm in it for the long term.

I don't think I'm going to get a sub quite yet (unless I see a great deal somewhere).

I'm trying to decide between the Onkyo SR-502 for $260+shipping and the Panasonic XR-50 for $250+shipping.

Any thoughts?

Yeah, I really like the fluance set. My only slight complaint is that the center doesn't match the mains. The mains have nicer tweeters and the drivers are 6" while the center has a not so nice tweeter and 4" drivers.... i think i mentione this before heh. Other than that issue, I'm totally impressed by them. The onkyo set you would have gotten has the same size drivers for their center, so it's not like you're missing anything you would have gotten from onkyo center, while the fluance mains are excellent.

As for the recievers.... that's a hard call. I think I would personally pick the onkyo because I've never heard a digital amp before. I think it would be awesome if you could find someplace to demo them and see what you like better. circuitcity.com sells both (although it's oos of the panasonic)... it says the panasonic is a web only special... I wonder if any B&M stores have both. It might be worth calling your local AV shops to see if you could hear them. I remember a saying that goes "You can pick your friends, and you can pick your receiver, but you can't pick your friend's receiver". I think this decision depends on the amount of time you want to spend researching all this. I read about the panasonics a couple months ago and from what I remember they had very nice sound, and lots of power, but the build quality wasn't so hot. I'm not sure if at this price point the onkyo would be much better, but I think personally I would feel better with the big onkyo unit. I haven't heard either so I can't give you much more info than that.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: ryudo
Thanks for all the advice. AVSforum has been a big help too. You're right, my budget is increasing. I haven't had any sort of home theater system for 3 years now, having put off purchaces till "next year". Before that, I had a Onkyo receiver, Sony CD player, and nice speakers for about 15 years. But I miss the sounds.

So I decided to get back into the swing of things and decided that $500 would be a good cutoff as a budget. But reading AVS forum has convinced me to look at the home theater as a long term investment, especially the speakers. I haven't read a single negative thing about the Fluance speakers yet. I can see them lasting me 10 years. The receiver is something I can replace in 3-4 years if I choose. So I am willing to spend a little more now because I'm in it for the long term.

I don't think I'm going to get a sub quite yet (unless I see a great deal somewhere).

I'm trying to decide between the Onkyo SR-502 for $260+shipping and the Panasonic XR-50 for $250+shipping.

Any thoughts?

I know it's risky to buy used electronics, but sometimes you can get really good deals on sites like Audiogon. You can get older generation quality receivers at really good prices. (for example Marantz SR5400 for $350) Brand new recievers may have more bells and whistles, but the older quality recievers usually have better build quality, amp, and other basic component.

Just my 2 cents

 

[huesmann]

I have the Fluance AV set (black), plus a 12" Sony sub. The sub isn't all that important, though. Subs all sound pretty close...it's all low frequency anyway. The big differences are in the mids and highs. I also have a cheap pair of Kenwood surrounds for the rears.

The speakers are mated with an HK525 7.1 receiver (which is why I needed the rear surrounds).

You should be happy with the HK, or with one of the refurb Onkyos. Check shoponkyto.com for stuff.

 

[Choralone]

Originally posted by: aeroguy

Originally posted by: werk

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Receiver + 5.1 for $500? Then the Onkyo box set closest to that price.

Seconded.

\gavel - motion passed

This is what I'd get... $425

Onkyo Home Theater System (HTS-770)

Ding ding ding ding! We have a winnar!

Great system for the money. :thumbsup:

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: lnguyen
what's a good sub to match w/ those fluance speakers ... and do they come in black 🙂

As for do they come in black, no the SX-HTB set doesn't. Their slightly lesses set, the AV_HTB is a black set though. I've heard both sets, but not a side by side comparison. The AV set is still good and an excellent value for the price. They are smaller physically thatn the SX set, which doesn't matter too much, except that I've found that the tweeters on the SX set are at just the right ear level, which is what you want. I was also concerned when I started looking at them that they weren't black. I'm have a very consistent black/silver color scheme going with just about everything else I own (as can be seen with the other pics in my folder I linked to above) so I was worried they would be out of place, but once I opened the box, I was in love. They are really sharp looking. The look almost identical to the special color my friend with paradigm phantoms ordered. Paradigm's pictures are a good match for the color.

As for a sub.... don't worry about getting a fluance sub to go with the fluance set. Just try to get a good sub for the money and it will be fine. Like I mentioned earlier, I think the dayton from parts express is a great value and should be a major consideration for anyone looking for a sub for under $200. There are literally hundreds of options when you go over $200... I was never really in that market so I don't have any good recommendations for that price point.... maybe look at velodyne or the jbl e series? If you get up to $400 though.... which is not too likely if you're getting these speakers.... then I'd look at offerings by SVS and HSU. Anyway, there are tons of threads at AVSforum just on "recommend me a $200 sub" or whatever. Head over there and you'll get overwhelmed and then after a while get a good idea at the good options and then narrow it down to a couple that appeal to you.... well at least that's what happened to me heh.

