help an audio noob pls

[blu1183]

I've been into blu ray since the ps3 came out but I've never had any type of sound system. I've always preferred pq to aq but I just heard a friends system and now I must have one but I don't really know much about audio. My room is only like 12x12 so I'm guessing I don't need something that powerful. I saw a system at target for 170$ it was a 1000 watt rca. 1000watt good for a room that size? Any help or suggestions for a certain system would be greatly appreciated.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by blu1183

I've been into blu ray since the ps3 came out but I've never had any type of sound system. I've always preferred pq to aq but I just heard a friends system and now I must have one but I don't really know much about audio. My room is only like 12x12 so I'm guessing I don't need something that powerful. I saw a system at target for 170$ it was a 1000 watt rca. 1000watt good for a room that size? Any help or suggestions for a certain system would be greatly appreciated.

First things first my friend - Don't get that RCA system - Please don't !!!! If you've invested well over $400.00 in an initial launch PS3 you should at least invest 800.00 for the rest of the system. Give me a budget to work with my friend and I'll see what we can do here.

[blu1183]

I guess the budget now is about 300. Like I said before, I don't know much bout audio is 300 gonna be enuff for something decent for that small of a room or should I not even. Other unless I'm spending more than 300

[prerich]

Originally Posted by blu1183

I guess the budget now is about 300. Like I said before, I don't know much bout audio is 300 gonna be enuff for something decent for that small of a room or should I not even. Other unless I'm spending more than 300

Save, I can get you in decent at $800-$1000 anything under that is not worth it (look between $250 - $500 for the receiver alone) not to mention speakers and a sub.

[zweet77]

Originally Posted by blu1183

I guess the budget now is about 300. Like I said before, I don't know much bout audio is 300 gonna be enuff for something decent for that small of a room or should I not even. Other unless I'm spending more than 300

Welcome to brave new world!!You probably need $600 to 700 to get started steer clear of prepackeged hometheater systems sold in retail stores it's usally a waste of time and money.You should look for a quality Audio video receiver and speaker package to start out.

[crackinhedz]

Sony STR-DG720

Polk RM6750

roughly $460. Id shoot for this for beginners.

[lokir1]

Originally Posted by blu1183

I guess the budget now is about 300. Like I said before, I don't know much bout audio is 300 gonna be enuff for something decent for that small of a room or should I not even. Other unless I'm spending more than 300

your rooms small you wont really need a lotta power and ur on a budget so id say look for two things first and foremost decoding in the avr of dolby tru hd and dts hd-ma as these are the surround formats that seperate blu from dvd sound
2 i would say is ur preference on if u want 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound some would say with a room size this small 7.1 is a waste or unnecessary and go 5.1 but i myslef went 7.1 in my bed room and through experience u CAN hear the difference in a 7.1 track versus a 5.1 after that watts arent gonna be the defining factor in my opinion unless your looking to shake the small room lol id suggest lookin at sum onkyos great features and low budget avr's get the job done

[zweet77]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Sony STR-DG720

Polk RM6750

roughly $460. Id shoot for this for beginners.

+1 this would be a great starter set up you could get this receiver http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_...r_VSX-1018AH-K for alittle bit more I have it and am super pleased.

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by prerich

Save, I can get you in decent at $800-$1000 anything under that is not worth it (look between $250 - $500 for the receiver alone) not to mention speakers and a sub.

Listen to Prerich, save your money! Don't run out and buy a mediocre system, because you;ll be wanting to upgrade in a week. Take it slow, buy one piece at a time, the end results will be beyond your expectations!

[blu1183]

First off I wanna thank all of u for helping me. I've learned so much bout audio in past 30 mins lol

This is probly a dumb question but why's that sony receiver that was reccomended have audio and video features? Isn't all this surround sound stuff just audio?

Also the 2 people who said just save up and don't waste my money on a mediocore system. I don't know much but I'm pretty sure I don't need to spend 800 for a room that's 12x12. I just want to get more use outta my blus. Wouldn't the combo of sony and polk that was reccomended be fine for such a small room??

