Help with new receiver/speakers

[atrofast]

Hey everybody,

I really want to upgrade my surround system... I have this Sony 5.1 Dream Theatre system that I bought for $300 some years ago (before Blu-ray existed). It has served me well until I got my PS3, and now I want to share the lossless audio experience with all you enthusiast

So my question is, what kind of receiver and speakers should I be looking for? I'm fairly new to this whole topic so I don't know exactly what I need. I won't be able to spend a fortune on it but maybe ~$1500 in the end, hopefully this will be enough. Another thing I live in Canada so tips regarding best retailers here etc would also be appreciated, thanks!

[Canada]

I would suggest Paradigm speakers of some kind. I don't own a Paradigm surround sound setup but from what I have heard they are great there also designed in Canada . I would go for a HDMI 1.3 reciever, the only thing is if you buy both at the same time you will be looking at more than $ 1,500. Check out http://hometheatermag.com for reviews of receivers / speakers and don't be afraid to e-mail them if you have questions. I would suggest a store that specializes in Home Theater. There is a function in at Home Theater Magazine where you can find out any Home Theater store in your area.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Onkyo is always a great brand for a receiver, but that will run you a big portion of your budget... at least you would be saving yourself from buying another receiver a few more years down the road though.

As for speakers, I can't really do anything for you. My recommendation is what I currently have and the 5.1 set ran me $2100 without the receiver. Sorry.

[atrofast]

Thanks for all the input, I will definitely follow up on the information... Just makes me a little sad that a good audio system will run me more than my TV, PS3 and my movies all together
What would be the entry level alternative where you hear a noticeable difference from my old system?

[BLUNT]

I bough an Onkyo 805 reciever for $800.00 usd
and klipsch quintet III 5.1 with 12" sub all for $500.00 usd
Where in Canada do you live?

[atrofast]

Originally Posted by BLUNT

I bough an Onkyo 805 reciever for $800.00 usd
and klipsch quintet III 5.1 with 12" sub all for $500.00 usd
Where in Canada do you live?

Ottawa, Ontario (close to New York state)
With the dollars closer it shouldn't be too hard to find similar prices here, just not sure where to go exactly. But that's definitely affordable. Question: Would I notice a great improvement over my current system?
Thanks

[BLUNT]

Yes there is closer parity between the dollar and loonie but from the posts I see here, the taxes and duty you pay in CA are driving people to buy in the States. As far as sound and video quality goes the only thing I can tell you is, You know when you buy something and you just cant believe you could ever be that impressed with a purchase? It's like that. No remorse.

[Beta Man]

I would stay away from Home-Theaters-in-a-box, but that's just my opinion. You can get some really nice components out there, and some speakers are a good bang for the buck, but whatever you do, AUDITION, then BUY.

[BLUNT]

Hey Beta Man.
Helen Keller custom designed surround?
Nice system.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by BLUNT

Hey Beta Man.
Helen Keller custom designed surround?
Nice system.

speaking of.... I hope to be able to afford to upgrade my audio before I go deaf..... right now it looks like a neck-and-neck race against time!

[blackpixels]

Paradigm and Onkyo are good choices...you may also take take a look at Polk Audio floorstanding speakers I've seen them for around $299 ea and you can certainly get a (non-Best Buy) good Yamaha or Denon receiver for around $500-$600 or possibly less for closeouts with HDMI1.3 or 1.1 is fine. Check the web for Canadian audio retailers.

[atrofast]

So I've been looking at the Onkyo's.. The 605 I can get for $599 and the 805 for $1199 here in Canada. The issue I have is that the 605 has only 2 HDMI in, which will be taken up by my PS3 and cable DVR box. If I ever decide to add another item that uses HDMI I'd be screwed, or I could switch my cable box over to using component without too much loss I guess... How much better is the 805 compared to the 605 and what about the 705 in the middle?
Thanks!

[all_blu_man]

Originally Posted by atrofast

So I've been looking at the Onkyo's.. The 605 I can get for $599 and the 805 for $1199 here in Canada. The issue I have is that the 605 has only 2 HDMI in, which will be taken up by my PS3 and cable DVR box. If I ever decide to add another item that uses HDMI I'd be screwed, or I could switch my cable box over to using component without too much loss I guess... How much better is the 805 compared to the 605 and what about the 705 in the middle?
Thanks!

well in a very very brief manner you are looking at the 805's more HDMI inputs, more watts, more sound features, thx certification and more. Just go to the Onkyo website and compare specs.

[emacs]

Originally Posted by atrofast

If I ever decide to add another item that uses HDMI I'd be screwed

not really; just purchase an HDMI switch.

[NTKT10]

I would avoid the newer Paradigm models (Monitor series) in your price range. The frequency response has been greatly reduced, there are absolutely no lows to be found in the new speakers. Audition before you buy.

[ArkGuy]

Originally Posted by NTKT10

I would avoid the newer Paradigm models (Monitor series) in your price range. The frequency response has been greatly reduced, there are absolutely no lows to be found in the new speakers. Audition before you buy.

When you say "new," do you mean the v4's? The v3's? I've recently heard some tower 7v3's a store has marked down, and intentionally listened without the CC or sub, and thought the lower ranges were fine.

So, when did the change take place with the Monitors? I'm curious because the Paradigm Monitor series has generally been regarded as a pretty good value and if something has changed, I'd be very interested.

[klam]

I was on a budget and I bought the onkyo 605 so I can enjoy TrueHD and LPCM with the PS3. I'm using old speakers from my old onkyo HTiB but the sound is still amazing with the 605.

This is how I connected my my system:

Cable box video --> TV via component
Cable box audio --> 605 via Toslink ( optical)
PS3 video, audio --> 605 via HDMI--->TV via HDMI

[dad2erin]

Has anyone mentioned Polk, at this price range you can get a nice decent $500 reciever like an Onkyo and then have a grand for the speakers. Polk has a nice sound that is clean and affordable. At that price range you could get sats and a sub or book shelfs or even towers and they all sound quite nice.

[sj001]

Try these, Klipsch Quintet II series and matching subwoofer, for about $435, solid deal all around.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/item-dispat...n.2=B0009CDYF2