Audio Recommendation??

[NDK32489]

Sorry it's so long, I just wanted to include as much as possible in case any of the info. was necessary for the assistance I require:

My family is currently remodeling the downstairs Media Room and now we are stuck at the home theater part. We have have a found a tv we like, the Samsung LN52A750 and have decided that a PS3 would be fine as the blu-ray player. We have never had surround sound and hove now decided that while we are upgrading everything, we might as well add this. Our Tv will be wall mounted and all of our components (reciever, PS3, xbox360, cable box, etc.) will be in a closet about 40 feet behind the sitting area and tv. We have decided to go with a Harmony RF remote (not sure if any of this matters) and the guys at BB have ensured us that a Bose Acousticmass 6.1 system with a yamaha reciever will give us the best sound. I know NOTHING about surround sound, but have just been lurking around this board and the more posts I read, the harder it is for me to understand audio and judging quality and picking out the right reciever for the right speakers, etc.. What I'm curious about is what the best sound quality I can get for about $1800-2000. I need to make sure it will work with the remote control and have enough inputs (I think?) to control all the components.... I'm sorry if all this is dumbed down, I just want to make sure I can get the help I need... thanks in advance

[SkullPhyre]

Are you looking to spend 1800.00 - 2000.00 total? For a receiver and speakers?
There are some yamaha's alot of people like here. Alot of people have Denon's and Onkyo's. You can get a nice 7.1 receiver with hmdi that will decode all the latest codecs for under $500.00. Most receivers are all 7.1 now. Doesn't matter if you will be using a 5.1 set-up. Speakers most people like are klipsch and polk. I use speakers from HTD- home theatre direct. Web sales only. nice quality and alot cheaper since there are no middlemen. They have 3 price levels. Let us know exactly what you are looking for and We can help you out a little bit more. Most people hate bose and will start flaming for even mentioning them. Good luck.

[NDK32489]

thanks for the quick reply and I have seen the Bose threads which is what worries me. My family seems to be set that the Brand name = quality. I'm not really into audio, but from what I've read, the audiophiles here believe they are no good, so now I'm worried and trying to find a soultion that will satisfy the parents. My mom really likes them b/c the cube speakers can be mounted on the walls or hung from the drop-down ceiling railing (it's a basement). Any speaker comparable, like speakers that can be mounted on the wall, would be a great suggestion. basically the most bang for the buck, Thanks

[crackinhedz]

Onkyo TX-SR805 ($699+Free Shipping)

Bic Acoustech Cinema Series H100 Subwoofer ($250)

Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single) (x2 = $400 + Free Shipping)

Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker ($185 + Free Shipping)

Polk Audio FXi A4 Dipole/Bipole Surround Speaker (Pair) ($399 + Free Shipping also Free subwoofer you could sell off) ...you could get another set to make it 7.1 and another free sub to sell off?


...Roughly $2,000 (shipping included) for a 5.1 setup with PLENTY of power and top notch audio quality from the Onkyo 805, which im sure would kick butt. Just an idea.

[crackinhedz]

HDMI Cables and speaker wire from either Monoprice.com or BlueJeanscable.com

...ive always prefered monoprice.

[mdabb]

I have been looking for a speaker setup myself and although my budget is potentialy more than yours I went today and auditioned a pair of Revel Concerta F12s to be on the safe side. You can have a complete Revel Concerta setup minus the sub in the neighborhoor just North of $2000. Actually I was quite amazed how beautiful these speakers sounded. Worth paying a little extra for and know you'll have quality sounding setup.

If I only had a budget of let's say 2K or so I would seriously consider the Revel Concerta series. There are many reviews of the Revel Concerta series avaliable online so just don't take my opinion.

Revel Concerta series
http://www.revelspeakers.com/product...eries=concerta

F12s
http://www.revelspeakers.com/product...asp?product=19

center channel
http://www.revelspeakers.com/product...asp?product=21

Surrounds
http://www.revelspeakers.com/product...asp?product=22


I listened to a complete setup with the bookshelf speakers and listened to the F12s on there own. They weren't using the matching sub and I wasn't planning on getting a 10" sub anyways.

