Receiver and speaker question

[lforigno]

Hello everyone I know there are many threads in the forum probably pertaining to this very question but I currently have sony HTCT100 sound bar and would like an upgrade for surround sound. I am looking at Onkyo receivers and I am unsure of which one to choose. I am also in need of a speaker set and to be honest I am trying to keep cost down somewhat. I would like a 5.1 system since I only live in a apartment. I have heard good things about polk audio. Can someone point me in the right direction for these items. thanks

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by lforigno

Hello everyone I know there are many threads in the forum probably pertaining to this very question but I currently have sony HTCT100 sound bar and would like an upgrade for surround sound. I am looking at Onkyo receivers and I am unsure of which one to choose. I am also in need of a speaker set and to be honest I am trying to keep cost down somewhat. I would like a 5.1 system since I only live in a apartment. I have heard good things about polk audio. Can someone point me in the right direction for these items. thanks

For an apartment, I'd definitely recommend the POLK AUDIO RM6750 set-up. They're not Large speakers, but they Still do the job quite well, trust me! I had them before my upgrade & was Never disappointed. They could get up quite loud when called upon without sounding distorted. The Sub you will notice is adequate but being as you live in an apartment, you prob. don't Want a Sub that THUMPS anyway I presume.

AMAZON HAS IT AT $215 HERE (+ $28 or so Shipping)

NEWEGG HAS IT AT $219.99 HERE - BUT WITH FREE SHIPPING!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by lforigno

Hello everyone I know there are many threads in the forum probably pertaining to this very question but I currently have sony HTCT100 sound bar and would like an upgrade for surround sound. I am looking at Onkyo receivers and I am unsure of which one to choose. I am also in need of a speaker set and to be honest I am trying to keep cost down somewhat. I would like a 5.1 system since I only live in a apartment. I have heard good things about polk audio. Can someone point me in the right direction for these items. thanks

Just how far down do you want to keep costs....even a ballpark figure would help?

[lforigno]

around 600 dollars total. I am also trying to sell my sony soundbar so that should help a bit with some.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by lforigno

around 600 dollars total. I am also trying to sell my sony soundbar so that should help a bit with some.

OK, are there must haves? Like HD audio (Dolby True HD/DTS-HD) decoding, a certain # of HDMI inputs, power, etc....in a receiver? The prices vary here as well, but I will assume you do. I will also assume 5.1 is not a must all at once. therefore, by staying within the budget, I would get yourself a receiver and 2 fronts and if anything is left, a center channel. Now, I love Polk, but I will say that if you have not gone out and listened to the many different speaker manufacturers out there, to go and give them listen, along with the many different receivers there are. Different receiver companies can produce different sounds too. This is due to their internal amps, build, and features involved with each one. With speakers, they can easily differ too, based on size, material and cabinet build as well.

For receivers, I would go listen to Onkyo, Yamaha, Sony, Pioneer and Denon

For speakers, I would go listen to Polk, Energy, Klipsch, Boston Acoustics, or Definitive Technology.

If you start with a good, quality receiver and at least your 2 front speakers (and perhaps a center speaker if there is enough $$) you will be able to keep yourself from upgrading within the next year. If you did your build this way, I would then get a sub and finish up your 5.1 set-up with surrounds.

[StimpsonJCat]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

OK, are there must haves? Like HD audio (Dolby True HD/DTS-HD) decoding, a certain # of HDMI inputs, power, etc....in a receiver? The prices vary here as well, but I will assume you do. I will also assume 5.1 is not a must all at once. therefore, by staying within the budget, I would get yourself a receiver and 2 fronts and if anything is left, a center channel. Now, I love Polk, but I will say that if you have not gone out and listened to the many different speaker manufacturers out there, to go and give them listen, along with the many different receivers there are. Different receiver companies can produce different sounds too. This is due to their internal amps, build, and features involved with each one. With speakers, they can easily differ too, based on size, material and cabinet build as well.

For receivers, I would look listen to Onkyo, Yamaha, Sony, Pioneer and Denon

For speakers, I would go listen to Polk, Energy, Klipsch, Boston Acoustics, or Definitive Technology.

If you start with a good, quality receiver and at least your 2 front speakers (and perhaps a center speaker if there is enough $$) you will be able to keep yourself from upgrading within the next year. If you did your build this way, I would then get a sub and finish up your 5.1 set-up with surrounds.

+1

with $600 + whatever the soundbar brings: I would spend ~$350 - $400 on the receiver and the rest on mains. I would then get a center, sub, surrounds in that order as money allows. Even though you won't get 5.1 right off the bat you will avoid spending a lot of money on a setup you will want to upgrade soon anyways. I'd look at the Onkyo & Yammy AVRs paired with Polks or Boston Acoustics (if you can get the HS series at Sears you will save lots of $$ and may be able to get more than just the mains).


Good luck and keep us posted.

[Aerodude73]

I stand by my post! - RM6750 for $220/FREE shipping & use the rest for a good AVR with as FORSBERG21 noted, HD audio (Dolby True HD/DTS-HD) decoding.

Just my opinion. Limited budget, limited Volume opportunities, but still a good Home Theater starting point.

[StimpsonJCat]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

I stand by my post! - RM6750 for $220/FREE shipping & use the rest for a good AVR with as FORSBERG21 noted, HD audio (Dolby True HD/DTS-HD) decoding.

Just my opinion. Limited budget, limited Volume opportunities, but still a good Home Theater starting point.

With a limited budget this is the way to go if you really want to get 5.1 now.
And for some they will be happy with that set for a long time.

But if you catch the upgraditus bug it will cost you more down the road. I started with a BA speakers in a box set and it wasn't long before I realized the satelittes were not enough.

So you have three choices once you decide what you can live with for now and what you want in the future.

1. Get a decent AVR & 5.1 speaker set which will perform alright in an apartment. Then down the road you can keep it and enjoy or upgrade.

2. Get a decent AVR and higher quality mains (towers or bookshelves). Then upgrade speakers along the way (and maybe the AVR at some point) to build a better system over time. You won't get to enjoy 5.1, but if a better system is your goal you will save money and eventually get there (probably sooneer than if you got the 5.1 and then upgraded).

3. Live with what you have now and save up for a better 5.1 system in the future.

None of these are wrong ways to go. Just different options to consider.

[callas01]

Either buy it piece by piece, or go with this. http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.asp...S465-11SL-T300

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by lforigno

around 600 dollars total. I am also trying to sell my sony soundbar so that should help a bit with some.

Everything that you asked for + Free Shipping + Free 30 day in home trial:

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TS2132T-HT-P128C7.aspx

[lforigno]

Thanks for all of the input guys there is a bunch of great info in here. I honestly love the onkyo receivers but am not sure which one to get and the best place to get them. I want them to be able to decode any audio now available on blu Ray without it being uber expensive. I also really like the Polk audio speakers. I used to have a Bose lifestyle system right when blu Ray first came out and loved it but at the time it did don't decode HD audio so I sold it and payed off some bills. I am still in college working on my second degree and I just got engaged so I wanted an upgrade but also have to justify it by keeping costs down for the soon to be wife lol. The soundbar used to be cool for now but now it just sucks lol.