They're actually darker than I had expected. But I'm much more picky than you on color.. I couldn't get these 🙂 But if the AV ones aren't terrible in comparison, I might opt for those. I'm a little hesitant just because I can't hear them for myself... granted, I wouldn't be getting them anytime soon anyway.

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: huesmann
I have the Fluance AV set (black), plus a 12" Sony sub. The sub isn't all that important, though. Subs all sound pretty close...it's all low frequency anyway. The big differences are in the mids and highs. I also have a cheap pair of Kenwood surrounds for the rears.

The speakers are mated with an HK525 7.1 receiver (which is why I needed the rear surrounds).

You should be happy with the HK, or with one of the refurb Onkyos. Check shoponkyto.com for stuff.

Nothing could be farther from the truth as far as subs go.

That being said, the best sub undwer $300 is EASILY the Dayton 10" from Parts express. One of the only, if not only legit 25hz sub in that class.
After that, is probably the Infinity PB-12 (or whatever the # in the mid 300s), then you get into SVS/HSU territory with SVS producing some mind boggling gear.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: huesmann
I have the Fluance AV set (black), plus a 12" Sony sub. The sub isn't all that important, though. Subs all sound pretty close...it's all low frequency anyway. The big differences are in the mids and highs. I also have a cheap pair of Kenwood surrounds for the rears.

LMAO. The sub isn't all that important? Subs all sound pretty close? Well the fact that you have a Sony 12'' sub is proof to me you haven't heard a REAL home theater sub. Don't speak from inexperience.

Subs ARE important. Very very much so for any true replication of a THEATER experience. I thought the same thing you did, until I got a true sub.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think the Dayton is the best sub under $200, but you can do better for $300. (JBL e250 for example)

And I think his "sub isn't all that important" meant that matching the brand of sub to your speakers isn't important. If he's saying that subs as a whole aren't important... then yeah, he's a moron 😉

 

[mboy]

Dayton goes lower then the JBL E250. Pretty much known throught most of the HT forums that the Dayton will beat out the JBL E250 in lower FR performance (from those who have demo'd both).

My Dayton 10 weighs about the same as the 12: E250 🙂

You really need to step up to the Inifnity PS-12 to start beating the Dayton 10", then need to step up to an SVS PB-10ISD to beat that or an HSU 2, but SVS rock!

I view the sub as soo important, that I have a BFD paramteric Eq to flatten the repsonse of my Dayton ( I can't deal with more then the dayton now becuase I live on the 2nd floor of a 2 family home and my wife can already hear it in the basement @ half way @ -30 on my Pio 10104)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I've had the 10" dayton and in my own experience with my SPL meter, I think 25hz on an unequalized dayton was a little optomistic.

I'm very happy with my PB-10 now.

 

[deejayshakur]

PLEASE do not buy sony av components....trust me on this.

that being said, ecost usually has cheap refurb onkyo receivers for under $200. they're good stuff too. i believe in another thread, the SR501 could be had for...$160? i've used mine (another model) for 2 years now, no problems, sounds awesome. the refurbing for mine was mostly cosmetic but i don't really notice anything (and i'm very picky). of course, if you can afford a brand new HK receiver, do it. if not, that's the best alternative.

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I've had the 10" dayton and in my own experience with my SPL meter, I think 25hz on an unequalized dayton was a little optomistic.

I'm very happy with my PB-10 now.

I def. get down to 25 no problem with my Dayton pre Eq. with SPL meter.

You have the SVS PB-10ISD?

NICE sub 🙂

I would like to go with a PC+ 16/46 or 20/39 one day when I buy a house, or even better if I have the layout, a nice IB setup with 4 12"s 🙂

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: mboy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I've had the 10" dayton and in my own experience with my SPL meter, I think 25hz on an unequalized dayton was a little optomistic.

I'm very happy with my PB-10 now.

I def. get down to 25 no problem (and so do others) with my Dayton pre Eq. with SPL meter.

You have the SVS PB-10ISD?

NICE sub 🙂

I would like to go with a PC+ 16/46 or 20/39 one day when I buy a house, or even better if I have the layout, a nice IB setup with 4 12"s 🙂

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: mboy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I've had the 10" dayton and in my own experience with my SPL meter, I think 25hz on an unequalized dayton was a little optomistic.

I'm very happy with my PB-10 now.

I def. get down to 25 no problem with my Dayton pre Eq. with SPL meter.

You have the SVS PB-10ISD?

