What must I absolutely upgrade? - Blu-ray Forum

staquinas · 03-31-2009, 07:31 PM

Here is my set-up:

Sony Grand Wega-
http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-t...-31453800.html

Sony STR-DE685 Receiver-
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-20016428.html

And I use a PS3 as my Blue-ray player.

I also have poopy, old pioneer HTiB speakers from my college days (90's, lol). But I do have a pretty sweet and pwerful Sony Subwoofer.

I know all of it is outdated, but I would really like to get by with minimal expense. The wife and I want good movies and good music, but our "Home Theatre" system is just in our living room. I am a teacher so money IS an issue, lol. Basically I just want to know if I can get by with everything except maybe the speakers. Or in other words, if could only spend a little dough, what would you do??

Is a HTiB out of the question for me, even though I don't have a legit "Home Theatre" set up?

staquinas · 03-31-2009, 07:39 PM

Here is my set-up:

Sony Grand Wega-
http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-t...-31453800.html

Sony STR-DE685 Receiver-
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-20016428.html

And I use a PS3 as my Blue-ray player.

I also have poopy, old pioneer HTiB speakers from my college days (90's, lol). But I do have a pretty sweet and pwerful Sony Subwoofer.

I know all of it is outdated, but I would really like to get by with minimal expense. The wife and I want good movies and good music, but our "Home Theatre" system is just in our living room. I am a teacher so money IS an issue, lol. Basically I just want to know if I can get by with everything except maybe the speakers. Or in other words, if could only spend a little dough, what would you do??

Is a HTiB out of the question for me, even though I don't have a legit "Home Theatre" set up?

VinnAY · 03-31-2009, 07:48 PM

Your links are dead.

Casually I'd say pickup a 5.1 speaker system from someone like JBL (my fave), or Polk...few hundred bucks will make a difference. I'd start there. Or just buy a new HTIB for ~$500 with 5.1 and and an AVR with HDMI connectivity, for later.

kpkelley · 03-31-2009, 07:51 PM

I'd start by looking at speakers and receivers(preferably capable of accepting hdmi audio). If you provide an estimated budget we could perhaps give you a better idea of how we could best spend your money.

staquinas · 03-31-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I'd start by looking at speakers and receivers(preferably capable of accepting hdmi audio). If you provide an estimated budget we could perhaps give you a better idea of how we could best spend your money.

LOL

All good advice. Well, I am talking really low budget. If I could do something for 200 bones or so I would pull the trigger, but if I had to spend a lot more than that to really see any difference at this point, I am just going to have to wait. I know my receiver doesn't have HDMI, so that sucks, but I also know my speakers are really old and might be upgradeable and noticible for cheap. Actually I don't know that- that's why I'm here.

Also, my sub has a couple of dials on the back and when I get home I will list them. Do you think someone here could help me make sure I have those set up correctly?

And lastly, lol, are there any receiver experts here? Someone I could show my receiver user guide to and have them help me make sure I have everything set up correctly in terms of audio? That may be a bit much, lol...

Driver_King · 03-31-2009, 07:59 PM

Budget for speakers and receiver, please? Put around $100 aside for all the cabling...

Driver_King · 03-31-2009, 08:03 PM

How do you have your PS3 connected to your receiver? Are you using an optical cable or are you using the red and white analog stereo cables? Also, how do you have your PS3 connected to your TV? Is it HD or SD?

Fors* · 03-31-2009, 08:26 PM

I'd say just save your money until you have enough that will allow you to purchase a quality 5.1 receiver and speakers. I'm not going to suggest what manufacturers, we we all know where that road goes

Beating a dead horse... bringing up/asking something that has been discussed a thousand times before

....but I say save your money and keep reading the threads and stickys in that time, you'll educuate yourself as to what manufacturers are best suited for your needs and at what price point you're willing to "jump" in. Good luck!

Lucy Diamond · 03-31-2009, 08:44 PM

I would begin with audio first.

Start with a nice receiver with all the codecs and plenty of ins and outs to help you grow.

Then do your speakers.
If money is a factor, buy them in the following cycle:
Small fronts (more on that)
Center
Bigger fronts (you will now move your small fronts to the rear.)
Subwoofer.
Di-pole rears if you wish to rock 7.1 (your rears which used to be your fronts will then become your surround left and rights)

The time between each purchase is up to you, but I built my system that way in a little under two years and I have no regrets.

