first time surround sound for dorm/ apartment

[plowmanjoe]

i'm watching movies right now with just the tv speakers and i'm really feeling the need to upgrade. i would like to do one of those 5.1 suggestions i've been reading in other threads but i'm just thinking that wouldn't be good in the small room that i have. i know that quality sound is more important than quality video when it comes to a movie experience. and it's just killing me with just the tv speakers.

what are your suggestions for a small room system? i live in a college house and i have my 32" samsung lcd in my bedroom. tv is just on my desk along with my ps3 laptop and 360. just saw a good looking setup on attack of the show on g4 recently, forgot what it was though.

[Driver_King]

Check the links on my sig. It works everytime.

Edit: Alright. I lied. Ecost is out of 605's. They'll get them back in soon though.

[SpikesBluBlooded]

May I make the suggestion of going with an inexpensive home-theater-in-a-box? It will be a definite improvement over the TV speakers, and for a small space should be more than enough. The most important reason, and one you may not be thinking of: you won't cry over it when some less-than-honorable "guest" to your dorm decides it would be better served in his unit over yours. It happens, and while I hope that it doesn't (I think I'd cry more over the loss of the PS3), better to be less inviting...

[Driver_King]

No, don't make that suggestion! But seriously, standalone components are the best way to spend your money. They offer superior performance over the HTIB systems and last you longer. It would also be easier for someone to take a PS3 than a completely connected reciever and speakers by the way.

[WriteSimply]

To the OP, state your budget. That'll eliminate about 50% of the suggestions.

The other is room size. Standalones are nice and all but they eat up space and would be hell to pack and unpack for vacations for dorm residents. If you're living off-campus, then standalones are valid options.


fuad

[Driver_King]

But if you think about it, an HTIB includes a reciever and speakers too. That's what I just suggested. Speakers and a reciever. That should work just as well as an HTIB but give him better SQ and run for his money.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

But if you think about it, an HTIB includes a reciever and speakers too. That's what I just suggested. Speakers and a reciever. That should work just as well as an HTIB but give him better SQ and run for his money.

+1 on your last two post Driver King !

[Driver_King]

Thanks Prerich!

[Beta Man]

not the best idea for most people.... but how about one of those sound-bars??? (I admittingly have never listened to one)

[Driver_King]

The soundbars aren't worth their price. Bad quality and sound+ nice design and simplicity doesn't equal good.

[plowmanjoe]

i'm not too concerned about people stealing my nice things. everything in my room is pretty safe, i always lock my room.

the two big towers wouldn't work in my room, they would take up too much space. i don't really know the size of my room. but it's a typical bedroom, maybe a little smaller. my budget is under $500, but the cheaper the better. i obviously want the best sound for my money though. the 5.1 system from amazon seems nice. are these the best speakers under $300?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by plowmanjoe

the 5.1 system from amazon seems nice. are these the best speakers under $300?

for small speakers, yes they are probably the best out there for the price.

[plowmanjoe]

so what do you suggest for a receiver if the onkyo 605 is sold out?

[ZackL]

Originally Posted by plowmanjoe

so what do you suggest for a receiver if the onkyo 605 is sold out?

I suggest waiting for the Onkyo 605 to restock.

[Driver_King]

Yeah, wait for the 605 to get back in stock, which shouldn't take long, and get the 5.1 package. That combo is a much better deal than any HTIB system for $500. If you ever want to get bigger and better fronts though, towers are your best option. Then, you can just use the 5.1 system and flip flop the fronts to the back surrounds to get 7.1!

[plowmanjoe]

ok i just ordered an onkyo 605 from ecost. and about to pick up some speakers this weekend from a guy on craigslist. monitor 60 fronts, cs1 center, 4 monitor 30's, and a psw12 sub for 550 used.

my next question is besides speaker wire, what other little cables or random thingsvwould i need that i'm not thinking of. i have a samsung ln32a450, ps3, xbox 360, comcast cable box, and i also have my laptop hooked up to the tv as a monitor.

thanks

[BRu-LAy]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

The soundbars aren't worth their price. Bad quality and sound+ nice design and simplicity doesn't equal good.

Not entirely true. I've got the Soundmatters Fullstage HD kit, and I can say that its not too bad. Granted, it does not reproduce complete 5.1 surround, but it does create a richer, fuller sound. It would definately be an upgrade over your tv speakers. Not to mention, it can actually be portable.

I also live in an apt, and let me say that if you live in one (or a dorm), it will be hard IMO to think about getting a standalone. I also have a 5.1 Onkyo setup, and I never get the chance to use it to its full potential because of the neighbors.

[BRu-LAy]

Originally Posted by plowmanjoe

my next question is besides speaker wire, what other little cables or random thingsvwould i need that i'm not thinking of. i have a samsung ln32a450, ps3, xbox 360, comcast cable box, and i also have my laptop hooked up to the tv as a monitor.

thanks

If you can get access to (or want to go ahead and purchase one), get an analog sound meter, like this one. This will help check to see that the sound coming out from your speakers is even. Not mandatory, but highly recommended. You'll need something like avia, DVE or any calibration disc to figure out how to set it though, or just PM me and I can help you

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

The soundbars aren't worth their price. Bad quality and sound+ nice design and simplicity doesn't equal good.

I have the Zvox 415 soundbar in one of my rooms and I love it. I realize it is not a substitute for my much more expensive equipment I have in my movie room, but it is convenient and a vast improvement over the TV speakers.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/

[bluseminole]

If I may suggest, think beyond your immediate situation. You will not always be living in a dorm room, and likely not always in an apartment. It depends on whether or not you want immediate results or are willing to forego performance for a few years so you can get a better system when you have the space.

A HTiB is a very viable situation here (flame shield activated). A cheap one--like maybe one of the $250 jobs--will not deliver good sound, but it will beat the crap out of any TV speakers. This will free up that much more money for when you are able to make an appreciable upgrade.

Not the most popular or instantly gratifying suggestion, I know. But just give it some thought. It would really suck if you moved to a bigger place in 3-5 years and found all of your audio equipment not up to the task. It'd be like starting from scratch all over again. Do it right the first time, eh?? Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

EDIT: O, WOW, sorry, totally did not read all the posts before posting. So sorry. It kind of makes my entire post irrelevant--except for the good luck part, I still mean that. Enjoy that Onkyo--I really like their stuff!