Not an audiophile, pretty clueless here

[Teabaggins]

I've read several threads here and although they are helpful they also add to the confusion.

I know nothing about surround sound, receivers, speakers, etc. So just about anything will sound good to me.

I know it's not the best way to go but if you HAD to which "all in one" type of deal where I get the receiver and all necessary speakers in one go and just have to connect them would you recommend?

Once again I apologize for my ignorance and I apologize if I have offended serious audiophiles here

I have a Sony bd 301 and Sony LCD if that helps. thanks everyone

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

I know it's not the best way to go but if you HAD to which "all in one" type of deal where I get the receiver and all necessary speakers in one go and just have to connect them would you recommend?

None.

If you give us an idea of your budget I'm sure Driver_King would be happy to spend your money for you.

[Teabaggins]

$1000 or so, is that possible? I'm flexible, just don't know what I need or where to start

[kpkelley]

Are you looking for a 5.1 or 7.1 system?

A lot of people suggest this:
eD Subwoofer

You could look at the Yamaha 663 receiver as that may be your best value, or given your sony affection perhaps the Str-dg720 or 820.

[Teabaggins]

thanks for your help.

5.1 or 7.1..it doesn't really matter to me . I would prefer it if the speakers and such were small or hidden as possible but I'll take what I can get

[kpkelley]

Here is the DG720. That with the eD subwoofer leaves you about $550 for your speakers.

Center Channel $100
Bookshelf Pair $200
Towers $130/each x2 = $260

Total: $560

You can add two more speakers later on for a 7.1 system and if space is an issue you can get two more of the bookshelf speakers and not get the towers.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

thanks for your help.

5.1 or 7.1..it doesn't really matter to me . I would prefer it if the speakers and such were small or hidden as possible but I'll take what I can get

If you get two pairs of those bookshelf speakers they will be smaller or you can get a small 5 speaker system from the likes of polk or infinity that would fall within your budget.

[aramis109]

I wouldn't personally suggest going 7.1 to start. You're not going to get as much bang for the buck as you will with 5.1. As much as we wish differently, a lot of movies don't have true 7.1 sound.

Orb audio supposedly makes a fantastic small speaker- check out their site here: http://www.orbaudio.com/?gclid=CJ7E7...FQ89awod3We1Fg I've never listened to them so can't comment, but they get good reviews and are frequently brought up here.

*edit* Meant to say the Mirage Omnisats.

Additionally, Polk or Klipsch bookshelf speakers can be a great way to start. They're fairly small and unobtrusive. The ever-popular Polk RM6750 http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cha...2792653&sr=8-1 is a great set for the price as well. You can bag it for under $200. I have it and for what it is, it's great. I'm upgrading from it, but it really does provide a nice jump-off point.

Personally, I'd look at going the separates route. With $1000 you can get yourself into lossless audio as well. Onkyo 605/605, Yamaha 663 are both really good "starter" offerings in receivers that you can nab for around $300 or less.

[Teabaggins]

thanks guys. that polk set up looks pretty good. I'm guessing that onkyo receiver is ok to get with it

[aramis109]

Definitely.

The Klipsch set you posted in the other thread would be great too. I would suggest trying to listen to some Polks and Klipsch to get a feel for their sound.

I think Best Buy has some kind of Klipsch package they've put together that's supposed to be a good price. Of course, with that budget you could also look at towers as well.

[Teabaggins]

just a general question: are all receivers "compatible" with any speaker set?

[aramis109]

Yes and no. In the range you are looking at, yes. However some HTiB speakers are 6ohm or less and can play havok with some receivers. Biggest thing to check for is the ohm output and the basic watt per channel output. The 605 is 95 w/channel for instance, so if you got some speakers that required a lot more power, you may end up clipping when you crank it.

If you pick some stuff out, just post it- I'm sure the guys can really break it down for you better than I have.

[ixlegitballinxl]

i would rather have a 2 channel setup then a 5.1 htib.

save,save,save

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by ixlegitballinxl

i would rather have a 2 channel setup then a 5.1 htib.

save,save,save

+1,000,000 .....I would add more zeros, but you get the drift.

[Teabaggins]

Originally Posted by ixlegitballinxl

i would rather have a 2 channel setup then a 5.1 htib.

save,save,save

can you suggest an exact setup? thanks

[Ectoplasm]

My suggestion is that you buy used Paradigm speakers off of E-bay and build a system that way.

Far better sound, and they're built to last you 20 years.

[4TA23]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

can you suggest an exact setup? thanks

you should definetly go with an Onkyo reciver, you can get killer deals on the 605's and the 705's right now, the newer models are 606 and 706. FOr starting out I would stick with the 600 series but once you jump up to the 700 series you get the THX certification and settings (nice bery nice) and the Polk speaker package would be good for you. I agree though if you want to start out with good fronts for now and build on them later you are wiser to do this. I know you said you do not like big speakers but good fronts should be towers, good speakers are furniture that is for sure and they make them so pretty these days that they fit nice in any decore. See pic attached of my JBL Northridge E-80's. Kepp in mind the black grill is off of them.

[jomari]

i cant believe driver king hasnt replied to this yet. guys normally quick to point out his sig.

although, i have to say, he does have a great recommendation for a start up rig.

again, as mentioned here, your budget should determine what your ht setup would start off with, but should be set on the kind of speakers (horn driven ones, electroplanars, etc), auditioning them, and working with a LOT of research prior to such.

as always, kindly use the search field to assist you much further.

here are just some of the results...

one
two
three

here is driver kings suggestion, before he beats me to the punch...

driver king profile

[Driver_King]

You can get a pair of these, this, these, an eD subwoofer (see my sig), and an Onkyo 606 (see my sig) to power it all. Monoprice for cables! It is a bit over budget (~$1400), but for what you get, it's worth it.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

You can get a pair of these, this, these, an eD subwoofer (see my sig), and an Onkyo 606 (see my sig) to power it all. Monoprice for cables! It is a bit over budget (~$1400), but for what you get, it's worth it.

or just follow everything indicated on driver kings sig...

seriously, if you want a quick fix, and dont want to bother to research, audition, and just get things over with, follow the said advice.