Edit: sorry didn't know you only want a wall mounted setup. But still................

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Onkyo TX-SR805 ($699+Free Shipping)

Bic Acoustech Cinema Series H100 Subwoofer ($250)

Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single) (x2 = $400 + Free Shipping)

Polk Audio Monitor Series CS2 Center Channel Speaker ($185 + Free Shipping)

Polk Audio FXi A4 Dipole/Bipole Surround Speaker (Pair) ($399 + Free Shipping also Free subwoofer you could sell off) ...you could get another set to make it 7.1 and another free sub to sell off?


...Roughly $2,000 (shipping included) for a 5.1 setup with PLENTY of power and top notch audio quality from the Onkyo 805, which im sure would kick butt. Just an idea.

Listen to this guy... he knows what he's talking about.

And, as for audio shopping... AVOID RETAILERS LIKE BEST BUY! Go to home theatre dealers. Trust me, take a week and go to several specialty stores to listen to different speakers and receivers IN PERSON before deciding. They often have a demo room (or several) where you can really get a feel for what's out there. At first you may think, "but they will have insane prices." Trust me... once you hear the equipment in action compared to box retailer merchandise, you will understand why a little extra $$$ can make the difference between a home theatre setup and a HOME THEATRE ROOM!

TAKE THE TIME! Audio is always way more important than people realize until installed. The audio quality of my home theatre setup now makes for 70% of my movie viewing experience. It easily trumps out video quality and even story!!! If the movie itself sucks, but has a killer soundtrack to it, I'll still consider purchasing it!

[Woody]

Match these: http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-1-10.paradigm

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-1-12.paradigm

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-1-13.paradigm

With a receiver, and you will have an excellent bang-for-your buck system.

The Cinema 90 5.1 system (including sub) is around $900, they are all wall mountable but the center, and all come in black or white.

Also Paradigm dealers are not too hard to find, and many have a Cinema system on display.

[Clark Kent]

Bose is absolutely not what you want to purchase. The speakers they make are generally way overpriced for what they deliver. I understand that Bose is probably the most well known audio name to the general consumer but it got that way through a massive advertising budget. I think Mdabb's recommendation of Revels is excellent. Best Buy unfortunately has a history of pushing very dodgy audio products. Yamaha is a fine name for receivers though.

[Colglizity]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Bose is absolutely not what you want to purchase. The speakers they make are generally way overpriced for what they deliver. I understand that Bose is probably the most well known audio name to the general consumer but it got that way through a massive advertising budget. I think Mdabb's recommendation of Revels is excellent. Best Buy unfortunately has a history of pushing very dodgy audio products. Yamaha is a fine name for receivers though.

+1... my buddy sells and installs home theater equipment (including Bose) and his quote is always, "There are a lot of idiots in the world, that's why I own stock in Bose." Good advice on the yamaha receiver, too. I love mine.

[NDK32489]

Appreciate all the recommendations, I've written down all the speakers and found some SKU's. Next weekend I'm going shooping at some audio specialty stores and am going to check as many of these out as possible. While checking out some of the recommendations, I found these: http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...onwall/rm6880/

What do you guys think about these?? Judging on a physical comparison ALONE to the Bose, I found these to be quite nice, but am just curious if anyone has had any first hand experience with them. thanks guys

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by NDK32489

Appreciate all the recommendations, I've written down all the speakers and found some SKU's. Next weekend I'm going shooping at some audio specialty stores and am going to check as many of these out as possible. While checking out some of the recommendations, I found these: http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...onwall/rm6880/

What do you guys think about these?? Judging on a physical comparison ALONE to the Bose, I found these to be quite nice, but am just curious if anyone has had any first hand experience with them. thanks guys

I really like my Polks, and people around here like them as well, but with your budget I think you'd be much better off going with what these guys are telling you. There are a lot of great knowledgable people on this forum. Personally, my budget was much less than yours and they helped me put together a great bang-for-the-buck system.

