New Home Theater Set up

[macd1995]

I am close to closing on a Condo and am looking to set up the Living room.
It is on the small side (roughly 12 by 12) and I am looking to install components & Surround sound.

I have the PS3 Slim (MLB the show 2010 is all I play every day)
I will get the newer Sony LED (prob 46") 55" may be too big for the room no?

I am struggling with the receiver and the speakers. Given the size of the room and my wife's preference, I will go not go with tower speakers.

For the Receiver what do you suggest with the size of the room? At Best buy, they recommended Onkyo (I believe the 607) with the Definitive speaker set up ($999). I saw some interesting details about Marantz on this site, but I am unclear.

What receiver and speaker set up would you go with? Why not Bose? I could easily spend $1500 here, but I want to make sure it is not over kill

Thanks!
Dale

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by macd1995

I am close to closing on a Condo and am looking to set up the Living room.
It is on the small side (roughly 12 by 12) and I am looking to install components & Surround sound.

I have the PS3 Slim (MLB the show 2010 is all I play every day)
I will get the newer Sony LED (prob 46") 55" may be too big for the room no?

I am struggling with the receiver and the speakers. Given the size of the room and my wife's preference, I will go not go with tower speakers.

For the Receiver what do you suggest with the size of the room? At Best buy, they recommended Onkyo (I believe the 607) with the Definitive speaker set up ($999). I saw some interesting details about Marantz on this site, but I am unclear.

What receiver and speaker set up would you go with? Why not Bose? I could easily spend $1500 here, but I want to make sure it is not over kill

Thanks!
Dale

I don't think a 55" would be too big.....

and what are you unclear with on the Marantz' ?

I have a Marantz SR5001 and a set of five B&W M-1s for my bedroom (my second PS3 died though, so It's currently being used with DVD only) and it has been working out great for me...... of course for your main HT needs, you'll want a sub (which we don't really want/need in our bedroom) This would certainly work within your budget. I would look outside of B&W for a subwoofer though.... although the "matching" subs they sell with the M-line are pretty slick looking.

The Def-Tech suggestion you got was also a pretty solid one too..... and for $1k that's pretty good.


Bose are good at being small and unintrusive, but you'll find a lot better out there at even cheaper...... and I'm not just saying "Bose are too expensive" I'm saying you WILL find better.... I'd get the Def-tech setup recommended to you even if you could find the $1,500 set of Bose for $500...... because I'd venture to say that's about what it's worth.

EDIT:

The B&W M-1s come in Black or silver, and can be wall mounted etc.... lots of placement options.

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I don't think a 55" would be too big.....

and what are you unclear with on the Marantz' ?

I have a Marantz SR5001 and a set of five B&W M-1s for my bedroom (my second PS3 died though, so It's currently being used with DVD only) and it has been working out great for me...... of course for your main HT needs, you'll want a sub (which we don't really want/need in our bedroom) This would certainly work within your budget. I would look outside of B&W for a subwoofer though.... although the "matching" subs they sell with the M-line are pretty slick looking.

The Def-Tech suggestion you got was also a pretty solid one too..... and for $1k that's pretty good.


Bose are good at being small and unintrusive, but you'll find a lot better out there at even cheaper...... and I'm not just saying "Bose are too expensive" I'm saying you WILL find better.... I'd get the Def-tech setup recommended to you even if you could find the $1,500 set of Bose for $500...... because I'd venture to say that's about what it's worth.

EDIT:

The B&W M-1s come in Black or silver, and can be wall mounted etc.... lots of placement options.

Looks like we will now consider the 55In LED; however, the Samsung LCD looked better than the Sony LED!?! thought I had that one figured out already...

I am unclear whether Marantz is significantly better deal than Onkyo or Pioneer. I went to BestBuy again today, and I am now considering Tower speakers (my wife seemed to like the look of them). The Definitive towers with the subwoofer built in was the suggestion from the Magnolia rep in Bestbuy. The thought was that I should select speakers first and then move onto the receiver that best supports the sound selection. He was also biased toward Pioneer (VSX-21) over the Onkyo (707). Anyone try the Definitive towers? This would be $1,800 for towers (all 5 speakers) instead of $800 for the bookshelves. Also, thoughts on the Pioneer?

Thanks!
Dale

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by macd1995

Looks like we will now consider the 55In LED; however, the Samsung LCD looked better than the Sony LED!?! thought I had that one figured out already...

I am unclear whether Marantz is significantly better deal than Onkyo or Pioneer. I went to BestBuy again today, and I am now considering Tower speakers (my wife seemed to like the look of them). The Definitive towers with the subwoofer built in was the suggestion from the Magnolia rep in Bestbuy. The thought was that I should select speakers first and then move onto the receiver that best supports the sound selection. He was also biased toward Pioneer (VSX-21) over the Onkyo (707). Anyone try the Definitive towers? This would be $1,800 for towers (all 5 speakers) instead of $800 for the bookshelves. Also, thoughts on the Pioneer?

Thanks!
Dale

You may want to try out other places than just Best Buy for your purchase. Are there any local shops around you? You may get exposed to some other brands, get other suggestions, and they may even offer an upgrade policy so you can purchase something now and then exchange it within a year for a better model.

Just some thoughts.

I'm not familiar with Def-Tech speakers, but the Pioneer typically has better rated amps than the Onkyo.

