Looking to upgrade my current home theatre system

[tqmilymi]

I'm looking to upgrade my current home theatre system from a 4 year old Panasonic 1000w theatre system in a box to something much better. My budget is at most $2000. The room is large (18' x 18'); the only real constraints are that (1) I don't want anything really big, (2) the equipment should be able to withstand a 14 month old child, and (3) the equipment needs to be rather simple to use; that is, my wife needs to be able to operate it.

My local Best Buy is pushing the Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 5.1 Speaker System. That, along with a Denon 1909 receiver.

I've also looked into Bose (have a Wave radio and love it). Options include the Acoustimass® 16 speaker system along with a receiver or the Lifestyle® V20 home theater system.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[Santeria]

stay away from bose, u can get a $800 system u hand pick vs bose top of the line will be destroyed!! the bang for your buck for a bose is horrid its what 1500 or something for their stuff.. that doesnt sound as good as an $800 system.

[Beta Man]

Well.... I'm not going to give specific brands etc.... but here is the breakdown I would do.

1) AVR..... here you'd want to spend $300-$350 for a Yamaha/Sony/Onkyo etc that handles the new codecs.....

2) Front L/R/C You're going to want to spend about $1,200 of your budget here.... it's the most important.

3) Find a cheap pair of bookshelf or satellite speakers for $50 each for the surrounds....

4) I know I said I wouldn't give specific recommendations on brands, but with $300-$350 left in your budget, you can get a sub from Elemental Designs....


The FRONT L/R/C is the most important area of your HT.... I know many people think you should spend $700, or $800 on an AVR..... but I'm here to tell you, speakers will last YEARS.... AVRs drop in price and get phased out MUCH quicker...

My cheapie AVR handles my power hungry speakers, and costs about as much as ONE of my surrounds...... I see some people spend $150 on a front tower, but spend $800 on a Pioneer Elite receiver..... I don't get it, because the system is only as strong as its weakest link, and the front soundstage is THE most important area of a HT.


Sorry....went on a tangent or two

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Well.... I'm not going to give specific brands etc.... but here is the breakdown I would do.

1) AVR..... here you'd want to spend $300-$350 for a Yamaha/Sony/Onkyo etc that handles the new codecs.....

2) Front L/R/C You're going to want to spend about $1,200 of your budget here.... it's the most important.

3) Find a cheap pair of bookshelf or satellite speakers for $50 each for the surrounds....

4) I know I said I wouldn't give specific recommendations on brands, but with $300-$350 left in your budget, you can get a sub from Elemental Designs....


The FRONT L/R/C is the most important area of your HT.... I know many people think you should spend $700, or $800 on an AVR..... but I'm here to tell you, speakers will last YEARS.... AVRs drop in price and get phased out MUCH quicker...

My cheapie AVR handles my power hungry speakers, and costs about as much as ONE of my surrounds...... I see some people spend $150 on a front tower, but spend $800 on a Pioneer Elite receiver..... I don't get it, because the system is only as strong as its weakest link, and the front soundstage is THE most important area of a HT.


Sorry....went on a tangent or two

+1.

Beta Man has the right idea, although I wouldn't waste my money on cheapie $50 rears. I'd up the ante a bit. Other than that his post is right on the money with excellent points made.