Home Theater equipment

[brunswickite]

I know there are dedicated HT forums out there, but I wanted to ask here first before I start poking around other places.

Currently, we are in the process of building a room, for just hanging out and watching DVDs, playing Xbox, TV, etc.

The plan is to put a ~50 inch TV, leaning toward DLP right now, but its all open


My question is regarding speakers and a receiver. My budget is about $1,500 for everything. This would be 5 speakers, a subwoofer and a receiver. I would like to stay away from one of those "home theater in a box".

Any recommendations are welcome.

 

[Quasmo]

panasonic ae700

 

[unorthodoxnerd]

Originally posted by: Quasmo
panasonic ae700

If that is too much, take a look at the Infocus 4805.

 

[InlineFour]

Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

 

[her209]

Sharp Aquos 65" LCD
1920 x 1080

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: unorthodoxnerd

Originally posted by: Quasmo
panasonic ae700

If that is too much, take a look at the Infocus 4805.

I dont think I want to do a front projector. I have to worry too much about lighting, and running cables would be a hassle.

Any ideas on speakers/receivers?

 

[Doggiedog]

Go to AVS Forums.

They have some awesome powerbuys right now.

I just ordered a Samsung 56" HL-S 5687 for $2,495. This TV just came out and does 1080p. The 50" version is $2,195 on the powerbuy.

I've seen the 720p Samsungs for under $2,000.

If you want the link, send me a PM.

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Go to AVS Forums.

They have some awesome powerbuys right now.

I just ordered a Samsung 56" HL-S 5687 for $2,495. This TV just came out and does 1080p. The 50" version is $2,195 on the powerbuy.

I've seen the 720p Samsungs for under $2,000.

If you want the link, send me a PM.

Text

This is the TV i am looking right now.

1500 shipped.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: brunswickite

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Go to AVS Forums.

They have some awesome powerbuys right now.

I just ordered a Samsung 56" HL-S 5687 for $2,495. This TV just came out and does 1080p. The 50" version is $2,195 on the powerbuy.

I've seen the 720p Samsungs for under $2,000.

If you want the link, send me a PM.

Text

This is the TV i am looking right now.

1500 shipped.

That's an awesome price and the TV is nice too. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

If you are interested in AV equipment visit avsforum.com and read up on the reviews.

I've got 2 HT setups in my house. One for a RPTV and one for a projector. I went cheap with my projector setup (because of my wife) and ended up spending very little. I bought a refurb Onkyo 6.1 receiver for $250 from eCost and hopped on a hot deal for a Cerwin Vega 5.1 satellite speaker setup for $100. Then I bought a highly recommended Zenith DVB318 upconverting DVD player to finish it off. Although the speakers aren't that great, they do the job and I can't justify buying a better set because I already have a good setup upstairs.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

QFT. Listen to this guy, he's right on target.

What's the size of your room?

Dave

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

QFT. Listen to this guy, he's right on target.

What's the size of your room?

Dave

I agree. SVB makes some of the best subs out there.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

Same recommendation from me

 

[InlineFour]

Text

you can also save quite a lot of money by going with a refurbished receiver directly from HK.

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

QFT. Listen to this guy, he's right on target.

What's the size of your room?

Dave

11 x 16.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

you can also save quite a lot of money by going with a refurbished receiver directly from HK.

<--- AVR 335 user, highly recommended!

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: brunswickite

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

QFT. Listen to this guy, he's right on target.

What's the size of your room?

Dave

11 x 16.

With that size room the PB10-ISD (linked in the set above) would have no problems at all delivering tons of deep, clean bass. I'll also second the recommendation for HK, my HK AVR520 receiver is excellent. You can find used ones for well within your price range on Avsforum or Audiogon.

Dave

 

[Rickten]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

I'd go with ascends and either an svs sub or hsu sub.

 

[InlineFour]

Originally posted by: Rickten

Originally posted by: InlineFour
Text

leaves you with around $500 for a nice receiver. look at some harmon kardons.

I'd go with ascends and either an svs sub or hsu sub.

the ascends would exceed his budget.

