Help me out with this...

[ht_skinny]

I live in an apartment right now so I can not have a HUGE BOOMING system as I want. so I was thinking of getting a HTiB but I have read many bad things about them, so I guess I just have a few questions. I will be getting a house sometime at the end of 2009 so a finished home theater basement _will be_ in the works. I am alo on a lil bit of a budget that's why I was thinking HTiB or buying equipment in pieces. Anyway...

1. If I were to buy say the Onkyo HT5100 I believe, it's a 7.1 system. Now, the receiver that would come with this, would I be able to buy better speakers down the road and still hook it up to that receiver?

2. Does anyone know what receiver actually comes with this system?

3. Or should I go with this idea of buying the Onkyo SR 606 or better, then buying the speakers as I go along? Center first then left and rights and so on?

4. If I go with this, can I have the Onkyo set up with say just the center speaker and still get sound or do I need at least the front L,R,C and sub?

Sorry, I am new and just trying to figure out somethings before I go spend.

[crackinhedz]

I would buy your setup in pieces. Save yourself the hassle of wasting money.

Buy a nice receiver and a good pair of fronts (front left, right). Then add the other speakers when you can afford them.

If you give us the budget your working with, someone can point you in a good direction.



...And you can always buy the big booming system you've always wanted! just keep the volume down.

[SDBlu]

+1 on what Crackinhedz said.

It is what I did the second time around and I am much happier for it.

[ht_skinny]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I would buy your setup in pieces. Save yourself the hassle of wasting money.

Buy a nice receiver and a good pair of fronts (front left, right). Then add the other speakers when you can afford them.

If you give us the budget your working with, someone can point you in a good direction.



...And you can always buy the big booming system you've always wanted! just keep the volume down.

Thanks man. Yeah, let me break down what I believe I can get my wife to let me spend.

I think I should be able to get like $800 to $1000 outta her, but that would be for Receiver, a Left, a Right, and all wiring needed. I have one HDMI cable right now.

The other thing is that I would like to use banana plugs if possible, because I don't trust the other hook-up methods. Also what type of wiring should I get for the setup you recommend.

Again sorry but I am a noob at audio and want to gain some knowledge as well so could you tell me why you recomend what you do?

[Beta Man]

I'd just wait..... the end of 2009 will be here before you know it.... and you'll have a new house to audition stuff in!!!!!!

Congrats on the upcoming purchase.....

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...And you can always buy the big booming system you've always wanted! just keep the volume down.

Absolutely true! Get what you WANT, and just keep the volume in check. HTIB systems can make a lot of noise in an apartment situation as well, but you might as well point your funds toward what your dreams are.

[Hammie]

Definately buy in pieces.

I would audition all kinds of speaker/receiver/pre/pro/amp combination. If you know that you will be moving into a house and will have a dedicated room, then I would buy your left and right fronts now. I would also try to find a pre/pro/amp that will fit in your budget, too.

I'm in the process of upgrading now and instead of biting the bullet and getting all 5 speakers, I am only getting the front two and an amp now. Next year will be another upgrade, probably my center speaker, and then the following year will be my surrounds.

So, hopefully, in three years I will have all new speakers and amp.

Whatever you do, do not rush into any selection without research and auditioning first.

Good luck!

[Johnny Vinyl]

And then there is Black Friday (U.S.) and Boxing Day (Canada) sales to consider. You can get some amazing deals and once you've done your research you'll know exactly what you're looking for.

John

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Just because you live in an apartment, it doesn't mean that you can't get good quality speakers for your setup. Buy in pieces as Crackinheadz suggested and just hold off on the subwoofer until the very end. The subwoofer is what creates the biggest disturbance for neighbours. A very good quality speaker can still be controlled with volume... as can a subwoofer. However, with a good subwoofer, you will constantly be turning it up a bit more everytime you use it until you get yourself into trouble.

Buy good quality for the long haul! Otherwise, you'll just end up spending twice or three times the amount in the long run.

[Sonny]

Get a nice A/V there's lots of umm to choose from ! Then get a center & L/R & go from there. Next will be surrounds then if you choose 7.1 your rear surrounds & when you move into your new house get a badazz sub!!! I know there are lots of poeple in appts with 5.1/7.1 but I lived in an appt for a while & the the thing that's the worst is BOOM , BOOM BOOM at 7:00am on your only day off (at the time) & without the sub I would of not even bothered. It knocked stuff off the wall, it must of been a decent sub....??? Who knows...anyway skip the HTiB & just buy a good A/V to start with.

[ht_skinny]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Definately buy in pieces.

I would audition all kinds of speaker/receiver/pre/pro/amp combination. If you know that you will be moving into a house and will have a dedicated room, then I would buy your left and right fronts now. I would also try to find a pre/pro/amp that will fit in your budget, too.

Thank you for your advise. Is there any good reading on pre/pro/amp you would recommend? This is one component I am not familiar with.

I'm in the process of upgrading now and instead of biting the bullet and getting all 5 speakers, I am only getting the front two and an amp now. Next year will be another upgrade, probably my center speaker, and then the following year will be my surrounds.

So, hopefully, in three years I will have all new speakers and amp.

Whatever you do, do not rush into any selection without research and auditioning first.

Good luck!

Definately doing research on the net, and especially here. Love this place! What are good places to check the merchandise in store? Or what would I do a search for on the net in my town?

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Just because you live in an apartment, it doesn't mean that you can't get good quality speakers for your setup. Buy in pieces as Crackinheadz suggested and just hold off on the subwoofer until the very end. The subwoofer is what creates the biggest disturbance for neighbours. A very good quality speaker can still be controlled with volume... as can a subwoofer. However, with a good subwoofer, you will constantly be turning it up a bit more everytime you use it until you get yourself into trouble.

Buy good quality for the long haul! Otherwise, you'll just end up spending twice or three times the amount in the long run.

+1. Petra and Crackinheadz are right on with their advice. I followed this gameplan while putting my system together, and it will work. Just develop a plan of what you want the system to be comprised of for your new house, and start buying the pieces now. It's better to have a few pieces you really enjoy than a whole pile of stuff you'll regret paying for later.