Finally getting surround sound! Need help!

[taei]

Hi all,

So I just graduated from college and thought that I would treat myself to getting a surround sound system. I've been living overseas so I couldn't get anything cause I knew I would eventually move back and I didn't want to deal with different Voltage.

I started looking around and I got lost. I don't know what I'm doing, so I'm hoping that you guys can help me out a bit.

I'm going to be moving back to my parents house (you have to live with the parents in the middle east ) and I'm going all out for my bedroom. I don't have the exact size of the room, but it's a relatively big room...

Ok. So budget wise, I would say its a max of $400
I was dabbling around the idea of getting an all-in-one system, just because I don't have that high of a budget. But I've been reading around and it seems like a lot of people are saying that sound bars actually work better in bedrooms.

So I guess my question is, based on my situation, which would you guys recommend, a sound bar or a 5.1 system?

And which companies should I go for? In the middle east, we have Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Pioneer, JBL, and Harman/Kardon.

Thanks in advance.

[taei]

A few more details that might help:

1. I already have a Blu-Ray player, it does have optical and HDMI.
2. I am not a gamer.
3. I mainly watch TV shows and movies.
4. Devices connected: TV, BD Player, Apple TV, and PS3.
5. Would prefer not to have towers, but can bend that preference.

[grape_jelly]

If you're stuck in a bedroom, I'd just save some cash and get a soundbar.

Better yet, why not some decent headphones which simulate surround?

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS-.../dp/B0007QN18U

This way you can watch movies as loudly as you want without having to worry about disturbing the 'rents.

[taei]

Originally Posted by grape_jelly

If you're stuck in a bedroom, I'd just save some cash and get a soundbar.

Better yet, why not some decent headphones which simulate surround?

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS-.../dp/B0007QN18U

This way you can watch movies as loudly as you want without having to worry about disturbing the 'rents.

Hmm.. Those do sound interesting. But I will have family watching movies in my room, so I would have to get something for them to hear.

[grape_jelly]

Just turn up the headphones real loud and gather around them like a campfire.

[Zhorik]

Are you planning on a receiver or pre pro + amp or a HTiB? Interested in Atmos reflecting speakers?

[ADstv]

I am using headphones for surround sound as I currently don't have a Home Theater setup at the moment and won't for a few months. I would save up until you can afford to get a decent setup and just use headphones for awhile. I got virtual 7.1 on my headphones and it sounds great so will do me until I build a new HT. The 46" screen I am using at the moment however does suck compared to the 100" projection I previously had

One of my friends brought an expensive soundbar so yet to go to his place and test it out. Will report back when I do

[Jutty]

This is a great all in one :
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic.../dp/B001202C44

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by Zhorik

Are you planning on a receiver or pre pro + amp or a HTiB? Interested in Atmos reflecting speakers?

The original poster has stated that, his budget is only $400.00. I don't think he'll be interested in Dolby Atmos speakers, since he's not able to afford a Dolby Atmos receiver at the present time. In his situation, a HTiB would be perfect, especially for a bedroom.

[taei]

Originally Posted by slimdude

The original poster has stated that, his budget is only $400.00. I don't think he'll be interested in Dolby Atmos speakers, since he's not able to afford a Dolby Atmos receiver at the present time. In his situation, a HTiB would be perfect, especially for a bedroom.

Yeah. Would really love Atmos, but I can't afford it right now and I don't see myself redoing the audio system for at least 2 years.

The speakers sound interesting and they are a great idea! However, I've been away from the family for so long, i'm sure that we'll spend endless nights watching TV shows and movies.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

I guess I'll be the spoilsport. If you only have $400, I would start saving up. Really. Truly. There is almost nothing worth getting with full surround for that cheap a price. You need to amass around $1,500 to about $2,000 give or take for a decent budget A/V system you would be happy with.

[LordSummerIsle]

If you want decent, stay away from HTIB. Just buy one piece at a time, budget permitting.

[happydood]

Yeah, don't do HTIB. This will be anathema to folks around here, probably, but I think you should investigate the best current entry level set-ups from Sony (which people around here hate) or Polk. They are both rated highly for what they are and I think you can get started for 500-600 bucks. They'll last you for a spell while you upgrade as you go. I've experimented with both and now have midsize bookshelf fronts and center, two small surrounds and a sub and it works well in a decent sized living room for a family of four. If you absolutely can't get up to 500-600, I'd start with the fronts, center and sub- which you can get for under 400 and then add the surrounds in later. Just my two cents.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by taei

Hi all,

So I just graduated from college and thought that I would treat myself to getting a surround sound system. I've been living overseas so I couldn't get anything cause I knew I would eventually move back and I didn't want to deal with different Voltage.

I started looking around and I got lost. I don't know what I'm doing, so I'm hoping that you guys can help me out a bit.