Good luck and take pics when you're all through.

[Durentis]

The audio suggestions look good to me.. I'm kinda partial to the Paradigms, myself, but they'll put you a fair bit over budget. crackinhedz knows what he's talking about, so I'd trust the Polk suggestion.

As for your wall-mounted 52" tv.. why?

For about the same price, perhaps a little more, you can get a good quality 1080p projector (either on a tower or ceiling mounted behind your seating area - great given the location of your receiver and such). PQ is fantastic on my W9000 and I can get a 100"+ screen.

For example, the BenQ W5000. Screens seem to be really cheap right now too, or you can get away with a white wall if it doesn't have any significant dings in the frame. If you don't like pull-down screens (automatic or manual), there are fixed-frame screens that you just mount to your wall.

After owning a projector, I'll never buy a TV again - at least not for the primary movie room. TVs get way too expensive in the larger sizes, don't give a significant PQ improvement over a good projector, and take up much more space in the room.

To each their own, but you should at least give them good consideration..

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by NDK32489

Appreciate all the recommendations, I've written down all the speakers and found some SKU's. Next weekend I'm going shooping at some audio specialty stores and am going to check as many of these out as possible. While checking out some of the recommendations, I found these: http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...onwall/rm6880/

What do you guys think about these?? Judging on a physical comparison ALONE to the Bose, I found these to be quite nice, but am just curious if anyone has had any first hand experience with them. thanks guys

Don't just limit yourself to the suggestions that we have given. Ask whoever you are talking to at the store about comparable units. You may get to hear something that sounds better to your ear for the same price. Or, you may encounter a set of speakers that are only a bit more expensive but produce a massively intense sound compared to what you would get from these suggestions. Don't close your mind off to the possibilities of finding better.

Originally Posted by Durentis

As for your wall-mounted 52" tv.. why?

For about the same price, perhaps a little more, you can get a good quality 1080p projector (either on a tower or ceiling mounted behind your seating area - great given the location of your receiver and such). PQ is fantastic on my W9000 and I can get a 100"+ screen.

The only downside to a projector is the bulb replacement. Not only are you paying more than the price of the TV, you are also buying a screen (and yes, it makes a huge difference from a white wall) and committing to a regular maintenance fee for those bulbs. However, that being said, you can't complain about the 100+" screen. That's more than twice the screen size for a little extra cash!

[Driver_King]

NDK, if you're looking for something similar to that package, look at the Polk Monitor 50's in my sig. You can get seven of them for a bit more of the cost of that package, resulting in superior performance. If you like my idea, then give me a budget for a sub. Also, if you want an incredible reciever to go along with those speakers, you should also check out the 805 in my sig. That's one of the cheapest and most reliable sites around to get the 805.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

NDK, if you're looking for something similar to that package, look at the Polk Monitor 50's in my sig.

wow, I was looking at Frys.com yesterday and could not find that deal! $79 each is excellent.

[monster_man]

Bad
Overpriced
Sound
Equipment

[Playmobil]

Most well known speaker manufacturers:
B&W, Rotel, JBL, Monitor Audio, KEF, Polk Audio, Celestion, Definitive Technology, Klipsch, Totem Acoustic, Bang & Olufsen etc... and of course McIntosh if you have the dough.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

wow, I was looking at Frys.com yesterday and could not find that deal! $79 each is excellent.

Holy $hit! I didn't even notice that. I thought they were still $99 each. $79 is great! That makes me want to get a few for the hell of it.

[STARKILLER--1138]

Originally Posted by NDK32489

basically the most bang for the buck, Thanks

In addition to what crankin' and Woody have added:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicmidi_main.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicmaster_main.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicgrandmaster_main.html
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic50_main.html

Can't go wrong with any of those IMO and are far better systems than Bose. Also, wasn't sure if the receiver is part of your $1800-$2000 budget. The Yamaha RX-V663 is an inexpensive option to pair with one of the above systems.