Home Theater Gurus! What else do I need?

[badchannels]

Okay,

I have a professional installer coming out for an assessment next Friday. At this time I have the following set up.

Audio Aspect

( 2 ) Polk Audio RTi10's ( Floor-Standing ) - $699 new pair at Crutchfield
( 4 ) Polk Audio Fxi3's ( Surround ) - $124 X2 new pairs, made accepted offer on ebay
( 1 ) Polk Audio CSi3 ( Center Channel ) -$124 new, buy it now on ebay
( 1 ) Klipsch Sub-12, 650 Watt Subwoofer - $400 New in box, made accepted offer on craigslist
( 1 ) Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 Channel Home Theater System - $459 at Circuit City on sale

Video Aspect

( 1 ) 120" 16:9, Elite EZ Frame Fixed Projection Screen
( 1 ) VPL-VW50 SXRD 1080p Front Projector - $3800 on ebay, New in box, with screen and universal ceiling mount thrown in for free
( 1 ) BDP-S1 Blu Ray Disc Player - $700 from Dell

Power / Protection

( 1 ) Monster Power HTS1000 Power Center - $130, made accepted offer on ebay NIB

Viewing Experience

( 1 ) 800 Watt Power Pro Buttshaker Amp ( 4seating.com ) - $380
( 8 ) Standard Butt Shakers ( 4seating.com ) - free with seats
( 2 ) Rows of ( 4 ) Argonaut Theater Seating ( 4seating.com ) - $2772 on ebay
( 1 ) Logitech Harmony 880 Universal Remote w/RF link - $130 NIB, made accepted offer on ebay

Should I use the receiver out of the Onkyo HT-SR800 home theater system or should I go for another receiver? Do I need another amp or am I missing anything else?

Here are the specs on it:

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...&class=Systems

I have until Friday of next week to have everything at the house for the assessment. So I need to get things ordered now. What else ( if anything ) am I missing.

HELP!

* picked up the Onkyo 805 for now based on the advice given, if it isn't adequate..I'll go with one of the Denon models. Thanks for all the help guys. I also added some of the pricing ( not sure if that is allowed or not ), but it's how I managed to pay for everything. Total cost was about $10,500. Nothing was charged on credit, all cash over about 2 months time.

[Existentialist]

You need to invite me over to watch some blu-rays!

[badchannels]

..that could be arranged.

I was thinking about returning the Onkyo HT-SR800 in favor of the Onkyo TX-805. It'll cost me more to install the extra audio cables, rather than running the hdmi cables during installation and I'll get true HD lossless sound I think.

Not sure though, the HT-SR800 system cost me $450 on sale at Circuit City. If I can still return it ( it hasn't been taken out of the box yet ) then that's about half the price of the 805 receiver. I'm not going to be using the speakers in it, so we are basically talking about exchanging it for a better a receiver.

I just don't know...maybe a different receiver altogether. Not sure. I may have to buy something else I'm still not aware of as well.

[red_5ive]

I checked the specs on the HT-SR800 and it doesn't look like it has the newer lossless audio formats. It looks like the 805 does, so since you already have an impulse to pick up the 805 then do it. It's a certainty that your guy will show up with an SPL meter to calibrate everything. Better to have him do that with the right receiver than decide to return the SR800 later and have to pay him to do it over again.

If you do look for another receiver, what's your budget?

[SKRUhddvd]

you dont mention this in your list, but a power conditioner would improve picture and sound quality as well as protect your investment! last week i got a panamax 5300 on ebay (new) for $130.00 "best offer" taken. the seller had 20 units up for sale with no reasonable offer refused. retail on that unit is over $350.00

[Footloose301]

I have that Onkyo theater system you're reffering to. In order to get the lossless 7.1 sound you will need the Panansonic Blu-ray player since it has the 7.1 analog outputs and is the ONLY blu-ray player that has them. The receiver does not accept audio thru HDMI. If you want the one wire connections then you'll need to buy a different receiver. Rather than spending that kind of money on the 805 I would suggest the 605 which is $500 and it pretty much does the EXACT same things as the 805. The 605 will allow ALL of the necessary audio thru HDMI that you want and should not have any problems. Good luck.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by badchannels

Including the $450 for the system I'd be returning, I don't want to go over $1000 total.

I'm not sure what would be the best receiver for the system I have at that price. I'm guessing Onkyo 805.

In my experience with Polk Audio you'll want an amp with a warm sound. From what I know of receivers in the $1k range, Onkyo, HK, and Denon are the best for that, and IMO I would be partial to HK in that price range.

Edit: I just checked and it doesn't look like HK has anything that supports lossless yet, so I think Onkyo and Denon are your best bets.

