PS3 Audio Setup Advice: Starting from Scratch

[Snah]

So I have a pretty nice sized HDTV, but I'm currently using the stock speakers. I have no receiver, no external speaker setup, and now that the PS3 can do DTS-HD, I am looking to buy a total receiver/speaker setup, so I need some advice from you gurus since I'm more informed about HDTVs than I am about home audio.

My budget is around 3k maximum for receiver + speakers...I may be able to budge a bit if there will be a considerable difference for a bit more (though, not significantly more). I want to take advantage of all the HD audio on blu-ray and want a full speaker setup. I will be running it through HDMI.

Any help in suggesting brands/units of receivers and speakers is much appreciated.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Snah

So I have a pretty nice sized HDTV, but I'm currently using the stock speakers. I have no receiver, no external speaker setup, and now that the PS3 can do DTS-HD, I am looking to buy a total receiver/speaker setup, so I need some advice from you gurus since I'm more informed about HDTVs than I am about home audio.

My budget is around 3k maximum for receiver + speakers...I may be able to budge a bit if there will be a considerable difference for a bit more (though, not significantly more). I want to take advantage of all the HD audio on blu-ray and want a full speaker setup. I will be running it through HDMI.

Any help in suggesting brands/units of receivers and speakers is much appreciated.

Receivers: Pick any one of the receivers within your budget. They are all good.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...ceivers&tp=179

Speakers
Definitive Technology: http://www.definitivetech.com/loudsp...dspeakers.html
Hsu Research: http://www.hsuresearch.com/packages.html
Polk, Mirage, Infinity, Boston Acoustics:
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...?g=11999&tp=34

You don't have to buy from Crutchfield. I just wanted to get you started. Make a decision and shop around on the web.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

First piece of advice: FIND A LOCAL HOME THEATRE STORE AND SAMPLE SPEAKERS!!! Everybody has different tastes when it comes to how speakers sound to them. Trust me. Take 4 or 5 hours to seriously shop around and experience the differences in speakers with your own ears!

Now, for my own recommendations... I suggest checking out the Onkyo 605, 705, 805 receivers. Which model best applies depends on how many components you will be connecting to it.

Speakers are a bit trickier, like I mentioned above. But, after spending 2 months shopping around and listening to dozens of different speakers in action, I settle on 5 Bowers & Wilkins M-1 satellites with a Bowers & Wilkins AS-2 subwoofer. The speakers look small but pack a HUGE punch! In total (back in December) the whole setup (receiver + speakers + subwofer) cost me $2900 CDN. But, remember too that that doesn't include speaker wire and any HDMI cables that you might need.

[Snah]

Thanks for the help so far.

Only components I will be hooking up to my receiver are my PS3 (HDMI), Xbox 360 (component), Wii (component), and Cable Box.

As for speakers, I hear that it is a very personal sort of deal, but I was hoping for maybe a few top brands in my price range to check out that will do justice to what my blu-ray discs can provide. From what I hear, there's a pretty large discrepancy between speakers.

Also, would probably prefer small, yet powerful speakers like the ones you suggested.

I'm not adverse to large ones, but smaller ones may be easier to situate and transport.

[ixlegitballinxl]

/nod Onkyo 605/705/805..if you decide on a diffrent receiver just make sure it passes audio/video through hdmi ( not just audio ) and that it supports dts ma. Alot of choices on speakers...more of personal taste for those...alot of klipsch reference fans here...which i'd recommend http://www.klipsch.com/products/deta...er-system.aspx ( you can find better deals on it ) Minimum 16 gauge speaker wire, a couple hdmi cables depending on your current gear...www.monoprice.com or www.dcables.com Speakers are most def your most important pieces, so do your research!

[Snah]

Hmm.. Seems Sony has some new receivers that get released in May. Maybe I should wait and see how well these perform.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000208

4 HDMI ports for $400. Not too shabby if true.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Snah

Hmm.. Seems Sony has some new receivers that get released in May. Maybe I should wait and see how well these perform.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000208

4 HDMI ports for $400. Not too shabby if true.

Ya, but Sony's receivers and speakers don't always test well on their sound throughput. Of course, this being a new unit, it is difficult to tell if they have advanced their tech at all. At the same time, for $400 from Sony? That's not a good sign. Sony tends to make their best products in price ranges that supercede what you would expect to pay... but that's how you know that you are getting quality Sony product.

