I need some help with buying a surround setup. - Blu-ray Forum

ChiefSneed · 05-29-2008, 08:36 PM

I live in a loft, so I have a lot of open space which is nice, and I finally need to get a good surround sound setup.

My tv is a 58' Panasonic (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-32487806.html)
and my blu ray player is a PS3 (sorry Mamet)

What are some setups I should look into? Does 7.1 vs. 5.1 really matter? I'm trying to keep my price range under a grand but I can go either way.
Thanks

Vampyre · 05-29-2008, 08:45 PM

Amazon has many systems for sale under a thousand. I would purchase a good receiver capable of 7.1 and all of the HD codecs. Then add speakers. The left, right fronts and center channel. Two rear speakers next and then a subwoofer. That is if you are on a very tight budget.

Don't skimp on sound quality if you can help it.

kpkelley · 05-29-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyre

Amazon has many systems for sale under a thousand. I would purchase a good receiver capable of 7.1 and all of the HD codecs. Then add speakers. The left, right fronts and center channel. Two rear speakers next and then a subwoofer. That is if you are on a very tight budget.

Don't skimp on sound quality if you can help it.

The receiver does not need to decode the HD codecs since he is using the ps3, which will decode the codecs internally and cannot bitstream them to a receiver to decode.

ChiefSneed · 05-29-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyre

Amazon has many systems for sale under a thousand. I would purchase a good receiver capable of 7.1 and all of the HD codecs. Then add speakers. The left, right fronts and center channel. Two rear speakers next and then a subwoofer. That is if you are on a very tight budget.

Don't skimp on sound quality if you can help it.

Are there any models you could suggest? It'd be much appreciated. And lets say I can spend about $1500. I mean movies are my life so I guess no compromise needed

crackinhedz · 05-29-2008, 09:21 PM

go to amazon and check out the Onkyo TX-SR805, should still be about $600, its a great quality receiver at one of the best prices around...that should leave you with enough to work on speakers.

...and if you need HDMI cables go to monoprice.com

ChiefSneed · 05-29-2008, 09:23 PM

^^^thanks. Any speaker suggestions?

Acquiesce · 05-29-2008, 11:37 PM

I feel like I am interupting, but I also need some help with purchasing a reciever.

I have a Sony BDP-S300 and I am hooked up to a Marantz SR7300 AV through an optical cable (old system) with all the speakers setup. I want to get HD audio, so what type of audio reciever do I need to buy? One that supports all the newer audio codecs? Which receiver would be the best value (not to expensive)?

crackinhedz · 05-30-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acquiesce

so what type of audio reciever do I need to buy? One that supports all the newer audio codecs?

it is said the S300 gained support for decoding Dolby TrueHD (HDMI only). But I do not believe there will be any support for Dts-HD MA.

It is probably wise to buy an HDMI receiver that has decoding capability for future use...how much are you looking to spend?

The Onkyo 805 is probably the best deal at the moment...how much are you looking to spend?

ChiefSneed · 05-30-2008, 02:36 AM

thanks for your help. Now once I get the Onkyo which speakers should I go with?

crackinhedz · 05-30-2008, 03:14 AM

well, saying that you have ~$900 (+600 for receiver = $1500)

Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single) x2

Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker

Athena LS-50B Satellite Speaker (Pair)

Acoustech H-100 Cinema Series 500-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer

that would be a nice 5.1 setup for around your said budget.

Beta Man · 05-30-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

well, saying that you have ~$900 (+600 for receiver = $1500)

Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single) x2

Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker

Athena LS-50B Satellite Speaker (Pair)

Acoustech H-100 Cinema Series 500-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer

that would be a nice 5.1 setup for around your said budget.

Good advice!

I would look into bookshelf options also.... would work well in a loft.

ChiefSneed · 05-30-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

well, saying that you have ~$900 (+600 for receiver = $1500)

Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single) x2

Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker

Athena LS-50B Satellite Speaker (Pair)

Acoustech H-100 Cinema Series 500-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer

that would be a nice 5.1 setup for around your said budget.

yeah those suggestions look pretty pretty pretty good

also any advice on a decent stand? and tell me more about bookshelf options, thanks a bunch.

desmond · 05-30-2008, 05:15 PM

how big is your room?

