Beginning the adventure! Looking for Advice

[lilgigs]

Hey Everyone:

I've had my Samsung LN40B530 for about two years along with my ps3 but never got around to adding an audio system. I have a birthday coming up and I figured I would ask for a piece or two (or gift cards/money) plus I have some spending money from a work bonus.

Budget $750 -1000.

I live in an apartment and share the place with a roommate. I am not currently looking to add surround sound. I figured I would start with front left and right, maybe center channel and a receiver. I would like this to be a start to a system that I can add to every 6 months or so.

I have added a picture below of the current(nonexistent) setup I have.

Any advice would be great!

P.S. Please ignore the mess that is my blurays, had family over recently and they pulled out a bunch to watch then left them out of order.

[bobbydrugar]

Truth be told I know some of the guys like calis will be around shortly with suggestions on a good setup to start off and I would like to throw my few cents into to ring early. I think in the range you are looking you will need to make a couple of decisions. first I see that you are not interested in surround so I will leave the 5 and 7 channel talk for someone else but you will still need to choose between 2.0/3.0/2.1/3.1 or add a .2 on any of those. I would recommend for your budget finding a geed budget receiver and speakers I would consider a good 2.0 or 2.1 channel system I know there are several deals that can be had when looking. also don't let anyone tell you different but any standalone system 1.0/2.0 etc will absolutely sound better then whats in the TV. You may be able to locate a 3-4 hundered dollor reveiver and spend the remaining amount on speakers. a sub would be nice but in that range you would be better off getting a good set of speakers and you can always add a sub latter. It is important to keep one thing in mind through this and that is you will want to try to keep the front 3 speakers of similar make and model (sound the same). A good 2.0 or 3.0 may be the order of the day. good luck. Oh and have fun with it. grab some of your favorite CD's and Blu's head out the the AV store and make a good day of it. Listen carefully, listen in bulk, and find out what sounds good to you.

T

[frogmort]

I would definitely recommend starting with a high quality, high definition receiver. Onkyo and Denon make some great ones. If you have a decent A/V store in your area, go and audition some speakers in person, let your ears decide which is best.

You will probably get lots of differing opinions on different brands on here, as most people recommend their own equipment.

With your budget, I would recommend starting with just a receiver and two high quality fronts, then add a center channel(of the same brand/line as your fronts) next. Then you could add a sub, or surrounds next.

Just don't get in too big of a hurry, or be too impulsive, I know it's hard not to, but you will be happier in the long run if you take your time and get it right the first time.

I would also recommend using heavy guage speaker wire(I use AWG12) to get the most out of your receiver and speakers. Monoprice has the best cables for the best prices in my opinion. All of my HDMI cables and speaker wire came from Monoprice.

Good luck!

[BIslander]

Get a receiver that you don't have to replace as you expand/upgrade your system. That means enough power and as many inputs as you might reasonably need over the next several years.

Since you appear to watch lots of movies, a good center speaker should be high on the list.

[callas01]

First, the best thing you can do is to go and audition as much stuff as you can find in your price range, that will tell you what kind of sound you like.

Having said that. If you have $750 budget, Id suggest that you start with just the receiver and a 2.0 setup. If you have $1000, then go with either a 3.0 or 2.1, I would prefer a 2.1 because of the Low Frequency Effects found in movies that only a sub can handle.

Here are a few receivers, speakers and subwoofers that you ought to put onto your list.

Receivers - best bang for your buck you can get.
Marantz 5004 $350
Onkyo 707 $379

Speakers- the fun part.
Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 $299
Wharfedale Evo2-08 $399
PSB Image B5 $399
Monitor Audio Bronze BX1 $379
Axiom M3 $348
Energy CB-20 $350
Polk RTi A3 $350

Subwoofers
Lava LSP10 $246
Hsu STF-2 $350
Elemental Designs A3s-250 $350

Speaker Stands - you will need these
VTI UF-29 $120

System-
Marantz 5004, Wharfedale Diamond 10.1, Speaker stands $770, add the Lava sub, $1016

[Mr. Lost]

Totally off topic but I would never trust a roomate with THAT many goodies! I pray he/she doesnt try to take half of your collection when he/she/you moves out


Me and my insecurities w/ trust issues

I like the table more than the tv itself