***Need Suggestions for HDTV/Surround Sound!***

[andyx1205]

Hey guys..I'm getting an Xbox 360 & PS3 and I'm looking forward to it. I needa good reciever/surroundspeakers/theatresystem or w/e

I'm getting this HDTV:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...24&catid=24558
(limited to Futureshop and Bestbuy which are local to me, in BC,Canada)


I want to get a good surround sound going but I have no clue what to get (speakers,recievers,etc). Someone recommended to get a reciever separately since the ones with theatre systems are crap. Anyways...I don't want to spend too much $ in this area.

If you guys can help me...then thanks

[andyx1205]

I really need some help! Going to be getting these in a couple weeks or so.

[andyx1205]

I also posted on a different forum (Gamespot) and someone suggested getting a Sony SXRD for sure. I'm not sure if it's better to get it over a 52" Samsung LCD though (which is #1 on CNET for LCDs), well...

He also recommended this reciever:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...94&catid=20313

Is that good? If yes, what speakers to get with it?

[Matt X]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

I also posted on a different forum (Gamespot) and someone suggested getting a Sony SXRD for sure. I'm not sure if it's better to get it over a 52" Samsung LCD though (which is #1 on CNET for LCDs), well...

He also recommended this reciever:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...94&catid=20313

Is that good? If yes, what speakers to get with it?

I've never had a complaint w/my Sony 50", so if I were you I'd feel comfortable w/Sony. If this is for dedicated theater, Panasonic and I think Epson have some sweet-sounding projectors for ~3k USD. as far as receivers, it seems that Onkyo rules the entry-level HDMI receiver market these days, and I've always liked their stuff - I would say go for no less than an HDMI 1.3-capable receiver to stay as future-proof as possible (Onkyo 605 & 805 have that) as far as speakers go, if your BB's have Magnolia stores in 'em, Klipsch and Definitive Technology have some tasty looking speakers for home theater

[Matt X]

...just read my post, didn't mean that epson or panny's projectors had good SOUND qualities (dunno that, prob not), just that their specs and price "sounded" tasty......

[drwatson1234]

PM sent...

[andyx1205]

Also, how far would I need to sit from a 52-55" to get the best view? For this room I can sit a max of 9-10 feet away (in the basement, and it's always dark in here!)

[clyon]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

Also, how far would I need to sit from a 52-55" to get the best view? For this room I can sit a max of 9-10 feet away (in the basement, and it's always dark in here!)

6.5-7ft

I am 6.5ft from my 50"


http://www.myhometheater.homestead.c...alculator.html

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by clyon

6.5-7ft

I am 6.5ft from my 50"


http://www.myhometheater.homestead.c...alculator.html

Cool. And how does it look?
I can sit a maximum of 9-9.5 feet in my room, but I can probably adjust to sit closer. That is...if a 52" Samsung LCD is really that good to be picked over a 56" or 61" Samsung DLP, or the Sony 55" SXRD.

[leukoplast]

Nice TV your going to get there, and you wont be let down by Samsung, they make excellent LCD's.

But for home theater, here is what I use, and its exceptional quality audio, for a price you cant beat.

For audiophile grade speakers (which are truly that and some) go with Cambridge Soundworks. As for which speakers, this is what I use.

Main/Center/Main speakers MC300 <--click for more info


Surround speakers S300 <--click for more info


And I gotta tell you, these speakers, though are relatively small, produce vibrant flawless sound, and with no lack of raw power. And can fill a large room with full audiophile-licious sound.

And the surround speakers are exceptional as well, that have bipole/dipole/monopole dispersion patterns for any sound occasion you can think of.

And all for a pretty decent price. ($199 each on the MC300's and $349 for pair S300 surrounds)

And if you want to go nuts, you can get the tower speakers that have a built-in subwoofer.
T300 towers ($1,499)


the T300 actually houses the same drivers as the MC300, but with the addition of a internal subwoofer, and the beauty of the cabnit. Comes in slate, mahogany (pictured) and blonde maple.

Or even the next step up, the T500s. Which house the same drivers as the MC500 main/center speaker, with the inclusion of a subwoofer. This one is if you want the best of the best on the Newton series by Cambridge.

Anyway hope this helped a little, I can guarantee that you wont be let down by Cambridge, I have done some serious tests against various speakers and these take the cake. They reproduce sound exactly as it sounded when it was recorded. There is no 'blanket effect' as I like to refer to many other speakers that sound like there is a blanket in front of the speaker. And trust me...they are awesome.



Oh yes, almost forgot. For a receiver, go with the Onkyo TX-SR605.


Its cheap, and has every option that you could possibly want (well, almost all of them ) Which includes DTS-HD master audio, and Dolby True HD. And has a HDMI input/output for true audio reproductions.

[andyx1205]

I checked Cambridge's website and not sure if they ship to Canada.

I'm sure there's an Onkyo TX-SR605 at Visions which is near me.

If I could get those speakers though, it would be $200 + $350 = $550 ? And around how much does the Onkyo cost?

[leukoplast]

Onkyo 605 you can get for $399 online, but seeing as you may have shipping problems, the most I've seen it is $499. And if you have a Circuit City nearby, they carry it.

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by leukoplast

Onkyo 605 you can get for $399 online, but seeing as you may have shipping problems, the most I've seen it is $499. And if you have a Circuit City nearby, they carry it.

So total would be Onkyo + speakers = around $1000? Also, we don't got Circuit City damn Canada

Onkyo "may" be available at Visions though, also at London Drugs.

Also..aren't JBL and Infinity good speaker brands? They got some of them at BestBuy

[leukoplast]

JBL is alright, and I personally think Infinity speakers are horrible. I have heard some of their stuff, and I was far from impressed.

If your going to go main-stream for speakers, get some Klipsh speakers from Best Buy. They are probably the best you can get there. (at least they were a while back...dunno what all they carry now)

[clyon]

Originally Posted by andyx1205

I checked Cambridge's website and not sure if they ship to Canada.

I'm sure there's an Onkyo TX-SR605 at Visions which is near me.

If I could get those speakers though, it would be $200 + $350 = $550 ? And around how much does the Onkyo cost?

Onkyo TX-SR605 = $500us but then you still don't have a Sub


this is what I was thinking:

$449us + It says it is "HDMI version 1.3", you may want to check on that


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4fqvRo3...0&I=580HTS800B

[andyx1205]

Originally Posted by clyon

Onkyo TX-SR605 = $500us but then you still don't have a Sub


this is what I was thinking:

$449us + It says it is "HDMI version 1.3", you may want to check on that


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-4fqvRo3...0&I=580HTS800B

Well I think I can settle for a $1000 budget for speaker system, not including Reciever (which will be $700-$800CAN..Onkyo 605)

[leukoplast]

Wow, I didn't know Onkyo made speakers. I wonder who really makes them. They kinda look Yamaha-ish to me.

But I'm sure they are pretty good, going with a Onkyo system means they must be at least up to par with the receiver. (generally speaking)

EDIT: Hmm, after seeing the price I wouldn't say its going to dazzle and surprise anybody, but it is probably decent enough for a start.