ChiefSneed · 05-30-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desmond

how big is your room?

my whole apartment is one big room that is about 1000 square feet. But I'm getting a sectional to kind of square off my tv area a bit.

desmond · 05-30-2008, 06:35 PM

805 is way too much... THX Ultra 2 gear is for big dedicated rooms. Are acoustics ok? I live in a similar space and it was a challenge to get the sound right, real-time room correction really helps.

ChiefSneed · 05-30-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desmond

805 is way too much... THX Ultra 2 gear is for big dedicated rooms. Are acoustics ok? I live in a similar space and it was a challenge to get the sound right, real-time room correction really helps.

Yeah I'm not anal about the sound, I just want a nice setup. Definitely not an audiophile at all. but you think the Onkyo is too much?

crackinhedz · 05-30-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

805 is way too much...

...way too much?? quality is what matters.

for the price vs. quality its the best deal out there.

crackinhedz · 05-30-2008, 10:04 PM

But if the 805 intimidates ya, then the next best option would be a Yamaha RX-V663.

gearyt · 05-30-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefSneed

Yeah I'm not anal about the sound, I just want a nice setup. Definitely not an audiophile at all.

yeah... but just wait....

ChiefSneed · 05-31-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

yeah... but just wait....

Well, it's funny bc I went to audio engineering school, and I'm still not picky about things. I stand on the cd side of the vinyl vs cd debate, and I don't really care if something is 198kbps mp3. Those things don't bother me all that much like I know it does for some. Now picture quality on the other hand...

05-29-2008, 08:36 PM	#1
ChiefSneed Member Member since:Feb 2008	I need some help with buying a surround setup. I live in a loft, so I have a lot of open space which is nice, and I finally need to get a good surround sound setup. My tv is a 58' Panasonic (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t...-32487806.html) and my blu ray player is a PS3 (sorry Mamet) What are some setups I should look into? Does 7.1 vs. 5.1 really matter? I'm trying to keep my price range under a grand but I can go either way. Thanks

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05-29-2008, 08:45 PM	#2
Vampyre Banned Member since:May 2008 Location:Transylvania	Amazon has many systems for sale under a thousand. I would purchase a good receiver capable of 7.1 and all of the HD codecs. Then add speakers. The left, right fronts and center channel. Two rear speakers next and then a subwoofer. That is if you are on a very tight budget. Don't skimp on sound quality if you can help it.

05-29-2008, 09:21 PM	#5
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	go to amazon and check out the Onkyo TX-SR805, should still be about $600, its a great quality receiver at one of the best prices around...that should leave you with enough to work on speakers. ...and if you need HDMI cables go to monoprice.com

05-29-2008, 09:23 PM	#6
ChiefSneed Member Member since:Feb 2008	^^^thanks. Any speaker suggestions?

05-29-2008, 11:37 PM	#7
Acquiesce Active Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Blu-ray collection:1 Trading Score:2	I feel like I am interupting, but I also need some help with purchasing a reciever. I have a Sony BDP-S300 and I am hooked up to a Marantz SR7300 AV through an optical cable (old system) with all the speakers setup. I want to get HD audio, so what type of audio reciever do I need to buy? One that supports all the newer audio codecs? Which receiver would be the best value (not to expensive)?

05-30-2008, 02:36 AM	#9
ChiefSneed Member Member since:Feb 2008	thanks for your help. Now once I get the Onkyo which speakers should I go with?

05-30-2008, 03:14 AM	#10
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	well, saying that you have ~$900 (+600 for receiver = $1500) Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single) x2 Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker Athena LS-50B Satellite Speaker (Pair) Acoustech H-100 Cinema Series 500-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer that would be a nice 5.1 setup for around your said budget.

05-30-2008, 05:15 PM	#13
desmond Senior Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:262 Blu-ray reviews:2	how big is your room?

05-30-2008, 06:35 PM	#15
desmond Senior Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:262 Blu-ray reviews:2	805 is way too much... THX Ultra 2 gear is for big dedicated rooms. Are acoustics ok? I live in a similar space and it was a challenge to get the sound right, real-time room correction really helps.

05-30-2008, 10:04 PM	#18
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	But if the 805 intimidates ya, then the next best option would be a Yamaha RX-V663.

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