$2000 budget....help!

[Wukilla]

Hello all! I've lurked for 2mths and finally put together some cash for a home theatre setup; I need help bad . I live in Colorado Springs, so if you know of any audio places I can go to don't hesitate to tell me .

Can any of you guys give me a few suggestions on a receiver and speaker setup? I may be able to put an additional $500 into this if needed. I mostly watch movies and currently live in an apartment building. I'm open to any and all suggestions .

I have some book shelf speakers; 6yr old JBLs from Best Buy. I guess I can use those for surrounds; I'm guessing what I really need are some L/C/R.

[Brian Cash]

not to be a D*ck but just type in 2000 budget help in the search and you will probaly 100 defferent threads on what you can buy for 2gs

[kpkelley]

What player are you using?

[Wukilla]

Originally Posted by Brian Cash

not to be a D*ck but just type in 2000 budget help in the search and you will probaly 100 defferent threads on what you can buy for 2gs

Hmm...why not skip the topic next time? If you feel the need to post in the topic how about something like this next time:

There are many topics like yours already commented on. If you use the search feature and type in $2000 you'll get tons of info. Welcome to the boards!

Nope, just couldn't do that...

[Wukilla]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

What player are you using?

This will be a brand new setup. I have some old equipment that I don't plan on using outside of the JBLs. Thanks for attempting to assist; even if there are many topics on the subject .

[kpkelley]

Some Blu-ray players have different ways of dealing with the hd codecs than others. If you want the most out of your system we need to know if you are looking a player as part of your budget or if you already own one.

[Beta Man]

So, what I'd recommend, is setting aside $400 for the Blu-Ray player, $400 for the receiver, so you're at $800

I'd use the bookshelf speakers you mentioned as the surrounds, and get the L/R/C and hold off on the sub for the time being.... so $1,200 for the L/C/R

Listen to MANY speakers, and decide for yourself.....

Here's a good place for you to start.

http://www.listenup.com

it's on Tejan in the Springs.....

good luck!!!

[Wukilla]

Thanks for the help! I have a PS3 that I'm using for my BD player; from what I've read here I should try to future proof as much as my budget will allow. I'll check that link out in the meantime; thanks again for the assistance that was provided !

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Wukilla

Thanks for the help! I have a PS3 that I'm using for my BD player; from what I've read here I should try to future proof as much as my budget will allow. I'll check that link out in the meantime; thanks again for the assistance that was provided !

Spend as little as possible on the receiver..... Good speakers will last a LONG time... there really is no such thing as "future-proofing" I had my last set of speakers for 15 years or so..... and I went through maybe 7 receivers during that time.....

If you already have a PS3, up the speaker budget to $1600 for the L/R/C and you'll have a lot more options in that price range.

[chasarms]

If I were spending $2K, I would go with an upper-mid priced consumer grade receiver like the Onkyo 705 or the competing model from the CE maker of your choice. I have the 705 and I am very happy with it, although I am certain that I would also have been happy with a Yamaha, as I have owned one in the past. There are other makers that offer feature and performance competitive models.

I don't think would go with the higher end, more powerful models as you are not likely to appreciate them very much in an apartment. I have a 2,700 Sq ft suburban home and I don't push the 705 are far as it is capable. So, figure around $600 for the receiver if you buy online from an authorized dealer.

I'd budget $500 or so for a BD player. The Playstation 3 is always a good choice, or you can buy a standalone. I have the Panasonic BD-30 which allows me to access all lossless audio with my Onkyo. It's a nice player.

That leaves you around $1,000 for speakers and a sub. There are plenty of complete SS packages out there in that range that are really nice. You may have to buy a 5.1 system and pick up a couple of extra speakers seperately. I probably would not try to use the JBLs unless you just have to, as they will not be matched to the rest of the speakers.

[chasarms]

Originally Posted by Wukilla

Thanks for the help! I have a PS3 that I'm using for my BD player . .

Cool. You just picked up some additional money for speakers!

[Lucy Diamond]

I recommend buying the best receiver you can find at this point (one that decodes everything) so that you won't have to upgrade while building your speaker cycle.

Having said that...Build your speakers a stage at a time starting with the fronts and center. Buy a nice center first and two small-medium fronts to start. Then (as more money comes in) buy two BETTER fronts and move your smaller ones to the back. Then buy a sub...THEN...if you want...finish with surround backs.

It might take some time, but you will not be sorry in the end.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by chasarms

If I were spending $2K, I would go with an upper-mid priced consumer grade receiver like the Onkyo 705 or the competing model from the CE maker of your choice. I have the 705 and I am very happy with it, although I am certain that I would also have been happy with a Yamaha, as I have owned one in the past. There are other makes that offer feature and performance competitive models.

I don't think would go with the higher end, more powerful models as you are not likely to appreciate them very much in an apartment. I have a 2,700 Sq ft suburban home and I don't push the 705 are far as it is capable. So, figure around $600 for the receiver if you buy online from an authorized dealer.

I'd budget $500 or so for a BD player. The Playstation 3 is always a good choice, or you can buy a standalone. I have the Panasonic BD-30 which allows me to access all lossless audio with my Onkyo. It's a nice player.

