Help me build my home theater.

[hardcorefrokid]

I'm in the process of replacing my home theater with newer and better equipment. Right now my equipment is:

- Sony BDP-S300
- 50" Vizio JV50P
- A decade old JVC Stereo System
- InFocus ScreenPlay 4805 Projector (720p)

I'm planning to replace my projector with a Optoma HD806 Projector. Now, what I need assistance with is choosing an A/V receiver, preferably 7.1 channels and two HDMI out ports (4 or 5 in total). I'm looking at the Onkyo TX-SR606 and the Denon AVR-2807. I'm willing to pay up to 1,200 hundred for an A/V receiver. But, if you know of a good receiver that's cheap I'd prefer hearing about that one. And I'm going to replace my speakers, so give me some good info on speakers. Also, if you know of some good projectors (1080p) with at least 1600 lumens, that would be nice too. If you can help it will be much appreciated.

[JJ]

Give me a complete budget (receiver + speaker + projector) or what you wish to spend for each component individually and I'll be glad to steer you in one of the many good directions you could take!

[Big Daddy]

Generally speaking, receivers with 2 HDMI outputs are expensive. My Denon 4308CI is one one them and will cost around $1,800 to $2,400. Your other alternative is to buy a less expensive receiver and buy an HDMI 4x2 switch.

See the list of receivers with 2 HDMI outputs.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=861445

Receiver Reviews:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/
http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-receivers/?tag=bc
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/maste...rocessors.html
http://www.hometheatermag.com/buyersguides/avreceivers/
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/?skip=y
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/
http://hometheater.about.com/od/audi...ts_Reviews.htm
http://www.hometheaterreview.com/receiver_reviews/
http://www.avreview.co.uk/review/rev...0248412684/v/1
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/ampli...S_2718crx.aspx
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/ampli...S_2718crx.aspx
http://www.testfreaks.com/receivers/
http://www.testseek.com/home_electro...ers-c-192.html
http://www.smartratings.com/electronics/receivers
http://wize.com/receivers/t107-home-theater
http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/re...witchers.shtml
http://hometheater.about.com/od/avre...atpmidavra.htm
http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-av...-receiver.html
http://products.howstuffworks.com/a+.../All/award-all
http://www.crutchfield.com/g_10420/R...rs.html?tp=179
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rs=2...2Cn%3A14269281
http://www.epinions.com/Receivers--~...kin_id=3065542
http://search.ecoustics.com/Consumer...rs/Alpha-Name/
http://www.gadgetguy.com.au/section_...gadget=&id=106
http://www.productreview.com.au/cate...hp?cat_id=1070

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Give me a complete budget (receiver + speaker + projector) or what you wish to spend for each component individually and I'll be glad to steer you in one of the many good directions you could take!

A/V receiver: 1,200.
Projector: 3,000.
Speakers: I haven't done my research on speakers, so I don't know how much it a set cost on average. But nothing too high.

I'm a tech guy on a moderate budget.

[mdabb]

Marantz and Integra if I had to do it over again.

If you don't mind barely used you might be able to get a great deal on a Marantz SR-7002. Might even be able to negotiate an even better deal too.

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.p...990&class&3&4&

Specs on the SR-7002

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2205.asp

[JJ]

Originally Posted by hardcorefrokid

A/V receiver: 1,200.
Projector: 3,000.
Speakers: I haven't done my research on speakers, so I don't know how much it a set cost on average. But nothing too high.

I'm a tech guy on a moderate budget.

I'm most knowledgeable on the speakers and receiver part of it all - you thinking $1,000? $2,000? 5.1? 7.1?

Projectors, I have a limited knowledge on, but highly recommend Panasonic's offerings in that area, if you wish to learn more:

www.projectorcentral.com

...is a very useful site for such research, I looked into it a lot when I considered a projector instead of my eventual audio upgrade.

For $1,200; I would start looking into Pioneer, Denon - maybe some Marantz units. My SR-7002 has dual HDMI outputs and a new one is about $1,400. Heck, I love the machine, and if you can stretch it or find a like new one on Audiogon or a refurbished one on the internet, you should go for it. Top notch unit. Better than any Onkyo/Yamaha/Sony/Denon in the price range.

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

I'm most knowledgeable on the speakers and receiver part of it all - you thinking $1,000? $2,000? 5.1? 7.1?

Projectors, I have a limited knowledge on, but highly recommend Panasonic's offerings in that area, if you wish to learn more:

www.projectorcentral.com

...is a very useful site for such research, I looked into it a lot when I considered a projector instead of my eventual audio upgrade.

For $1,200; I would start looking into Pioneer, Denon - maybe some Marantz units. My SR-7002 has dual HDMI outputs and a new one is about $1,400. Heck, I love the machine, and if you can stretch it or find a like new one on Audiogon or a refurbished one on the internet, you should go for it. Top notch unit. Better than any Onkyo/Yamaha/Sony/Denon in the price range.

The cheapest 7.1 channel speakers without sacrificing quality.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by hardcorefrokid

The cheapest 7.1 channel speakers without sacrificing quality.

Dangit. Give me a number!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by hardcorefrokid

The cheapest 7.1 channel speakers without sacrificing quality.

My friend, not meaning to be rude - but this is a bad approach! You want to spend 1200 on a receiver, but no real budget for your speakers (the only true component you listen to and hear)? Give me a total budget that you would not want to go over (not a piece by piece because you need to spend more and consider more for your speakers). Give me a total and I will give you some great starting points.

