Expert Advice...

[ThriceBB]

ok... so im looking to get into surround sound. i know pretty much what there is to know for video, but i am pretty much clueless when it comes to audio. i have no equipment whatsoever for audio and i play my blu-rays through my PS3. im just wondering where to even start...? which equipment to buy first?!

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by ThriceBB

ok... so im looking to get into surround sound. i know pretty much what there is to know for video, but i am pretty much clueless when it comes to audio. i have no equipment whatsoever for audio and i play my blu-rays through my PS3. im just wondering where to even start...? which equipment to buy first?!

What is your budget for equipment and speakers ?

[ThriceBB]

well i mean... im not rich by any means. actually i would probably be considered poor, but i always find ways to get what i want. for example, i usually buy 4-6 blu-rays per week lol when i have no business doing so. i just want something that is pretty standard, run of the mill. something that you could pick up at a normal retail store like best buy. for instance my tv was like $1200.

i dont plan on buying everything at once. im probably gonna do this in stages over a long period of time. thats why i dont know where to start...

[ThriceBB]

im not looking for a $10,000 system like some of the guys on here have. i wish i could, but i just need something to get me by with nice surround.

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by ThriceBB

well i mean... im not rich by any means. actually i would probably be considered poor, but i always find ways to get what i want. for example, i usually buy 4-6 blu-rays per week lol when i have no business doing so. i just want something that is pretty standard, run of the mill. something that you could pick up at a normal retail store like best buy. for instance my tv was like $1200.

i dont plan on buying everything at once. im probably gonna do this in stages over a long period of time. thats why i dont know where to start...

Well for receiver id go with the onkyo 605 or 606, now for speakers its personal choice i have the klipsch quintet III cause im broke but they sound awesome but alot of people like polks here as well so its up to you

[ThriceBB]

Originally Posted by Mr. HiDef

Well for receiver id go with the onkyo 605 or 606, now for speakers its personal choice i have the klipsch quintet III cause im broke but they sound awesome but alot of people like polks here as well so its up to you

ok... so should i buy the receiver first?? and then build from there? when i say im clueless, im clueless lol.

[ThriceBB]

and what are these power boxes that i see all of the TVs at best buy hooked up to now?! are those necessary?

[Scooby Blu]

Good. To do it in stages would be the best thing. To start of with you would need an AVR and two L/R Front speakers. Then, you can add a center channel and sub, and lastly add the surround channels. You might have to curb your weekly spending on blus for a time. You should get some more advice when others chime in. Also you might want to see if there are any high end stores in your area. If you build your system in stages you might find an entry level system at one of these stores that would be in your budget for now. Type in your information to this locator and see if there are any dealers around you. Good luck and have fun ! Fun is what this hobby is all about.

link : http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

[ThriceBB]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Good. To do it in stages would be the best thing. To start of with you would need an AVR and two L/R Front speakers. Then, you can add a center channel and sub, and lastly add the surround channels. You might have to curb your weekly spending on blus for a time. You should get some more advice when others chime in. Also you might want to see if there are any high end stores in your area. If you build your system in stages you might find an entry level system at one of these stores that would be in your budget for now. Type in your information to this locator and see if there are any dealers around you. Good luck and have fun ! Fun is what this hobby is all about.

link : http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

thanks for the help so far! so what exactly is an AVR? thats just another way to say A/V Receiver, correct?

[sptrout]

Originally Posted by ThriceBB

thanks for the help so far! so what exactly is an AVR? thats just another way to say A/V Receiver, correct?

AVR = Audio Video Receiver

AVR = A/V Receiver

[drago3451]

Whatever you go with make sure you listen to several different speakers as they differ greatly in the same price range. Bring some of your favorite media with you to test them out. Good luck and have fun.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by drago3451

Whatever you go with make sure you listen to several different speakers as they differ greatly in the same price range. Bring some of your favorite media with you to test them out. Good luck and have fun.

Yes, great advice. Trust your own ears !!!

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by ThriceBB

im not looking for a $10,000 system like some of the guys on here have. i wish i could, but i just need something to get me by with nice surround.

Before you guys go telling him to audition speakers and select a separate AVR and all that nonsense you need to back up and read what the guy is looking for, I bolded it for you incase you missed it. You're going to overload him with terminology and all that mess...think about your audience...the guy has no clue what you're talking about and just wants something entry-level. There's no need in confusing the guy and making him ask a hundred questions.


Look for a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) at multiple price points..simple easy setup with the AVR and speakers, wires, all in one box with more than enough power for you to enjoy. Onkyo, Yamaha, are my recommendations. This is also a great starting point to that you can upgrade on a piece meal basis as you find your enthusiasm growing.

