looking to purchase surround system need input

crazydelicious · 09-06-2008, 09:04 AM

Anybody have a good review site where I can read up on the systems out there? I'm not looking to spend a lot of money so I've been looking at those home theater in a box sets

Any input would be great.

Just recently purchased the Sony Bravia KDL-40V4100, so I'm looking to build from that.

BigD2k5 · 09-06-2008, 10:48 AM

if you're not looking to spend a lot of money (like me), you may look into the all-in-one HTIB systems. some of the Sony systems can be linked up with your Bravia to sync for auto on/off, fewer cables and can usually get you down to 1 remote. sound will be decent and usually smaller. if you're going for quality, you'd have to get individual components and speakers.

gatti-man · 09-06-2008, 11:24 AM

I would suggest avsforum.com. Also if your budget is limited a good center channel and left/right set would be far superior to HT in a box junk.

xxlbeerZ · 09-08-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatti-man

I would suggest avsforum.com. Also if your budget is limited a good center channel and left/right set would be far superior to HT in a box junk.

Yes, avsforum is the best place to do research.

What's your exact budget? IMO you need at least $1500 for the receiver/speakers/sub. Better to save up some pennies than waste money and time buying garbage.

m0nkie · 09-08-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxlbeerZ

Yes, avsforum is the best place to do research.

What's your exact budget? IMO you need at least $1500 for the receiver/speakers/sub. Better to save up some pennies than waste money and time buying garbage.

my budget was 500$... then after talking with this forum and reading up AVS, I ended up with more than 2500$

But it'll be damn worth it!

gatti-man · 09-08-2008, 11:29 PM

A good HD audio set up feels better than HDTV. Honestly audio is a much better investment than a TV since good speakers can last up to 25 years vs 2-4 years for a TV. My paradigms make everything better. Football, movies, video games, SACD's, everything.

BlueBoxer · 09-09-2008, 01:23 PM

My first system was a simple Yamaha and Klipsch system that ran a total of about $2500, my next system was an all out Denon and Boston Acoustics with powered towers and top end center channel. I think that ran about $5500 with a huge discount. I went to an all-in-one setup for my bedroom that was around $700. My advice is that the mid-level component is the way to go, you will not have twice the sound or detail for double the money.

crazydelicious · 09-09-2008, 04:25 PM

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I've got some reading to do. I planned on spending around $700 but after the input here and reading I can see I should clearly save some more and get quality stuff.

Hraesvelg · 01-16-2009, 05:27 PM

Bump this b!tch up!

Looking for a ~$500 speaker, DVD, receiver system.

This is for the bedroom so I don't need to go all out Gatti!

Hooking it up to a 46" Samsung 850

gatti-man · 01-16-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hraesvelg

Bump this b!tch up!

Looking for a ~$500 speaker, DVD, receiver system.

This is for the bedroom so I don't need to go all out Gatti!

Hooking it up to a 46" Samsung 850

Do you want surround or just a nice 2.1 setup? Blu-ray? Watcha want?

IllumEstVeritas · 01-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Costco had a 5.1 Energy system for sale - I forget how much it was. It couldn't have been more than $500.00. I've always like Energy, but I'm not sure if that set would be a good deal or not.... most likely better than a Pioneer, Sony, or similar big name brand at the same price.

http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...-5-1-overview/

savvy · 01-16-2009, 06:35 PM

are you looking for just speakers and a receiver? Or are you looking for like a dvd/blueray/anything else also?

Hraesvelg · 01-16-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatti-man

Do you want surround or just a nice 2.1 setup? Blu-ray? Watcha want?

upconverting DVD player, 5.1 or 2.1 under $500
Like I said it's for the bedroom. I got the 60" Sony for the den.

Ataru074 · 01-16-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllumEstVeritas

Costco had a 5.1 Energy system for sale - I forget how much it was. It couldn't have been more than $500.00. I've always like Energy, but I'm not sure if that set would be a good deal or not.... most likely better than a Pioneer, Sony, or similar big name brand at the same price.

http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...-5-1-overview/

I have this one in my bedroom hooked to a onkio sr 606...
sounds good for a bedroom and WAY.. I mean WAY better than any home theater in a box.

dhwang80 · 01-16-2009, 09:33 PM

well you bought a 1080p that runs at 60 hz. not a bad choice.
For a good mid level performer, I would recommend Onkyo. They're 606 receiver is good, the 806 features THX among other things.

Don't spend a lot of money on fancy Monster HDMI cables. Cheap ones will work just as well.

As for speakers, polk audio and klipsch are nice mid level speakers.
definitive technology is even better, but can get a bit pricey.

some cheaper home theatre in a box options include.
Onkyo has a 7.1 setup (1200 watts) for $499
Panasonic has a 5.1 setup (1200 watts) with wireless speakers for $349

there is a denon one also, but i can't remember the price

Hraesvelg · 01-16-2009, 10:06 PM

^ what do you think about the sound bars + sub woofer for a bedroom system?