That leaves you around $1,000 for speakers and a sub. There are plenty of complete SS packages out there in that range that are really nice. You may have to buy a 5.1 system and pick up a couple of extra speakers seperately. I probably would not try to use the JBLs unless you just have to, as they will not be matched to the rest of the speakers.

I think I disagree with pretty much everything in this post.

1) assuming the ohm rating is the same, I think the JBLs will work FINE as surrounds.

2) I don't think it's in your best interest to spend $600 on a receiver, then try to get an entire 5.1 for $1,000 I have yet to see an entire 5.1 for $1,000 or less that I would consider a "very good" setup.

3) Loud doesn't equate to "better"


Although your budget obviously isn't what he thought (since you have a PS3 already, so that frees up $400)

Even if you got a $3,000 receiver, the speakers are the most crucial link in the chain, and you'll never make mediocre speakers sound like high-quality speakers just by connecting them to a better receiver. A nice reciever gives noticeable better sound, but it's dependant on the capabilities of the speakers first and foremost.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by chasarms

That leaves you around $1,000 for speakers and a sub. There are plenty of complete SS packages out there in that range that are really nice. You may have to buy a 5.1 system and pick up a couple of extra speakers seperately. I probably would not try to use the JBLs unless you just have to, as they will not be matched to the rest of the speakers.

Stongly dissagree here. There are not any SS(surround sound) packages out there that are "really nice". Surrounds are not immediately crucial and those JBL's will do well for the time being since your budget is not that large.

My advice: Onkyo 705 from amazon, PS3 as your player and JBL's as surrounds. That should leave you around $1500 for your L/C/R, you have to audition those yourself. I would also advise you to splurge and use that extra $500 on a subwoofer, it's almost mandatory for movies and home theater. You can get a great sub from SVS for $500.

[Wukilla]

I really do appreciate all the help that was given . I checked out the link that was posted and I know exactly where that store is located . I found a couple speakers that look like they will work for me; I have limited space at this time .


L/R
http://www.listenup.com/B%26W+685-p-685-p-12780358.html

C
http://www.listenup.com/B%26W+HTM62-...2-p-49927.html

Rear
My old JBLs; for now .

That should allow me some room for a good receiver; I hope .

[dobyblue]

Grab the TX-SR805 Onkyo from Amazon for $679 shipped!

For speakers, audition and audition with material you know inside and out. A few minutes with good speakers may at first catch you off guard. It may take one or two songs the first time you listen to good full range speakers to realize what you're hearing if you're used to satellites or bookshelves with limited response.

For budget, consider auditioning some online speakers from Axiom Audio, Aperion Audio, AV123, etc., that you can keep in your own home for 30 days, listen to as much music as you want, as many scenes as you want, which will allow you to hear your new speakers where they're going to end up.

Floorstanding Aperion Intimus 5T - $990/pair - http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...07,28,247.aspx
Center - Aperion Intimus 5c - US$350 - http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...09,29,251.aspx

Total - US$1,340

Aperion will cover the return shipping if you do not like them.

That's US$2019 for the L/C/R+Receiver.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Wukilla

I really do appreciate all the help that was given . I checked out the link that was posted and I know exactly where that store is located . I found a couple speakers that look like they will work for me; I have limited space at this time .


L/R
http://www.listenup.com/B%26W+685-p-685-p-12780358.html

C
http://www.listenup.com/B%26W+HTM62-...2-p-49927.html

Rear
My old JBLs; for now .

That should allow me some room for a good receiver; I hope .

I have a pair of the B&W 686's and love them (but not using them right now) I would STRONGLY recommend you listen to the 684's also (they're the smaller of the two floor standing models) You might look at the $1,100 per pair price as a lot more than the $650/pair price of the 685's, but here's a couple of things to consider.

1) it'll still match the center channel you have listed

2) You can usually get $100-$200 knocked off the price of the pair

3) Speaker stands are EXPENSIVE.

I purchased speaker stands for my 705's (they look like the same stands they have shown for those 685's) and although they're nice stands, I paid $350 for the pair, so you might want to factor that into your selections, but ultimately I'd listen to those, among others, and make your selection.

I'm sure the shop should have more stuff than what is on their website, and if you luck out, maybe you can get a deal on some floor models etc.....

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Grab the TX-SR805 Onkyo from Amazon for $679 shipped!
.

I JUST got an email from Amazon.... it's $629 shipped, not sure if this is just a deal for me, or not.....

I don't have a HDMI 1.3 receiver, but I don't like the sound from the onkyos. Still waiting.....maybe Rotel will put out the receiver I want within the next 4 or 5 months.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I don't like the sound from the onkyos. Still waiting.....maybe Rotel will put out the receiver I want within the next 4 or 5 months.

Well, Rotel is a different level for sure than the averate AV Receiver.

That said, the components in the Onkyo's are excellent. The power ratings and noise levels are good and the DAC's are a step above all the other HDMI 1.3 receivers available in that price range.

What source materials did you not find appealing and can you expand a little on what it was about the sound you didn't like?

[Beta Man]

I find the sound a bit harsh, almost like subtle background static (but not that bad, that's the only way I could describe it) The auto-setup didn't set up the sub, but that was alright because I just use it to get "close" then use my SPL meter anyways.

It just wasn't as musical, side-by-side, with my previous receiver, so I took it back.