Surround Sound Options

[dmw16]

I just got a 42" Sony LCD Projection TV and the TV speakers dont match up to the TV. I can't afford to spend $800-$1000 on a good surround sound setup right now, so here are my options:

1) Get a $400-$500 HTIB and be done with it.
2) Spend $300 right on left and right towers (I get good prices ) and use the reciever and exisiting sub?

note: the sub is an 10" powered model from a former HTIB. the reciever I got cheap off of ebay a few years back and it supports DTS, Dolby 5.1, etc

If I go w/ option 2 I would, over the next 6 months buy rears, a center, a good sub, and a nice reciever. But also, if I go w/ option 2 I want to be able to enjoy the towers now for movies.

 

[Nohr]

One vote for option 2. You'll end up with a much better quality audio setup than any HTIB can give you. Or you could always get a HTIB to see if it's good enough for your needs and just return it if it doesn't suit you.

Did you have any particular floorstanding speakers in mind?

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Nohr
One vote for option 2. You'll end up with a much better quality audio setup than any HTIB can give you. Or you could always get a HTIB to see if it's good enough for your needs and just return it if it doesn't suit you.

Did you have any particular floorstanding speakers in mind?

Yes, JBL Stage 3-way 6" or JBL Stadium 3-way 8".

If I went HTIB I'd probably go w/ this one.

 

[RapidSnail]

For HTIB's check out Onkyo, they're always good. I own an Onkyo HTIB also and it rocks!

 

[dmw16]

Anyone else care to weigh in? Thought we had some HT gurus...

 

[imported_Trippin315]

Start off with a decent receiver. Stay in the top three marantz, Onkyom or Denon. HK is good as well. Get one that HDMI switching and capable of 7.1 out even though that is given at this stage.

Next is speakers. Drop the money on a Center channel. There is where the all idalogue comes from. Then R+L fronts. Primary for stereo audio.

Make the side and rear surrounds the same size. I like DCM speakers (parents company of velodyne.

Cable - go with audioquest or tributaries.

 

[spidey07]

well I believe you should set a budget and work from there. It can be difficult buiding it piece by piece.

By setting your overall budget you can work from there to get a well balanced system. Most of your money should be in speakers/sub and they should all work together. The front/left/center/rs/ls should all be matched. Ideally all 5 are the same speaker.

In your budget I'd just recommend you wait until you can spend a little more. like 1500 for speakers and 500+ for receiver.

 

[dmw16]

I dont think I'd spend $2000 for the setup for at least 10 years! That is way too much. I was thinking $600 for speakers and $400-$500 for a reciever. Of course, I get 50-75% off of speakers if I go w/ JBL.

Trippin315,
I dont want to go that nuts. I'd just use Monster cables and the like. I'll probably go w/ a Yamaha reciever.

I guess my question is, which option should I go with, not what brand of X Y and Z should I buy? Can I get some use out of a center, left, and right speaker for now while I buy them piece by piece?

As nuts as all of this stuff gets Im leaning more and more towards the Onkyo HTIB.

 

[Fingolfin269]

If you get 50-75% off JBL speakers then you should be able to buy a nice pieced together setup for the amount you want to spend. I mean, 50% off $1200 is $600...

 

[dmw16]

Im pricing one out now. THe discount varies.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'll help you price if you can hook a bro up with a new sub... wink wink.

I've got all JBL/Infinity right now but my JBL PB10 sub is slowly croaking.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: dmw16

Originally posted by: Nohr
One vote for option 2. You'll end up with a much better quality audio setup than any HTIB can give you. Or you could always get a HTIB to see if it's good enough for your needs and just return it if it doesn't suit you.

Did you have any particular floorstanding speakers in mind?

Yes, JBL Stage 3-way 6" or JBL Stadium 3-way 8".

If I went HTIB I'd probably go w/ this one.

get the 8" 's. 6" just isn't enough for quality low-midrange sound. Also get a decent sub.

Get a quality reciever, and cheap(ish) speakers. You can upgrade the speakers as you have time.


I would get this:

5.1
--------
marantz sr7500 ~($1000)
2 pair, Sony SS-MB350H ($100/pair) (front and rear)
1, Sony SA-WM250 ($100)
1, Sony SS-CN550H ($100)


6.1
--------
Add another SS-CN550H to 5.1

7.1
--------
Add another pair of SS-MB350H to 5.1

5.2 / 6.2 / 7.2
-----------------
Add another SA-WM250 to 5.1/6.1/7.1

If you want floorstanding fronts
-------------------------------------
Replace front pair of SS-MB350H with a pair of SS-MF550H, or SS-MF750H.

Sony Speakers


Also pick up some High-Gauge shielded speaker wire.

I have this setup, and it sounds awesome. The sony speakers, while not quite audiophile quality, sound incredible for the price.

 

[dmw16]

its all just so much money...

The HTIB is an attractive option from the price standpoint. It seemed to have gotten good reviews. I know you audiophile guys find it unacceptable, but for my apartment it might be the best choice.

 

[Nohr]

Originally posted by: dmw16
its all just so much money...

The HTIB is an attractive option from the price standpoint. It seemed to have gotten good reviews. I know you audiophile guys find it unacceptable, but for my apartment it might be the best choice.

If it makes you happy that's all that matters. Go out and listen to some speakers to get your feet wet.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Originally posted by: RapidSnail
For HTIB's check out Onkyo, they're always good. I own an Onkyo HTIB also and it rocks!

Ditto. We just got the HT-S580 and it's made a huge difference in watching movies. That was under 300, so you could probably get the HT-S780(or 790). Definitely zero buyers remorse with the Onkyo system. Get optical audio cables if possible.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Sheik Yerbouti

Originally posted by: RapidSnail
For HTIB's check out Onkyo, they're always good. I own an Onkyo HTIB also and it rocks!

Ditto. We just got the HT-S580 and it's made a huge difference in watching movies. That was under 300, so you could probably get the HT-S780(or 790). Definitely zero buyers remorse with the Onkyo system. Get optical audio cables if possible.

Thanks, I'll check those out. That looks like my best option.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Anyone else care to weigh in? Thought we had some HT gurus...

Another vote for Onkyo. If nothing else, you get a decent set to start out with, and if you want different speakers later, you can still use the receiver.

Nate

 

[dmw16]

Looks like its Onkyo FTW

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Looks like its Onkyo FTW

Onkyo is great. You might want to check out J and R to see if they have any closeouts on last years models or not. My current Onkyo was a closeout buy and I saved a ton on the price.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Just echoing the choir at this point, but yeah a nice Onkyo setup will do ya good. Not bad price, and you'll be able to keep components if you upgrade.

Also, don't fret too much over feeling you might not be getting good quality. If you just watch movies, and maybe play games, it'll sound plenty good, as thats what they're designed for. They aren't the best for music listening, but even then I'm sure you'll be plenty happy with them.