Because Sony audio is sort of a toss at the dartboard of quality, I'd stick with looking at Yamaha, Onkyo, and Denon receivers. They tend to have a much higher percentage quality output on their systems.

And, the Bowers & Wilkins speakers that I mentioned are very compact. BUT, if you decide to consider them remember too that they don't come with floor stands. They come with bookshelf stands and wall mount brackets. They are relatively easy to mount on the walls if you take care in the process.

[Snah]

Sony has bad receiver quality? Hm. That's news to me. I'll just have to wait for the reviews.

[john_nemesh]

Originally Posted by Snah

Hmm.. Seems Sony has some new receivers that get released in May. Maybe I should wait and see how well these perform.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000208

4 HDMI ports for $400. Not too shabby if true.

I am not a fan of Sony for home audio and have never liked their sound compared to other brands in the same catagory. Don't just buy to match brands with the PS3, listen yourself and make up your own mind.

The first thing you really have to do is set your budget. Think realistically and make a list of what you want the system to do. Keep in mind that most people will not upgrade a receiver for 5 years or more, make sure you have all of the connections you can reasonably expect to use in this time. The Sony you mention may have 4 HDMI inputs, but probably are switching only...make sure that the HDMI inputs can process sound as well (see below).

If this is going to be your "primary" system, and you plan on keeping it 5 years or longer, I would recommend spending at least $1000 on your AVR. I know that sounds like a lot, but dropping below that mark usually means missing out on connections, features, sound quality, or all of the above.

If you are going to be replacing it before 5 years, try around $500-600. Also keep in mind that used gear can be had fairly cheaply. I would much rather have a used Denon AVR-3806 than a new AVR-1908!

I would look for a system that supports sound over HDMI, but do not worry if it supports DTS MA-HD or TrueHD, as the PS3 will convert everything to PCM (this means that 1.1 or 1.2 HDMI will work just fine! Great if you plan on buying used!). Also look for a receiver that will transcode component to HDMI. This will allow you to run a single cable between the A/V receiver and the TV.

You should also LISTEN (if at all possible) to the receiver with your choice of speakers. Having a speaker that is bright or harsh in the upper end could be perfectly listenable with the right amp, and totally horrible with the wrong one. Just because 2 different brands are at the same price or have the same wattage rating does NOT mean they sound the same!

The best advice I can get for buying this stuff...don't shop for the gear, shop for a dealer! Find someone that:

1) You trust
2) Is authorized to sell the products you are looking for
3) Is knowledgeable
4) Is trained and has the tools and resources to properly install the system

You can save a few bux shopping online, but in my experience, it is NOT WORTH the few dollars you save if the system is not installed and configured properly, is composed of mis-matched components, or is not able to be serviced when it breaks.

Hope this helps you! Good luck and have fun!

[bootman]

You could get by with a receiver like the Yamaha RX-V661.
While it does not decode HD Audio, your PS3 can and the unit will process PCM from the PS3 easily.
As far as speakers, they all sound different, not only at a store, but at your home.

Try to buy those that give you a 30 day money back deal so if you don't like them in your home you can get something different.
Sure starting with a good brand is always a good idea, but the room interaction between your ears and speakers is hard to determine via a forum.

Some good online stores that offer a 30 day trial are:

http://www.hsuresearch.com Horns provide high volume for little power
http://av123.com/ These always get good reviews and the Rocket line is very affordable.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/ Very nice and well made speakers.
http://www.orbaudio.com/ I have these. I like them but they may not be enough for your application.

Any one of these offer speaker packages in your price range.
They all sound different, but only you can decide which sounds best in your room and to your ears.

Good luck and happy shopping.

[ranma]

Sorry for hackjack your post, however, I don't want to open a new thread for some FAQ :P

Can I get 5.1 PCM through optical from PS3? My receiver doesn't have a HDMI interface, I don't want to use lossy format for my receiver. and I find if I sent bitstream for optical on ps3, and I chose PCM 5.1 in BD menu, I only got 2.0 sound.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ranma

Sorry for hackjack your post, however, I don't want to open a new thread for some FAQ :P

Can I get 5.1 PCM through optical from PS3? My receiver doesn't have a HDMI interface, I don't want to use lossy format for my receiver. and I find if I sent bitstream for optical on ps3, and I chose PCM 5.1 in BD menu, I only got 2.0 sound.

