Setting up new sound system - Blu-ray Forum

dharma14 · 11-08-2008, 07:43 AM

I'm going to be setting up a surround sound system in my bedroom. Right now my set up consists of a 40" Samsung 1080p 120hz tv, a PS3, and a HD Tivo. I don't know that much about any of this stuff and need some help on where to buy this (online or whatever), and how I am going to hook this system up to my PS3 and HD Tivo. My budget is somewhere around 1,000, can be up if needed also. I want 7.1 too I think. Also, if there are any HD Tivo owners out there, any tips on how you get perfect audio when recording and how it works for it on HD channels. I'm also worried about my receiver being near my pc. How close can it be to it? Or I might just set it up high somewhere if possible.

Thanks.

crackinhedz · 11-08-2008, 12:01 PM

can you go with floorstanding speakers or do they need to be fairly small for the bedroom?

Johnny Vinyl · 11-08-2008, 12:44 PM

At $1,000 or so my recommendation would be to get a solid 7.1 A/V Receiver and start with a 3.0 speaker set-up and add more speakers and a sub later at a pace your budget allows.

For many members on this forum an ONKYO/POLK combo will come recommended. I assume that is because of their price/performance ratio versus other brands, but I cannot comment as I have never personally looked into either of those products.

Perhaps a breakdown of $500 for receiver and $500 for 2 front/1 centre speaker setup is a good gauge to start with.

dharma14 · 11-09-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

can you go with floorstanding speakers or do they need to be fairly small for the bedroom?

Yeah those would be good, I'm just thinking off getting 5.1 now. I was looking at those level two speakers, are they any good? Then I would just get a good receiver. Will I get HD lossless audio with 5.1?

dharma14 · 11-09-2008, 06:48 AM

I'm looking at this receiver right now. Is it any good?
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR706...6216559&sr=1-5
So all I need is speakers and cables and I'm set? What kind of cables should I get for hooking up the speakers to the receivers? Do I need HDMI 1.3 cables or do the cheap ones work just as good?

Big Daddy · 11-09-2008, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma14

I'm looking at this receiver right now. Is it any good?
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR706...6216559&sr=1-5
So all I need is speakers and cables and I'm set? What kind of cables should I get for hooking up the speakers to the receivers? Do I need HDMI 1.3 cables or do the cheap ones work just as good?

Onkyo receivers are very good. You should be satisfied with them. Buy your HDMI and speaker cables from Monoprice.com. They sell good products and have the best prices in the world. For speaker cables, get 14 gauge or 12 gauge. 12 gauge is slightly thicker and better, but it is a bit less flexible and more difficult to hide. For short distances, it really doesn't make that much of a difference..

Driver_King · 11-09-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma14

I'm looking at this receiver right now. Is it any good?
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR706...6216559&sr=1-5
So all I need is speakers and cables and I'm set? What kind of cables should I get for hooking up the speakers to the receivers? Do I need HDMI 1.3 cables or do the cheap ones work just as good?

You can get the Onkyo 806 cheaper.

dharma14 · 11-10-2008, 04:02 AM

http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers/level-two-speakers
Are these speakers good? Will I get HD 5.1 audio with them?

Big Daddy · 11-10-2008, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma14

http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers/level-two-speakers
Are these speakers good? Will I get HD 5.1 audio with them?

Yes, Home Theater Direct speakers are good and you will get 5.1. I like them in Dark and Light Rose better than black. If you can afford them, go with level three speakers or buy level three for the two fronts and center and level two for surrounds. There is no problem in mixing level two with level three speakers.

dharma14 · 11-10-2008, 08:11 AM

Okay, I think I'm going to be getting one of those Onkyo receivers and maybe all level three 5.1 speakers. Does anyone know if I will get HD audio from my HD tivo? and what are those subwoofer amplifiers for that come with it? I thought the receiver did that amplifying.

Big Daddy · 11-10-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma14

Okay, I think I'm going to be getting one of those Onkyo receivers and maybe all level three 5.1 speakers. Does anyone know if I will get HD audio from my HD tivo? and what are those subwoofer amplifiers for that come with it? I thought the receiver did that amplifying.

I don't know about TIVO. However, DirectTV DVR gives you only Dolby Digital. Although it is not HD, it is still better than the normal sound that you get from the TV's built-in speakers.

A Subwoofer needs a separate amp to drive it. A Receiver only drives the front, center, and surround speakers. There are two types of subwoofers: Powered and Unpowered (Passive).