[zweet77]

Originally Posted by blu1183

First off I wanna thank all of u for helping me. I've learned so much bout audio in past 30 mins lol

This is probly a dumb question but why's that sony receiver that was reccomended have audio and video features? Isn't all this surround sound stuff just audio?

Also the 2 people who said just save up and don't waste my money on a mediocore system. I don't know much but I'm pretty sure I don't need to spend 800 for a room that's 12x12. I just want to get more use outta my blus. Wouldn't the combo of sony and polk that was reccomended be fine for such a small room??

Here is some info on audio video receivers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio/Video_Receiver
The 2 that recommended you save up know this can be a expensive hobby if you really get into it can constantly have you upgrading to get perfection.
If you just want to get more out of your blu's right now the set up Crackin headz suggested will be just great.

[crackinhedz]

Since you have a PS3 as the Bluray player and doing the decoding, the Sony 720 (7.1 PCM) and the Polks would suit you just fine.

If anything, down the road you could always upgrade speakers.

[DutchBoy]

Just throwing this out there at those who say, "save and buy the good stuff later rather than buying cheap now because you'll just want to upgrade in a week..."

I fully can see where you are coming from. But you guys need to realize as well that not everyone thinks like that. And I'm one of them.

I was perfectly happy dabbling with a HiTB for the longest time, then I bought another receiver, and now I'm slowly moving into getting new speakers for the first time.

The point is, I haven't had the nicest system there is, and I've not had it for a long time. But I've enjoyed what I've had as I've gone along, and I look forward to the next step, whether it's a week or a year from now.

Some of us don't mind dabbling for a long time as we go along. Just remember that.

And I think crackin has a great suggestion, as always. And I'm not just saying that because I have the DG720.

[SDBlu]

Quick Question to the OP...what kinda system does your friend have??? Since that is the main motivating factor to want to get an Audio System, just curious

[blu1183]

He has a ps3 hooked up to a onkyo. Not sure which model but he got it for like 300 bucks when circuit city was goin outta business. And I know its not hdmi. His sounds a lot better than my tv speakers. That's why I don't think I need to spend 800. He's using optical wires hook up and its that big of a difference. That's all I'm looking for. Not for a set up that's gonna wake the neighbors

[SDBlu]

Originally Posted by blu1183

He has a ps3 hooked up to a onkyo. Not sure which model but he got it for like 300 bucks when circuit city was goin outta business. And I know its not hdmi. His sounds a lot better than my tv speakers. That's why I don't think I need to spend 800. He's using optical wires hook up and its that big of a difference. That's all I'm looking for. Not for a set up that's gonna wake the neighbors

Is it an Onkyo HTIB or just the reciever??? What kind of speakers?

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by blu1183

He has a ps3 hooked up to a onkyo. Not sure which model but he got it for like 300 bucks when circuit city was goin outta business. And I know its not hdmi. His sounds a lot better than my tv speakers. That's why I don't think I need to spend 800. He's using optical wires hook up and its that big of a difference. That's all I'm looking for. Not for a set up that's gonna wake the neighbors

Time to throw another monkey wrench in there. When you buy a receiver, buy one that has HDMI, and accepts PCM audio.

With a PS3 hooked up to it, you'll be able to experience lossless, or HD, sound. And then your audio setup will smoke your friends.

There's really no need to go with an 'optical' receiver when there are so many HDMI receivers out there that you can use that aren't expensive at all. The Sony crackinhedz recommended (and I have) is just one of many.

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Since you have a PS3 as the Bluray player and doing the decoding, the Sony 720 (7.1 PCM) and the Polks would suit you just fine.

If anything, down the road you could always upgrade speakers.

Give him some Marantz options, he'll be more than happy!

[SDBlu]

I agree with Dutchboy and Crackinhedz...Due to the fact that your friends system is not hooked up via HDMI, he is not getting lossless audio. Therefore, if you go with Crackinhedz recommendation, you will have lossless audio-thus making you a happy man

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by SammyG

Give him some Marantz options, he'll be more than happy!

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...urround/1.html

Here you go, but either way you should be very happy. The Polk's and either receiver would be the minimum I would go with.