In the end, it comes down to how everything sounds to you. Some really like the Onkyo sound, others don't. Likewise with the Pioneer, Denon, Sony, etc.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by macd1995

I went to BestBuy again today, and I am now considering Tower speakers (my wife seemed to like the look of them). The Definitive towers with the subwoofer built in was the suggestion from the Magnolia rep in Bestbuy. The thought was that I should select speakers first and then move onto the receiver that best supports the sound selection. He was also biased toward Pioneer (VSX-21) over the Onkyo (707). Anyone try the Definitive towers? This would be $1,800 for towers (all 5 speakers) instead of $800 for the bookshelves.

I auditioned a number of speakers before settling on DefTech Mythos 3s and 4s. (The STS series with built in subs hadn't come out yet.) They're great speakers. But, I don't know that you can go without a sub. I'd suggest you post in the Speakers forum here or at AVS to get feedback from owners on that issue.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by macd1995

I am close to closing on a Condo and am looking to set up the Living room.
It is on the small side (roughly 12 by 12) and I am looking to install components & Surround sound.

I have the PS3 Slim (MLB the show 2010 is all I play every day)
I will get the newer Sony LED (prob 46") 55" may be too big for the room no?

I am struggling with the receiver and the speakers. Given the size of the room and my wife's preference, I will go not go with tower speakers.

For the Receiver what do you suggest with the size of the room? At Best buy, they recommended Onkyo (I believe the 607) with the Definitive speaker set up ($999). I saw some interesting details about Marantz on this site, but I am unclear.

What receiver and speaker set up would you go with? Why not Bose? I could easily spend $1500 here, but I want to make sure it is not over kill

Thanks!
Dale

The nice thing about the marantz receivers is that they build their receivers with the amps in mind first, and then add on the features from there. http://www.accessories4less.com has really nice deals on factory refurb units, which have a warranty, so you are covered, and if you want the extended warranty its only like $30-40 more for 3 yrs.

As far as speakers, listen to the other guys, you should go to other Audio/Video shops to listen to speakers also. Def Techs are nice, but you may find something that really hits the spot for you.

Try these different brands
Monitor Audio
B&W
Energy
Dali
Dynaudio
Kef
PSB
Jamo
Paradigm
Swan (Internet Direct)
Totem
Axiom (Internet Direct)
Elemental Designs (Internet Direct)

[jkcheng122]

Originally Posted by macd1995

Anyone try the Definitive towers? This would be $1,800 for towers (all 5 speakers) instead of $800 for the bookshelves. Also, thoughts on the Pioneer?

Thanks!
Dale

I haven't had the pleasure, but DT is a pretty highly regarded brand and I don't think you can go wrong with them. I'd also say you got a pretty good sales rep at BB if he/she's suggesting DT over Bose. Bose is crap for the amount they charge and really have no place in the Magnolia store. How much are you looking to spend total for receiver plus speakers? I don't see how the DT towers can be $1800 for all 5 when the cheapest tower speaker is listed at $650 EACH.

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by jkcheng122

I haven't had the pleasure, but DT is a pretty highly regarded brand and I don't think you can go wrong with them. I'd also say you got a pretty good sales rep at BB if he/she's suggesting DT over Bose. Bose is crap for the amount they charge and really have no place in the Magnolia store. How much are you looking to spend total for receiver plus speakers? I don't see how the DT towers can be $1800 for all 5 when the cheapest tower speaker is listed at $650 EACH.

The center he recommended cost $220, the rear speakers were $144 each. The two fronts with Subs were $650 as you mentioned. Bose was not in the Magnolia store (smile)

I don't really have a budget for receiver + speakers, but I don't want to spend as much as possible because that to me is not responsible. I love playing my PS3 (just MLB 2010), and want to enjoy movies with my wife and company when we have it, but I do believe in overkill and I am trying my best (smile) to avoid it.

The room is only 12x12, and my biggest concern is spending $3-4K on the system, and it be slightly better than a $2K system (to my ear). I currently have a Sony HT-6800DP that came with 6.1 system. It sounds good to me, but without HDMI slots (I bought it 5 years ago), it is not the optimal system for Hi def. I am trying to be reasonable with my toys....

[callas01]

Originally Posted by macd1995

The center he recommended cost $220, the rear speakers were $144 each. The two fronts with Subs were $650 as you mentioned. Bose was not in the Magnolia store (smile)

I don't really have a budget for receiver + speakers, but I don't want to spend as much as possible because that to me is not responsible. I love playing my PS3 (just MLB 2010), and want to enjoy movies with my wife and company when we have it, but I do believe in overkill and I am trying my best (smile) to avoid it.

The room is only 12x12, and my biggest concern is spending $3-4K on the system, and it be slightly better than a $2K system (to my ear). I currently have a Sony HT-6800DP that came with 6.1 system. It sounds good to me, but without HDMI slots (I bought it 5 years ago), it is not the optimal system for Hi def. I am trying to be reasonable with my toys....

OK, well what about this, go to saturdayaudio.com, look up the PSB Image March Sale, check out the T55s, C60s, B15s.

Then look up the Elemental Designs A2-300 @ edesignaudio.com or the Hsu STF-2 @ hsuresearch.com for subwoofers.

Lastly look at accessories4less.com they have the newer Marantz receivers as Factory Refurbs with a 1 yr warranty, and you can get an additional 3 yr warranty for about $30-40

Total would run you just over $1900

I would suggest that you try to find a dealer to audition some PSB speakers so you know if it is a sound that you would like. However it is a great way to get a whole setup with sub and receiver for less then $2k and its worth almost $3k

However I would again say audition PSB speakers if you can, you can locate at dealer on PSBs website at http://www.psbspeakers.com