NICE sub 🙂

I would like to go with a PC+ 16/46 or 20/39 one day when I buy a house, or even better if I have the layout, a nice IB setup with 4 12"s 🙂

My problem with the dayton could have very well been my room placement. I was (and am) very limited with my possible choices for sub placement. I'm trying to fit waaaay too much stuff into my dorm room and it's not an ideal setup at the moment. I pretty much only had 2 choices for my sub placement and the dayton didn't get the low end very well in either. The SVS is doing much better though 😉. I really thought the dayton was an incredible deal though. If it goes lower than I found it to go then it's an even better bargain. In my placement I had some pretty significant humps at 80 and 40 hz with very diminished response below 35.
I remember taking it to a friends house (who now owns it) to test it out and it did seem more flat and seemed to dig deeper in there. We only did a 10 minute demo, but I bet you're right.

 

[Qwest]

ok, audio n00b alert here. what's the benefit of getting the OP's setup over let's say the logitech z-5500s. Besides long term benefits, will the HT setup sound significantly better for a small apartment?
i'm only looking at something that will last maybe 2 yrs.

 

[funboy6942]

Here is a great idea for your HT set up and will blow EVERYTHING else out of the water.
If you can deal without having a am/fm tuner then buy this:

Logitech 5500 THX set up.
Has inputs for DTS and DD. 500 watts. Will shatter glass and sound better then any cheap reciever or speakers you can buy. Best of all it can be had for $270. So you can spend the rest on movies 🙂

Review

Then go buy them and be VERY happy.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Qwest
ok, audio n00b alert here. what's the benefit of getting the OP's setup over let's say the logitech z-5500s. Besides long term benefits, will the HT setup sound significantly better for a small apartment?
i'm only looking at something that will last maybe 2 yrs.

If you're on a budget that only allows for a $300 purchase, there's nothing wrong with going for a logitech or klipsch set.

A receiver will allow for more versatility, connections, and the amp quality in even a basic receiver will be superior to the plate amp in the subs of the computer sets.

It's hard to get a HT sub for cheap. The dayton I linked to when it's on sale for $99 is probably be the least you want to spend on a sub. It's a very nice sub and will perform favorably vs the subs of the speakers sets.

The satellite speakers are probably where the biggest difference comes in quality here. You're going to get better frequency response and sound quaity if you go with a real set of speakers vs the logitechs. Logitechs will get loud, I'll definately give them that (owned z-560s) but there are limits to what a single full range driver can do (one of the arguments in the bose is crap article below). Klipsch's satellites are a step up from the logitech ones... and if you buy a good set in this price range or a deal on some more expensive ones, you'll be able to beat the klipsch set.

If it sounds significantly better is up to the listener. I doubt you'd be unhappy with a logitech or klipsh set.

One of the nicest things for someone looking to upgrade in the future would be the ability to get a receiver, sub, and two high quality speakers initially... and then as budget allows slowly get more speakers to make a 5.1 or 7.1 set.

I'm not so anti-computer speakers as I think I come across in some threads. It's just that there are dozens of fanboys over here claiming z-5500s or promedias are absolutely the best you can do for the money and you'd be insane to get anything else. If you want a complete set of speakers that are small, work easily with comptuers, and give decent performance, then those are very good options. It's hard to get something that will blow them away for the price, but an entry level set will get you on the right track 😉.

 

[Qwest]

thx for the reply yoyojello.
sounds picky, but the klipsch's dont have digital inputs (nor a decoder) or a remote. for my budget, i'm leaning towards the logitechs as a computer/tv/xbox solution. i'm in a small apt and can't fully appreciate a HT setup right now. for the $$, they seem to be the best value for ME. i currently have the z-560's as well, great speakers by the way.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Qwest
thx for the reply yoyojello.
sounds picky, but the klipsch's dont have digital inputs (nor a decoder) or a remote. for my budget, i'm leaning towards the logitechs as a computer/tv/xbox solution. i'm in a small apt and can't fully appreciate a HT setup right now. for the $$, they seem to be the best value for ME. i currently have the z-560's as well, great speakers by the way.

You know... I'm going to throw this out there, and you can tell me I'm crazy... but here goes...

Since the z-5500s are pretty much the same satellite speakers as the z-560s (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but they sure look like the same design in a different color/case), if you already have 4 you might think about getting two more and hooking them up to a real receiver. Instead of spending $270 to get a sub upgrade and a couple more inputs, you could get a $150 receiver, a $125 sub, and those couple more speakers and have a 6.1 set that you could upgrade in the future by just getting some nicer speakers rather than starting from scratch. You could even reuse the sub you have now (I'm pretty sure this would work) by taking the LFE out and adapting it to 1/8" and plugging the z-560 inputs into it.

Oh, and I'm proof that no room is to small for an entry level HT set 😉.

I agree that the z-560s are great for what the cost. I got 2 years out of them and sold them for $40 less than I paid originally 😀.

 

[glenn1]

Lot of Onkyo fans here so I'll just advise you to at least consider Yamaha receivers (or HTIB systems if you go that route) when making your choice. Even though it's not high-end I'm perfectly happy with my HTR-5740 and most of the 57xx series would be right in your price range (the 5740 I have is $200 on newegg and I'm sure you could find it cheaper if you looked).