New to this world...

[04cole]

I have a Samsung 52 inch 850 series and a Sony Blu-ray. I'm looking for better sound. I would like a 7.1 surround sound, but the wife doesn't want a bunch of speakers all over the place. I bought a sound bar... now the sound is just louder. I looked at the Bose 2 speaker system, but I really don't know. Best Buy claims for $100 they will send a Geek over to evaluate your room and then, if you buy from them-- that gets credited back towards your purchase.... any advice????????????

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by 04cole

I have a Samsung 52 inch 850 series and a Sony Blu-ray. I'm looking for better sound. I would like a 7.1 surround sound, but the wife doesn't want a bunch of speakers all over the place. I bought a sound bar... now the sound is just louder. I looked at the Bose 2 speaker system, but I really don't know. Best Buy claims for $100 they will send a Geek over to evaluate your room and then, if you buy from them-- that gets credited back towards your purchase.... any advice????????????

Don't do the BestBuy thing. You can educate yourself easily here and save that $100 towards setting up your audio. First, do not go with Bose, they are overpriced for their performance. Next, what is your budget? We can go from there and suggest much better options than the soundbar you currently have, all without upsetting the wife.

[ZedsDead]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Don't do the BestBuy thing. You can educate yourself easily here and save that $100 towards setting up your audio. First, do not go with Bose, they are overpriced for their performance. Next, what is your budget? We can go from there and suggest much better options than the soundbar you currently have, all without upsetting the wife.

Yeah, avoid the geek, and unless you are smitten with Bose sound after auditioning some other speakers the large majority of home theater buffs will tell you to stay away. And you might want to consider going 5.1 for your setup to help quell the wife's concerns and give you more money to spend on the other components. Besides there still isn't a ton of media that is in 7.1 surround yet anyways.

[Kryptonic]

Just stick with 5.1. Get a Denon or Onkyo 5.1 receiver for $300-$350 and a good set of front speakers for the time being. You could get a good set of fronts and receiver for around $500-$600.

[04cole]

I've always liked the way Bose systems sound. I was told that most of the Blu ray movies are in 7.1-- I guess that was just a geek trying to sell me something. I really don't have a budget in mind-- whatever I find that I like is what I'll get. About the sound bar, I was saying that it just made the TV lounder, not surround sound-ish-- which I guess it's not suppose to do.

[Beta Man]

budget?

[04cole]

no real budget in mind... just want good sound

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by 04cole

no real budget in mind... just want good sound

With really no budget, I recommend going out and listening to receivers and speakers first. Different receivers and speakers (and these combinations) can yield different sounds. You are the only one who knows what your ears will like. For receivers only, check out the higher end Onkyo 805, 806, 875, or 876, the Pioneer Elite SC-21, 23, 25 or 27, the Denon 2310, 3310, 4308, 4310 or 5308, the Marantz 6000, 7000 or 8000 series or Yamaha's 1900, 2700 or 3900. You could get into seperates with a pre/pro and an additional external amp. But I'll refrain from getting into this area, as I am not as well versed or knowledgable about these set-ups as I would like to be. For speakers, check out Paradigms, B&W, Cerwin Vega, Monitor Audio, Snell, Swan, Totem, Infinity, KEF, Polks, Energy or Klipsch. These speakers all vary in their prices and performance, so only your ears can really make the decision. Some of the speakers also look beautiful and could get the wife's approval as well.

[ZedsDead]

With no real budget I would definitely be trying to find my way into a local audio store and tell the guys behind the counter what you told us. I'm sure they will be happy to work with you (unless they have zero business sense.)

[04cole]

thanks for the advice... I'll go shopping and see what else is out there