Entry Level Set-UP (Audio)

[raginranger]

Hello guys,

I have been a proud blu-ray owner for quite some time, but up to this point have been only benefiting from the fine video and have not had the pleasure of the great audio as well. I am considering getting a receiver and some speakers to jump into the audio fray. I have some limitations, pretty small apartment so 5.1 speakers is all I could have, def not 7.1. I've noticed though that most receivers now are 7.1 (at least the good ones which decode dts-hd ma). Also, I have a PS3. Here is what I'm looking at right now. Please rate it on the basis of its effectiveness for an entry level set-up and being a good transitional step into the blu audio world. thanks.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-...oductDetail.do

Oknyo receiver and Polk speakers. Both seem like good brands from what I hear on this site, and from reviews I read. I think total cost would be around 600-700 for this. Let me know your thoughts.

[kurtis21]

I think that it sounds like a pretty good starter system....especially if your in an apartment and won't be able to blast it anyway You're about to enter a whole new dimension now that you'll have good sound to go with that great picture!! Welcome to the point of no return

[quirkmanly]

Originally Posted by kurtis21

I think that it sounds like a pretty good starter system....especially if your in an apartment and won't be able to blast it anyway You're about to enter a whole new dimension now that you'll have good sound to go with that great picture!! Welcome to the point of no return

+1

Based upon your criteria and budget (assuming you were looking at $650-$700), you would be very satisfied with this as a potential setup. The reputation of the 605 goes before it and the Polk speakers have very positive feedback from several sources.

Out of interest, were you planning on picking these up from Circuit City, or was that just a convenient source of reference? The Polks have been as low as $199 in the last 6 months, so you may be able to find a deal elsewhere.

[hagar852]

my friend will have a similar setup.. But with a Sony DG910.. Great entry level setup...

[un4gvn94538]

i would check out amazon.com. they have great prices.

[raginranger]

Originally Posted by quirkmanly

+1

Based upon your criteria and budget (assuming you were looking at $650-$700), you would be very satisfied with this as a potential setup. The reputation of the 605 goes before it and the Polk speakers have very positive feedback from several sources.

Out of interest, were you planning on picking these up from Circuit City, or was that just a convenient source of reference? The Polks have been as low as $199 in the last 6 months, so you may be able to find a deal elsewhere.

I was just using Circuit City as a reference. I haven't actually gotten far enough along in my thought process to compare prices at different retailers. As with most items, I'm sure CC's price isn't the lowest. I still do go there sometimes because of the convenience and ability to get your item right away. Also, my CC happens to be one of the few that is clean and well run. (judging from people's comments on this site, my store must be one in a million!) But, of course I will consider Amazon and other retailers if they have a lower price.

Quick question, and this a total noob question, do I need any cables to hook up the speakers to the receiver, and the receiver to the tv and all that? or does this stuff come with it? I'm guessing I'll need an extra HDMI cable, but besides that I'm not sure.

thanks!

[un4gvn94538]

youll need cables. the most the receiver would come with is antennae and power. some speakers sets come with wire but usually not long enough

[Beta Man]

That should definitely get the job done.....

I'm sure if you've been reading here, you know all about Monoprice, so just order a couple of HDMI's, and some 14 or 16ga. speaker wire.... that's all you need.

[raginranger]

K. Thanks. Sounds good. Just to make sure I have enough room, I'll post my space size here:

I sit about 7 feet away from a 46" LCD, I cannot sit any further away due to a wall and plus I don't really want to. It looks good up close! I have 5 feet on each side of the TV for speakers to be placed, I also assume one speaker could sit in the front perhaps on top of the receiver...? Also, I have a couple feet to the side of my couch to have another speaker in the back, maybe put the subwoofer in the back? Not really sure how the best way to set this up, but basically I have 5 feet to each side of the TV for speakers, and 2-3 feet on the left side of my couch for speakers. Does this sound like enough room for a 5.1 set-up or is this just not feasible?

thanks!

[saprano]

you should put your sub up front with your speakers if you have the space, and your center in front of your tv. is your tv in a entertainment cabinet?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by raginranger

I also assume one speaker could sit in the front perhaps on top of the receiver...?

DON'T! will over-heat..... build a stand perhaps if you have the room (or you don't need to build it.... if it's a very SMALL center, like a bose cube etc... then on-top would o.k. Not sure from the pics how big those polks are...... better off "JUST UNDER" the front/center of the t.v. (if it's on a stand.....

[saprano]

heres all the stuff you need... http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by saprano

heres all the stuff you need... http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

he doesn't need banana plugs.... so you should tell him they're "useful" but not "needed"

[raginranger]

I'm going to try to post some pics of my set-up and apartment so you all can see exactly what I have to work with. But as far your questions, I have the TV on an HDTV console I purchased from a furniture store. It is about 3 feet high I'd say, includes two cabinets for movies to be placed, two open spaces (for lack of a better word), one open space is currently being occupied by my PS3. the other open space can be used for my receiver. where would be a good place to put the front speaker?

also, from what I've described so far, does it sound like enough room for a 5.1 setup?

[raginranger]

Originally Posted by saprano

heres all the stuff you need... http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Do I just need one of each?

[saprano]

you gonna need 2 HDMI cables, 1 going from your ps3 to receiver, and one going from your receiver to your tv. the speaker wire i would get two spools just in case, i needed more that one when i hooked up my system. the banna plugs,as beta man said, you dont need, but it makes it easier to plug into the receiver and speakers. if your going to get them you need 10 pairs, and yes it sounds like you'll be fine for a 5.1 set up.

[saprano]

and make sure theres space above your onkyo to let the heat flow out.

[desmond]

You should check out just released 606 - it is a nice upgrade over 605 and it does not run nearly as hot.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by saprano

you gonna need 2 HDMI cables, 1 going from your ps3 to receiver, and one going from your receiver to your tv. the speaker wire i would get two spools just in case, i needed more that one when i hooked up my system. the banna plugs,as beta man said, you dont need, but it makes it easier to plug into the receiver and speakers. if your going to get them you need 10 pairs, and yes it sounds like you'll be fine for a 5.1 set up.

For what it's worth.... I never used Banana Plugs (still haven't actually) because I never saw the need, but I ordered a couple more HDMI cables from Monoprice, because I'm setting up another system, and figured I'd order them since I'm already shelling out for the shipping etc (and I'm a compulsive audio-shopper ) So I'll be connecting my old system, and my new system, and my system in the basement with banana plugs (yep, I ordered 68 banana plugs for my Two 5.1 systems, and one 7.1 system!! ) Anyways..... I managed to have a pretty nice set-up and not use them, but if you don't mind the $18 or so for 10 pairs of them, it makes connecting/disconnecting easier I guess. Don't expect to notice any difference in Audio Quality.

[saprano]

yea banna plugs do nothing for audio, its more for convenience.