Critique What I'm About to Buy

[sarnell2]

So I've been researching on this Forum for a while now, and I've finally decided on what I'm buying for a HDTV, Receiver, and Blu-Ray player (for the holiday season). My budget for all three is about 3k. I've managed to come up w/ a pretty nasty combo of products without sacrificing any features for about $3,275. What do you think?

HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ700U
Price: $2149 from Sears
Reasons: 1080p, 50", Plasma, 5000:1 contrast ratio

Receiver
Onkyo TX-SR705
Price: $629 from Circuit City
Reasons: 7.1 Surround, THX Certified, DTS-HD Master Decoding, 3 HDMI
Inputs (1.3)

Blu-Ray Player
Panasonic DMP-BD30K
Price: $499 or lower (coming end Nov)
Reasons: Bitstream DTS-HD Master, HDMI 1.3, Profile 1.1

[cabezon1184]

Great choices GO for it

[Go Blu]

Thats a sweet combo.....what are you still doing here?
I'd be at Sears right about now.

[mdm1699]

Excellent. I like!

[sarnell2]

Great! Thanks! I'll post some pics of the setup when it's finished. Actually, I'd like to get some new speakers too. Anyone have any decently priced speakers they recommend (and sub woofer)?

[Zaphod]

I think it is $275 over your $3,000 budget...

Originally Posted by sarnell2

Great! Thanks! I'll post some pics of the setup when it's finished. Actually, I'd like to get some new speakers too. Anyone have any decently priced speakers they recommend (and sub woofer)?

You may want to add a little upward adjustment in your budget then to add a decent speaker package...

For that receiver you would want some fairly efficient speakers (ones with a high sensitivity). I use the Klipsch Reference series. They are a good, moderately priced speakers which are VERY efficient.

Look at the RF-25 or RF-35's for the fronts and RS-35's for the surrounds and their sub is like a RW-10 I believe. These are all discontinued models from Klipsch but only this year. You can usually find them new and very cheap, compared to the original price. Plus Klipsch Reference speakers carry a 5 year warranty.

[bdrex28]

Watch Circuit City for the KEF 2005.2

They keep switching between $499 and $999.

Good speakers.

[MacDaddyOJack]

I'd get a 46" XBR4, you can find them for about that same price online and its a far better tv. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with your choices!

[glenn22]

can't really critique that setup, I'm a bit jealous actually.

[bootman]

Very nice.
How far are you planning to sit from the Panny?
(see sig below)
It was one of the reasons I went with the DLP Sammy instead of a flat panel for the same money was screen size for the $$$.

Don't forget cables.
One word: Monoprice.

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by bootman

Very nice.
How far are you planning to sit from the Panny?
(see sig below)
It was one of the reasons I went with the DLP Sammy instead of a flat panel for the same money was screen size for the $$$.

Don't forget cables.
One word: Monoprice.

hahaha lol...yea i know allllll about what you're talking about. unfortunately i'm at a distance where i'll just slightly be taking advantage of 1080...still better than 720 though!

[sarnell2]

Originally Posted by bootman

Very nice.
How far are you planning to sit from the Panny?
(see sig below)
It was one of the reasons I went with the DLP Sammy instead of a flat panel for the same money was screen size for the $$$.

Don't forget cables.
One word: Monoprice.

and i was looking at these for hdmi cables: http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-HDMI...4471564&sr=8-3

24k plated...$11.99

[Zaphod]

I would rather go here:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

or for 1.3 compliant cables:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[quetzalcoatl]

You have done well for yourself on that setup.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by sarnell2

So I've been researching on this Forum for a while now, and I've finally decided on what I'm buying for a HDTV, Receiver, and Blu-Ray player (for the holiday season). My budget for all three is about 3k. I've managed to come up w/ a pretty nasty combo of products without sacrificing any features for about $3,275. What do you think?

HDTV
Panasonic TH-50PZ700U
Price: $2149 from Sears
Reasons: 1080p, 50", Plasma, 5000:1 contrast ratio

Receiver
Onkyo TX-SR705
Price: $629 from Circuit City
Reasons: 7.1 Surround, THX Certified, DTS-HD Master Decoding, 3 HDMI
Inputs (1.3)

Blu-Ray Player
Panasonic DMP-BD30K
Price: $499 or lower (coming end Nov)
Reasons: Bitstream DTS-HD Master, HDMI 1.3, Profile 1.1

good choices but get the 805 instead, the 705 isn't THX certified and the 805 has Burr Brown DACs.

Also i've had the 607,705 & 805. The 605 & 705 are good but the 805 is a big jump ahead.

EDIT: the 705 isn't THX Ultra certified (gotta be clear now!)

[cpgator]

Originally Posted by Aygie

good choices but get the 805 instead, the 705 isn't THX certified and the 805 has Burr Brown DACs.

Also i've had the 607,705 & 805. The 605 & 705 are good but the 805 is a big jump ahead.

EDIT: the 705 isn't THX Ultra certified (gotta be clear now!)

In my opinion, THX doesn't mean much - certainly wouldn't consider it when purchasing. And the DACs probably won't make a difference unless he has nice speakers.

[mystiksuicide]

Thats a great layout, I personally prefer Pioneer Elite over Onkyo but thats not to say that that's not one incredible set-up.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by cpgator

In my opinion, THX doesn't mean much - certainly wouldn't consider it when purchasing. And the DACs probably won't make a difference unless he has nice speakers.

true but he mentioned it in his OP so it must be a selling point for him, but like i said i've had three versions of this receiver and the 805 is fantastic.

[actionhank]

don't forget a good couch

[sarnell2]

so F*CK... I went to Sears in Wayne, NJ to get the Panny that the website said they had in stock. Well the guy was an ass and said they don't have it and he can't back-order it. He just said to keep calling up...Doesn't sound right to me.