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Surround Sound

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What price range are you looking?

Some misc thoughts:

Speakers are the most important leg of your setup, invest most of your money there.

Make sure your speakers match (ie same manufacturer and model) ESPECIALLY the front three.

Get a quality sub.


osugrad21;1040268; said:
Is wireless an option?
Click to expand...

Wireless
Quality

Pick one.
 
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osugrad21;1040268; said:
Need some thoughts on home theaters...got the plasma, need the sound.

Is wireless an option?
Click to expand...

I am also looking for a sound system to go with my LCD HDtv. I have planned ahead so the 2" conduit I installed in the ceiling is more than enough to hold the wires for rear speakers etc. If you have a Blu-Ray disc player you'll want to take advantage of enhanced sound that a system like this will have. Here are a few from Crutchfield with similar features.

Onkyo HT-SP908 7-speaker DVD home theater system with 1080p video upconversion and iPod? dock at Crutchfield.com

Wireless would be an option if you don't have the ability to hide wiring. I think there may be some loss in power but I like the idea of no wires showing.

Sony DAV-HDX267W 5-disc BRAVIA? DVD home theater system with DVD video upconversion and wireless kit for rear speakers at Crutchfield.com

Panasonic SC-PT750 5-disc DVD home theater system with 1080p DVD video upconversion and wireless kit for rear speakers at Crutchfield.com

Bose also has some nice stuff but it'll be as much as your plasma. I think the Onkyo 904 or 908 would work for me.

Bose? Lifestyle? 48 Series IV DVD home theater system with uMusic? and 1080p video upconversion at Crutchfield.com
 
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Your price range is needed for this.

You can get a surround sound system as cheap as $100 or as much as $4000+

I spent about $650 on a Sony system that I love! there is better and there is worse.....
 
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Probably looking at around a grand ideally...

So since I would take the quality over wireless, my contractor told me I can either come from the ceiling to mount or through the floor. Cathedral ceilings and Im not sure I want to have speakers in the corners of that ceiling.
 
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My suggestion would be to steer clear of wireless if at all possible, it limits your selection and the sound is noticeably inferior. If it is a possibility for you wires are very easy to hide if you don't have a finished basement. Visible wires is possibly my biggest pet peeve in the world so what I did is positioned my speakers in their optimal positions, depending on what manufacturer you purchase they will give you diagrams, and then I drilled small holes in my floor and ran the wire into my basement and attached it to the rafters. Or another suggestion would be look into Bose accoustimass 3-2-1 systems. They use only three speakers that are all positioned in front of you but give you the same quality sound as five speaker systems. Each system includes the reciever (DVD-CD player as well) that other Hi-Fi components can attach to. The difference in systems is that one reciever has a digital hard drive that holds about 200 CDs on it. If Bose fits into your budget they are the way to go BAR NONE. I have heard almost everything on the market, my system is JBL, and nothing compares. Good luck.

Bose 321 GSX Home Entertainment ?€“ DVD Home Theater System
Bose 321 GS Series II Home Entertainment ?€“ DVD Home Theater System

Hope this helps
 
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osugrad21;1040429; said:
Probably looking at around a grand ideally...

So since I would take the quality over wireless, my contractor told me I can either come from the ceiling to mount or through the floor. Cathedral ceilings and Im not sure I want to have speakers in the corners of that ceiling.
Click to expand...

Dang you Administrators get paid well.:sad2:
 
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To be honest $1K is right about entry level for something decent sounding. In that range I would actually just stick to a 3.1 system for now and worry about surrounds later.

Speakers:

I'd recommend the X series from AV123. They're an internet direct company and you'll be hard pressed to find anything comparable in the same price range.

A set of their x-ls encores with an x-cs center channel will set you back $500. Paradigm Atoms, PSB Alpha 1, Athena B2.2, and SVS's SBS-01 are also good choices in the same ball park.

speakers_112_4.jpg
speakers_82_2.jpg

Sub:

It's hard to beat HSU Research, and their entry level sub the STF-1 isn't bad at all for the price. It's currently on sale for $254.

stf-1-black-big.jpg


For what it is worth Outlaw Audio's line of subs were also designed by Dr. HSU and are very similar to their HSU cousins. They currently have the LFM-2 on sale for $239.

lfm2-rear.jpg


Both subs are VERY similar. They share a designer, have the same plate amp and the cabinets and drivers are also in the same family.

That leaves you about $250 for a receiver.

Check the features on the models in that price range to see if there is anything you can't live without. Onkyo, Yamaha & Pioneer all have excellent receivers at the lower price points that should do everything you want.

You might want to look at the previous year's models as well to help get more bang for your buck.

The Yamaha HTR-6040 is an excellent receiver that fits the budget:

HTR-6040_MN.jpg




Some other things to consider...Harmon-Kardon has had a lot of QC issues in their recent models and Sony's quality has gone in the toilet over the past 5 or so years. Denon's low end models don't seem to match their better stuff in the quality department either.

Audioholics and GoodSound! are both great places for reviews on equipment to get an idea of what is out there and what it costs.

Audioholics has a forum and another good one is AVS. Both are great places to get info from folks.

NastyDogg72;1040648; said:
If Bose fits into your budget they are the way to go BAR NONE. I have heard almost everything on the market, my system is JBL, and nothing compares.
Click to expand...

Words cannot describe how strongly I disagree with this statement.

If convenience is your primary selling point then Bose is a consideration.

But if sound quality is your priority just about any well made speaker is heads and shoulders above Bose.


TheMightyQuinn;1040330; said:
Screw sound, you need to feel the movie. Seriously though, I have a friend who has one and it's impressive.

Bass shakers, buttkickers? now you can feel the shake! Tactile sound in HT
Click to expand...

Transducers certainly can add quite a bit to the experience if used properly. :)
 
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Surround sound is a waste! Don't go the multiple speaker route.
Buy 2 very good speakers to build your home theatre around. 2 full range speakers will set you back some serious money. $2000 and up. Then add a subwoofer if you really think you need it.
Buy the speakers first, they will determine your amplification needs.
A great choice would be a set of Magnepans. They need at least 100 quality watts. Warning! They are not wife friendly!
Stereo and Home Theater Speakers by Magnepan linky
 
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Taosman;1040836; said:
Surround sound is a waste! Don't go the multiple speaker route.
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Surround is a waste?!?!? Are you still watching movies on VHS or something? Why bother buying an HDTV and DVD Player/HD-DVD or Blu-Ray Player if you only watch movies in stereo. Surround speakers are a must for any home theater.
 
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