[prerich]

Here's and example:

Pioneer VSX-1018 A/H Receiver http://www.jr.com/pioneer/pe/PIO_VSX1018AHK cost $449.99

Emotiva 7 channel power amp http://emotiva.com/upa7.html $649.00

Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB http://www.projectorpoint.com/product/46284 PRICE $2649.00

4X2 HDMI switcher (overcomes the 2 out problem) http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 Price $72.00

7 Paradigm Atom Monitors v.5 (you have to go to a dealer – MSRP is 250.00 a pair and they will separate a pair to sell you a single) price 875.00, Martin Logan Dynamo Subwoofer 599.00 (sub located at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIJA6W ) for a total of $1474.00!!!!

IMHO at least half of your audio budget should be on speakers. Your total here is $5294.00 that’s not bad seeing what you are getting. You can knock 649.00 off of that budget if you wish to use the Pioneer’s internal amps – bringing the cost to $4645.00!

This is just an example to get you going, but if you have a big screen – you need big sound to bring it – I used the Atoms because they throw a huge image and soundstage (I should know – I’ve owned them) and the sound big! The Martin will give you great bass – or you could cut the budget even more and get an eD AS-2 sub for 315.00. Just don’t skimp on your speakers!!!!

[Slec]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

For $1,200; I would start looking into Pioneer, Denon - maybe some Marantz units. My SR-7002 has dual HDMI outputs and a new one is about $1,400. Heck, I love the machine, and if you can stretch it or find a like new one on Audiogon or a refurbished one on the internet, you should go for it. Top notch unit. Better than any Onkyo/Yamaha/Sony/Denon in the price range.

Refurb Marantz 7002 from authorized dealer with warranty $870

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Slec

Refurb Marantz 7002 from authorized dealer with warranty $870

This would be an excellent buy, and it has 2 HDMI outputs. But if you do consider the 7002, just be sure to see if they can update the firmware or send it to someone who can before you get it.

There is also the new Marantz SR6003...about $1,200

as for a subwoofer, hands down:

Sticky: Elemental Designs A2-300 Review Thread

[prerich]

Both Marantz receivers are excellent buys!!!! Curious - what have you determined for speakers?

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Dangit. Give me a number!

A solid thousand.

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by prerich

My friend, not meaning to be rude - but this is a bad approach! You want to spend 1200 on a receiver, but no real budget for your speakers (the only true component you listen to and hear)? Give me a total budget that you would not want to go over (not a piece by piece because you need to spend more and consider more for your speakers). Give me a total and I will give you some great starting points.

True, but if you get a terrible A/V receiver that just butchers the sound, whats the point of buy excellent speakers if you don't get the full potential out of them. Don't quote me, I'm more of a video guy, that's why I'm asking for help when it comes to sound. I have decided a a thousand to 1,200 for speakers. A good 3,000 - 3,500, maybe 4,000 for everything, sound wise.

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

This would be an excellent buy, and it has 2 HDMI outputs. But if you do consider the 7002, just be sure to see if they can update the firmware or send it to someone who can before you get it.

There is also the new Marantz SR6003...about $1,200

as for a subwoofer, hands down:

Sticky: Elemental Designs A2-300 Review Thread

Thank you, I'll be sure to look into that subwoofer. Big fan of Immortal Technique by the way. How's the new CD?

[crackinhedz]

How's the new CD?

right up there with Revolutionary vol 1&2.

...If not better.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by hardcorefrokid

A solid thousand.

I would never spend more on my receiver than my speakers - thats just me, (and probrably a lot of others here also), but if you're looking at $1000.00 for speakers and it seems that you are not that concearned (so I will not even suggest listening first in this case) - three pair of Energy C-100's http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC100 at $149.00 a pair ($447.00 for three pair), the Energy CC100 center channel (I like vertical aligned centers but in this case...)http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC100 for $175.00 and finally a eD A-2 300 subwoofer http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=407 for 315.00 comes to the grand total of 937.00 (shipping not included), but with the savings from the projector you have 400.00 to play with for shipping. This is a solid system and will more than likely satisfy you. Please however, look into giving just a little more into your speaker budget (like 500 to 600 more - then you can go with the Paradigm/ML package. Happy constructing

[prerich]

Originally Posted by hardcorefrokid

True, but if you get a terrible A/V receiver that just butchers the sound, whats the point of buy excellent speakers if you don't get the full potential out of them. Don't quote me, I'm more of a video guy, that's why I'm asking for help when it comes to sound. I have decided a a thousand to 1,200 for speakers. A good 3,000 - 3,500, maybe 4,000 for everything, sound wise.

That's just the point I'm an audio-type. I've owned 3000.00 prepro's before - now I use a 350.00 receiver but I power it with 5 power amps (4-2 channel amps and one 6 channel amp bridged to 3 channels). Check my previous post (I just saw this one - so don't take me wrong in my post before this one - I wasn't being sarcastic - I was saddened ) You would do well with the Marantz 7002 for $870.00 that's a steal!!! Use the extra cash for the speakers and we'll go at it again! I don't play when it comes to sound - people have heard me say - "I'd rather lose my sight than my hearing" ! When you get your stuff post pictures !!!!

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by prerich

Both Marantz receivers are excellent buys!!!! Curious - what have you determined for speakers?

Well I've decided to get the Marantz SR7002, if I find the SR8002 for a good price I probably get that model. Speaker wise, I found great speakers, but, most are floor standing. I not a big fan of floor standing speakers. I would like to mount my speakers on the upper wall and most come in a set. I've found the Onkyo SKS-HT750B 7.1 Channel Speaker System. Reasonable price and I've read some good reviews. And the reason why I'm willing to paying a bunch for a A/V receiver (and thank you to Slec for giving me that link to a refurb model of the SR7002!) is because I have a lot of crap to plug in to two things (my plasma and projector). To be fair once I get my 1080p projector (hopefully 3-5 months) everything will be connected by HDMI 3.1. But for now, it's a mix between HDMI and component, among other things. Any suggestion on wall-mountable speakers? Thank you, you have all been a great help!