(estimates)
center - $350
L/R - $580
surround - $250
svs sub - $550

 

[SlitheryDee]

I know this is outside your budget and thus not helpful in any way, but it still needs to be seen.

Vivadi Saturn HD50 50in Plasma & Media Center


mmmm now that's a nice TV.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
I know this is outside your budget and thus not helpful in any way, but it still needs to be seen.

Vivadi Saturn HD50 50in Plasma & Media Center


mmmm now that's a nice TV.

meh.

Only 720p.

 

[SithSolo1]

Great Reciever

I have the 1014TX and I love it, plenty of power/features for the money. The 1015TX is $400 at PC Connection /w free shipping but it's on back order. Amazon has it for $430 but shipping is free sometimes...

I also recommend the SVS speaker system, good bang for the buck.

 

[Howard]

You any good at woodworking and/or soldering?

If you can build a good, sturdy box [at least 3/4" thick walls with internal bracing], build one out of MDF or void-free plywood (preferably the latter) with a 3 ft^3 to 4 ft^3 (the larger the better) internal volume, and drop in a Dayton RSS315HF-4 12" driver. Add some Dacron/Acousta-Stuff/fiberglass stuffing, hook it up to a 250W sub amp, and you've got yourself a $260 (plus shipping and box material cost) amp that'll hit a clean 100dB @ 20Hz in an open field, and at LEAST 115dB @ 20Hz in your room. Seriously beats the pants off anything I can think of, for that much.

If you take this route, it leaves at least $1100 for receiver and speakers, with a better sub than you'd otherwise have bought.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

I can't speak from personal experience but as far as speakers are concerned, I challenge anyone to dig up negative reviews on products from Aperion Audio or Axiom Audio.

They are both Internet-only companies but every professional review concludes that their speakers are simply phenomenal for their asking price. However, I think you will prob hit $1500 with just the speakers/sub leaving nothing for the receiver. Still, you might wanna check them out. Both very, very highly regarded speaker makers.

 

[Treyshadow]

I was just about to say aperion Audio.

My theater room consists of some nice gear, and I have heard more than my fair share of equipment.

Panasonic AE900
Paradigm Studio 100 mains, CC 450 center, and Studio 20's in the rear
Outlaw Audio 950b Pre Pro (Soon a 990 )
Outlaw Audio 7500 Amplifier

I would suggest a trip over to AVSForum, or hometheaterforum.com, but if you were asking me, I would have to suggest the following for your 11x16 room.
First and formost the most required piece
SVS Subwoofer SBS-01 theater (yeah way better than a HTIB) -$1000
Harmon Kardon AVR-335 - $500

perfect for that sized room and timbre matched. Though for pure music I would go with HDX-3 line of Aperion Audio. This setup could get very lound and though the SVS speakers are not long on looks, they are definately up there on quality sound. Again, I prefer a fuller bookshelf, but I could not say the aperion basic line is as good as those SV Speakers. Also though I think the Axiom speakers are good, they are a lot brighter than the aperions, and that can be a little grating after a while.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Howard
You any good at woodworking and/or soldering?

If you can build a good, sturdy box [at least 3/4" thick walls with internal bracing], build one out of MDF or void-free plywood (preferably the latter) with a 3 ft^3 to 4 ft^3 (the larger the better) internal volume, and drop in a Dayton RSS315HF-4 12" driver. Add some Dacron/Acousta-Stuff/fiberglass stuffing, hook it up to a 250W sub amp, and you've got yourself a $260 (plus shipping and box material cost) amp that'll hit a clean 100dB @ 20Hz in an open field, and at LEAST 115dB @ 20Hz in your room. Seriously beats the pants off anything I can think of, for that much.

If you take this route, it leaves at least $1100 for receiver and speakers, with a better sub than you'd otherwise have bought.

Please, if you have the spare time and have access to decent wood power tools, do yourself a favor and build something yourself [if you have to learn how, that can be fun too], even if it's just the sub. Your ears and wallet will thank you.