I just got a plasm tv, pdp5070, for xmas and looking for HTIB unit to go along with it... I don't want the mess of wires everywhere so i am looking at the 2.1 system,

Any suggestion on the following system?

Sony DAV-X1V, cnet rated 7.4
Bose 3-2-1 series II, cnet reated 6.4
Denon S-301, cnet rated 8.3
Yamaha Sound Projector YSP800, cnet reated 7.7

Thanks mucho!!

 

i vote against the sony and bose

 

before you ask why, workmanship of Sony, distortion of Bose

 

The Yamaha is the best of that group, and the Bose and Sony shamelessly are fighting for last place.

 

You're not planning on watching movies?

2.1 is for music only. You'll need 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 for home theater use.

 

Agreed you would be better off buying a good head unit/receiver with TOSlnk inputs, DTS and 5.1,6.1 or 7.1 even if you just buy one piece at a time. you can check out ebay. If you want it all now you can buy one of the home theater in a box sets which would give you decent but not great components but cost about the same as purchasing it all separately.

 

sony sucks. Their speaker broke in 1 week and their subwoofer goes in an out now. I just hat eit

 

You'd want a decent sound system to complement such a nice TV. However, a few things to consider:

(1) How big is the room?
(2) How is it configured? Couch in the middle of the room or against the back wall? Is there an open area leading into another room? Think sound containment/projection!
(3) Does the room have carpet or hard wood/tile floor? Are the walls solid or hollow? Think wire running!
(4) What do you listen to the most (music or movies)?

-- For music, the 2.1 set up will suffice, though the two speakers should be full-range tower--supplemented by a decent subwoofer.

-- For movies, you'll need at least a 3.1 set up since the center channel does most of the heavy lifting for movie soundtracks. Also, a good subwoofer will greatly enhance the experience!

If you know what you want and plan accordingly, you should be able to buy the set up in phases, as funding becomes available, and still have a nice set up at the end.

I suggest spending a little more money up front and "future-proof" your system so you'll only spend the money once! Anyway, good luck and congrats on the nice TV!

 

Guys ... I don't know if you relaize it, but the systems OP referred to here are 2.1 w/ virtual surround.

Yes, a center channel does most of the work ... but two stereo channels can do the exact same thing with proper imaging as well.

Surround sound is great ... but let us be honest here ... its a royal PITA to run the wires and mount shelves or place speakers on stands and not have kids, etc knock them over.

A proper virtual surround will give the on-axis listener 75% of the effect, minus the bass.

The only addition I would recommend is a good subwoofer to add to the setup.... most of the high performace subwoofers are quite large however ... so I don't know if you'd really like one.

 

Current Dolby and THX systems are amazing in their ability to deliver multi-channel sounds.

I have a 6.1 system and it's just a kick when the side or rear speakers start working. I don't think you'll get that action with a virtual speaker.

 

Wow, Thanks so much for all the info! I am learning so much about audio system.

First, my room is about 18x20 with the couch against the back wall (there is a ~4" gap between the couch and the wall) there are also two openings leading into two other room, w2w carpet with fairly blank wall but hollow.

The main purpose for this setup is mostly for movies and some music. The system i am considering are 2.1? 2 surround sound speakers plus subwoofer.

I like the Yamaha but it needs a subwoofer and the two opening into other rooms probably won't reflect the sounds properly?

I do like the 5.1 and above... but the way the room is configured, i can't put any rear speaks in.. or need a lot of work... way too lazy for this...

I also like the idea of piecing it together as time goes on.. but i just don't know enough about the sound technology to buy the right/proper components.

I am leaning toward the Denon S301 around $1K... but Cnet complaind about "The bad: Expensive; no HDMI inputs; no upconversion of analog video on HDMI output"

The lack of HDMI concerns me....

not exactly sure what do they mean "no upconversion of analog video on HDMI output" low res cable tv signal?

thanks again for the great feedback!

 

I'd approach this project just like how you would mod the "Z":

(1) Define/understand your requirements
(2) Set a budget
(3) Develop a game plan and stick to it (as much as possible)!

Since you have w2w carpeting and hollow side walls, it won't be that difficult to run the speaker wires for the surround speakers; however, if you don't want to do the work then get one of those virtual surround systems--but at least get a decent subwoofer since they do greatly enhance the movie experience.

If you're looking at "serious" receivers like Denon, with HDMI capabilities, I don't think you'd be happy with the virtual surround technology in the long run.

Look around for ideas:
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_e...oomlayout.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/products.html
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub.cfm
http://www.klipsch.com/products/home...r-systems.aspx
http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/pro...x?sid=814s905g


Remember, speaker technology hasn't really changed that much in the past 30 years so as long as you get a good receiver, you should be ok!

BTW, aren't you sitting a bit far from the TV in a room that size?

 

It shouldn't ... your TV has enough inputs to have you covered for the next 5 years.

You are better off spending the money, that everyone so willingly forks over for HDMI switching, on a better stereo and a pair of HDMI cables and let your tv do the work (also if you use an HDMI receiver, you'll need extra cables) ... after all ... what HDMI sources do you have .... one ... maybe two.

The current retail market's fetish with 5+ HDMI connections concerns me....

 

Dear Friend,

By far I am not an expert but I have about 25 years of home audio behind me. I would recommend you buying a Panasonic dvds97 which I own. http://www.audioholics.com/productre...icDVDS97p1.php
I would also recommend a good receiver such as the Panasonic SA-XR57S 100 Watt x7 Digital Receiver which I also have. For speakers I own an nht set up. If you like a stealth look OE-SELCRKE this speakers can be used for center and left and right. http://www.hometech.com/audio/speakertable.html

At one time I used to use class A amps and a super nice lexicon processor I am putting them away until I built another house with a dedicated home/music room.
Please let me know if I can help in anyway.

George from Pasadena

 

Happy new year to everyone!!

I really appreciate all the help! This is just the best forum and all the Z owners are just awesome!

pdn, really appreciate all the advice, strategy and the links. I like what you have proposed... get a plan together and execute it. I didn't realize putting the audio together is a bigger challange then selecting the right TV! The dolby links was very useful. make me really think of what i want for how much and how long... btw, the room is 18x15 and i am about 10 ft from the tv... that's why i got the 50".. i think it's about the right distance(2.5X of the tv size)

jimRhit, I agree with what you pointeed out! I don't have that many devices that need multipld HDMI... at least for now... I do like the virtual surround sound and it's simplicity... but after hearing the Bose series III, 6.x system... WOW!! I don't know what to say! maybe i shouldn't be too lazy and look into how to wire up the speakers and drill holes in my walls..... or maybe i can wait for the next project to do it right and get the surround sound for now...

pdn, i think you are right... i don't think i will be happy with the virtual surrond sound for the long run... i need a plan to put this thing together!

photo2u, thanks so much for the offer! I think i need to re-think what i really want and i may need some consulting time from you!

Thanks again to everyone!! I need to decide should i go with the virtual surrond sound for now or figure out how to wire the room for a 6.1 system to go with the tv...

any site on how to do wiring for the room that's not pre-wired? or just go under the carpet for all the wires? i've seen some rear speaker that is wireless.. maybe that can be the way to go?

Muchos Gracias!!