What 5.1 Surround Sound System to buy?

[Nutcase99]

Hi, I was looking at buying a surround sound system for my living room and well I really don't know all that much about them. I have a HDTv and a Toshiba DVD player but now I need a surround sound system. I am looking at spending about $800 or so and I was just trying to figure out what to buy. I went to tweeter and best buy to see what they had to offer, Tweeter was out of my price range because they wanted a crap load of money and best buy had pretty crappy sound systems to offer. The only system that I have seen/heard that I like is a cambridge sound works one but I don't know if I get something better for the money or not and thats what I wanted to find out from you guys. For cambridge sound works I was looking at either the SoundWorks MegaTheater? 505 or the SoundWorks MegaTheater? 510.

Any feedback would really be appreciated.

 

[MustangSVT]

well, if you have $800 budget.

$250 - fluance AV-HTB (5 set speakers, 2 floor standing, 2 surround, 1 center)
$300 - decent DD-EX Receiver
$200 - decent Subwoofer

===================



edit - oops, 1 center

 

[Nutcase99]

Would the setup you described sound better than the cambridge sound works one? and could you suggest a sub and an amp as well?

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: MustangSVT
well, if you have $800 budget.

$250 - fluance AV-HTB (5 set speakers, 2 floor standing, 2 surround, 2 center)
$300 - decent DD-EX Receiver
$200 - decent Subwoofer

===================

Yeah do that. Don't make the mistake I made by getting the JBL NSP-1 surround set. They've got good bass for tiny speakers, and they're very clear, but their tone is off or something. I can't really explain it, but I feel like I wasted $230 on those things.

Get a refurb Harman/Kardon AVR-225 or AVR-320 for around $250-350 from Harmanaudio on Ebay. Very nice receivers (aesthetically, and quality-wise). Harmanaudio is the Harman/Kardon factory outlet, so you won't get screwed. You even get a full 2 year warranty, same as new.

 

[ddjkdg]

I hear the Sony SAWM40 is a nice sub. Dunno about the receiver, maybe go with a Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo.

 

[MustangSVT]

only problem I have with those small set of speaker is that when I crank it up and when there is lot coming from the speaker, I always feel distortion and limit of the speaker is quite apparent. I highly recommand Floorstanding front set.

Perhaps that cambridge set is good, but I didnt try them yet. good luck.

 

[Nutcase99]

The system that I am now considering is:

Energy Take 5 + 1 Speaker

and DENON AVR-1803 amp.

What do you guys think of that setup?

 

[Paulson]

Yamaha...

While I can't suggest what to get, we got a packaged deal with a complete yamaha 5.1 system for $800 at best buy... I tell you, it's one totally awesome surround sound experience...

just remember to get either optical or coaxial digital cables... they're how you get the 5.1 dolby digital or dts sound..

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Paulson
Yamaha...

While I can't suggest what to get, we got a packaged deal with a complete yamaha 5.1 system for $800 at best buy... I tell you, it's one totally awesome surround sound experience...

just remember to get either optical or coaxial digital cables... they're how you get the 5.1 dolby digital or dts sound..

You don't need "digital" coaxial cables for digital sound. Good old RCA cables work perfectly for digital audio.

I don't know anything about optical cables. None of my stuff uses them, though my receiver accepts them.

 

[Mutilator]

If Onecall.com was up I'd point you to them for the Harman Kardon AVR325 (or AVR325Z - refurbished) receiver. They may have it in a speaker combo for about $800. If not you can get a Harmon Kardon 5.1 speaker & sub set from CircuitCity for $349 I believe.
I've been looking at the AVR525 and the 5.1 set myself since I need some good small speakers. Harmon Kardon stuff seems to get great reviews these days.

 

[loup garou]

If you don't mind buying refurb, search for Onkyo in the hot deals forum and start reading.

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: Nutcase99
The system that I am now considering is:

Energy Take 5 + 1 Speaker

and DENON AVR-1803 amp.

What do you guys think of that setup?

Good choice.

 

[Mutilator]

This looks like a great system judging by the reviews I just read... it's $1076 though.
Harmon Kardon AVR325 w/Atlantic Technology T70 system

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle

Originally posted by: Paulson
Yamaha...

While I can't suggest what to get, we got a packaged deal with a complete yamaha 5.1 system for $800 at best buy... I tell you, it's one totally awesome surround sound experience...

just remember to get either optical or coaxial digital cables... they're how you get the 5.1 dolby digital or dts sound..

You don't need "digital" coaxial cables for digital sound. Good old RCA cables work perfectly for digital audio.

I don't know anything about optical cables. None of my stuff uses them, though my receiver accepts them.

Um, the only kind of sound you get with RCA cables is "stereo", not 5.1 or 6.1 surround. There are only two channels with RCA - left (white) and right (red). If you want surround sound you need a TOSLink optical or digital coaxial cable. They are capable of carrying six or more channels of information. It's THE most important cable in your whole system, and if you don't have one then you might as well throw your whole surround system away.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: CFster

Originally posted by: Thegonagle

Originally posted by: Paulson
Yamaha...

