Probably silly questions from SUPER newcomer - Blu-ray Forum

victimsofadown · 02-22-2009, 06:20 PM

I just (finally) was pursueded (sp?) from getting an HTIB to getting a setup seperately. I have my heart semi-set on an Onkyo reciever (606,706, or 806) for the True HD processing etc on my bluray. But it leads me to a couple of questions that are probably stupid, but I honestly don't know the answer to...

1) When buying speakers can I buy a speaker SET to go with it? I only need a 5.1 due to my small room size, but I have nowhere near the prowess it would take to buy speakers individually... so can I buy like a 5.1 speaker only set?

2) when using lossless audio with 5.1 is it still WAY bettter than digital? I assume so, and the remaining 2 speakers should simply not activate (from what I've read it shouldn't take anything away, just want to confirm).

3) How much will I be looking at for a speaker set? I realize it is different by brand etc. but I'm not an audiophile by any means, I just want the HD sound to match my HD television! My room is extremely small (I would say no bigger than 15x15, and I think it's closer to 12x12 or 12x15)

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Beta Man · 02-22-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by victimsofadown

I just (finally) was pursueded (sp?) from getting an HTIB to getting a setup seperately. I have my heart semi-set on an Onkyo reciever (606,706, or 806) for the True HD processing etc on my bluray. But it leads me to a couple of questions that are probably stupid, but I honestly don't know the answer to...

1) When buying speakers can I buy a speaker SET to go with it? I only need a 5.1 due to my small room size, but I have nowhere near the prowess it would take to buy speakers individually... so can I buy like a 5.1 speaker only set?

2) when using lossless audio with 5.1 is it still WAY bettter than digital? I assume so, and the remaining 2 speakers should simply not activate (from what I've read it shouldn't take anything away, just want to confirm).

3) How much will I be looking at for a speaker set? I realize it is different by brand etc. but I'm not an audiophile by any means, I just want the HD sound to match my HD television! My room is extremely small (I would say no bigger than 15x15, and I think it's closer to 12x12 or 12x15)

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

1) YES, you can.... but not sure you really want to.... what do you mean by the fact that you "Don't have the prowess to purchase them individually" ???

2) Yes.... it's a lot better in my, and many others' opinions... your definition of "Way Better" could be different than mine or someone elses though.... but it's a huge improvement in my opinion.

The audio signal will be combined via the receiver to play in just the 2 surrounds, rather than the 4..... you won't be missing anything.

3) Sky is the limit on spending...... but if you're considering the 706 or 806 rather than just the 606.... I'm guessing you're open to paying more for better results..... with that said, you can get a 5.1 for $500 or so... but I wouldn't get anything above and beyond the 606 if it is going to cut into your speaker budget...... I have an AVR I got for $250 that feeds a $1,500 5.0 setup (no sub) and I have an AVR that I got for $400 or so that ran a $10,000 7.1 setup (actually just running 5.1 right now because I don't have a practical way to setup the rears, and I swapped out my fronts etc... but anyways..) I would certainly like to upgrade my AVR.... but in my opinion, the quality of the speakers is VASTLY more important than the quality of the amp...... I'm not saying the amp isn't important.... but the speakers are a much bigger piece of the puzzle.

victimsofadown · 02-22-2009, 07:40 PM

Oh wow! I didn't think speakers played that big of a role, I thought it was mostly reciever! When I say I don't have the prowess to purchase individually I mean I know NOTHING about speakers. I speant countless hours of research for my TV and the reciever I wanted to get, and I know that speakers are a completely different ball game, with unlimited set ups (there isn't just one way, so I'd need to somehow know the best combination) and a TON more options/brands/sizes/EVERYTHING!

Beta Man · 02-22-2009, 07:52 PM

best thing to do is start with a budget...... I, along with many others, can direct you towards some brands/models to check out.... but from there, it's all about you going out and listening to them, because audio isn't a one-size-fits-all deal...... you may like the sound of speaker A more than the sound of speaker B, where-as someone else may prefer B to A........

What is your Receiver, and Speaker budget? assuming 5.1 is the "immediate" goal..... you may want to buy the receiver, then get just the front speakers (Left, Right, Center) but that depends on what you want to get done right now.... and how long you're willing to wait/save.

Wife-Acceptance is always a hurdle too

victimsofadown · 02-22-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

you may want to buy the receiver, then get just the front speakers (Left, Right, Center) but that depends on what you want to get done right now.... and how long you're willing to wait/save.

I was thinking this might also be the best thing to do right now.