I would leave the TV as the last upgrade, because they will only get better and cheaper as time goes on.

Keep in mind:

Receivers get upgraded all the time.
Your TV will be around for a while but you can have more than one (other rooms of course)
A good set of speakers will last you forever.

Good luck and enjoy in good health,

staquinas · 03-31-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

How do you have your PS3 connected to your receiver? Are you using an optical cable or are you using the red and white analog stereo cables? Also, how do you have your PS3 connected to your TV? Is it HD or SD?

HDTV--->PS3 via HDMI
PS3--->Receiver via Optical digital Cable

And now since I only have those connected, I have lost my ability to hear my surround sound through my TV, lol. Please don't laugh, I am a total noobie...

And if anyone feels like taking on the challenge, I can post my user guide link for my receiver and let someone give me some tips on how to optimize it, lol.

staquinas · 03-31-2009, 11:32 PM

And thanks to everyone for all the help. basically I just want to make sure I am at least optimizing what I DO have.

Digital-Man · 04-01-2009, 12:02 AM

Best Buy sells Polk T15 bookshelf speakers for $99.98/pair. 4 new surrounds could be had under $200.

Johnny Vinyl · 04-01-2009, 12:09 AM

Go have a look at Audiogon for some used speakers. Buy yourself 2 fronts for the $200 and call it a day for now, until you have more money.

John

Marcusarilius · 04-01-2009, 12:33 AM

As price is an issue, (stay away from cheap home theater systems in a box) Plan what you are going to replace and/or need. Do it peice by peice as money allows. That way you will end up with a nice system eventually. If you go half assed to fill the void right away, it will sound better for a while, but you will still end up wanting better which is what you are after.

Shop on e-bay, Amazon, etc for used receivers, speakers, subs to get the most bang for your buck(s).

CosmoKid · 04-01-2009, 01:42 PM

With a $200 budget, I wouldn't bother. Replacing crap with crap is a waste of money.

You dont need to spend $3k, but I think a 1k budget is a must for a decent system. That doesn't mean 1k all at once, but 1k should be your target even if you do it over time.

And I would start with speakers, nto a receiver. Going lossless with crap speakers is a waste. The speakers will make a bigger impact, even with lossy sound.

Bump your $200 budget up a bit so you can get your front 3 speakers for now. Use your current as rears for now and keep the receiver for now.

Then upgrade the rest in pieces.

Canada · 04-01-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmoKid

With a $200 budget, I wouldn't bother. Replacing crap with crap is a waste of money.

You dont need to spend $3k, but I think a 1k budget is a must for a decent system. That doesn't mean 1k all at once, but 1k should be your target even if you do it over time.

And I would start with speakers, nto a receiver. Going lossless with crap speakers is a waste. The speakers will make a bigger impact, even with lossy sound.

Bump your $200 budget up a bit so you can get your front 3 speakers for now. Use your current as rears for now and keep the receiver for now.

Then upgrade the rest in pieces.

agreed

staquinas · 04-01-2009, 06:26 PM

OK Cosmo, that makes sense. Thank you.

Disky76 · 04-02-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staquinas

Here is my set-up:

Sony Grand Wega-
http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-t...-31453800.html

Sony STR-DE685 Receiver-
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-20016428.html

And I use a PS3 as my Blue-ray player.

I also have poopy, old pioneer HTiB speakers from my college days (90's, lol). But I do have a pretty sweet and pwerful Sony Subwoofer.

I know all of it is outdated, but I would really like to get by with minimal expense. The wife and I want good movies and good music, but our "Home Theatre" system is just in our living room. I am a teacher so money IS an issue, lol. Basically I just want to know if I can get by with everything except maybe the speakers. Or in other words, if could only spend a little dough, what would you do??

Is a HTiB out of the question for me, even though I don't have a legit "Home Theatre" set up?

If I were in your shoes, I would probably go for the speakers. Upgraded speakers can make a world of difference. I would go to a store where you can audition (listen to) the speakers of your choice that fit your budget to see how they sound.

Try to select a store with a customer service focus, because you will need to request they connect the speakers to the same (or similar) model receiver that you have at home so you can get a good idea of what they will sound like.

