Not Sure What To Buy....Help?

[Waiterguy]

So, I have been living with a Sony Bravia HTIB for a couple years. I would love to upgrade, but have no idea where to start, other than selling off the HTIB. I live in an apartment, but have a good size living room 18x15. My budget will be around $2500. I use my PS3 for Blu Ray, and have a 52" Sony XBR Rear Projection set. Any Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[JJ]

Whoo! For $2,500 you have a lot of options for receivers, speakers, and subwoofers. I have to make a list here of brands and models for you to research!

Start reading up over on the speakers/receivers/home audio forums!

[mdabb]

May I suggest snatching up any of these beauty's before they're gone. You would be getting a hell of a pair of speakers at a great price. New in the box too.

The speaker itself, Dali Icon 8
http://dali-speakers.com/display_con...s.html/171/989

Dali Icon 8 for sale here.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....on-floor-stand



Also they have the Icon 7's ($1300pr.) and Icon 6's ($800pr.) available as well.

Icon 7"s
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....floor-standing

Icon 6's
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....floor-standing

Be a great start to great speakers !!!

[cdot2four]

go with either Denon or Marantz for your receiver and go out and listen to a lot of speakers to decide.

[JJ]

But with that much money, try something new! Don't go the played out polk/klipsch/onkyo route!

Try Pioneer Elite/Denon/Marantz/high-end Yamaha for your receiver!

Try Dali/B&W/Paradigm/Monitor Audio/Swan/Revel for your speakers!

Try SVS/AV123/Hsu/Martin Logan for your sub!

Or perhaps try separate processors/amplifiers, as well...you have a lot to research, friend!

[Waiterguy]

So, I was looking at Paradigm, Mirage and Definitive Tech for speakers. Any thoughts on one versus the other? Also, if I invest in a 7.1 receiver now, but only have 5.1, can I just add the other surrounds later? Thanks again!

[Twitch9]

I personally like Paradigm i have auditioned all of them and installed all of them but for the money IMO nothing can touch paradigm monitor series.

[Hammie]

My first question to you is what do you want out of a new system? Are you mostly into movies? Or 2 channel audio?

Are you willing to buy things in pieces? If so, start out with one thing at a time. Budget per year of total purchases. If $2500 is only for the WHOLE year, then research what you want FIRST.

Do not cheap out on anything. Also, remember you will need cables. So you need to budget for them as well.

[Waiterguy]

I am definitley more into movies. I watch at least 5 - 8 movies a week. Although for my apartment, I feel like I get decent sound from my Sony HTIB, I know life can be sooooo much better with separate components. There are really alot of speakers to chose from. Can I use a 7.1 receiver with only a 5.1 set up until I can afford the other surrounds? Eventually I will upgrade the tv as well, just focused on the audio right now.

[Hammie]

You sure can use a 7.1 receiver for a 5.1 setup. I currently do it today. As a matter of fact, I will probably never go 7.1 due to my room configuration.

Most receivers will also the extra 2 channels to be used to bi-amp your fronts or run a second zone in another room.

[rlf3911]

I personally love the way my Polk speakers sound. They are def not small, but if you have room for big speakers... they are awesome. Reciever works well, the 805 is about $700 new, but you may have more in your budget then that.

If you only have 5.1 you can always add on as long as you get a 7.1 reciever. That's what I have right now, 5.1, but I can always just buy two more speakers and have it complete.

For a subwoofer, consider Elemental Designs. Almost everyone here raves about them, and they have free shipping to lower 48 which can save a good bit of money.