And yeah, like SKRUhddvd said, a power conditioner would be good to add. Just be weary of Monster if you pick one up. They're way overpriced.

[Blue]

Are cables supplied or do you need to get them? Especially for the speaker cabling and if you have the option of running it in the walls, wall plates will be required. Speaker brackets if mounting speakers on the walls. Projector mount. HDMI cable (long run I assume). Some sample disc's, have a look here at other threads. The installer will have there own setup disc's, but at the end of the day it's yours to watch so it needs to be set up to suit you, so a quick look at a couple of movies before they run away to confirm it's setup to YOUR taste would be a good thing.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

Rather than spending that kind of money on the 805 I would suggest the 605 which is $500 and it pretty much does the EXACT same things as the 805. The 605 will allow ALL of the necessary audio thru HDMI that you want and should not have any problems. Good luck.

Good point. I wasn't aware of the 605. I just checked and other than additional power, the 805 offers one more hdmi input (3 instead of 2) and THX certification (big deal). Not worth the extra $400 or $500 really, but that extra HDMI input might come in handy. Everything else looks the same including damping factor so I don't think there'll be much improvement in overall sound quality with the 805 either, but it wouldn't hurt to listen to both before you buy.

[crackinhedz]

well, the Onkyo 605 cannot post process the 5.1 PCM signal, which the 805 can.

and is the reason why the 605 is a level 4 reciever and the 805 is a level 6.


What this means is that when you listen to a 5.1 PCM track with the 605, thats exactly what you will get...5.1 but with the 805 it will process the 5.1 into 7.1. which, considering the OP has a really cool sounding theater, could be a big deal.

Honestly, they are both great recievers, but if you plan on entertaining in a home theater like that, I would definitely go with the one that pumps out more watts to those nice ass speakers and that will process 5.1 into 7.1 audio.

[crackinhedz]

...but definitely get an HDMI reciever...Lossless audio is the way to go!

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

I have that Onkyo theater system you're reffering to. In order to get the lossless 7.1 sound you will need the Panansonic Blu-ray player since it has the 7.1 analog outputs and is the ONLY blu-ray player that has them. The receiver does not accept audio thru HDMI. If you want the one wire connections then you'll need to buy a different receiver. Rather than spending that kind of money on the 805 I would suggest the 605 which is $500 and it pretty much does the EXACT same things as the 805. The 605 will allow ALL of the necessary audio thru HDMI that you want and should not have any problems. Good luck.

question, i have audio and video through HDMI on the 805, why do you think it doesn't do audio?

(605 weighs 11kg, 805 weighs 23kg. There's a big differnce in these two receivers - i have had both!)

[Ben]

Maybe I'm being too obvious, but you do have all of the appropriate cables available, right?

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by badchannels

Okay,

2 ) Polk Audio RTi10's ( Floor-Standing )
( 4 ) Polk Audio Fxi3's ( Surround )
( 1 ) Polk Audio CSi3 ( Center Channel )
( 1 ) Klipsch Sub-12, 650 Watt Subwoofer
( 1 ) Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 Channel Home Theater System

Video Aspect

( 1 ) 120" 16:9, Elite EZ Frame Fixed Projection Screen
( 1 ) VPL-VW50 SXRD 1080p Front Projector
( 1 ) BDP-S1 Blu Ray Disc Player

HELP!

If you have this quality of a setup, I would not trust any receiver less than $1200. Look at the Denon 3808, Pioneer Elite 94 or the Sony 5300ES. These are going to give your setup the best sound. If you already invested thousands in the audio,speakers and power, why look at a receiver at the $1000 or less price point. You need power that is reliable for the speakers you have. I would never recommend an HT for a setup like this.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by jcs913

If you have this quality of a setup, I would not trust any receiver less than $1200. Look at the Denon 3808, Pioneer Elite 94 or the Sony 5300ES. These are going to give your setup the best sound. If you already invested thousands in the audio,speakers and power, why look at a receiver at the $1000 or less price point. You need power that is reliable for the speakers you have. I would never recommend an HT for a setup like this.

...price has no bearing on weather it makes the reciever great or not. Its in the hardware and specs. So in essence youre saying if it cost $1200 and then went on sale for $900 you wouldnt "trust" it?


I say go by its capabilities, and most of all "user reviews". Thats the best way to know if its a good reciever or not, not by the pricetag.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...price has no bearing on weather it makes the reciever great or not. Its in the hardware and specs. So in essence youre saying if it cost $1200 and then went on sale for $900 you wouldnt "trust" it?


