***Need Suggestions for HDTV/Surround Sound!***

[andyx1205]

Hey guys..I'm getting an Xbox 360 & PS3 and I'm looking forward to it. I needa good reciever/surroundspeakers/theatresystem or w/e

I'm getting this HDTV:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...24&catid=24558
(limited to Futureshop and Bestbuy which are local to me, in BC,Canada)


I want to get a good surround sound going but I have no clue what to get (speakers,recievers,etc). Someone recommended to get a reciever separately since the ones with theatre systems are crap. Anyways...I don't want to spend too much $ in this area.

If you guys can help me...then thanks

[andyx1205]

I really need some help! Going to be getting these in a couple weeks or so.

[andyx1205]

I also posted on a different forum (Gamespot) and someone suggested getting a Sony SXRD for sure. I'm not sure if it's better to get it over a 52" Samsung LCD though (which is #1 on CNET for LCDs), well...

He also recommended this reciever:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...94&catid=20313

Is that good? If yes, what speakers to get with it?

[drwatson1234]

PM sent...

[andyx1205]

Also, how far would I need to sit from a 52-55" to get the best view? For this room I can sit a max of 9-10 feet away (in the basement, and it's always dark in here!)

[clyon]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

Also, how far would I need to sit from a 52-55" to get the best view? For this room I can sit a max of 9-10 feet away (in the basement, and it's always dark in here!)

6.5-7ft

I am 6.5ft from my 50"


http://www.myhometheater.homestead.c...alculator.html

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by clyon

6.5-7ft

I am 6.5ft from my 50"


http://www.myhometheater.homestead.c...alculator.html

Cool. And how does it look?
I can sit a maximum of 9-9.5 feet in my room, but I can probably adjust to sit closer. That is...if a 52" Samsung LCD is really that good to be picked over a 56" or 61" Samsung DLP, or the Sony 55" SXRD.

[BinaryLinguist]

For AV Receiver, take a look at the Onkyo 605.

For speakers, take a look at the x-series from AV123.

Mike

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by BinaryLinguist

For AV Receiver, take a look at the Onkyo 605.

For speakers, take a look at the x-series from AV123.

Mike

Can't seem to find the Onkyo on Bestbuy.ca or Futureshop

[BinaryLinguist]

Here is a link to the Onkyo Dealers in BC, CA

http://www.onkyousa.com/loc_results.cfm

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by BinaryLinguist

Here is a link to the Onkyo Dealers in BC, CA

http://www.onkyousa.com/loc_results.cfm

Oh cool, found some places near my place (Surrey,BC,Canada). So which Onkyo would you recommend? And where can I get those speakers, it'll be good if I don't have to buy different parts from diff stores though

[BinaryLinguist]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

Oh cool, found some places near my place (Surrey,BC,Canada). So which Onkyo would you recommend? And where can I get those speakers, it'll be good if I don't have to buy different parts from diff stores though

It depends on:
1) Your budget
2) What features you need
3) When you need it

As for the speakers, they are an internet-direct company. What size room are you looking to use? www.av123.com

You can always head over to AVS Forums to do some research.

[clyon]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

Cool. And how does it look?
I can sit a maximum of 9-9.5 feet in my room, but I can probably adjust to sit closer. That is...if a 52" Samsung LCD is really that good to be picked over a 56" or 61" Samsung DLP, or the Sony 55" SXRD.

Bigger the better. TV's get smaller the longer you own it, I wish I got a 60" then I could push the tv back some & still get a bigger image (the room is 12.5X11.2ft).
At 9 ft a 70" tv will have a 31.5 degree viewing angle vs 31.2 for a 50" @ 6.5ft. 1 degree is notisable to the human eye. I went from a 30" at 6.25ft to what I have now & it is night & day differnce.

When watching a fullscreen film, it is big. I wear glasses & it will fill up the viewing angle of my glasses when wearing them. Amphoric (movies w/ bars), it could be a little bigger, maybe 34 degrees would be nice.

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by clyon

Bigger the better. TV's get smaller the longer you own it, I wish I got a 60" then I could push the tv back some & still get a bigger image (the room is 12.5X11.2ft).
At 9 ft a 70" tv will have a 31.5 degree viewing angle vs 31.2 for a 50" @ 6.5ft. 1 degree is notisable to the human eye. I went from a 30" at 6.25ft to what I have now & it is night & day differnce.