While I can't suggest what to get, we got a packaged deal with a complete yamaha 5.1 system for $800 at best buy... I tell you, it's one totally awesome surround sound experience...

just remember to get either optical or coaxial digital cables... they're how you get the 5.1 dolby digital or dts sound..

You don't need "digital" coaxial cables for digital sound. Good old RCA cables work perfectly for digital audio.

I don't know anything about optical cables. None of my stuff uses them, though my receiver accepts them.

Um, the only kind of sound you get with RCA cables is "stereo", not 5.1 or 6.1 surround. There are only two channels with RCA - left (white) and right (red). If you want surround sound you need a TOSLink optical or digital coaxial cable. They are capable of carrying six or more channels of information. It's THE most important cable in your whole system, and if you don't have one then you might as well throw your whole surround system away.

No. You misunderstood me. I know what you're saying there, and you're right. But I'm saying that a standard RCA audio cable, ripped in half (so that it's just a single cable, not a pair), and plugged into the coax digital ports, works fine for the transmission of the digital audio signal. He's on a budget, so I'm letting him know that he needn't waste money on "digital" cables, when what he's likely already got in the junk drawer will work flawlessly for the digital audio signal.

I've done this very thing to connect my HDCD player, my DVD player, and my computer to my receiver, and it works great. The salesman may tell you something different, but apparantly, the salesman didn't tell the ones and the zeros.

 

[MustangSVT]

yep, normal RCA works fine for digital.

nice choice btw ive heard great things about energy speakers.

 

[draggoon01]

the problem is some things only output digital signal through optical cable and not rca. some dvd players are like this, and xbox i believe.

but does anyone know the difference between rca audio/video cables and 3 way composite video cables? from what i've been able to find out, they're really the same thing with different colors and pricetag.

 

[BD2003]

The energy is nice, but you sacrifce a bit of quality for the size. Still sounds better than most in the price range, but if youre not as concerned about looks, Id say go for:

Fronts: Paradigm Titan
Rearsaradigm Atom or Micro
Center: Paradigm CC-100

Bought new, the above will run you about $600. You can find them for much cheaper on ebay if you want to go the used route. A good receiver will run you about $150, dont bother with anything above 100W per channel, as anything more is overkill for these speakers. Get a nice paradigm sub as well.

 

[Mutilator]

Originally posted by: draggoon01
the problem is some things only output digital signal through optical cable and not rca. some dvd players are like this, and xbox i believe.

but does anyone know the difference between rca audio/video cables and 3 way composite video cables? from what i've been able to find out, they're really the same thing with different colors and pricetag.

It has to do with the quality of the signal getting through and the shielding the cables have. Google it... "composite vs component cables" or something similar. I found some results a few months ago when I looked for someone else here... too lazy to look again.

 

[m2kewl]

energy take5 + 1 = g00d!!

:beer:

 

[Nutcase99]

Personally I think the energy Take 5+1 speakers are the best I can get for the money. I know that Denon makes some of the best amps and well the one I am looking at has great reviews.

Link for Energy 5+1 speakers

Link for Denon Amp

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle

Originally posted by: CFster

Originally posted by: Thegonagle

Originally posted by: Paulson
Yamaha...

While I can't suggest what to get, we got a packaged deal with a complete yamaha 5.1 system for $800 at best buy... I tell you, it's one totally awesome surround sound experience...

just remember to get either optical or coaxial digital cables... they're how you get the 5.1 dolby digital or dts sound..

You don't need "digital" coaxial cables for digital sound. Good old RCA cables work perfectly for digital audio.

I don't know anything about optical cables. None of my stuff uses them, though my receiver accepts them.

Um, the only kind of sound you get with RCA cables is "stereo", not 5.1 or 6.1 surround. There are only two channels with RCA - left (white) and right (red). If you want surround sound you need a TOSLink optical or digital coaxial cable. They are capable of carrying six or more channels of information. It's THE most important cable in your whole system, and if you don't have one then you might as well throw your whole surround system away.

No. You misunderstood me. I know what you're saying there, and you're right. But I'm saying that a standard RCA audio cable, ripped in half (so that it's just a single cable, not a pair), and plugged into the coax digital ports, works fine for the transmission of the digital audio signal. He's on a budget, so I'm letting him know that he needn't waste money on "digital" cables, when what he's likely already got in the junk drawer will work flawlessly for the digital audio signal.

I've done this very thing to connect my HDCD player, my DVD player, and my computer to my receiver, and it works great. The salesman may tell you something different, but apparantly, the salesman didn't tell the ones and the zeros.

Oh ok, I understand you now! I didn't know that - I guess it makes sense...

 

[LS20]

for your price and simplicity just get an Onkyo all-in-one package

 

[DanJ]

Originally posted by: Nutcase99
The system that I am now considering is:

Energy Take 5 + 1 Speaker
and DENON AVR-1803 amp.

What do you guys think of that setup?

I'd agree with that. The Energy's are supposed to be a very solid system for the price. With the Denon you seem to be stepping up in total package price quite bit. What's your budget now?

Another place to check, since you have stepped your budget up, is Axiom Audio. They make fantastic speakers at reasonable prices, just check the reviews.

 

[Nutcase99]

Oh my budget is still $800 and the speakers and the denon amp will both come into that price range. Gotta love eBay. :-D