HTiB has done me well in the past. While not "audiophile" quality, there are some very reasonably priced and very respectable HTiB systems (Yamaha and Onkyo and Sony all make good systems). While one can aspire to Polk speakers, it's out of a lot of people's price range, and one could argue what the real benefit is of having expensive speakers - unless you are an audiophile with a well trained ear, or have a setup that costs thousands anyway. And the HTiB systems can provide a very good experience as well for a fraction of the cost.

With HTiB, I would recommend upgrading the speaker cables. Most of the little wires that come with them don't pack much punch. I did that with my old system - upgraded to 16 guage and it was a WORLD of difference.

Good luck with the upgrade!

StimpsonJCat · 04-06-2009, 05:00 PM

I agree with the others that speakers will give you the most bang for the buck in an upgrade at this point.

I started with a cheaper 5.1 speaker set and upgraded it piece by piece. I upgraded the fronts from satellites to monitors and moved the old fronts to the surrounds. Then upgraded the center. Next, I upgraded the fronts again from monitors to towers and moved the monitors to the back. Last I upgraded the sub (this made a huge difference in my HT sound).

Each time I sold the old speakers that I no longer used on ebay to help with the cost of the new ones.

A few things to look out for when upgrading piece by piece:

1. Make sure you get the same type speakers in the fronts & center so it is timbre matched and will give you a good front sound stage. You don't need to worry about matching the surrounds unless multi-channel audio (SACD, DVD-A, etc..) is important to you.

2. If you want to listen to music as well I wouldn't go with anything but towers. Even with a decent sub I wouldn't go with smaller fronts.

3. Spend the money for a decent subwoofer. Your HT will really come alive.

03-31-2009, 07:31 PM	#1
staquinas Active Member Member since:Mar 2009	What must I absolutely upgrade? Here is my set-up: Sony Grand Wega- http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-t...-31453800.html Sony STR-DE685 Receiver- http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-20016428.html And I use a PS3 as my Blue-ray player. I also have poopy, old pioneer HTiB speakers from my college days (90's, lol). But I do have a pretty sweet and pwerful Sony Subwoofer. I know all of it is outdated, but I would really like to get by with minimal expense. The wife and I want good movies and good music, but our "Home Theatre" system is just in our living room. I am a teacher so money IS an issue, lol. Basically I just want to know if I can get by with everything except maybe the speakers. Or in other words, if could only spend a little dough, what would you do?? Is a HTiB out of the question for me, even though I don't have a legit "Home Theatre" set up?

03-31-2009, 07:39 PM	#2
staquinas Active Member Member since:Mar 2009	What must I absolutely upgrade? Here is my set-up: Sony Grand Wega- http://reviews.cnet.com/projection-t...-31453800.html Sony STR-DE685 Receiver- http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-20016428.html And I use a PS3 as my Blue-ray player. I also have poopy, old pioneer HTiB speakers from my college days (90's, lol). But I do have a pretty sweet and pwerful Sony Subwoofer. I know all of it is outdated, but I would really like to get by with minimal expense. The wife and I want good movies and good music, but our "Home Theatre" system is just in our living room. I am a teacher so money IS an issue, lol. Basically I just want to know if I can get by with everything except maybe the speakers. Or in other words, if could only spend a little dough, what would you do?? Is a HTiB out of the question for me, even though I don't have a legit "Home Theatre" set up?

03-31-2009, 08:26 PM	#8
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	I'd say just save your money until you have enough that will allow you to purchase a quality 5.1 receiver and speakers. I'm not going to suggest what manufacturers, we we all know where that road goes ....but I say save your money and keep reading the threads and stickys in that time, you'll educuate yourself as to what manufacturers are best suited for your needs and at what price point you're willing to "jump" in. Good luck!

04-01-2009, 12:02 AM	#12
Digital-Man Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Jacksonville, FL Home Theater Gallery:8 4K collection:47 Blu-ray collection:945 Blu-ray reviews:2	Low Cost Speaker Suggestion Best Buy sells Polk T15 bookshelf speakers for $99.98/pair. 4 new surrounds could be had under $200.

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03-31-2009, 07:48 PM	#3
VinnAY Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray reviews:1	Your links are dead. Casually I'd say pickup a 5.1 speaker system from someone like JBL (my fave), or Polk...few hundred bucks will make a difference. I'd start there. Or just buy a new HTIB for ~$500 with 5.1 and and an AVR with HDMI connectivity, for later.