Suggestions: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_1h8rbdxz72_b

[Mr. HiDef]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Before you guys go telling him to audition speakers and select a separate AVR and all that nonsense you need to back up and read what the guy is looking for, I bolded it for you incase you missed it. You're going to overload him with terminology and all that mess...think about your audience...the guy has no clue what you're talking about and just wants something entry-level. There's no need in confusing the guy and making him ask a hundred questions.


Look for a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) at multiple price points..simple easy setup with the AVR and speakers, wires, all in one box with more than enough power for you to enjoy. Onkyo, Yamaha, are my recommendations. This is also a great starting point to that you can upgrade on a piece meal basis as you find your enthusiasm growing.

Suggestions: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_1h8rbdxz72_b

Yeah and why would we suggest something like that he would be better off getting the onkyo 606 for 340 from amazon and just building a system one by one then going out and buying a sh*tty htib because after he gets a htib hes going to like it at first cause he now has a surround sound system but eventually hes going to want to upgrade cause audio is like a addiction and then that htib was just a waste of money

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Before you guys go telling him to audition speakers and select a separate AVR and all that nonsense you need to back up and read what the guy is looking for, I bolded it for you incase you missed it. You're going to overload him with terminology and all that mess...think about your audience...the guy has no clue what you're talking about and just wants something entry-level. There's no need in confusing the guy and making him ask a hundred questions.


Look for a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) at multiple price points..simple easy setup with the AVR and speakers, wires, all in one box with more than enough power for you to enjoy. Onkyo, Yamaha, are my recommendations. This is also a great starting point to that you can upgrade on a piece meal basis as you find your enthusiasm growing.

Suggestions: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_1h8rbdxz72_b

You sure love pushing those HTiB's!

OP- you can definitely go that route, and buy an Onkyo HTiB. If you're set on buying one, they're one of the best that're available.

However, you mentioned you're willing to build, and that's a good thing. It allows you greater flexibility and overall you'll probably have greater satisfaction in your setup.

Circuit City is a good place to start. They have the Onkyo HTiB set up to listen to. They also have entry level Polks and Klipsch speakers as well. After that try Best Buy as they have some things to listen to- especially if one near you has a Magnolia home theater. Then try some high-end shops.

Get an idea of what you like, what you're willing to spend, and then try and narrow it down. I mean, I love my Polk system. It's not nearly as high-end as some folks on here, but I'm very happy with it. I do plan on upgrading my sub in the near future, but I got a great deal on my speakers. If you're interested in that, there are plenty of folks who can point out good deals in Polk Monitor series.

[matthewrounds]

Everything depends on budget. If you can give us an idea of what you can spend up front or what you can save per week so that we can maximize the value.

I would definitely say no to a HTIB. I would definitely say yes to an Onkyo 605 or 606.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Before you guys go telling him to audition speakers and select a separate AVR and all that nonsense you need to back up and read what the guy is looking for, I bolded it for you incase you missed it. You're going to overload him with terminology and all that mess...think about your audience...the guy has no clue what you're talking about and just wants something entry-level. There's no need in confusing the guy and making him ask a hundred questions.


Look for a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) at multiple price points..simple easy setup with the AVR and speakers, wires, all in one box with more than enough power for you to enjoy. Onkyo, Yamaha, are my recommendations. This is also a great starting point to that you can upgrade on a piece meal basis as you find your enthusiasm growing.

Suggestions: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_1h8rbdxz72_b

Point taken. I focused on his coment that he is willing to build. And if one is buying 4-6 blu rays a week at the low end price point he is spending 80 a week. 320 @ month which adds up to 3,840 in just one year. That is if he just buys 4 blu rays a week at 20 bucks a pop.

But again point taken and a HTIB would be suitable if he wants it all now and not construct a system over time.

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

Get what I have... (below in sig)

" Thrice: Live at the house of blues" sounds awesome!

Did you pick up that dvd/cd combo yet?


If thats a little too expensive, go with this:

onkyo 606

AND

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

[ThriceBB]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

Get what I have... (below in sig)

" Thrice: Live at the house of blues" sounds awesome!

Did you pick up that dvd/cd combo yet?


If thats a little too expensive, go with this:

onkyo 606

AND

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

no i have not picked it up yet, but i plan on it for sure. i want it even more now after hearing you compliment it.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

Before you guys go telling him to audition speakers and select a separate AVR and all that nonsense

Look for a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) at multiple price points...

Before you go spouting off to us about how our opinion is wrong, think about what you are recommending. You are telling this guy to get a product that he has a good chance of wanting to upgrade in the near future. He will spend more money that way.

He said he wanted to do this slowly so he is a perfect candidate for a reciever and separate speakers.