IllumEstVeritas · 01-16-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hraesvelg

^ what do you think about the sound bars + sub woofer for a bedroom system?

Got that setup downstairs - it's fine for what it is. It won't break any quality records, but it'll certainly work.

gatti-man · 01-16-2009, 11:03 PM

That's what I was thinking as well. True surround for the bedroom seems superfluous.

Hraesvelg · 01-16-2009, 11:09 PM

sound bar or 2.1 system then. I went ahead and took out the TV oh well, I'm not going to get emo over a few hundred bucks.

(bought a Samsung 46A850 for $2100)

cheshirecat79 · 01-17-2009, 08:17 AM

The Polk sound bars aren't bad. Installed several of them and people were happy with them when coupled with a sub.

For a bedroom aesthetics start to take priority over performance. Short of doing some in-wall speakers I think the surroundbar will work out fine.

09-06-2008, 09:04 AM	#1
crazydelicious Know it all Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 512 iTrader: (3)	looking to purchase surround system need input Anybody have a good review site where I can read up on the systems out there? I'm not looking to spend a lot of money so I've been looking at those home theater in a box sets Any input would be great. Just recently purchased the Sony Bravia KDL-40V4100, so I'm looking to build from that. Last edited by crazydelicious; 09-06-2008 at 09:09 AM.

09-06-2008, 10:48 AM	#2
BigD2k5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 596 iTrader: (1)	if you're not looking to spend a lot of money (like me), you may look into the all-in-one HTIB systems. some of the Sony systems can be linked up with your Bravia to sync for auto on/off, fewer cables and can usually get you down to 1 remote. sound will be decent and usually smaller. if you're going for quality, you'd have to get individual components and speakers. __________________ '05 Silver Coupe 6MT, twin turbonators/whistlers, 600hp+ in stickers, chrome hubcap spinners, neons, APC intake, ridiculously loud exhaust, tire flys, NOS seat covers/floormats, HUUUUGE wing, primered replica body kit, altezzas, type-R emblems, windshield washer light-up thingies.

09-09-2008, 01:23 PM	#7
BlueBoxer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,402 iTrader: (12)	My first system was a simple Yamaha and Klipsch system that ran a total of about $2500, my next system was an all out Denon and Boston Acoustics with powered towers and top end center channel. I think that ran about $5500 with a huge discount. I went to an all-in-one setup for my bedroom that was around $700. My advice is that the mid-level component is the way to go, you will not have twice the sound or detail for double the money. __________________ Volk Challenge DD- Turbo XS- Alpine- Polk SR- JL Audio- DLS - JWT "No Officer, I did see you, that IS why I was driving fast

01-16-2009, 06:35 PM	#12
savvy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Salem, New Hampshire Posts: 4,189 iTrader: (1)	are you looking for just speakers and a receiver? Or are you looking for like a dvd/blueray/anything else also? __________________ Volk // K&N 63 Series // S2K Shorty // Titanium // HKS True Dual // Pioneer Premier // Focal K2P // Alpine // JL Audio W7 // Apexcone// AUT//

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09-09-2008, 04:25 PM	#8
crazydelicious Know it all Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 512 iTrader: (3)	Thanks for all the input. Looks like I've got some reading to do. I planned on spending around $700 but after the input here and reading I can see I should clearly save some more and get quality stuff.

01-16-2009, 06:30 PM	#11
IllumEstVeritas Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cali Posts: 3,133 iTrader: (0)	Costco had a 5.1 Energy system for sale - I forget how much it was. It couldn't have been more than $500.00. I've always like Energy, but I'm not sure if that set would be a good deal or not.... most likely better than a Pioneer, Sony, or similar big name brand at the same price. http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...-5-1-overview/

01-16-2009, 09:33 PM	#15
dhwang80 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: richmond, ky Posts: 440 iTrader: (11)	well you bought a 1080p that runs at 60 hz. not a bad choice. For a good mid level performer, I would recommend Onkyo. They're 606 receiver is good, the 806 features THX among other things. Don't spend a lot of money on fancy Monster HDMI cables. Cheap ones will work just as well. As for speakers, polk audio and klipsch are nice mid level speakers. definitive technology is even better, but can get a bit pricey. some cheaper home theatre in a box options include. Onkyo has a 7.1 setup (1200 watts) for $499 Panasonic has a 5.1 setup (1200 watts) with wireless speakers for $349 there is a denon one also, but i can't remember the price

01-16-2009, 11:03 PM	#18
gatti-man Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: austin tx Posts: 9,654 iTrader: (2)	That's what I was thinking as well. True surround for the bedroom seems superfluous.

01-17-2009, 08:17 AM	#20
cheshirecat79 350Z-holic 2006 Nissan 350Z Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 7,099 iTrader: (5)	The Polk sound bars aren't bad. Installed several of them and people were happy with them when coupled with a sub. For a bedroom aesthetics start to take priority over performance. Short of doing some in-wall speakers I think the surroundbar will work out fine.