To get 5.1 lossless audio from PS3, you need an HDMI cable. With optical cable, you can only get lossy Dolby Digital and DTS Digital.

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by Snah

Sony has bad receiver quality? Hm. That's news to me. I'll just have to wait for the reviews.

This is a carryover from years gone by. There was a time that Sony receivers were not very good.....I beleive that time is gone.

Check the web for reviews.

[King03]

I have a Sony STR-DG1000 and I have no complaints. For $3k, you can get a high end Sony receiver and some decent speakers. Don't forget to budget for wires and connections.

I recommend not wasting too much money on over-priced Monster accessories, I think $150 for an HDMI cable is the ripoff of the century. The $20 one from Sam's Club works just fine... You should spend a few bucks on speaker wire.

Also, make sure to get a receiver with lots of HDMI connections. Mine only has 2, which is only enough for the cable box and the PS3. If you have any other high-def components, you'll need a switch. Best to just have lots of HDMI ports available.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by ranma

Sorry for hackjack your post, however, I don't want to open a new thread for some FAQ :P

Can I get 5.1 PCM through optical from PS3? My receiver doesn't have a HDMI interface, I don't want to use lossy format for my receiver. and I find if I sent bitstream for optical on ps3, and I chose PCM 5.1 in BD menu, I only got 2.0 sound.

This has been discussed many times before and a quick search would show that you only get 2ch of PCM via the optical out.

[ThisIsSparta]

Originally Posted by Snah

So I have a pretty nice sized HDTV, but I'm currently using the stock speakers. I have no receiver, no external speaker setup, and now that the PS3 can do DTS-HD, I am looking to buy a total receiver/speaker setup, so I need some advice from you gurus since I'm more informed about HDTVs than I am about home audio.

My budget is around 3k maximum for receiver + speakers...I may be able to budge a bit if there will be a considerable difference for a bit more (though, not significantly more). I want to take advantage of all the HD audio on blu-ray and want a full speaker setup. I will be running it through HDMI.

Any help in suggesting brands/units of receivers and speakers is much appreciated.

I'd take a look at some KEF speakers as well. Very high quality speaker.

[TauRus]

Snah, as you probably realized now, every person responding to your questions will recommend their own favorite brand / model of speakers that might or might not be optimal for your setup. Petra Calbrain's made some good points in his post above, however even his suggestion is not bullet-proof. Trust me on this - even if you like some speakers in the store showroom or at someone else's house, there is no gurantee they will sound equally good in your house. That is why my advice will probably be the most difficult to actually implement - try to talk the store sales guy to allow you to take the spakers home and play them for a few days. See how they match the room acoustics. Once you find the speakers you like most, you will have no trouble matching a mioce receiver with them - in my experience the most impact on sound quality is made by room and speakers (their tonal qualities and placement), rather than by a receiver.

[The Guardian]

I'd add Paradigm to your list of speakers to check out, and Pioneer to your list of receivers.

Someone above mentioned that you don't need internal decoding of HD audio because the PS3 will do that. While that is true... personally if I'm spending $3k I'd like to know that if I want to buy a standalone player in the future to replace the PS3 I'm not limiting my options to those that do internal decoding of all the formats. That's just my opinion, but it's something for you to think about.

[Snah]

Thanks to all for the help.

I'm going to wait to see reviews on the Sony receiver. It has an impressive feature set for relatively cheap. And, as a lot of people suggested, it's more about the speaker than the receiver. To me, it seems like the specs of the receiver should mainly determine what you get, and barring any huge issues with the Sony, it's an ideal fit given the cost...so I'll wait and see. It comes out in a few weeks so I can wait.

As for speakers, I suppose I just need to really try them out in stores. Are best buy / frys sufficient, or should I go to any specialty stores? Also, where can you find the best deals on speakers and receivers?

[JimSD]

The smaller specialty stores may have better listening areas than Best Buy/Fry's. That's what I found recently when upgrading our system. The better listening area gave me more confidence that we were making the right choice compared to the bigger stores that had a separate sound room, but with the speakers too far apart and too high. It surprised me that we were able to get a set of Paradigm speakers for the same price that we had been planning to pay for Polks at Fry's. Don't assume like I did that high quality brands at a small store are necessarily a lot higher priced than comparable models of more common brands at the bigger stores. You should be able to get an excellent system easily within your budget.