I say go by its capabilities, and most of all "user reviews". Thats the best way to know if its a good reciever or not, not by the pricetag.

You have been around audio equipment long enough to know that there is a huge difference in sound from a $1500 receiver and an $800 receiver. Semantics, as for price, are your call. But if he considers a sub $1000 receiver, he is making a mistake and will not get the best sound quality out of his setup. So, yes price typically equates quality in most cases. You said yourself that he should be looking at a nice receiver to drive his speakers. I would never use some $800 Onkyo in that setup and most installers would agree 100%. Never put cheap tires on a Ferrari....

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by jcs913

You have been around audio equipment long enough to know that there is a huge difference in sound from a $1500 receiver and an $800 receiver. Semantics, as for price, are your call. But if he considers a sub $1000 receiver, he is making a mistake and will not get the best sound quality out of his setup. So, yes price typically equates quality in most cases. You said yourself that he should be looking at a nice receiver to drive his speakers. I would never use some $800 Onkyo in that setup and most installers would agree 100%. Never put cheap tires on a Ferrari....

In my experience this is generally true. After I got into flagship units some time back the $1k units no longer cut it for me as far as overall sound quality. At the recommendation of a sales person at my local hi-fi shop, I recently picked up a B&K receiver for $1800, and it sounded terrible in comparison to my Z1 in both 2ch and multi-ch. But I digress - in the end, it boils down to what sounds good to you based on what you can spend. Not everyone is on a $3k - $7k receiver budget.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by jcs913

You have been around audio equipment long enough to know that there is a huge difference in sound from a $1500 receiver and an $800 receiver. Semantics, as for price, are your call. But if he considers a sub $1000 receiver, he is making a mistake and will not get the best sound quality out of his setup. So, yes price typically equates quality in most cases. You said yourself that he should be looking at a nice receiver to drive his speakers. I would never use some $800 Onkyo in that setup and most installers would agree 100%. Never put cheap tires on a Ferrari....

your logic says that because it costs more than it must be better? I say, its in the hardware and spec's. Not price. I advised to go with a reciever that put's out more power and can do more, not because it cost more. My father has a $2,000 Marantz reciever that is crap in the digital age, but is it better than the Denon 3808 because it costs more?? Price logic can only get you so much. But where do you draw the line? At its capabilities.

The OnkyoTX-SR805 had an original MSRP of $1,100 ..... its been out for a few months now, and you can probably find it for for $800-900... so NOW you cant "trust" it? thats all Im saying.

as Red_5ive said:

Not everyone is on a $3k - $7k receiver budget.

[crackinhedz]

lets see what the tires on the ferrari have to offer.


...and a "review" from an 805 owner.

"Now the Denon 3805 I had before was a nice receiver and produced great sound, but when I turned this baby on I felt like someone took off the ear plugs. The massive clean power that came out was unbelievable! It is like I have new speakers, clearer than I have ever heard, I could litterally hear not just the music, but the person touching the strings and drums. For a note I was listening to Eagles Hotel California, DVD-Audio, set to THX-Music."



...you can argue that so and so brand is better than so and so. But to say the 805 wouldnt provide enough for the home theater listening experience?? right.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

your logic says that because it costs more than it must be better? I say, its in the hardware and spec's. Not price. I advised to go with a reciever that put's out more power and can do more, not because it cost more. My father has a $2,000 Marantz reciever that is crap in the digital age, but is it better than the Denon 3808 because it costs more?? Price logic can only get you so much. But where do you draw the line? At its capabilities.

The OnkyoTX-SR805 had an original MSRP of $1,100 ..... its been out for a few months now, and you can probably find it for for $800-900... so NOW you cant "trust" it? thats all Im saying.

as Red_5ive said:

Not everyone is on a $3k - $7k receiver budget.

Yes, in the majority of cases with receivers, the more it costs, the better quality it is. Everyone is not on a large budget, but if you read what his setup is, you would understand what he NEEDS, not what you think is his best option. He has thousands of dollars worth of speakers. The Onkyo may be a good option for him, but with a setup like his, why not the 875 or better?

Like I was using as my original example, $1200+ is what he should be looking at, I think maybe even more money. He needs the power, and the extra connections will not hurt either. And the only way to get more power and more connections is to spend more money. So, in essence, the more the receiver costs, the more it will have inside it; ie, better DAC's, connectors and processing, the better it will be.

Old receivers do not have the same connections as todays equipment, so they are going to be inferior, whether they were $500, or $2000. They may have better sound, but cannot do the things needed for todays setup.

The majority of home theater users are in your $500-$1200 range, but some people need more to make their setup perform at its best. His, I think is one of them.