When watching a fullscreen film, it is big. I wear glasses & it will fill up the viewing angle of my glasses when wearing them. Amphoric (movies w/ bars), it could be a little bigger, maybe 34 degrees would be nice.

Don't quite understand that for some reason.

@ Binary
That stuff might be a bit too expensive, not sure. I don't know if my dad will let me buy stuff from different places (doubt it). I'm not an "enthusiast", I just want something good. I'm only 17 but my parents said I can get a new TV,etc (that I've saved up for with my money, and they are helping too of course).

You sure there's nothing at Bestbuy.ca or futureshop.ca that is "good"? What I'm talking about is a home theatre system, speakers/reciever/subwoofer or w/e is needed. Those theatre systems they have have crappy recievers I believe, well..how much do you think it would cost me for a good surround system including reciever?

[clyon]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

Don't quite understand that for some reason.

@ Binary
That stuff might be a bit too expensive, not sure. I don't know if my dad will let me buy stuff from different places (doubt it). I'm not an "enthusiast", I just want something good. I'm only 17 but my parents said I can get a new TV,etc (that I've saved up for with my money, and they are helping too of course).

You sure there's nothing at Bestbuy.ca or futureshop.ca that is "good"? What I'm talking about is a home theatre system, speakers/reciever/subwoofer or w/e is needed. Those theatre systems they have have crappy recievers I believe, well..how much do you think it would cost me for a good surround system including reciever?

Mostly get the biggest & best tv you can get & don't sit too far.

TV's are the cheap part, receiver say $800-1k+, speaker $1500+ for a 5.1 & $2k+ for 7.1

Do you want a receiver w/ HDMI 1.3, if so wait until other companys like pioneer, denon, Harman Kardon & yamaha release a 1.3 receiver in a month or 2 & then start to look. There prices ranges will be $850-$6k & probly save a little getting them online.

speakers:
Keep away from sony, they make good tv's & DVD/BD players but that is it, walk past the Bose speakers there junk. Get something that is 3ways or even better 4ways, 2ways speakers for the back are fine. AND DO NOT miss match speakers, keep with one brand, subs are diffrent & you can get a diffrent brand as long as the crossovers matchs up. & make sure they have good wattage so you don't damage the speakers, there is 'Peak' & 'Continuous' too keep in mind, peak in the max the speaker can take for a few seconds with out damage (tweeters are noramly the 1st & easyest to damage), Continuous is the noramal operation wattage.

Good speakers will last you 20 years & it is cheaper in the long run to spend a 'little' more money now then getting cheap crap speakers that just make noise & you replace them in 2-3 years. & you don't have to get all the speakers at once, start with the very good center, since 60-75% of sound comes from the center speaker. Then save up some money & start to look at the front L/R & a sub speaker & last the back speakers.

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/buyersg...peakersystems/

This is where I got my speakers & keep an eye open for Remanufactured Models, they come with the same warranty as the new stuff & you can save a few $$$'s, no sale tax & shipping is very resonable.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...BFS&market=HOM

Good speaker brands:
JBL, Klipsch, Boston, B&W, Energy, Atlantic Technology, Infinity.

P.S. if you get a RP TV get a UBS back-up power ($50 abouts)

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by clyon

Mostly get the biggest & best tv you can get & don't sit too far.

TV's are the cheap part, receiver say $800-1k+, speaker $1500+ for a 5.1 & $2k+ for 7.1

Do you want a receiver w/ HDMI 1.3, if so wait until other companys like pioneer, denon, Harman Kardon & yamaha release a 1.3 receiver in a month or 2 & then start to look. There prices ranges will be $850-$6k & probly save a little getting them online.

speakers:
Keep away from sony, they make good tv's & DVD/BD players but that is it, walk past the Bose speakers there junk. Get something that is 3ways or even better 4ways, 2ways speakers for the back are fine. AND DO NOT miss match speakers, keep with one brand, subs are diffrent & you can get a diffrent brand as long as the crossovers matchs up. & make sure they have good wattage so you don't damage the speakers, there is 'Peak' & 'Continuous' too keep in mind, peak in the max the speaker can take for a few seconds with out damage (tweeters are noramly the 1st & easyest to damage), Continuous is the noramal operation wattage.