The Powered subwoofers have a built-in amplifier. You normally connect one RCA cable (preferably RG6 sub cable) from the LFE out on the receiver to the LFE (sub in) input of the subwoofer.

For Passive subwoofers, you connect the LFE RCA cable from the receiver to the external amplifier and run two speaker wires from the external amplifier to the Passive subwoofer.

If there are two inputs for the LFE on the subwoofer amp, connect the single RCA cable to the left channel or use a Y cable (1 female to 2 male adapter).

Normally, you set the crossover frequency dial on the subwoofer's amp to the highest frequency because you should set the crossover frequency inside the receiver's menu. It is usually set to 80Hz.

CosmoKid · 11-10-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dharma14

Okay, I think I'm going to be getting one of those Onkyo receivers and maybe all level three 5.1 speakers. Does anyone know if I will get HD audio from my HD tivo? and what are those subwoofer amplifiers for that come with it? I thought the receiver did that amplifying.

you will only get dolby digital with your Tivo. no tv/cable companies broadcast hd audio right now.

audio will always be a step behind video, or so it seems, when talking about broadcast television.

dharma14 · 11-11-2008, 08:21 AM

Okay, I got another question about these Onkyo receivers. Will I still get just as good video quality (1080p and 120hz etc...) with these when running audio and video via HDMI? and if anyone knows about guitar hero lag, what is the best set up for playing guitar hero and games in generally if there's any audio problems with games.

Beta Man · 11-11-2008, 01:56 PM

I don't know anything about Guitar Hero, but for your PQ, the Onkyo won't downgrade the signal being sent to the t.v. so you'll be fine.

11-08-2008, 07:43 AM	#1
dharma14 Member Member since:Sep 2008	Setting up new sound system I'm going to be setting up a surround sound system in my bedroom. Right now my set up consists of a 40" Samsung 1080p 120hz tv, a PS3, and a HD Tivo. I don't know that much about any of this stuff and need some help on where to buy this (online or whatever), and how I am going to hook this system up to my PS3 and HD Tivo. My budget is somewhere around 1,000, can be up if needed also. I want 7.1 too I think. Also, if there are any HD Tivo owners out there, any tips on how you get perfect audio when recording and how it works for it on HD channels. I'm also worried about my receiver being near my pc. How close can it be to it? Or I might just set it up high somewhere if possible. Thanks.

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11-08-2008, 12:01 PM	#2
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	can you go with floorstanding speakers or do they need to be fairly small for the bedroom?

11-08-2008, 12:44 PM	#3
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	At $1,000 or so my recommendation would be to get a solid 7.1 A/V Receiver and start with a 3.0 speaker set-up and add more speakers and a sub later at a pace your budget allows. For many members on this forum an ONKYO/POLK combo will come recommended. I assume that is because of their price/performance ratio versus other brands, but I cannot comment as I have never personally looked into either of those products. Perhaps a breakdown of $500 for receiver and $500 for 2 front/1 centre speaker setup is a good gauge to start with.

11-09-2008, 06:48 AM	#5
dharma14 Member Member since:Sep 2008	I'm looking at this receiver right now. Is it any good? http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR706...6216559&sr=1-5 So all I need is speakers and cables and I'm set? What kind of cables should I get for hooking up the speakers to the receivers? Do I need HDMI 1.3 cables or do the cheap ones work just as good?

11-10-2008, 04:02 AM	#8
dharma14 Member Member since:Sep 2008	http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers/level-two-speakers Are these speakers good? Will I get HD 5.1 audio with them?

11-10-2008, 08:11 AM	#10
dharma14 Member Member since:Sep 2008	Okay, I think I'm going to be getting one of those Onkyo receivers and maybe all level three 5.1 speakers. Does anyone know if I will get HD audio from my HD tivo? and what are those subwoofer amplifiers for that come with it? I thought the receiver did that amplifying.

11-11-2008, 08:21 AM	#13
dharma14 Member Member since:Sep 2008	Okay, I got another question about these Onkyo receivers. Will I still get just as good video quality (1080p and 120hz etc...) with these when running audio and video via HDMI? and if anyone knows about guitar hero lag, what is the best set up for playing guitar hero and games in generally if there's any audio problems with games.

11-11-2008, 01:56 PM	#14
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I don't know anything about Guitar Hero, but for your PQ, the Onkyo won't downgrade the signal being sent to the t.v. so you'll be fine.

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