home theater for xmas

[Dagger]

I can empathize on the budget. I recently just put together my system (like yesterday). My budget was a bit higher at $2k all in. Considering that there are speakers that sell at $2k for one speaker tells you how expensive it can get.

I ended up getting Paradigm Monitor 7's, a Velodyne Subwoofer DLS-4000R and an Onkyo 705. I got each at a discount and ended up spending $1600 all in (speaker wires/cables included).

If you are looking to build out over the long run, I would suggest getting quality mains and a subwoofer over getting a sub par surround - and mains over subwoofers.

At your price point, take a look at:

http://www.av123.com/products_catego...akers&brand=55

The system has gotten good reviews for best budget system. I've read they look tremendous, so at least they look expensive. For a pair of bookshelfs and a subwoofer it would be $420 + shipping. Plus, they have a 30 day money back guarantee that includes shipping - so basically no cost to you except the inconvenience. I spoke with a rep there and he mentioned they would likely have a sale after New Year's.

Also I would suggest Paradigm Atom/MiniMonitors.

http://www.paradigm.com/

These bookshelves have gotten great reviews.

I've heard great things about the BIC Acoustech H-100 Subwoofer at it's price. Another popular one for budget I hear is Dayton Subwoofers.

From what I can gather, for the audio portion of the A/V, the receiver isn't as important considering you can buy a separate amp for cheap and a good subwoofer will have an amp included. For the video portion, it appears you'll have to pay a bit more for the hdmi capabilities.

Hope this helps. I'm not an audiophile and I haven't heard any of the above speakers. Just telling you what I've found over the last month of research.

[BLU STEAL]

Originally Posted by quest88

Onkyo HT-SP908 7.1 system you can order one from 750 to 900 comes with everything you need and since its the 605 reciever you can always upgrade the speakers later on. I ordered mine through vanns.com got it for 850 with no tax and free shipping and the last time I checked it was 799.

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...ss=Systems&p=i

how do the speakers that come in the set sound?

[95pgtproject]

Originally Posted by quest88

Onkyo HT-SP908 7.1 system you can order one from 750 to 900 comes with everything you need and since its the 605 reciever you can always upgrade the speakers later on. I ordered mine through vanns.com got it for 850 with no tax and free shipping and the last time I checked it was 799.

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...ss=Systems&p=i

I really like that set up. Did you buy speaker stands that fit the 7.1 speakers?(doenst look like it comes with any) If so where and how much ect?

[Baseball3]

Originally Posted by hitechiowa

hey all, im not an audiophile and im a real newbie when it comes to home theater. I am wanting to get a good ht for xmas does anyone have any recomendations for a nice setup with the necessary hdmi inputs that isnt ungodly expensive? i have a ps3 for my blu-player and a sharp aquos 1080p lcd. any suggestions would be helpful or links to where i can look would be much appreciated thanks!

I bought the Onkyo 605 and the Boston Acoustics MCS130 speakers and have less than $900.00 in it.

[Layd Dly]

Get the Onkyo 605 Like everyone else says its a great value for the price.

And for speakers Check out www.ElementalDesigns.com for great speakers at an affordable price, they also have very very awesome HT subs. Id recomend you get a 5.1 setup like below (you save 15% by buying a ht package which makes the deal even sweeter).

(3) A6-5T5 MTM's (Front Right, Front Left, Center)
(2) A3-5TC Bookshelves (Rear Left, Rear Right)
(1) A2-250 Subwoofer (200w 10")

$650.22 Shipped out the Door

[Slicker1]

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

You might be hard pressed to hit the 1K mark but you can get close. The Def Tech ProCinema60 series can be had for around $700. And you could add a Onkyo 605 to it for about $400 more. And that would give you a receiver that has some growing room as far as audio goes. And would be a good starter system for HD audio.

DITTO!

[hitechiowa]

thanks for the help everybody its greatly appreciated! i think i will go with the onkyo 650 like everyone has suggested and a set of speakers as well

[MaleManGuy]

Originally Posted by hitechiowa

hey all, im not an audiophile and im a real newbie when it comes to home theater. I am wanting to get a good ht for xmas does anyone have any recomendations for a nice setup with the necessary hdmi inputs that isnt ungodly expensive? i have a ps3 for my blu-player and a sharp aquos 1080p lcd. any suggestions would be helpful or links to where i can look would be much appreciated thanks!

Rather than spending $1000 or less on a HTiB and ending up with something that sounds just a little bit better than the TV speakers... sounds like you'd be happy enough just listening to the TV speakers for a while... then spending $2000 or less after you've saved some $ up. Trust me, you get what u pay for... the sound quality from $1000 to $2000 will be astronomically striking to the ear. Altho... $2000 up to $4000 has diminishing returns.
Jeff

[quest88]

Originally Posted by 95pgtproject

I really like that set up. Did you buy speaker stands that fit the 7.1 speakers?(doenst look like it comes with any) If so where and how much ect?

I picked up some cheapo speaker mounts from ebay for 25 bucks and some shorter mounting screws from home depot. Everything in the back is mounted to the ceiling and the fronts are on my entertainment area, The mounts could look better but what do you expect for that cheap. One day I'll make some out of wood and paint them to match.

IMG]http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/Lilyella21/HPIM0117.jpg[/IMG]

[saprano]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Onkyo TX-SR605 ($430)

and for speakers go to fluance.com

great prices and they look nice too.

are things like that onkyo on amazon used? i mean how can they sell for that price?( $370) is it better if i buy it from someware like cc, or cructhfeild? for $470.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by mercury187

got my onkyo 605 at shoponkyo.com for 339$ shipped!

is it still that price?

[saprano]

oh wait, there all used

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by saprano

are things like that onkyo on amazon used? i mean how can they sell for that price?( $370) is it better if i buy it from someware like cc, or cructhfeild? for $470.

No, the Onkyo is brand new in box from Amazon. Amazon is a good place to buy online from. Excellent customer service.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

No, the Onkyo is brand new in box from Amazon. Amazon is a good place to buy online from. Excellent customer service.

so why is it so cheap?(im not complaining just wondering)

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by saprano

so why is it so cheap?(im not complaining just wondering)

It is called not having the overhead of a B&M store.

[mercury187]

Originally Posted by saprano

oh wait, there all used

So? It has a 1 yr warranty and was inspected by them and has a sticker on the back that says so. Mines worked perfectly fine and as someone stated before I purchased mine refurbished is almost better since it didnt just roll off a production line and go into a box, it was actually inspected by someone. You can also purchase an extended warranty although that almost kills your savings.

[hitechiowa]

just a quick question i was recommended this system by some of you on here earlier in this thread

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/502499538 does this system do hd audio through hdmi becuz i only see that it says 1080p video but nothing about hd audi codecs, just wondering cuz im still a noob lol

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by hitechiowa

just a quick question i was recommended this system by some of you on here earlier in this thread

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/502499538 does this system do hd audio through hdmi becuz i only see that it says 1080p video but nothing about hd audi codecs, just wondering cuz im still a noob lol

...from the link:

"HDMI will deliver 720p, 1080i, and 1080p video signals from two sources for one connection direct to your HDTV. Its 1080p pass-thru capability is perfect for getting the highest possible video resolution from PlayStation 3 and dedicated Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD players. (You'll need a separate audio connection to process the multichannel audio.)"


You have to have an optical cable for audio. ( = no lossless audio )

[LUkassZ]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Onkyo TX-SR605 ($430)

and for speakers go to fluance.com

great prices and they look nice too.

Its $386 right now with free shipping!