Good speakers will last you 20 years & it is cheaper in the long run to spend a 'little' more money now then getting cheap crap speakers that just make noise & you replace them in 2-3 years. & you don't have to get all the speakers at once, start with the very good center, since 60-75% of sound comes from the center speaker. Then save up some money & start to look at the front L/R & a sub speaker & last the back speakers.

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/buyersg...peakersystems/

This is where I got my speakers & keep an eye open for Remanufactured Models, they come with the same warranty as the new stuff & you can save a few $$$'s, no sale tax & shipping is very resonable.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...BFS&market=HOM

Good speaker brands:
JBL, Klipsch, Boston, B&W, Energy, Atlantic Technology, Infinity.

P.S. if you get a RP TV get a UBS back-up power ($50 abouts)

Whoa..I think that's a bit too much out of by budget. I was thinking more like $800-$950CAN for sound system (Reciever+speakers/sub)...yah man lol. Again..you sure nothing from that Bestbuy.ca is good enough, cause I can't afford to spend too much! (possibly some of the Yamaha stuff they got, or a Yamaha reciever and some decent/good speakers/sub?)
www.bestbuy.ca

[clyon]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

Whoa..I think that's a bit too much out of by budget. I was thinking more like $800-$950CAN for sound system (Reciever+speakers/sub)...yah man lol. Again..you sure nothing from that Bestbuy.ca is good enough, cause I can't afford to spend too much! (possibly some of the Yamaha stuff they got, or a Yamaha reciever and some decent/good speakers/sub?)
www.bestbuy.ca

just looked at BB.ca & have to say they don't have much of anything in the audio area. Goto the store & see if you can get a onkyo HTIB, they run about $399US, they make good low priced stuff.
& everytime I click on the 2nd or 3rd page it takes me to Product Comparison page & the search keep giving me can not find

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by clyon

just looked at BB.ca & have to say they don't have much of anything in the audio area. Goto the store & see if you can get a onkyo HTIB, they run about $399US, they make good low priced stuff.
& everytime I click on the 2nd or 3rd page it takes me to Product Comparison page & the search keep giving me can not find

Yah BestBuy don't have Onkyo recievers. However, at Visions which is near me they carry Onkyos (according to Onkyo site) but..
How much do Onkyo recievers cost? Is it possible to get an Onkyo reciever + sub+speakers under $1000-1200?

[leukoplast]

Nice TV your going to get there, and you wont be let down by Samsung, they make excellent LCD's.

But for home theater, here is what I use, and its exceptional quality audio, for a price you cant beat.

For audiophile grade speakers (which are truly that and some) go with Cambridge Soundworks. As for which speakers, this is what I use.

Main/Center/Main speakers MC300 <--click for more info


Surround speakers S300 <--click for more info


And I gotta tell you, these speakers, though are relatively small, produce vibrant flawless sound, and with no lack of raw power. And can fill a large room with full audiophile-licious sound.

And the surround speakers are exceptional as well, that have bipole/dipole/monopole dispersion patterns for any sound occasion you can think of.

And all for a pretty decent price. ($199 each on the MC300's and $349 for pair S300 surrounds)

And if you want to go nuts, you can get the tower speakers that have a built-in subwoofer.
T300 towers ($1,499)


the T300 actually houses the same drivers as the MC300, but with the addition of a internal subwoofer, and the beauty of the cabnit. Comes in slate, mahogany (pictured) and blonde maple.

Or even the next step up, the T500s. Which house the same drivers as the MC500 main/center speaker, with the inclusion of a subwoofer. This one is if you want the best of the best on the Newton series by Cambridge.

Anyway hope this helped a little, I can guarantee that you wont be let down by Cambridge, I have done some serious tests against various speakers and these take the cake. They reproduce sound exactly as it sounded when it was recorded. There is no 'blanket effect' as I like to refer to many other speakers that sound like there is a blanket in front of the speaker. And trust me...they are awesome.



Oh yes, almost forgot. For a receiver, go with the Onkyo TX-SR605.


Its cheap, and has every option that you could possibly want (well, almost all of them ) Which includes DTS-HD master audio, and Dolby True HD. And has a HDMI input/output for true audio reproductions.

[andyx1205]

I checked Cambridge's website and not sure if they ship to Canada.

I'm sure there's an Onkyo TX-SR605 at Visions which is near me.

If I could get those speakers though, it would be $200 + $350 = $550 ? And around how much does the Onkyo cost?