03-31-2009, 07:51 PM	#4
kpkelley Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Framingham, MA 4K collection:385 Blu-ray collection:2478 Digital collection:113 Blu-ray reviews: 152	I'd start by looking at speakers and receivers(preferably capable of accepting hdmi audio). If you provide an estimated budget we could perhaps give you a better idea of how we could best spend your money.

03-31-2009, 07:59 PM	#6
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Budget for speakers and receiver, please? Put around $100 aside for all the cabling...

03-31-2009, 08:03 PM	#7
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	How do you have your PS3 connected to your receiver? Are you using an optical cable or are you using the red and white analog stereo cables? Also, how do you have your PS3 connected to your TV? Is it HD or SD?

03-31-2009, 08:44 PM	#9
Lucy Diamond Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Tomb of Annihilation 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:3	I would begin with audio first. Start with a nice receiver with all the codecs and plenty of ins and outs to help you grow. Then do your speakers. If money is a factor, buy them in the following cycle: Small fronts (more on that) Center Bigger fronts (you will now move your small fronts to the rear.) Subwoofer. Di-pole rears if you wish to rock 7.1 (your rears which used to be your fronts will then become your surround left and rights) The time between each purchase is up to you, but I built my system that way in a little under two years and I have no regrets. I would leave the TV as the last upgrade, because they will only get better and cheaper as time goes on. Keep in mind: Receivers get upgraded all the time. Your TV will be around for a while but you can have more than one (other rooms of course) A good set of speakers will last you forever. Good luck and enjoy in good health,

03-31-2009, 11:32 PM	#11
staquinas Active Member Member since:Mar 2009	And thanks to everyone for all the help. basically I just want to make sure I am at least optimizing what I DO have.

04-01-2009, 12:09 AM	#13
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	Go have a look at Audiogon for some used speakers. Buy yourself 2 fronts for the $200 and call it a day for now, until you have more money. John

04-01-2009, 12:33 AM	#14
Marcusarilius Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Seattle, WA. Blu-ray reviews:52 Trading Score:1	As price is an issue, (stay away from cheap home theater systems in a box) Plan what you are going to replace and/or need. Do it peice by peice as money allows. That way you will end up with a nice system eventually. If you go half assed to fill the void right away, it will sound better for a while, but you will still end up wanting better which is what you are after. Shop on e-bay, Amazon, etc for used receivers, speakers, subs to get the most bang for your buck(s).

04-01-2009, 01:42 PM	#15
CosmoKid Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Nutley, NJ Blu-ray collection:82 Trading Score:1	With a $200 budget, I wouldn't bother. Replacing crap with crap is a waste of money. You dont need to spend $3k, but I think a 1k budget is a must for a decent system. That doesn't mean 1k all at once, but 1k should be your target even if you do it over time. And I would start with speakers, nto a receiver. Going lossless with crap speakers is a waste. The speakers will make a bigger impact, even with lossy sound. Bump your $200 budget up a bit so you can get your front 3 speakers for now. Use your current as rears for now and keep the receiver for now. Then upgrade the rest in pieces.

04-01-2009, 06:26 PM	#17
staquinas Active Member Member since:Mar 2009	OK Cosmo, that makes sense. Thank you.

04-06-2009, 05:00 PM	#19
StimpsonJCat Expert Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Texas Home Theater Gallery:5	I agree with the others that speakers will give you the most bang for the buck in an upgrade at this point. I started with a cheaper 5.1 speaker set and upgraded it piece by piece. I upgraded the fronts from satellites to monitors and moved the old fronts to the surrounds. Then upgraded the center. Next, I upgraded the fronts again from monitors to towers and moved the monitors to the back. Last I upgraded the sub (this made a huge difference in my HT sound). Each time I sold the old speakers that I no longer used on ebay to help with the cost of the new ones. A few things to look out for when upgrading piece by piece: 1. Make sure you get the same type speakers in the fronts & center so it is timbre matched and will give you a good front sound stage. You don't need to worry about matching the surrounds unless multi-channel audio (SACD, DVD-A, etc..) is important to you. 2. If you want to listen to music as well I wouldn't go with anything but towers. Even with a decent sub I wouldn't go with smaller fronts. 3. Spend the money for a decent subwoofer. Your HT will really come alive.

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