I would love to keep it between $500-$800 for the time being. Even that is going to take A LOT of convincing. But I see that the reciever is SO much! It almost eats my budget alive! One plus, though, is with the circuit city closures (and 3 nearby) I might be able to get some of these components on great deals? Not to mention I don't need any of these IMMEDIATELY - I'm already waiting until May, so I suppose a little at a time (or waiting for sales) isn't out of the realm of possibility!

lojack1976 · 02-22-2009, 09:05 PM

Do you prefer satellites or full sized speakers? I know you're working with a small space but either can still work. I happen to like satellites for my apartment, but finding a good 5.1 sat/sub setup can be tricky. A lot of these setups don't blend well, and leave a hole in the midrange so you definitely want to research before going for one of those. Of course auditioning them with a variety of music is best. I did a lot of research before I settled on mine and I'm happy. I wasn't able to listen these before purchasing, but fortunately I found a couple of professional reviews that were very detailed. It was a gamble for me, but those reviews were right on the money. There are many good sat/sub setups that are good, but so many have no professional reviews and are unavailable in local stores so definitely do heavy research. Check this forum and avsforum for user reviews and owner's threads.

If larger speakers are your preference then you can build slowly. Start with the fronts...left, right, and matching center. You can add a sub and surrounds later. This may be your better investment in the event you move into a larger place and need sound to fill a much larger room. This is typically a better choice for music too...if you plan to use it for that. You can probably find a larger variety of tower and bookshelf speakers to audition locally if you have any mom and pop shops around. You can also check out a Best Buy with a Magnolia Home Theater and compare some of their offerings. Just completely ignore the lackluster overpriced Bose stuff.

02-22-2009, 06:20 PM	#1
victimsofadown Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Space 4K collection:75 Blu-ray collection:198 DVD collection:58	Probably silly questions from SUPER newcomer I just (finally) was pursueded (sp?) from getting an HTIB to getting a setup seperately. I have my heart semi-set on an Onkyo reciever (606,706, or 806) for the True HD processing etc on my bluray. But it leads me to a couple of questions that are probably stupid, but I honestly don't know the answer to... 1) When buying speakers can I buy a speaker SET to go with it? I only need a 5.1 due to my small room size, but I have nowhere near the prowess it would take to buy speakers individually... so can I buy like a 5.1 speaker only set? 2) when using lossless audio with 5.1 is it still WAY bettter than digital? I assume so, and the remaining 2 speakers should simply not activate (from what I've read it shouldn't take anything away, just want to confirm). 3) How much will I be looking at for a speaker set? I realize it is different by brand etc. but I'm not an audiophile by any means, I just want the HD sound to match my HD television! My room is extremely small (I would say no bigger than 15x15, and I think it's closer to 12x12 or 12x15) THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

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02-22-2009, 07:40 PM	#3
victimsofadown Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Space 4K collection:75 Blu-ray collection:198 DVD collection:58	Oh wow! I didn't think speakers played that big of a role, I thought it was mostly reciever! When I say I don't have the prowess to purchase individually I mean I know NOTHING about speakers. I speant countless hours of research for my TV and the reciever I wanted to get, and I know that speakers are a completely different ball game, with unlimited set ups (there isn't just one way, so I'd need to somehow know the best combination) and a TON more options/brands/sizes/EVERYTHING!

02-22-2009, 07:52 PM	#4
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	best thing to do is start with a budget...... I, along with many others, can direct you towards some brands/models to check out.... but from there, it's all about you going out and listening to them, because audio isn't a one-size-fits-all deal...... you may like the sound of speaker A more than the sound of speaker B, where-as someone else may prefer B to A........ What is your Receiver, and Speaker budget? assuming 5.1 is the "immediate" goal..... you may want to buy the receiver, then get just the front speakers (Left, Right, Center) but that depends on what you want to get done right now.... and how long you're willing to wait/save. Wife-Acceptance is always a hurdle too

02-22-2009, 09:05 PM	#6
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	Do you prefer satellites or full sized speakers? I know you're working with a small space but either can still work. I happen to like satellites for my apartment, but finding a good 5.1 sat/sub setup can be tricky. A lot of these setups don't blend well, and leave a hole in the midrange so you definitely want to research before going for one of those. Of course auditioning them with a variety of music is best. I did a lot of research before I settled on mine and I'm happy. I wasn't able to listen these before purchasing, but fortunately I found a couple of professional reviews that were very detailed. It was a gamble for me, but those reviews were right on the money. There are many good sat/sub setups that are good, but so many have no professional reviews and are unavailable in local stores so definitely do heavy research. Check this forum and avsforum for user reviews and owner's threads. If larger speakers are your preference then you can build slowly. Start with the fronts...left, right, and matching center. You can add a sub and surrounds later. This may be your better investment in the event you move into a larger place and need sound to fill a much larger room. This is typically a better choice for music too...if you plan to use it for that. You can probably find a larger variety of tower and bookshelf speakers to audition locally if you have any mom and pop shops around. You can also check out a Best Buy with a Magnolia Home Theater and compare some of their offerings. Just completely ignore the lackluster overpriced Bose stuff.

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