Surround sound help

[shaneinsane]

Hey everyone I have a nice set up going here I have a 80 gig ps3 26 inch SAMSUNG LCD HDTV (later down the road will get a bigger TV) and Now I'm looking to get a nice sound system Im a complete NOOB when it comes to this and don't even know where to start but My budget is around 300 is that enough or should I just keep saving

[DBlackGT]

With the upmost respect, keep saving. You'll be happier in the long run if you save for bigger and better things.

[shaneinsane]

Okay Its just for my room so its not a huge area I think sound will be bouncing all over the place i mea

[plowmanjoe]

i would try to save at least 5-6 hundred. read through the forums to educate yourself. lots of good info. check receiver discussion, speaker discussion and home theater.

[Big Daddy]

To take advantage of all the new HD audio on Blu-ray, you need a receiver that can handle Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. The best cheap receiver is Onkyo TX-SR606. It will probably cost you around $350-$400.
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606...3710742&sr=8-1

You also need 5 speakers and a subwoofer. The cheapest will cost you around $200-$250.
http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage....ctGroup_ID=766

In the meantime, read A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs to make sure you fully understand all the new audio codecs.

[allstar780]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

To take advantage of all the new HD audio on Blu-ray, you need a receiver that can handle Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. The best cheap receiver is Onkyo TX-SR606. It will probably cost you around $350-$400.
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606...3710742&sr=8-1

You also need 5 speakers and a subwoofer. The cheapest will cost you around $200-$250.
http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage....ctGroup_ID=766

In the meantime, read A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs to make sure you fully understand all the new audio codecs.

Using the PS3, he will only need a receiver that can handle LPCM via HDMI.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by allstar780

Using the PS3, he will only need a receiver that can handle LPCM via HDMI.

You are right. I did not realize he was using PS3. He still needs around $500+ to get something decent.

[dean2uk]

dont worry about saveing 300 is ok if you got a small room then i would go for the onkyo htx-22hd 2.1 dolby true hd and dts hd sound, for 250 and an extra 100 if you want to make it 5.1. i have this in a small room and it sounds good you would be plaesed

[shaneinsane]

Okay guys thanks and yes its a small room so I just need a receiver?

[JJ]

Negative, Insane Shane - you'd need receiver and the speakers, of course. Your best bet lies with $600, an Onkyo receiver and one of the Dayton 5.1 sets Daddy-o recommended, or one of the Polk RM 5.1 sets we recommend. Wires, cables, and connections might be an additional $50.

[shaneinsane]

Sorry My lord and I appreciate the help

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

With the upmost respect, keep saving. You'll be happier in the long run if you save for bigger and better things.

This is extremely wise advice, and anyone would be foolish not to listen. This might turn a few off, but here it goes. Good hometheaters and listening rooms(not expensive) are an investments that keep on giving for years. You should get the VERY best that you can afford the first time around, so that your ladder upwards won't be so expensive down the road.

[TheShinigami]

Originally Posted by dean2uk

dont worry about saveing 300 is ok if you got a small room then i would go for the onkyo htx-22hd 2.1 dolby true hd and dts hd sound, for 250 and an extra 100 if you want to make it 5.1. i have this in a small room and it sounds good you would be plaesed

Hey Dean we live in the US we dont have the onkyo HTX-22HD. i wish ive been looking all over the net and they dont ship it to the US.

[cwh060]

Agree with the others on this post, you might need to step up the budget to get a decent system.

Start with a good receiver, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Harmon Kardon, Pioneer. Most available in the $300-$600 range. Make sure you have enough HDMI ports and enough analogue ports for any other equipment. Lots of choices out there, choose what you will be happy with now and more importantly in the future.

Using the PS3 for BD movies works well, although to hear HD True Audio, you'll need to set the PS3 to LPCM and pass it through to your receiver. Which will just show PCM on the front. The PS3 Bitstream cannot carry the newer formats.

I'd start with a couple decent quality speakers for L/R and Center. You can always add a SUB and surround backs later, as the budget and $ dictate.

my 2c

cwh