I'm going to be moving back to my parents house (you have to live with the parents in the middle east ) and I'm going all out for my bedroom. I don't have the exact size of the room, but it's a relatively big room...

Ok. So budget wise, I would say its a max of $400
I was dabbling around the idea of getting an all-in-one system, just because I don't have that high of a budget. But I've been reading around and it seems like a lot of people are saying that sound bars actually work better in bedrooms.

So I guess my question is, based on my situation, which would you guys recommend, a sound bar or a 5.1 system?

And which companies should I go for? In the middle east, we have Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Pioneer, JBL, and Harman/Kardon.

Thanks in advance.

You say that you have to live with your parents. How long is this for?? I'm guessing that you will eventually be moving out on your own so I would suggest that you invest in something small right now and start saving up for a larger investment when you do finally get a place of your own.

[ksas511]

Hi

I need advise about home theater from the scratch my budget is 9000 usa dollar
i carently living with a friend and i,m thinking to rent apartment so i,m thinking to have home theater i did my serch but i,m noob to the area of audiophile

the srround setup it will be 5.1.4
the size of the room which is best for the budget

i choose to the ultra svs speakers beucase someone advise for it my use 65 movies and the rest music

and there is avr or preamp, dac and amp i dont which is better for setup

and there is acoustic panels andi don,t know anything about it

i never try projector so i don,t now should i choose projactor or tv

that is all i know

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by ksas511

Hi

I need advise about home theater. It's from scratch and my budget is 9,000 usa dollars.

I'm currently living with a friend and am thinking of renting an apartment so I'm thinking of getting a home theater. I did my research but I'm a noob to the area of audiophile systems.

The surround setup will be 5.1.4.
(the size of the room which is best for the budget) - I don't understand your question here.

I chose SVS ultra speakers because someone advised me on them. My use is 65% movies and the rest music.

There are avr's or preamps, dac and amps. I don't know which is better for my setup.

And there are acoustic panels and I don't know anything about those.

I never have tried a projector, so I don't know if I should choose a projector or tv.

That is all I know.

Are you living here in the States or elsewhere?

That will help me answer your questions better.

[ksas511]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Are you living here in the States or elsewhere?

That will help me answer your questions better.

no i,m living at saudi arabia

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by ksas511

No, I'm living in Saudi Arabia.

I'm not sure how many speaker and electronics brands you have access to in your region of S.A., but I will try my best to answer your questions.



SVS Ultra speakers are quite good.


However, if you can get their new Prime Pinnacle tower speakers, then you can save some money (maybe) by sticking with their Prime series instead of their Ultra series. The Pinnacle tower speakers are getting very good reviews. You are getting very close to the sound of the Ultra tower speakers with the Pinnacle Prime towers.


If you are thinking of a Dolby Atmos audio system, then I would go with the Denon AVR-X6500H receiver. It has very good reviews also. It supports up to 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos and DTS: X decoding. It has 11 amplifiers built-in to get you started.



If you end up putting your system in a large room you may want to add power amplifiers in the near future to have greater volume with less distortion. Distortion can cause damage to your speakers.



For media playback, I would recommend the Panasonic 820 UHD Blu-ray player. It is great for projectors because it has HDR tone mapping and you can play 4k Blu-ray and regular Blu-ray discs that contain Dolby Atmos and DTS: X tracks. More studios are starting to add immersive audio to 4k discs exclusively.



I would get a projector (BenQ, Optoma, or Epson - one of their 4k models with HDR and maybe HLG support) and an acoustically transparent drop-down tension screen. You get a much larger picture for the amount of money spent.



An acoustic screen will allow you to buy a third matching tower speaker for the center which would sound much better than a standard horizontal center model. It would then fire through the screen just like at a commercial movie theater - locking the picture with the sound.



Without knowing the size of the theater room, it would be hard for me to recommend a particular subwoofer (you should have two or more) at this time. You have to size them (driver size, amplifier power) to your room.


The type and amount of acoustic panels would be determined by your room size as well.


Some basic acoustic treatments by Auralex might be available in your country. You need at least the four corners treated with bass traps (floor to ceiling) and a mixture of absorption and diffusion. The trick is not to overly dampen your room with too much absorptive material.



I hope this gets you started. Let me know if you have further questions.


Have a great day.

[Hitman Horton]

Go out and try out some systems. Take some of your own movies and music with you. Take stuff you know well. Let your ears and eyes decide what looks and sounds good to you. What sounds great to somebody else may not sound good to you. Also, the most expensive one might not be the best.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

Go out and try out some systems. Take some of your own movies and music with you. Take stuff you know well. Let your ears and eyes decide what looks and sounds good to you. What sounds great to somebody else may not sound good to you. Also, the most expensive one might not be the best.

A lot depends on whether the OP has ready access to stores with demos in his (or her) part of Saudi Arabia.



It would be great if they did, though. Not disagreeing with you on trying these audio systems out first.